Quiche

I love parties. I love eating at parties, I love making food for parties, and I love having people over for parties. There is something I don't quite understand, though. When people talk about party food, they always try to find quick and easy things that don't require much work. Like assembly-only dishes. I, on the other hand, look for something that I have been dying to make. Like some crazy cake that would be way too much for just my family, but perfect for a group of friends. Or maybe a new appetizer. Again, that is not something I am going to make for a weeknight dinner, but something I would love to try out. So, I end up inviting people over, and cooking. Half of it is for them, but the other half of it is for my personal enjoyment. Selfish, I know. But, in my defense, some people don't mind being my guinea pigs.
I just recently hatched another idea for a party,

Spring Table

Recently we hosted a dinner party at our house for a spring celebration. The menu included:

Spring Vegetable Dip with Crostini
Fried Raviolis with Arrabiata Sauce
Roasted Carrot and Fennel Soup
Stuffed Roasted Pork Tenderloin
Roasted Potatoes with Rosemary (Gourmet Mix=Purple, White, and Red)
Broccoli with Browned Butter
Sage and Sausage Stuffing

We had a mini Cheesecake bar for dessert, complete with homemade sauces and toppings for individuals to create their own cheesecake masterpieces.

We used a simple napkin fold I found on the internet to add a bit of elegance to the table, and some flowers from the dollar store, votive candles, Spanish moss, and some twigs from the front yard.

Ham and Brie Pretzel Rolls

Some of the best recipes happen on accident. Well, maybe not accident, maybe improv.  You are in the kitchen, minding your own business, when you have an idea. A great idea. Or, maybe, you were looking in the fridge. That's what happened to me. I was looking at the wheel of brie I had purchased for Easter dinner. I had forgotten all about it.