Mercy Friends Get-TogetherJanuary 18, 2007
6:00 PM
Appetizers:
Artichoke Tapenade on Sliced French Baguettes
Creamed Spinach on Sliced French Baguettes
Honey Mango Tomato with Capers on Mini Tartlets
Smoked Salmon and Caviar on Wheat Crackers
Salad :
Mozzarella on Endive with Baby Greens, Romaine, and Butter Lettuce with Pineapple Ginger Chutney Vinaigrette Dressing
Main Dish : Fresh Champagne, Cremini, and Portabella Mushrooms with Stewed Tomato Marinara Sauce Spaghetti topped with Shaved Parmegianno Reggiano Cheese and sprinkles of minced flat-leaf Italian parsley
Desserts :
Chocolate and Lemon Cannoli
Tiramisu
Mango Cake
Creme Brulee
Chocolate Fudge Cake
Beverages : Beringer Chenin Blanc 2005
Orangina (Courtesy of Rosanne)
Jazmine Tea
Given only a day to prepare for a vegetarian meal, we wanted to serve something light but filling without using any meat. We went to Draeger's in San Mateo where we could find the most freshest vegetables and a variety of ingredients we needed.
The desserts were store bought (at Draeger's), for even if I wanted to make them, time was not on our side. We ended up getting different kinds of small cakes.
We couldn't find a local white pinot noir, so we settled for Beringer's Chenin Blanc Vintage 2005. It turned out to be just the right pairing for our main course. Rosanne brought a small case of Orangina, the drink she preferred.
After the main course, desserts were served with hot jazmine tea (they preferred tea rather than coffee), Christina's gift to me from her trip to Beijing, China with her brother, Bernard Kho, and her dad last June 2006.
Last May, I was invited to a wedding of my son's best friend, Nick P. and his then fiancee, Amy D. which was held in Healdsburg, California. The wedding ceremony was held in Asti, California, in a small catholic church in the middle of the vineyards and the reception was at the Simoncini Vineyards, a vineyard owned by the uncle of Nick P., the only living brother of his mom, Linda Simoncini Peruzzaro. 
