Monday, July 2, 2012

fancy-pants

We've started a tradition in my house. Once a week or so, my mom comes over and we cook dinner and watch Downton Abbey. The first week, I wasn't really on the mood to cook anything, so we ordered a pizza. But this time around, I was feeling very festive. Even though it was a Monday, I decided it was time to Party Food Wednesday-it.

I saw this shrimp recipe on pinterest recently, and it reminded me of an amazing dish that my friend Shannon once made. I remember it being super easy and major delicious, which was what I was going for. Actually, this Party Food Wednesday Monday turned out to be a combination of some of my favorite girls' nights in recent history...



I threw together an antipasto salad of fresh mozzarella, basil, cherry tomatoes, salami, oil and balsamic vinegar over a slice of grilled italian bread.





Publix has just started carrying their own gourmet cheeses, which makes me very happy. I put together a quick cheese board with cranberry cheddar, honey goat, pecorino, and strawberries. I toasted sliced baguette and put out some white truffle oil and balsamic vinegar for drizzling.


I sautéed a few scallops in butter, then made a glaze with a splash of the Spanish white wine that I picked up. Remember?


The shrimp with just tossed in a baking dish with a little cubed butter, a sliced lemon, and italian seasoning. I baked it for about 15 minutes at 350.

perfecto

KT's new decanter

The wines we enjoyed were a Spanish white and a Rioja. I'm no wine connoisseur by any means, but I know that I like Spanish wines, and that these claimed to be perfect with small bites, seafood, and cheeses. That's all I need to know.

Actually, for all you Jacksonvillians, The Grotto in San Marco does a really fun wine tasting on Thursday evenings. I'm thinking I might become a regular. Stop by and see us, have some delicious wines and tapas, and check out this painting:

it's called "Art Opening", but we call it "Sisters"


What about you guys... Is there a wine and cheese combination that I must try? Are there any food/wine-related local events that you enjoy? Who is your favorite Downton Abbey resident? Will that rascal Thomas ever get what's coming to him?

m



4 comments:

  1. Thomas sucks and Matthew is so dreamy! Is season 3 on right now????

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  2. also, YUM, about the food! looks absolutely delicious with the wine & cheese pairing. I am definitely going to try it out. The Farmers Market offers very inexpensive shrimp over on Beaver Street!

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  3. I have been meaning to check out that farmer's market! Want to go this weekend?
    I love Cousin Matthew!
    m

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  4. That shrimp looks amazing! Is it really that easy??

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