This weekend we had some of our most nearest and dearest of the pearest friends over for dinner. It had been a while since we’d seen them, so we had a lot to catch up on, celebrate, squeeze in and joke about. We always walk away from this couple with wind in our sails and bellies cramped from laughter. We love them. We’ll keep them.
This is my girlfriend Ashlee. She hates and I’m talking HATES to have her picture taken. It’s a shame too because she has lips that could lasso the moon.
This dude doesn’t mind having his picture taken. Or at least I don’t think so. Maybe he humors me? If so, thanks Seth!
And you know this guy. Le husband. This is his “OMG I’M NOT WORKING” face.
Oh look! He baked bread from scratch for our little dinner party. I’ll keep him, too.
Caprese salads are all the rage on the food blogosphere, so I though it only appropriate to serve mini-caprese skewers for an appetizer. they. tasted. like. candy. you. guys.
And since our garden is birthing tomatoes every few seconds, the main course showcased a creamy tomato sauce with grilled chicken. I stuck my face in it and never came out.
For dessert they brought over Shatto rootbeer floats. I would have taken pictures except for the fact that I had lost my balance in a state of bliss and couldn’t see nor speak, much less pick up the camera.
You can relate, right?
…just say yes.
Mini-Caprese Skewers:
what it took for 14 skewers:
* 7 cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
* 7 mini mozzarella balls, halved
* 14 basil leaves
* 14 toothpicks
* 1 Tbs. olive oil, for drizzling
* 1 tsp balsamic vinegar, for drizzling
* pinch of fleur de sel
* pinch of black pepper
Take a toothpick and skewer each with a half tomato, basil leaf and half mozzarella ball. Repeat and drizzle entire dish with oil, balsamic vinegar and a good sprinkle each of salt and pepper.
Penne with Creamy Tomato Sauce and Grilled Chicken:
what it took for 4:
* 2 pounds tomatoes (whatever is in your garden or market)
* 4 garlic cloves, minced
* 4 slices bacon
* 4 chicken breasts (marinated in your preferred marinade)
* 1 pound penne pasta
* 1 tsp crushed red pepper
* 2 Tbs. tomato paste
* 1 cup fresh herbs (basil, oregano, thyme)
* 1/2 cup red wine
* 2 Tbs. honey
* 1/4 cup heavy cream
* 1 tsp coarse salt
* 1 tsp freshly ground pepper
Give the tomatoes a rough chop, then whiz them in a food processor until smooth.
In a large dutch oven, render the bacon until crisp. Remove from pan and drain on a paper towel. To the pot, add the garlic, crushed red pepper and tomato paste. Bloom for 30 seconds. Add the crushed tomatoes to the pot, along with the herbs, the salt and pepper. Simmer 5 minutes. Add the wine, cover and simmer on low for 45 minutes. Right at the end, add the honey and cream. Stir to combine and taste for any adjustments.
Grill the chicken until cooked through, then tent for about 10 minutes. Give the chicken a rough chop and toss into the sauce.
In the meantime, cook the penne until al dente and add to the pot. Finally, toss in the bacon and go. to. town.
That’s a dinner party that I would love to be at!!
Just the thought of all that laughing makes my face hurt! Love all of you.
Oh Laura, you know it goes down with them. PAIN. GOOD GOOD PAIN.
‘wind in our sails’ – the absolute perfect way to portray that post-couple date high! (the good ones, anyway)
Love the tomato ideas! I’m up to my ears in fresh maters!!!
So are we! Every time I look at the garden, there’s like 3 zillion new ones.
Dinner was so good it nearly melted my face off. Thanks again for a fantastic night of food and fun. love you guys!
You are so welcome! Let’s do it again, s.o.o.n.
It sounds like you had quite the weekend. I could eat every one of those caprese bites right now!
I’ve just about lost all hope of seeing a ripe tomato from one of my tomato plants this year. However, under the hope that I will somehow get my hands on some home grown tomatoes, your penne with creamy tomato sauce will be the perfect use for them.
Aww, summer’s not over yet! Hopefully you’ll get some ripe ones on your hands soon.
Sometimes I feel like I am already mourning the end of tomato season before it even started! I’ve been traveling so much, I’ve hardly had an opportunity to take advantage of them! Those skewers…zomg…so excited to have discovered your gorgeous site!
So nice to meet you Kasey! I LOVE your site. Thanks so much for dropping by and saying hi!