a warm place to go luscious burrata, flavorful and fabulous brisket, lazy (s)mashed potatoes, meringue with fruit and cream
Brisket is delicious, pure and simple. The meat makes for a nice main course because it can be cooked well ahead of time, and it is difficult to get wrong.
I love this menu because everything can be made in advance, even the Burrata, which maximizes your time with guests or family.
Ending the meal with fluffy, light meringues and fresh seasonal fruit is easy and delicious. When serving a beef entree, I usually serve desserts that are less dense and feel lighter.
luscious Burrata cheese with tomatoes or roasted peppers
Burrata or mozzarella cheese makes an easy, delicious first course or side dish for any type of meal- Italian or otherwise. The flavors of tomatoes can vary tremendously when not in season (season is summer and early fall) which makes roasted red peppers a good substitute for the tomatoes. I usually just buy good quality…
flavorful and fabulous brisket with lentils
Brisket is a cut of beef that requires long and slow cooking for its true wonders to be revealed. You can make this a day in advance, without adding the lentils, and then finish it off before serving. It actually tastes better after one day. This dish is wonderful for dinner, or for a Sunday…
lazy (s)mashed potatoes
Who likes peeling potatoes? I often make these potatoes when I do not want to bother to peel the skins of potatoes and want something slightly different (and lighter) than regular mash. It best is to use potatoes with a very thin skin – usually a new potato but also Yukon gold (as known in…
meringues with fresh cream and seasonal fruit
Meringues are always a crowd pleaser for adults and children alike. Meringues can be made with relative ease though many people feel they are complex
Timing
The day before
Write down your menu, make list of what you need to prepare, and when you will prepare it. Get organized (in your head) with any serving plates or things you need for serving
Make the meringues and the fresh whip cream, refrigerate the cream and leave meringues out a room temperature.]
Clean fresh seasonal fruit, and refrigerate
Three hours before
Prepare the brisket and put in oven
Set table- remember napkins, salt and pepper
Organize serving bowls, dishes and serving utensils in kitchen
Put water in a pitcher with lemon or cucumber, refrigerate
Take out dessert plates and utensils
Two hours before
Prepare the potatoes and keep in pan on the stove top
Decide on seating plan
One hour before
Prepare burrata (without the topping), refrigerate
30 minutes before
Remove burrata from the refrigerator
Put on music, open wine, set out glasses for drinks before dinner, and any nibbles/appetizers
15 minutes before guests at table
Make up the burrata plates with tomatoes or vegetables
Slowly reheat potatoes- you want to watch this
Light candles on table and put out water
