Happy New Year!

New Year's Eve is usually a night to invite friends over and cook too much food. This year, we were invited to a party at a friends-of-friends. The idea was simple - each person/couple would bring a course to create a five-course meal. We were assigned the amuse-bouche and the appetizer courses. It was also a themed evening, with everyone following a James Bond dress code. I don't own a tuxedo, so I chose casual Bond. Something he might wear on a night off, when he's tired of the suit and tie. It was lame, I know.



In the background, classic Bond films were playing and I snapped a pic of the original Dr. Evil from Dr. No. The drink of the evening was a Vesper, shown above. For the record, I'd like it to be known as a 'Kick to the Head.'


Here are the courses in order:
1. Duck in Endive w/ Orange Chipotle Sauce
2. Oysters Rockafeller
3. Taramasalata, Tuna & Scallop Ceviche
4. Arugula Salad w/ Roasted Figs & Goat Cheese
5. Mushroom Agnolotti in Beurre Blance w/ Shaved Truffle
6. Ribs w/ Rutabaga Mash
7. Cheese Course
8 & 9. Inappropriate use of Marzipan, compliments of Fusilli.



Of course, after a huge meal and numerous drinks we did the obvious thing... dancing and jumping! I'm amazed that no one hurled. Happy New Year!