Every year, the Arts Council in Alamance County has a fund raiser called Alamance a la Carté. Chefs, or home cooks volunteer their time to prepare a meal to help raise money to support the arts council. This was the third time that I was asked to participate and I was very honored that they asked me again! My menu this year was called Dinner in France and was inspired by one of my favorite cookbooks, A Kitchen in France by Mimi Thorisson.
Menu
Roquefort Gougères
Onion Tart
Seared Chicken Breasts with Spring Onions
Roasted Asparagus with Prosciutto
New Potatoes
Cheeses Course with French Cheeses and Assorted Crackers
Chocolate Orange Mousse
The table was set with gold chargers, gold rimmed Lenox china, and vintage salad plates. The flowers were done by my Lyn Moser of Special Arrangements and they couldn’t have been more beautiful. I asked for something that felt like spring and she certainly delivered with a combination of roses, hydrangeas and greenery.
The asparagus was wrapped with prosciutto and roasted, then sprinkled with chervil and parmesan cheese before serving.
The onion tart was served as a first course.
I used tri-color baby potatoes to add interest on the plate.
After the chicken breasts were seared, I made a sauce with butter, dry sherry and chicken broth. It was so delicious!
My friend and partner in crime, Britt Stadler helped me and I couldn’t have done it without her. Garrick also pitched in by greeting guests and helping with the serving!
I had the butcher at Whole Foods bone the chicken breasts for me. It’s nearly impossible to find boneless chicken breasts with the skin on. Leaving the skin on kept the chicken incredibly moist and the sauce very flavorful.
I asked my friend Michelle at Cork and Cow in Burlington to help me with the wine pairings. All of the wine was from France and paired beautifully with each course. The guests started with a sparkling wine with the Roquefort Gougères as they arrived. The onion tart was served with an unoaked chardonnay, the chicken was served with a beautiful, dry rosé, the cheese course was paired with a red wine from Burgundy and dessert was served with a choice of Sauternes or a pink sparking wine.
I served five french cheeses, along with a small green salad after the main course. The cheese included Comté, St. Andre, Roquefort, and two others (I can’t remember what they were)!
The onion tart, ready to be served.
I whipped the cream for the chocolate mousse right before the guests came. This chocolate mousse is one of the most decadent desserts I’ve ever made. It was so delicious!
I believe that everyone enjoyed their dinner and I certainly enjoyed preparing and serving it!
I hope you’ll be inspired to try this menu. I made the onion tart, the gougères and the chocolate mousse ahead of time and everything else was prepared the day of the party. It’s not a difficult menu, but if you prepare everything, it does take some time. The chicken and asparagus together would make a very special and easy to prepare dinner.
Thanks so much for reading about my cooking adventure! I hope you all have a great day!
What an incredible menu, Suzanne!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Thanks Jodie! It’s definitely one I’ll make again, after I have a rest haha!
I love your kitchen! And the food looks divine! Very inspiring! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for reading! It was really a fun night!
Looks amazing!
Thank you Bonnie! It was such a fun evening!
Beautiful everything!!! I even want to try your menu. I love your kitchen! The table was gorgeous!
Thank you Francene! The menu is easy, but time consuming! I have been waiting to use those dessert plates and this was the perfect time!
That chocolate orange mousse looks amazing!!!! What a fun evening!
The chocolate mousse was delicious! I gave away the leftovers promptly because I kept dipping a spoon into it!
So fancy for Alamance County! It must be exhausting being you. Do you wear hair extentions? How often you touch up your roots? Do you think your bleph was worth it? What product do have injected into your lips? How much do you spend on clothes annually? Why do you blog?
Your so kind! Who cares where I am…but to answer your very rude questions. No I don’t wear hair extensions, it’s all mine, I touch up my roots every 3 weeks. Yes I definitely think my bleph was worth it and would do it again. I don’t remember what is injected into my lips, but I’ll give you my doctors number if you would like. I’m not sure about the clothes and it’s non of your business. I blog because I want to inspire women in midlife to live their best lives. By the way…this was a fundraiser and all of the money that was raised from this dinner went to our local arts council. Hope I’ve answered all of your questions!
Oh my stars! This was like a little escape to learn of this beautiful evening and all the love and effort that went in to truly lavishing your guests in the finest hospitality! It was truly a delight to read! I hope to try making each one of those fine courses, I know my family would love the asparagus and the chicken and who wouldn’t love the chocolate mousse! And that onion tart intrigues me as well! Beautiful post!
Amy, you are always the sweetest! I had fun doing this fundraiser and I’m so glad to know that the money went to a good cause! The recipes are actually very easy, the onion tart being the most time consuming, but it was delicious! Thank you so much for your comment!
Suzanne,
What a wonderful menu!
I am hosting a baby shower tomorrow but it’s going to be my Italian recipes!
Your photos are wonderful!
Thank you so much Robin! I’m sorry to just be responding but I hope your baby shower went well! I love Italian…actually I just love food!
Suzanne! This is wonderful. I love Mimi and follow her on IG. You did an amazing job creating this dinner party. Everything was beautiful and the food looked delicious. The flowers, OMG, I want those on my table. Hats off to you for a job well done. xoxo
I love Mimi too! I can’t imagine how she has so many children and manages to do everything she does…even with help! I had fun doing this dinner party! You’re so sweet to comment!
That chocolate mousse has me drooling. Thank you for the journey through an elegant dinner
http://www.muttonstyle.com
Thank you so much! The chocolate mousse is so decadent, but worth every bite!
Oh my gosh I am crazy over this post. One of my favorite things to do is host a dinner party. Your table is fabulous and the food is wow! My favorite would be the cheese course! The French are so smart!
Cheryl
http://www.northwestmountainliving.com
I so dropped the ball on responding to comments for this post! Please forgive me! You are always so sweet to comment and I appreciate it so much! I think I could live on the cheese course and I agree about the French! I’m scheming to figure out how to get to Paris very soon!