One year ago this weekend, my older brother married his beautiful bride in a grand Kentucky wedding. In honor of this event, today's Saturday Soiree is a party for two and in this case, an anniversary dinner. We often think of parties as big, elaborate affairs but why not find a reason to celebrate those that you love most in small but thoughtful ways?
Throwing a thoughtful party does not have to be a costly affair. The true beauty of the event is in the details. Personalize the night to suit you and your loved one. Maybe you honeymooned in Napa and drank the most delicious wine, serve it. Perhaps you are movie buffs, name your courses after your favorite films and have them playing quietly in the background. Not into formal food? Why not serve McDonald's on your fine china? Make the evening special by making it our own. The following is my suggestion for a semi-formal dinner for two.
Menu:
Grilled Romaine Salad
Swordfish Tuscan
Pearl Couscous
Figs with yogurt and honey
Swordfish Tuscan
Pearl Couscous
Figs with yogurt and honey
Swordfish Tuscan
2 6oz Swordfish fillets
1/2 cup pine nuts
1 cup chopped tomatoes
2 Tbsp. olive oil
3 Tbsp. fresh basil, Julienned
Preheat grill over high heat. Brush fillets with olive oil and kosher salt and pepper. Lightly grill fish over medium heat 4 minutes on first side and 3 minutes on second. Adjust time according to thickness of fillets. Salt and pepper to taste.
Sauce: Preheat pan over medium high heat. Heat 1 tbsp. of oil and toasts pine nuts till light brown. Lower heat, add basil and chopped tomatoes. Cook till tomatoes break down. Spoon over fish and garnish with fresh basil.
Grilled Romaine Salad- from the wonderful- slowtrav.com
2 heads romaine lettuce
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Citrus Caesar Vinaigrette
Parmesan
Chopped tomatoes
Homemade croutons, if desired
Rinse and pat dry the lettuce. Cut the two heads in half lengthwise. Brush surface with olive oil and grill 4-5 minutes total. Place each wedge on a salad plate and drizzle with dressing. Using a vegetable peeler, shave curls of Parmesan onto lettuce. Top with chopped tomatoes and kosher salt and pepper to taste.
Dressing:
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tbsp. lemon zest
3 tbsp. lemon juice
2 tbsp. anchovy paste
1 tbsp.white wine vinegar
2/3 cup olive oil
Place all ingredients in a jar with a lid. Secure lid, then shake to blend. Can be stored in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Pearl Couscous
Cook two cups pearl couscous in 1 1/2 cups chicken broth, instead of water. Top with 2 tbsp. chopped flat leaf parsley and 1/3 cup chopped and sauteed white onions.
Roasted Figs:
Roast Figs with Greek yogurt and honey. Slice and roast fresh figs for 12 minutes. Arrange on dessert plates with a dab of Greek yogurt, a drizzle of honey and 1 tsp. chopped pistachios.
Decor: Take this opportunity to use your formal china to create a simple and elegant affair. Set the table with fresh flowers and tea lights. For the centerpiece, put a collection of your favorite photographs of the two of you.
Drink: A Chardonnay with oak tones would work well- for an inexpensive choice I recommend Menage a Trois Chardonnay. Also serve sparkling water with lime wedges.Music: I love classical guitar music, and would find a selection through itunes to have softly playing in the background.
Dress: Why not get all dolled up for that special someone? For this special event, I would wear something along these lines...
As usual, all three dresses can be found at edressme.com.
" Love is not an easy feeling to out into words..." -Ted Kennedy
*Images from weheartit, foodnetwork.com, slowtrav.com,apreppywedding.blogspot.com, grouprecipes.com. edressme.com
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9 comments:
Hi I would love to come to one of your parties,beautiful dresses featured.Please can I extend an important invite to you, a fellow blogger Lauren of Larens Loves and myself are holding a 5 day blogging event featuring guest bloggers,fabulous giveaways, interviews and much more to raise awareness for cervical smear testing.Please please take part, starts Mon 5th 8am UK time,highlight it on your blog if you wish as other bloggers are doing and let all the women you know, know about it!Thank-you so much look forward to seeing you there. Sharon xxoo
Hello I love doing little intimate dinners for two in fact that is a lot of my entertaining now as we are often at home with two small children, I often do oysters natural or grilled asparagus followed by grilled fish and a home made yoghurt, caper and lemon sauce, and alway a fresh green salad. And figs are the best, especially roasted. Peaches are very nice this way too (minus the yoghurt)!
That sounds like a great special dinner. Thanks for sharing! I hope they enjoy their anniversary. I never would have thought of swordfish. It looks great!
It all sounds crazy delicious. That last dress is just my style!
Everything seems so classy and looks stunning! Cheers to your fine taste!
How romantic! I absolutely adore a "party for two!" It would be fun to still write an invite for the special guest!!
Love the idea of a party for two! Great picks! Love it!
Great ideas for a party for two! I also love all three of the dresses that you have shown. Lovely!
Love this post. I'm taking notes -- the food looks delicious! And I completely agree about making the evening personalized. :)
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