Blueberry Boy Bait and Rosewater Saffron ice cream w/ additions.

I had a great time as usual. Here's a link to this evening's offerings.

Awesome shots, pairs4life. Thanks so much for memorializing the spread. How'd you do that so fast?! And you're right, Janet's lemon cake does glow - I was looking at it again after everyone left - very weird. I'm so happy everyone came. Many thanks to you all. See you in September at msoma97's.

alleycat wrote:How'd you do that so fast?! .

I thought about that quote you have up in your handwriting about perfection and it resonated with me.

Peace & Thanks for hosting.

Alleycat...thank you for a wonderful evening. Everything was so tasty! See everyone next month.

Alleycat, thanks for hosting. It was a great evening as always.

Pairs4life, I don't suppose you'd share the recipe for your ice cream?

Thanks again for hosting and giving us a great time. I can't wait to dig in tonight. If you could pass along that salad recipe, we'd appreciate it. It was fantastic!

My cupcakes were courtesy of the Tribune: http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2005 ... a-cupcakes
By the way, this recipe made 24, not 12 as the recipe states. If anybody has any ideas why they went all wonky, do tell!

Pairs4life, cool you noticed the quote. I'm trying very hard to live by the "done is better than perfect" mantra. It's proving extremely difficult. I have a hard time recognizing that "done" can mean "good enough" versus "the best."

Pie Lady, here's a link to the original Israeli couscous salad recipe in Country Living magazine: http://www.countryliving.com/recipefind ... pe-clv0910
Janet's working on a rewrite 'coz she tweaked the recipe so much. I'll post it when she's done but the basic changes were: subbed welltoasted cashews for pinenuts; subbed arugula for the mint & oregano; made A LOT more dressing, original was kinda dry; and served it over arugula. Oh, and quadrupled the recipe.

Aha! I was looking all over Southern Living. Thanks so much! I'm making this next week for dinner.

thanks alleycat- you were a fine host. the desserts were varied and delicious and i, too, intend to try janets version of couscous and apple salad when you post it. i had chocolate haystacks for breakfast- i maintain burying them in chocolate is the only good thing to do with chow mein noodles! justjoan

Thanks for the desserts - they were so good and it was nice to re-enter myself into the "Dessert Exchange" posse.

i forgot to tell you all monday night that the flour i used in my fruit tart crust was part of an art project called 'industrial harvest'. a woman named sarah kavage bought actual wheat on the chicago commodities board and is following its progress. i dont know her; i just responded to an email saying that she was giving away a pound of flour to anyone who wants it and in exchange we are supposed to let her know what we did with it. so i'm going to email her a link right now to this thread, so she can see my tarts. here is her link if anyone is interested:

http://www.industrialharvest.com




justjoan

Justjoan, very cool info. about the wheat. I ate your scrumptious fruit tart with the industrial harvest wheat for breakfast this morning - so delish. That sweet buttery crust paired with the tart fruit, seriously the best breakfast ever.

Joan- that is so fantastic! Her wheat and your talent made one delicious tart!

Yep really good idea. Industrial Harvest is an interesting concept. Yes. I did go ask them for flour.

Thanks to figmolly: For an awesome gift at the exchange. Lovely bags!