Perfect menu

I've neglected a little bit my Happy Book projects or, whatever, can't we call them something else? I mean, I want to give the book credit and all but seriously, I sound like I'm in kindergarten whenever I reference any of these ideas. Come on, help me come up with a better sounding name.

One of the projects I am anxious to work on - ha! work on, because it's SO hard for me to cook and then EAT - is a perfect menu. Start to finish, three courses that will be fun to make, fun to take pictures of and then fun to hork down. 

I decided to go with an Asian-themed menu and I'm not sure why, probably I caught a glimpse of some tasty looking rice noodles or something and I was all, "Aha! Genius!" Or the fact that I just really, really love food from the far east. Do I capitalize Far and East there? I never know.

For the start: Spicy Chicken Soup

My criteria for the dishes was: sounds tasty, has some kind of Asian influence, and finding these ingredients won't necessitate a trip to the bad side of town. Whole Foods I can do. I am a scared yuppie in a bad neighborhood. This dish fit all three. 

Main course: Spicy Sesame Noodles with Chopped Peanuts and Thai Basil

Oops, the first two dishes are both spicy. Is this some kind of culinary faux pas? Probably. Bud likes spicy though and so do I, we'll just be sure to keep plenty of beverages handy. I'm also going to go ahead and admit that I will probably punk out and use American basil. See above bit about bad parts of town. Or even just getting lost in unfamiliar areas. Both of those are bad news for me and both have happened frequently in my life. (Side note to my mother: should I tell them the story about getting lost in Scary Town, DC?). Do I need that period there? God, I should hire an editor. Who knew I majored in English, I only did it for the literature part though.

And lastly, before I lose you to a bunch of unrelated tangents (is that redundant?): Pineapple Orange Sorbet

I have a feeling we will be needing something cool after all of this spiciness. Ella, charmingly, asks before you give her a piece of gum, "Is it PICEY?"

Now to gather ingredients and get organized enough to execute this dinner. Because it has committed a terrible crime. HAAAA.

*Any beverage ideas?

Comments

[Sarah S.]

Make lots of sorbet because that sounds right up my alley.

[KH]

Let's have a Kabrich reunion and you can cook for all of us.

[Hope Sypert]

Sarah, if it ever gets good and goddamned warm out, I'll make a big batch and bring over!

Kerbs - way to make me tres homesick for the Burg.

[Tammy]

Pear infused julep?

[Hope Sypert]

Sounds yummy - is it hard to make?

[Tammy]

Not too hard, will have to find the recipe, but I know it involves cutting up real pears and soaking them in whiskey and then doing something with the mint. It tastes great too!

Have you watched the Temple Grandin movie? It's amazing!

[Hope Sypert]

I've only read the book, but fascinating. I will check out the movie - is it in theaters? If so I'll have to wait and see the mom version (rental) when it comes out.

I'd love to hear recipe!