New Years Dinner

So, I got a bunch of new and exciting spices, and several flavor books, for Christmas! I'm addicted to the Flavor Bible and the Cook's encyclopedia. I've been studying and imagining up all sorts of creative foods to make ever since then. If you thought I had adventurous tastes before....beware!

I started out the new year with a fun dinner, inviting my parents and Rachel n' Jeff to be my guests for the "food experience" (a term that has come to mean almost anything Emily makes because I will always challenge you to get out of your food comfort zone). I made up each dish on my very own (down to the dressing) and was very proud of the result.

Here was the menu:

Drink: Lemon and cucumber water

Appetizer: Bruschetta with brie and blueberries/cardamom-spiced pears

Salad: Spring greens w/red onion, feta, cayenne-caramelized pecans and cherry dressing

Main Course: Rosemary, mushroom and apricot stuffed pork loin

Saffron risotto with Spanish paprika

Dessert: lemon-coconut creme brulee

Although all very tasty, the surprise hit of the night: cayenne-caramelized pecans. I can't wait to make those again.