Sunday Spring Impromptu Dinner

Asparagus with large Haas avocado for scale

I picked up locally grown GIANT asparagus at the Star Provisions farm stand on Saturday because it was just too good looking. I was not sure exactly what I was going to do with it but I knew it would be delicious. Since we had no plans Sunday evening, I decided I would have an asparagus inspired Spring dinner! I dreamed up an easy to prepare menu that I could manage in a couple of hours since that's all the time I had after church and a catering appointment on Sunday.

For dessert, I decided to make mango pavlova. I quick dessert since the only involved part is baking the meringue shell. After the shells are done, all you do is add whipped cream and fruit.

egg whites and granulated sugar is whipped together till stiff

Powdered sugar is folded in at the end

For a fancier presentation, I like to pipe the meringues with a star tip

always leave plenty of room around the shells for air circulation

I set the table while the meringues were baking. My small green moth orchids made the perfect centerpiece for our Spring dinner.

 

With the table all ready to go, it was time to get all the food ready, guest were expected in less than 2 hours! The meringue shells turned out nicely, with just enough color on them to add a hint of caramelized flavor.

I decided the best way to savor the asparagus was with a pureed pea and asparagus soup garnished with perfectly roasted asparagus spears and white violas from the garden.

The tender tips are trimmed and reserved for garnish

The stems are chopped up for the soup

Saute onions and celery with olive oil, and then add asparagus and peas and chicken broth.

 

simmer till tender and then puree till smooth, taste of Spring!

For the main course, simply roasted Tilapia accompanied with quinoa and carrot souflee ala Blackberry Farm.

A good book for wonderful vegetable recipes

 

found a new brand of carrots to try

 

 

quinoa after a 20 minute soaking

Ready for guest!

Tried a new "iced" tea with dinner. Very light and refreshing

 

I cheated for the appetizers....

easy tilapia: rub with olive oil, sprinkle with freshly grated parmesan and bake

soup is served!

Rolls and Wheat Italian bread from Publix

Perfect 1st course for Spring: pea & asparagus soup garnished with roasted asparagus and viola blossom

Maldon salt crystals for sprinkling

Tilapia, Carrot souflee & Quinoa with dill, parsley, lemon and avocados

fresh mangoes are sliced while coffee is brewing

Hapipinezz is yummy mango puree!

     

whipped cream

a little marblelization is fun

Mango Pavlova!

perfect end to a lovely dinner!

  

 

Tulips & Orchids!

What a lovely Saturday at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. The Orchid Market was happening this weekend. Tulips were in full bloom and the weather was just right, sunny, light breeze and not hot at all. We got an early start and arrived at the gardens right after it opened but I could see it getting crowded soon. The tulips were the star of the day, they were everywhere in every color! There were also lovely daffodils and Irises in bloom throughout the garden. After a quick perusing through the orchid market gathering a few Paphiopedilums, we headed out to take in all beautiful bulbs.

These were my favorite off course, I might plant some of these in our garden this Fall

 

 

The upper level of the new Visitor Center

We visited the newly opened cafe located in the old visitor center and enjoyed some coffee and pastries by the fountain.

chocolate croissant, I suspect it may have come from Alon's

 

 

For more photos of tulips, check out my Facebook album: Tulips!Tulips!
 We worked up quite the appetite walking the gardens. Time for Lunch at Farmburger!

 

After lunch, we headed off to Virginia-Highland for a quick visit to PAPERSOURCE, and then we were off to Cooks warehouse, my new favorite kitchen supply store. I found the kitchen scale I've been dreaming off there !! , lookout for it's appearance in future post. We had little bit of time before we had to leave the city to make it back in time for my evening cocktail party gig so we headed to the WESTSIDE .

Wonderful locally grown asparagus at Star Provisions , HUGE spears!, I bought some since I felt a dinner party coming on..

For "tea", we shared a lemon meringue tart from Star Provisions

 

The JONATHAN ADLER store that just opened last Thursday, very Chic!

We made it home in plenty of time before my gig. After a successful piano session of Cole porter, George Gershwin, Johnny Mercer and Duke Ellington, I came straight home to begin some much needed relaxation and messed around with the orchids I got at the show.

This was an exceptional Paphiopedilum specimen with 3 spikes that I just had to have. Unfortunately, it had been dressed up in Easter finery. I thought the arrangement was rather pretty with the lovely moss lined basket, dyed mushrooms and wheat grass but I was not looking forward to having to trim the wheat grass so it was time to undo and re-purpose. I also wanted to let the orchid shine for itself instead of being loss in the Easter basket mess.

Orchids can be checked in at the orchid-sitters counter while visitors visited the gardens, I was orchid parent #12

The basket was perfect for my maidenhair ferns

The cat's enjoyed the fresh wheatgrass

This is more my speed. I transferred the orchid into a simple wooded container and surrounded it with reindeer moss. This allows for the wonderful foliage on the orchid to be fully appreciated