Farmer's Table Dinner

It's February in the Northeast in 2015. Unless you live under a rock, you know it's been brutally cold and snowy this winter. This leads to a lot less traveling, unless you're going way down South...and we didn't this year (bummer, next year for sure). So instead, my friends and I decided to get together at home (a well heated home!) and do what's called a Farmer's Table dinner. Here's how it worked.

Each couple took part of the dinner (appetizer, entree or dessert), planned it, bought ingredients and took it to the dinner. We cooked each course there as we visited together and sipped our favorite beverage. It was nice for everyone. While you were cooking, everyone else got to relax and we all enjoyed each others company.

John, Suzanne and Bob relaxing and sipping beverages.

Deb and Todd did the appetizer, Suzanne and John did the entree and Bob and I planned dessert. Our dessert was a cobbler that you cook in a Mason Jar. We prepped the strawberries and blueberries by cutting it up and putting it in bags. The flour, sugar and salt was mixed together and put in a bag as well. We took the butter along to add later. Our actual prep and cooking at the dinner was easy.

First Suzanne and John served a pre-appetizer. They just got into salt block cooking. It was completely new to me. The pre appetizer of fruit, fresh basil and cheese was prepared and served on a chilled salt block. There were so many flavors. The salt block really brought them out.

Fruit cheese and fresh basil on the chilled salt block

Deb and Todd chose fondue. We had fresh vegetables and home made bread to dip into swiss and provalone cheese fondue. It was delicious.

Todd working on the fondue

Presentation is important!

Next came the main course, which started with home made mozzarella cheese. John set up his iPad and played the step-by-step video while he prepared it. Who knew that all you need to make this is cheese curds and warm water. Yum.

Home made mozzarella with some flavored oils and bread

Next was shrimp and scallops cooked on a heated salt block. It had to be heated to over 300 degrees on top of the stove. Then Suzanne just placed the seafood on the block and it cooked. Very tasty.

Italian John made homemade ravioli stuffed with cheese, herbs and spices. The dough was run through a pasta maker while we watched and then placed in a pasta mold, stuffed and covered with another layer of dough. It was topped with a Primavera sauce. So delicious!

John making very home made ravioli

While all that was going on, our mason jar cobblers were baking in the oven for an hour. We had mixed the fruit, topped that with flour, sugar and salt and topped it off with a pat of butter. They needed to cool for half an hour. We topped them with a little whipped cream and served. Everyone liked them. I was a little afraid no one would have room for dessert, but everything had been served in small portions so no worries!

Our mason jar cobbler before the oven....

and after

Our Farmer's Table dinner was a success and took our minds off the blizzard like weather, at least for a little while. It's always warm wherever there are good friends and good food!

Try a Farmer's Table dinner with your friends and family. Let me know how it went and what you had.


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Birthday Surprise in Reading, PA

It was the time to celebrate our friend John's 60th Birthday.  His wife planned a surprise trip to his hometown of Reading.  We made reservations at the historic Abraham Lincoln hotel for Saturday night. Bob and I and Deb and Todd headed to John and Suzanne's house on Saturday morning. All John knew was his wife had made plans for him and he was to take the dog to the kennel.  We pulled into the driveway just as he was getting back.

Toasting John on his 60th birthday weekend.

He was surprised, especially when we said we were there for one of his home cooked breakfasts! Instead we toasted his birthday with a mimosa.  After some time we hit the road.  It was slow-go until we hit York, then freezing rain turned to rain. The weather was not going to dampen our spirits!

We got to as far as Shillington in time for lunch. We went to one of John's favorite watering holes, California Bar and Grill.  There were 18 TVs for some serious sports watching.  They had great salads and sandwiches.  My hubby had a pulled pork that looked yummy.  The beer drinkers said the craft beers were tasty.

Bob in front of 4 of the 18 TVs in the Calfornia Bar and Grill

Next, John took us on a tour of his hometown.  He showed us all the houses he lived in while growing up, the park he used to play in and his favorite sled riding spot.  Then we headed to the Abraham Lincoln Hotel.  This is a 1930s era hotel that is restored to it's original glory.  The lobby was still decorated for Christmas and looked fabulous.  There was a small bar with wood accents, a restaurant for Sunday breakfast and a ballroom where it looked like they were setting up for a wedding reception.

Lobby of the Abraham Lincoln Hotel

We checked in to our rooms.  They were big and beautiful in a way that a modern motel could not come close to. John and Suzanne had a suite, so we hung out there and had cocktail hour. It would have been nice to walk around and explore the city, but the weather was not co-operating.  I want to go back on a warm, sunny day and see the city in a different light...so to speak.

Our big, comfy bed for the night.

The plan for dinner was unique.  We were going to the Victor Emmanuel II club.  This is not a restaurant, it's an Italian club.  You have to buy a membership to be able to go there, or be with a member to eat there. It's all Italian food.  Suzanne prepped us about what to expect.  "This is like eating in a gym. They want you in and out, no sitting and talking.  Don't waffle with the waitress, she'll yell at you.  If you want pizza, you have to order it all together." Ok so I wasn't really sure what to expect!

Patrons eating at the Victor Emmanuel II Club

The surprises continued.  John was not aware, but his mom and three kids (who live in Harrisburg, PA, Baltimore, MD and Kennet Square, PA) were going to meet us at the club.  It was necessary for us to stall.  By about 6, John was ready to go and our reservations were for 7.  We did it, and John was totally floored when they showed up while we were waiting for a table.

Suzanne at Viva

Ok, our waitress was gruff, but it's all an act to entertain.  We had a late reservation, so they didn't care if we sat and talked.  The food was to die for and it was so, so cheap.  I had chicken Parmesan and spaghetti.  Bob had rigatoni with meatballs.  And of course many at our table had spaghetti.  We had pizza and we followed directions, ordering it all together as an appetizer. If you live near Reading and know someone who is a member of this place, get them to recommend you for membership.  It's a little pricey, $10.00 per year. (That's a joke). To cap off the evening, we headed to Viva for drinks and watched the Steelers get trounced by the Ravens.  Bummer. At least John's kids from Baltimore were happy.

This place has everything kitchen!

Back to our hotel where we had a great night's sleep. The beds were big and so comfy. The next morning, we had a tasty breakfast in the hotel restaurant.  I had a veggie fritata. Then it was time to head home, but not before we stopped at the famous Reading China and Glass outlet.  If you want something kitchen related, you are bound to find it here.  They have everything.
So John, anytime you want us to help you celebrate a birthday, we are ready to go!