Epicures - Fall Session 2012

Yum.  We just had our quarterly (or seasonally rather) Epicures dinner this past weekend.  We all so look forward to getting together because it brings a really fun group of people together that enjoy trying new foods.  

This time the Dixon's took their turn at hosting and put together a bit of an intimidating menu at first glance:

I know, some of the foods on there sound crazy right?  That's the point of the dinner party group - to try new things that you wouldn't necessarily do on your own.  And 99% of the time the food is amazing...sorry Doug and Patty, I am still not in love with snails.  Or even in like.  Or that I ever feel the need to try them ever again.  Ever. 

First things first - Rach's table setting was absolutely gorgeous - they have a beautiful home with the perfect dining room for hosting our group.

Our gracious and beautiful hostess.

Appetizer, Creamy chicken liver mousse - it was actually delicious, it had great texture and didn't have an overpowering flavor of any of it's ingredients, just a great pairing.  The White Burgundy wine was a delicious pairing to this as well.

Chef Beilfuss preparing the seared scallops for the First Course...

Rach and Ellie

Seared scallop nestled on a leek topped with caviar.

Team Beilfi prepping their soup.  They are a great team!

I'm actually pretty proud of catching the oil stream in motion here :)  The oil was lemon infused...Patty and I were talking about how she was going to do that earlier in the week and I suggested just slipping a little pledge in with the oil...totally kidding - the point is to be adventurous not deadly!

 

 

 

 

Seriously beautiful colors!  Very festive.  The cauliflower base also would be a great chowder base.

The group enjoying the Cauliflower soup with seared scallop and caviar

Next up was the salad course prepared by the van der Berg's. It was a fantastic change from the typical greens salad.

 

 

 

Jaco was a tremendous amount of...help...as a spokes model.  His next stop will probably be the Price Is Right :)

The Dixon Siblings

Ryan sneaking some extra caviar on a cracker...using a baby spoon...very resourceful that husband of mine is!

Ryan and I

On to the main course - Luke pan searing the steaks

Good times with great friends!

SO good!

Beauty on a plate

Dessert course!  Figs, walnut and blue cheese greatness.

It was a tough night for Frankendog Walker, he needed a snooze on the couch :)

I think this every time after we have an epicures, but it just keeps getting better and more fun with each one.  There is something so therapeutic about really slowing down a meal, enjoying the quality of the ingredients truly savoring the flavors and being around others who enjoy it too.  Bon Appetit!  I can't wait until next time!