The lovely white, silver-embossed invitation states that we
are invited to my cousin’s for dinner and that she is dreaming of a white
Christmas. I assume Cugina (about the only Italian word I remember from all
those months of study before a trip to Italy – female cousin) is referring to
the sprinkling of snow that we receive on the eve of the party.
Not so.
My Cugina’s house is not only decorated in gorgeous white
roses, ribbons, snow people, feathers and baubles, but everything we eat and
drink turns out to be white. (OK, maybe I do spoil it with my penchant for red wine.)
First, we sip on White Cosmopolitans, which for some reason
lend an even merrier atmosphere to the already congenial evening.
My cousin and
her husband are not only related, but my cugina is also one of my best friends,
someone who knows me so well because she was there as I grew, made mistakes,
changed, and sought my dreams. Another couple is also related: my husband’s
brother and his wife. Again, we are blessed because we really like them as well
as love them, enjoy their company and their unconditional love. The fourth
couple is relatively new to us, but it seems as though we have always had their
love and friendship in our lives. White Cosmopolitans only make me happier to
be here!
Cugina has referred to the repast as a “tasting dinner”. We
soon understand what she means.
Every serving is a small sampling of a rich, delicious,
flavourful treat. Even if you wanted to, you couldn’t eat an entire
plate of each delicacy, because they are so laden with taste and sumptuousness
that you’d explode from too much pleasure.
Placed on white dishes or bowls, each fantastic entrée is a
visual as well as an aromatic and scrumptious delight. Here, in order, are the
delicacies we savour:
Sundried Tomato/Brie phyllo bundles
Cream of Cauliflower Soup
Carmelized Onion Tart
Scallops with Parsnip Puree
Swiss Fondue/Breadsticks
Lemon Rissotto
Chicken Pops/Peach Sauce
White Mac and Cheese
Lobster Crepes
As if that weren’t enough, we are led into the living room
afterward to an array of glass dishes that display sweet desserts that are
beyond description.
Limoncello Mousse
Clementine Shortbread Sandwiches
Cheesecake
Coconut Cupcakes
Shortbread Snowflakes
Peanut Butter/White Chocolate Balls
White Chocolate Fudge
Iced Almond Cookies
Cake Pops
Sugar Cookie Christmas Trees
Peppermint Stick Cookies
White Candy Jars.
I shovel in as many as my already-stuffed tummy will allow,
but I wish there were two of me. (Which there might be in the morning.) In
addition, my glass has never been empty all night long, which could account for
the slight headache and dehydration the next day.
My Cugina is a wonder. Plus forever I will be able to say
that I didn’t just dream of a white Christmas; I ate one.
No comments:
Post a Comment