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Sunday, February 7, 2010

Ad Hoc at [my] Home

Not too much sewing going on 'round these parts, mostly because I've been living in my kitchen instead of the sewing room. Last weekend I hosted my first dinner cooked entirely from the Ad Hoc at Home cookbook - I'm affectionately calling these dinners, which I hope to become a monthly or bi-monthly deal, Ad Hoc at [my] Home. For the inaugural feast, I invited over a few fellow Thomas Keller groupies and got to work planning the menu. For those of you who are not familiar with Ad Hoc, a single fixed 4 course menu is served nightly - salad, entree, cheese and dessert. This menu is posted on the website each morning, changes daily and is based on what is fresh locally. I did let my guests know most of the menu ahead of time as they were bringing over drinks to complement the food.

Since I was busy scurrying around the kitchen, WeezerMonkey was kind enough to grab my camera and document the food and prep. I'm so happy she took these pictures as they are way more artistic than what I could have done and are a great way to remember this first dinner.



First course: Green Bean and Potato Salad with Proscuitto




Second course: Santa Maria Style Tri-Tip, Creamed Spinach and Brioche



Third course: Camembert, honey, pecans and water crackers

Fourth course: Vanilla ice cream, Strawberry coulis and Bouchons



I think that everything turned out pretty well, with the glaring exception of the bread. I somehow completely forgot to add the salt to the dough. Did you know that bread without salt tastes like ass? No joke. All that work and it looked beautiful, but tasted so very icky. :/ Otherwise, I'd say the food was two thumbs up! I had a lot of fun prepping, cooking and then being able to sit down for a relaxed dinner filled with great conversation and tons of laughs.

The more I make from this cookbook, the more I fall in love with it. And I can't wait sharing more its wonderful dishes with friends and family throughout the year. :)

15 comments:

  1. I didn't think the bread was terrible!

    Thanks again for having me over. You know how much I appreciate a home-cooked meal, and this was no ordinary home-cooked meal at all. Thus, my appreciation was tenfold! The food and the company were delicious!

    <3

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  2. i'd like to think that i would have been invited to this awesome shindig if i lived in the area :-). the food looks AAAAAAAAAAAAAMazing.

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  3. It looks great!! I've done the no salt in the bread thing - you're right. It makes an enormous difference. I'm glad everything else turned out for you!

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  4. What can't you do? Everything looks stellar!

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  5. What a lovely dinner. Cooking is definitely your art. I am anxious to try the bouchons and the roasted chicken you wrote about previously.

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  6. I agree with WM about the bread!

    Thank you agin for a wonderful meal & a wonderful evening.

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  7. Wow, looks awesome! What a fun meal!! I'm going to call you lil' Martha :)

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  8. that looks like a great time! awesome hostess, fun guests, delish food.

    i saw your post on my FB about the bread sans salt. thanks for helping me make sure i never forget it!

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  9. This was such an incredible meal! You do not cease to amaze me, my dear!

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  10. What an amazing meal. I would love to eat at your house! I would love to be able to cook a meal like that! You took beautiful pictures of the food too. Well done, you!

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  11. *sniff* I bet it was an awesome night.

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  12. WHYYYYYYYYYYY AM I ON THE EAST COAST AND FORCED TO MISS AWESOMENESS LIKE THIS?!?!?!?!

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  13. I'm free for dinner every night. :)

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  14. lovely photos! ;)

    so sad i was freezing my butt off eating poutine from a truck instead of spending a lovely evening with you ladies.

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