An Award Winning Dinner

Indeed it is the day of days for Hollywood as the 86th annual Academy Awards are presented later this day.  I always find it entertaining at how early the coverage is.  I believe it begins around 1:30pm and goes right through to about 8:30pm.  All broadcast live due to 3 hour time difference with the east coast.  I will likely tune in for some of it, but more as a background as Markie will be over for dinner this evening.  We are going to feast on Mimosa Marmalade glazed pork loin with roasted onions plus a green bean salad with grape tomatoes and feta.  Simple, but good. 

Now, while it is an easy meal to prepare, nothing can quite compare with dinner last night over at Rob & Jodie's place.  Arrived a little after 4pm and Jodie was cooking up a storm in the kitchen.  She was at different places with each recipe.  For an appetizer we feasted on her wonderful bacon deviled eggs.  I do believe we showed restraint as there were actually leftovers this time.  All the while enjoying Vine du Loc Cabernet Sauvignon. 

Dinner was served about half past six and what a dinner it was.  As noted below, the main course was a flank steak that had been butterflied and then pounded.  The filling was basil, Fontana cheese and prosciutto.  This is then rolled and tied.  Rob grilled it outside as the weather was with us and it was stunningly delicious.  Jodie had taken a bottle of Cabernet and reduced it down to about a cup of liquid and then whisked in some honey for a sauce you see on the medallions. 

The salad was something completely new for me.  The mousse at the bottom is made with the stalks of broccoli pureed with crème fraîche.  On top of that is a salad made with the tops of the broccoli as well as olives, Gruyère cheese, chives and faro.

I had not heard of faro, but farro is a food product composed of the grains of certain wheat species. The exact definition is debated. It is sold dried and is prepared by cooking in water until soft, but still crunchy.  When I tasted some plain it had a texture like a rubber band.  No real taste per se.  But it worked in the salad quite nicely.  I did add a bit of salt to brighten it up.  A real fun and delightful dinner.

We toyed with playing a game after dinner, but I think time got the best of us.  Jodie did serve Lemon Meringue Pie for dessert.  A perfect way to cap off the evening.  Always a delight to see them and it was great to be able to climb those stairs and know that it was still possible and even a little easier since my recovery of the chest infection.  Enjoy your Sunday!