Countdown is on

It had been awhile since Viki and I enjoyed dinner together. After seeing each other at my boyfriend's welcome home party we quickly arranged something shortly the week after. As the description suggests; Viki is leaving me for la belle Provence.. Quebec. And to be more exact, the lovely city of Montreal. Why does Montreal keep stealing my friends!? So dinner plans & times spent before she leaves will be plentiful.

This very first post is coming in a little late, only because we thought of making a blog after this dinner. Although we're looking to the past in the first entry, from here on out all posts made will be more current.
August 19th
Today's Menu:

• Wolf Blass Chardonnay
• Artichoke & Olive Crustini
• Tomato Green Bean Salad
• Brown Butter Buttermilk Nectarine Cake

(these 3 recipes can be found at http://smittenkitchen.com)

Viki and I LOVE Olives. Accompanied by wine is all the better! The tapanade was AMAZING. and so simple!

Just blend the following;

• Add 1 cup of green olives.
• table spoon of olive oil
• table spoon of capers
• 1 clove of garlic (optional)
• and 1 can of artichoke hearts
• salt and pepper to taste (optional)

For the green bean cherry tomato salad we;

• sliced cherry tomatoes in half
• dead head the beans

Vinaigrette consisted of;
minced 1 shallot

• red wine vinegar
• olive oil
• garlic
• sea salt
• basil

This salad was so fresh and summery. I could eat it until thanksgiving. And I plan on eating it tonight! and hopefully I can contain myself to not eat it all so I'll have it for lunch the next day!

The cake was a pretty fantastic end to a fantastic night <3






















All photos by Viki Bristowe Viki Bristowe Photography