Sunday, July 3, 2011

Dinner for Friends

While away on vacation, I had some friends over to my Mom's house for dinner. They always have me over to their house for a wonderful feasts, so I wanted to return the favour:

Menu 
Grilled Bocconcini
Mango Shrimp and Quinoa salad
Grilled/Broiled Okra
Eton Mess

    Recipes

    Starter - Grilled Bocconcini

    • 4 tbsp Olive oil
    • 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
    • 1 tbsp chopped capers
    • 2 tsp Dijon mustard
    • 2 tsp lemon juice
    • 3 chopped anchovy filets
    • ¼ Baguette
    • 1 container Bocconcini (8)

    Combine olive oil, parsley, capers, Dijon, lemon juice and anchovies.
    Slice baguette into 20 thin slices and Bocconcini into 16 halves.
    Lightly toast baguette and top each piece with a Bocconcini half.
    Run under broiler until cheese begins to melt – 4 to 5 minutes depending on broiler or heat on grill
    Drizzle with anchovy sauce.




    Main - Quinoa and shrimp salad

    • 1/2 cup Mango Chipotle dressing divided
    • 2lbs shrimp peeled and deveined
    • 3 cups vegetable broth
    • 2 cups quinoa rinsed
    • 2 tbsp lime juice
    • 1 orange pepper, finely chopped
    • 1 yellow pepper, finely chopped
    • 1 bunch green onion, finely sliced
    • ½ cup chopped fresh coriander

    Bring broth to boil, add in rinsed quinoa.
    Return to boil; cover.
    Simmer med-low 10-15 minutes until quinoa is tender and liquid is absorbed.
    Fluff and cool.

    Marinate shrimp in ¼ cup Mango dressing.

    Chop vegetables and mix remaining dressing with lime juice.
    Add vegetables and dressing to cooled quinoa and toss, gently.
    Flash fry shrimp and arrange, prettily, around salad.



    Side - Grilled/broiled Okra
    • 2 or more lbs Okra
    • Olive oil
    • Pepper
    • Salt
    • Lime juice

    Skewer Okra on two parallel skewers.
    Brush with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper.
    Broil for 5 to 7 minutes until tender.
    Remove skewers.
    Sprinkle with Lime juice and serve.



    Dessert – Eton Mess

    • Whipping cream
    • A little sugar/booze/Splenda
    • Meringues
    • Fresh chopped fruit (Strawberries are traditional but anything that strikes your fancy)

    Whip cream to soft peaks.
    Crumble meringues.
    Stir all together with fruit and serve at once

    Dinner was a great hit with everyone!!

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