blessed with friends. I hope I've mentioned that. I tend to write here about things that go wrong, things I need to figure out, things I don't understand. It's not that I don't appreciate them, but that I see them so rarely as to sometimes forget.
Dorothy graciously hosted a going away party for me at her new house. It was so much fun. I had the opportunity to cook lots of things I've either never tried before or that I can't cook here because my mother and The Boy don't eat them.
The menu's theme was "A Taste of New York." I couldn't make up my mind, so I had a little of everything. The appetizers were mini-bagels with lox and schmears (strawberry, chive and regular cream cheese), mini-pitas with hummus, scallion pancakes (almost as yummy as Tea Den on Eighth Avenue near 56th), spinach dip (thanks Jennifer!), sushi, dim sum, pierogi, latkes (potato pancakes).
For dinner, I made Penne Alla Vodka, saffron rice, black beans, Jamaican Jerk Chicken, Masala Chicken, and Chicken Rollatini. The last was chicken breasts pounded flat, stuffed with mozzarella and rolled up. It's like an Italian Chicken Cordon Bleu, except I forgot the prosciutto (ham). Then it's breaded and I baked it instead of frying, as we already had so much fat going on and I didn't want to spend my party standing over the stove any more than I already had. It was served with a Marsala sauce (white wine, garlic, herbs, butter, mushrooms and artichokes).
I even bought ingredients to make egg creams, but not many were brave enough to try them out. They contain no eggs and no cream, I swear! Friends brought fruit and green salads, sweet & sour meatballs and a chocolate mousse pie (thanks Carol). For dessert, what represents New York better than cheesecake?!
People kept telling me I shouldn't be working so hard for my own party, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I managed to have everything but the chicken rollatini done before the party. Jennifer was a whiz with both kinds of pancakes. She prevented many things from burning and otherwise made me look good. Otherwise, I would not have finished as much as I did.
Man, I can't wait to have more leftovers -- there were a ton, as I expected about 5-10 more people. I'm always terrified of throwing parties, because of the three I've thrown in my life (beyond cake & ice cream with the neighbor kids), all have been a bust. I tried a Halloween party a few years ago in San Francisco and only one of my friends showed up. She brought three friends. She couldn't believe it, either -- "I'm eating a piece of cheese that says 'Boo!' there should be more people here!"
The worst part was somehow they got to talking about how glad they were that Prop 207 passed (to end Affirmative Action in California) -- because those infamous "unqualified minorities" always got all the jobs. Save your pity for the poor widdle white girl. She didn't need to work anyway, because Daddy paid her tuition and rent.
Prior to that, I threw a party for Dramarama when they played my town in '87 or so and they were not allowed to come, according to management. That was the first party I had the nerve to throw since only 5 of 20 people showed for my 14th birthday party. So I don't know from parties. I have that Mary Richards curse, apparently, but I always make sure there's plenty of Veal Prince Orloff.
Anyway, this was my first successful party, ever. As one person put it, I have a great family of friends. We laughed, we noshed, we drank wine. For my part, all the dishes turned out well, even the ones I'd never made before (most of them) and the guests were duly impressed. I think I did a good job of spending time with everyone and not getting too overwhelmed.
There were a few no-shows, but not the absurdly bad ratios I've had in the past. It was sort of last minute, because Dorothy could only do it this weekend and most people said they were free this weekend as well. Most of my friends seem to live in her city or nearby in Orange County, so that seemed the best place to have it, rather than have people drive all the way out to The Empire. John lives nearby, but was in New Jersey for a couple of gigs, unfortunately. I'd planned to be in New York already to see him play, but all the nonsense with my bank and other things not falling into place have delayed the move.
I may have to head back behind the Orange Curtain next weekend, as I'd really like to see as many people as possible. I thought the party would be a chance to kill many birds with one stone, as it were. When I left New York last year, there wasn't a going away party, so I was running ragged trying to see everyone individually. I don't have that kind of time, New York is coming up fast. Hooray!
blessed with friends. I hope I've mentioned that. I tend to write here about things that go wrong, things I need to figure out, things I don't understand. It's not that I don't appreciate them, but that I see them so rarely as to sometimes forget.