(summer) party!

a bit embarrassing as I have meant to post this since July! we had a fun summer party and looking back, I think that food we served is still relevant and a good party idea so I am going to stand by it and post it anyhow. Mostly because friends keep asking what we served that night and recipes etc. so my blog has become part of my memory, when I need to remember something, I put it down here! Yes, you have this to look forward to as I get old and senile, I will post MORE!

To start with we asked guests to arrive in their best 1960's party attire - we asked them to "come with us to the Isle de Capri" we had a few takers but mostly everyone was in a mood for a party!

on the menu

pickled radishes and cucumbers
french bread
white bean tapenade
beet yoghurt w/herbs

turkey meatballs w/ dipping sauce
steamed mussels in white wine (nothing fancy)
chicken skewers

rose water cookies
little apricot cakes
cherry plum bruschetta
tosca cake

drinks: spiked tea (plus regular tea)

all recipes were from the June issue of Bon Appétit (2013 and 2014) or the Jerusalem cookbook (Ottolenghi) and the tosca cake! well that's my moms famous recipe... everyone always goes crazy over that cake! (recipe to follow)

We all sat outside... we put our rugs out on the deck, pillows and a turn table (best part was spinning records all night! loved that ...)

An unforgettable night, that went on until the wee, wee hours... you know those nights when it just all comes together. We asked everyone to bring a bottle of Rosé so we just kept them chilled along with the spiked iced tea. Kids played kick the can and stayed up late...

What a delight!

Tosca Cake
oven temp 350F
7 tbls butter
2 large eggs
3/4 cup sugar
1 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 cup light cream

topping:
7 tbls butter
1/2 sugar
2 tbls flour
2 tbls milk
3/4 cup slivered almonds

grease and flour 10 in. springform pan
melt butter - let cool
beat eggs and sugar until light yellow and very thick
combine dry ingredients and add alternately with milk and melted butter mixing well.
pour into prepared pan
bake for 20 - 25 minutes
prepare topping
combine all ingredients in saucepan, heat until thickened - spread over cake - bake for 15 more minutes until golden and bubbly