When Adam met up with me in Ithaca for Meredith’s wedding, it was his first time meeting all of my friends. Ever. Which is crazy, I know.
So, to commemorate the occasion, the evening he was to arrive, I schemed to organize a fête both special and low-key.
At first, I thought about organizing our gang to feast at our favorite Trumansburg restaurant. I even made a reservation.
But I quickly realized that what I really wanted was a simple dinner party, thrown in Adam’s honor, at my friend Katie’s cozy country home.
It was barely a party, really more of a garden supper, but it felt perfectly full of laughter and love. Curious what we ate?
Since there are no photos (blame the wine), here’s the menu, instead:
Assorted Piggery charcuterie (including a ham hock terrine that disintegrated in the upstate New York heat) // Spanish cheeses + olives
Homemade quick pickles // beets, red onions, local green beans, and carrots
Quartered Ithaca heirloom tomatoes served over barley // red wine vinaigrette
Crispy potato croquettes (I loosely followed this wonderful recipe) // homemade crème fraîche // chives // lemon wedges
Thick ribbons of pasta tossed with fresh ricotta // lemon // local corn // watercress // torn basil
Halved local Methley plums + honey served over thyme-flecked Sable Breton // so much more of that dangerous crème fraîche
That was it. Simple and sweet and buttery. And, upon reflection, a lot of carbs!
As a final note, I can’t recommend this simple Sable Breton recipe enough. The confetti of thyme in the dough really send this not-at-all-sweet dessert completely over the top. Make it for the person in your life who professes not to like dessert. They’ll love it.
In conclusion, if someone offers you up their gorgeous backyard to host a tiny, elegant dinner party — don’t turn their offer down.
And if someone offers to hang petite twinkling lights, set a table with their most beautifully mismatched linens, buy you a vase of scarlet flowers, and even hook up a sound system that may or may not lead to a protracted discussion of the band The Archies, definitely don’t turn their offer down.
And even if you can’t find a bottle of Fontsainte Gris de Gris from Corbieres at Red Feet, no worries. Pop open a bottle of Dr. Frank’s perfectly delicious dry reisling and sit down. It’s summertime, and you are with your favorite people in the world.