Last Saturday. Or was it the Saturday before last, hubby and I hosted a teensy weensy dinner party.
Some friends called up and said they’d like to drop in.
Post lockdown. Level 1.
Decided to cook them an Asian meal.
Just a small on the side, note, we have been greatly influenced by these duo challenges, too much TV during lockdown – My Kitchen Rules, Amazing Race..
While car was at a safety recall, air bag replacement, during our walk up some incredibly hilly route, we chatted, meaning, he chatted and I panted.
Came to some sort of agreement on the menu.
Collected car, got groceries, ingredients sorted.
Had a light lunch.
Rested.
Began Prep.
For once, in our 29 years of marriage, we worked almost well together.
I bit my tongue when stuff flew as he pounded the dried chillies and onions; I graciously lent him my chopping board.
I caught myself thinking aloud “Now I’m going to marinate blah blah..”.
As if there were cameras in my kitchen, sigh, I’m imagining I’m in MKR.
The evening turned out quite well with an Asian Vegan Meal.
- DRINK, A lemon, mint, cucumber, ginger sparkling mocktail.
- STARTER of boiled, salted cassava with lunumiris (onions, dried red chillies, lemon, salt ground into a paste). A dish close to our hearts. Mum used to serve this up with green or red coconut chutney.
- A Tom Yam vegetable spicy SOUP perfect for the crisp, wintry evening.
- Rojak, a fruit and vegetable SALAD, served with a rich thick sauce, topped with toasted sesame seeds and ground peanuts.
- Mamak Mee Goreng, fried thick noodles with veges, water chestnuts, tofu, mushrooms, the MAIN
- And to wash this down, we had Wattalapam, a Sri Lankan coconut and jaggery pudding for DESSERT.
Tried to ply my guests with coffee, but they flatly refused as they couldn’t take in anymore.
Reminisced, during early years of marriage, we’d entertained quite a bit. A lot of thought and prep would go into the menu, cutlery, crockery, groups of guests.
Have decided to do this a little more often.
Bavani’s Happy Place 