Can you help me perfect my menu?!
Starter:
Figs with proscuitto, a little mozzarella, and honey/lemon juice/olive oil dressing, served with a few spicy salad leaves. Any tips for making this extra special? Should I heat the figs or just serve cold? How can I best bring out their sweetness?
Main:
Chicken/tarragon/leek pies, with cheesy chivey mash (should I just use cheddar? or something creamier?) and... I'm not sure what green veg...
Dessert:
Any suggestions? Must be nut-free and alcohol-free.
Answers:
for the stuffed potatoes, you could use one of the soft herb cheeses, that makes for a really creamy potato. The cheddar might be a little strong for the chicken tarragon.
Asparagus is always nice for a dinner party. Neat and presents well.
If you want to get fancy, you could tie little bundles of green beans with piece of leek and serve them that way.
Fingerling carrots would make a nice contrast in color to the plate and are super easy.
Chocolate layer cake for dessert, who does not like cake? Top the cake with chocolate covered strawberries for a fancy look
What a lovely dinner!!!
For your starter, I'd put the figs under the broiler for a few seconds to melt the cheese first. Consider adding roasted chopped pecans or almonds as well. Also, instead of mozarella, consider some crumbled gorgonzola (yummers!)
Main Dish sounds lovely too. How about some roasted veges for a side? I love grilled asparagas and you can't go wrong with fresh green beans with onion and bacon.
Dessert: Something light but delicious! How about simple lemon bars? Or you could consider a raspberry sorbet drizzled with chocolate and served with wafer cookies.
Your starter sounds very, very good. For the best flavor, serve at room temperature.
Your main is nice..but maybe a little starchy? With both crust and mash being served? If not, I'd just whip a little cream fraiche or roasted garlic into my potatoes, but if you agree, a chunky cranberry sauce and some green beens with browned butter and almonds and some good rolls and butter might suffice. Other ideas are roasted brussels sprouts or asparagus, or carrots steamed and then glazed with honey butter and a touch of curry powder. Green salad, for sure: with vinaigrette, not creamy, dressing.
Dessert: a beautiful fruit tart with English cream, or a baked fruit compote served with ice cream and a few nice cookies.
This recipe calls for the figs to be marinated and served cold.
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1457/…
It looks really good, lovely picture too.
I think the sweetness depends on the fig itself. Figs are going out of season right about now here in the US but I think you might be in the UK because of the type of meal you are serving.
For the main, I would use a mild cheddar or even a nice Swiss cheese.
A simple mousse for dessert would round out the meal, served with coffee.
Your main is interesting but with mix of spices tarragon,leeks and chives I would think a milder cheese than cheddar could be used or go with a chevre and possibly add celeriac to potato mash and for veggie I would consider asparagus possible white or an endive and for dessert a cheesecake or peach melba
heat the figs,
use a number of cheeses,
and for dessert, you should maybe do a cobbler or fruit parfait type of thing
Balsamic Vinegar in your dressing will help bring out the sweetness of your figs.
Lollipop
