Celebrating Six

The year Erin was in third grade, she and I dashed from her AYSO playoff game to church so she could be flower girl in M and Bre's wedding.  In the short span of half an hour, Erin transformed herself from tough jock to gorgeous flower girl, and she did such a good job of supporting our friends as they vowed to love, honor and cherish each other forever.  Six years later, they are well on their way to happily-ever-after.

We consider M and Bre to be almost family, and I couldn't think of a better way to honor their anniversary than to cook a fabulous meal just for the two of them.  I served six courses, one for each year:

Bruschetta with goat cheese and fig compote, garnished with proscuitto and mint

The second dish was so beautiful, and I forgot to capture it!  Both M and Bre were impressed with the Tower of Roasted Red and Yellow Beets with Chevre Cheese and Pistacchios.

Third course was Carrot-Ginger Soup with Chili-Chive Butter and Roasted Peanuts, served with "Seeduction Bread"

Fourth course:  Chopped Salad with Sherry-Vinegar Dressing and Crumbled Blue Cheese

Main Dish:

Grilled Lamb with Honey and Macademia and Herb Crust
Wild Rice Pilaf with Orange and Ginger

Steamed Broccoli

Sixth Course:  Dessert
Homemade Cashew-Caramel Cups
European Bittersweet Chocolate Truffles

M and Bre ate at our dining room table by candlelight, just the two of them.  It was such fun to spoil these two!  After more than two hours of eating, they opted to stretch out on the couch in order to enjoy dessert.

I had a lot of fun putting this anniverary dinner together, but honestly, this was a collaborative effort.  Erin helped me with food prep this morning.  Baird grilled the lamb this evening.  Kelsey and Drew helped to transform the house from the home base for the 5 Ring Circus to a place worthy of an anniversary dinner.