Saturday, July 25, 2009

Discussing Chris's upcoming retreat in Provence, we decided to create a one-day retreat at our place in Forestville (AKA Birdland) inviting those going on the trip and others to write at our place. It was the beginning of a special collaboration. A wonderful group came, wrote all day and bonded. Early evening we set a long table in the dappled light of late summer. We toasted one another and enjoyed a Provencal meal.

Menu
Appetizers and snacks: Assorted olives with herbs
Rosemary almonds
White bean puree with herbs de Provence
Crudites with basil Aioili
Ratatouille
Bread sticks

Dinner

Tapenade stuffed chicken breasts
Provencal vegetable tian with goat cheese and basil pesto
New potatoes with herbs de Provence and lemon
Heirloom tomato platter with tarragon dressing
Butter lettuce salad with raspberry balsamic viniagrette

French cheese course

Poached California peaches with Pinot Noir syrup and honey creme frache
 Honey Lavender shortbread cookies dusted with Llavender infused powdered cream