Attendees: Javier, Ozzie, and Peanut
Cocktail: Cosmopolitans!
Tapas: (1) Garlic Pan-Fried Bread and Chorizo; (2) Tortilla Espanola; (3) Chicken in Lemon and Garlic (4) Sauteed Garlic Mushrooms; (5) Green Beans with Pine Nuts
Dessert: Root Beer Bundt Cake
When Javier's plans to take Ozzie away for his birthday were delayed, I decided to step in (because that's what friends are for!) and offered to prepare them a celebratory dinner myself. I was then informed that Ozzie wouldn't be available until 8:30 Friday evening, so that "unless I wanted to do it Spanish style..."- inspiration, indeed (not to mention that we didn't sit down to eat until 10 pm)!
And now, in no particular order I present to you the tapas of the evening:
(1) Garlic Pan-Fried Bread and Chorizo.
When making tapas, it's good to have some help in the kitchen. Javier brought over some bread and helped me pan fry it, along with the chorizo. I served this dish informally with toothpicks while we finished preparing the other dishes.
2. Tortilla Espanola
A classic- how could i not at least attempt it? (And I was pretty impressed with the results)!
3. Chicken with lemon and garlic
I HATED the lemon rind that garnished this dish, but everyone else seemed to like it! I guess I'm my own harshest critic.
4. Sauteed garlic mushrooms
I am really developing a deep appreciation and fondness of mushrooms, particularly when they are cooked simply. This was, I think, my favorite dish of the night.
5. Green beans with pine nuts
When I decided that the meal needed something green.
So, Spanish desserts are pretty bad (right?) and I had been dying to try the Root Beer Bundt Cake from BAKED. The cake itself was good and you could DEFINITELY taste the root beer. The chocolate fudge frosting wasn't that good, though, and I can't seem to figure out why, nor can I really decide what type of frosting would taste better. Any suggestions?
Oh yeah, it was also really hard to get a good picture (a fault of the cake, the lighting, or the wine?)
But at least I got one of the birthday boy cutting his birthday cake!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, OZZIE!!!
