For a couple years now I have wanted to have a dinner party, but I usually lack the space where I am living to pull something like that off. I am happy to say that last friday I hosted my first dinner party and it was a success!!
Sean and I have lived in our apartment for close to a year we have finally had guests over for a meal. I was very nervous leading up to the big event and wanted everything to be perfect. Even though I was cooking for family it still didn’t lessen the nerves. Our guests were my mother in law Linda, her partner Pedro and my brother and sister in law Kevin and Laurie.
Other than cooking for Sean and the occasional dish for my mom and sisters I haven’t cooked for people so this was my first test. I thought I would go for something I knew I could make that would work for everyone, as it needed to be a vegetarian dish. I decided to make an Orange Balsamic Roasted Salmon on a shaved fennel, asparagus and orange salad; a dish I learned at the Dirty Apron Cooking School. I was confident that I could pull off the relatively easy dish for 6 people yet still impress them.
While I cooked the meal every one enjoyed a little Rock Band on our Wii, thankfully the kitchen is open to the living room so I was able to enjoy it while I cooked. Everyone seemed to be having a good time which helped calm my nerves.
When it came time to take the salmon out of the oven I was a bit unsure, I don’t have a thermometer that works very well and I always seem to either undercook or over cook meat. Thankfully Linda was on hand to help me with the timing and we ended up with wonderfully cooked fish. As we all sat down to dinner I was finally able to relax and enjoy the meal with everyone.
After dinner it was time for a quick game and some dessert as Kevin and Laurie had to catch a ferry back to Bowen Island. The night before I made vanilla bean panna cotta with dragonfruit pieces inside in a wine glass. It was nice to have the dessert all ready with just a strawberry garnish added before serving.
Dragonfruit is not an ingredient I have really worked with. While traveling in Asia Sean and I had dragonfruit for the first time and we weren’t very impressed. There are two types of dragonfruit, one that has a good taste and the other that is not so good. When buying the dragonfruit for my panna cotta I wasn’t sure which one I was getting I just figured it would be an interesting ingredient and texture for the panna cotta. Thankfully I got the one that tastes good and it was a great conversation piece when explaining what was inside.
As everyone was gathering their things to head home I was so happy at the end result of our first dinner party. I am happy to say that I finally used the beautiful china I got from Linda at our wedding. We had good food, good wine, and a wonderful time. I look forward to holding more dinner parties in the future.
Tags: Panna Cotta, Salmon
So glad to hear to decided to take the plunge and host a dinner party!
Making something you were familiar with, and planning a dessert that was “make ahead” were 2 great way to boost confidence and steady nerves.
Sounds like a good time with family. Good food and family can’t be beat.
Yummy. I love dinner parties. We have had very few since having the boys, but we are having one tomorrow. Should be fun!