After a full week of rehearsals, work and performances, it’s time for a Monday night deprogramming session, to share the highs of the week. At the same time, we have the annual Children’s Messiah to look forward to on Dec 13th. Along with our trio we invited Mary, Sheila and Janet. That’s a lot of altos….
At Steph’s request, Janet gifted us with a lovely said grace in Latin, while clasping hands around the table: “Quae hodie sumpturi sumus, benedicat Deus, per Jesum Christum Dominum Nostrum. Amen. (May God bless what we are about to receive this day, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the colder weather we have been having more hearty meals and tonight was no exception. We started the evening with some bubbly and conversation and then moved to the dining room for a Winter Minestrone soup. Fresh aromatic vegetables, sautéed with garlic and pancetta, tomatoes, white beans, beef both and potatoes, simmering away. The soup is thickened with the starch from the potato and by puréeing some of the beans with broth.
Earlier in the day I asked the question “Who the heck debones quails?” It turns out the answer is Shawn does. Tiny quails deboned and stuffed with veal, mushrooms chestnuts, breadcrumbs, zest and herbs. These were browned, lit up with brandy and braised in chicken stock and veal demi-glace. The juices were reduced to make a luxurious sauce. We served this with herbed gnocchi, with a butter sage sauce.
With flames and flavour, I have to say this is one of the more sumptuous meals we have made lately.
Not to be out done by Shawn’s flaming birds, and although the recipe does not call for it, I decided to set the dessert aflame. We made a Dark Chocolate and Whole Orange Steamed Pudding. A thin-skinned orange is boiled, pricked all over and rolled in sugar. The orange is then steamed in the centre of a chocolate pudding. When the pudding is sliced each portion has a segment of the orange with by this time is almost candied. We brought it to the table flaming with brandy, and served it with crème fraiche and a nice 2000 Vin Santo.
Now that dinner was done and we have had a chance to wind down with tales of the week and adventures abroad, we gathered around the piano, to sing through our music for this weekend’s Children’s Messiah. The men were definitely outnumbered, Shawn’s cold was giving him vocal issues and my lack of confidence showed, but the ladies were stalwart and melodious, and we mostly started and ended in tune, so it’s all good.
Starting our evening with “Quae hodie sumpturi sumus” to receive God’s blessing and ending with the moving music of Handel and the story of our saviour, was a fitting end to an otherwise hectic week. Tonight allowed us to pause and take a moment to think about what the true meaning of Christmas is, and be thankful for the things God offers us this day and everyday. Not only for the food, but for our friends and family. Breaking bread every Monday, with friends old and new, constantly reminds us of how fortunate we are, to have so many wonderful people in our lives. Have a blessed Advent, and go set something on fire!!!
The quails sound lovely…I could use a little gnocchi tutorial from you guys, as mine seem to be like tiny anvils.
Ricotta gnocchi are much lighter than their counterpart, the potato gnocchi, and the secret is to not overwork the dough so it stays light and fluffy. I think a gnocchi making party is a great idea!
I nicknamed Shawn’s Gnocchi “little pillows of heaven.” They are very light.
Mmmmm….flaming dark chocolate steamed pudding. Devine! It’s great to enjoy your dinners vicariously through this blog. Everything is looking very cozy in the photos – perfect December lighting.
We wished you lived closer.