Dinner parties make me happy

The PRINCE2 test went well (I will get results back in a week), but for now, it is time to party and enjoy my last 2 weeks in London. So tonight I had good friends Colin, Becky and Dylan over for a dinner party. I enjoyed a relaxing day of dinner party and house prep, and served the following menu:

Starter:

• Shrimp tapas: shrimp ceviche (marinated in garlic, sherry vinegar, red onion, parsley) and cooked bacon-wrapped shrimp
• Red chilli crackers served with Cheshire Cheese
• Wine: NV G. H. Martel Champagne and 1999 Cuvee Special Millesime Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne

Main:

• Lamb steaks with a yogurt, shallot and cilantro sauce
• Warm red cabbage salad with apples, goat cheese and walnuts
• Mushroom risotto with wild and button mushrooms
• Wine: 2007 Jean-Luc Colombo Crozes-Hermitage Syrah, 2003 Vina Mara Rioja Reserva, and 2006 Lasendal Grenache)

Dessert:

• Warm chocolate lava cake
• Vanilla ice cream

Everything worked well together, and I enjoyed the opportunity to open the 1999 champagne amongst appreciative guests! The bacon-wrapped shrimp were excellent as was the mushroom risotto. As for the cabbage salad, it was a very tasty way to serve my leftover red cabbage, so I was surprised with the result!


I also rearranged the living room to make it more comfortable for guests to interact (not the bit pictured above), and I will leave it as is to see Victoria's reaction when she returns from her weekend away! I have a fun filled week ahead with social plans every night! Let the (good-bye) festivities begin!