February 17, 2007
Kathryn
The Fancy Dress Valentine's Day Aphrodisiac Ball
Another fabulous Forking Delicious Party... Our February theme was Aphrodisiac Foods. A fitting thought for February.
Just back from a week on the west caost, Renee outdid herself decorating. Always warm and inviting, the house was filled with roses and valentine hearts, heart candies and even some rather racey drink stirrers. Each of us dressed up for the occasion... and never left the kitchen!
Once we began cooking and chatting -- with the food spread out before us -- why bother?! Clustered around the island, we brought out our dishes to assembled, oohing and ahhing. Renee's husband Jim helped shuck oysters for the oysters on the half shell. He dove right in, with an oven mitt on to save himself from any errant stab wounds. We served fresh oysters on the half shell, each nestled onto a bed of rock salt to stabilize the shells... each gasping mollusk bathing in a dollop of champagne. A mouthful of sea bubbles.
Donna had a foodie thought... what could be sexier than cooking with your mate? So she brought the makings for personal pizzas that we shaped and finished with vegetables, meats and cheeses.
Min made a scrumptious dessert of sponge cakes cubes topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings. A mouth-sized portion was served on a big spoon -- the perfect size for a mouthful of sweet decadence.
Dana brought a heart-shaped couer d'creme garished with chocolate shavings and strawberries. Renee made prosciutto wrapped asparagus with a tangy dipping sauce.
We laughed, we danced, we compared fancy stockings... and we drank lots of champagne. We hit the aphrodisiac highlights -- oysters, champagne, chocolate, whipped cream, asparagus, strawberries.
From all of us, to all of you... Hope your Valentine's Day was Forking Delicious!
