Tonight's menu
[Along with comments on each course]
Amuse-bouche
Warm spiced apple gelée with parmesan crisp
[Tastes like fall on a spoon, but probably veers a little sweet as an opener. I'm hoping the Parmigiano-Reggiano keeps it from being too dessert-like.]
Starter
Homemade pâté with frisée salad
[My first attempt at pâté. I'm still a little nervous about serving it.]
Sorbet
Cranberry with tawny port
[Good flavour, but again probably a touch too sweet to be a palate cleanser.]
Main
Pork shoulder braised in Cave Spring Riesling with prunes, apricots and star anise, toasted orzo with shallots and crispy prosciutto, shaved fennel and apple salad with almonds
[I have no idea how to plate this without doing a three-pile smile.]
Cheese
Cashel Irish blue, smoked Monforte Cheddar and Vigaroso
[All three are untested, but two are from Monforte Dairy, whom I trust implicitly.]
Dessert
Raspberry-cardamom cobbler with ginger ice cream
[The cobbler is one of our favourites, and I've always thought a touch of ginger couldn't hurt it! Now if only I could do a proper quenelle...]
Amuse-bouche
Warm spiced apple gelée with parmesan crisp
[Tastes like fall on a spoon, but probably veers a little sweet as an opener. I'm hoping the Parmigiano-Reggiano keeps it from being too dessert-like.]
Starter
Homemade pâté with frisée salad
[My first attempt at pâté. I'm still a little nervous about serving it.]
Sorbet
Cranberry with tawny port
[Good flavour, but again probably a touch too sweet to be a palate cleanser.]
Main
Pork shoulder braised in Cave Spring Riesling with prunes, apricots and star anise, toasted orzo with shallots and crispy prosciutto, shaved fennel and apple salad with almonds
[I have no idea how to plate this without doing a three-pile smile.]
Cheese
Cashel Irish blue, smoked Monforte Cheddar and Vigaroso
[All three are untested, but two are from Monforte Dairy, whom I trust implicitly.]
Dessert
Raspberry-cardamom cobbler with ginger ice cream
[The cobbler is one of our favourites, and I've always thought a touch of ginger couldn't hurt it! Now if only I could do a proper quenelle...]