Upon our return to DC we had the pleasure of hosting TOP CHEF Carla
HALL at our home for a small dinner party as part of a charity event
purchase. We have known Carla for many years, and indeed she had
cooked at our home several years ago before her television fame.
This time it was even MORE fun, getting all the dirt and hearing all
about TOP CHEF itself! What a treat!
We filled up on champagne with FOIE GRAS MOUSSE with FIG SYRUP on a
crostini, SHRIMP BEIGNETS (fritters of Tiger Shrimp) with corn
kernels, red peppers and a superb Calypso Sauce, Roasted Red Pepper &
Zucchini Tartlettes filled with veggie custard and topped with sauteed
zucchini & pepper brunoise with black flake salt.
She had already won "our" show by this point and we had not even sat
down at the table yet!
We served Miner Viognier with her creamy rich WILD MUSHROOM SOUP with
caraway seeds and parmesan caraway crisps and then enjoyed a Rhone
white blend with SEARED ROCKFISH in CARROT GINGER BROTH with
lemongrass and micro cilantro. The fish was superb and we all could
not stop raving about the intense, but not overpowering flavors of the
broth.
BRAISED SHORT RIBS with extra virgin olive oil, wine. veal stock,
tomatoes, garlic and seasonings were sprinkled with gremolata and
served with buttered Egg Noodles. This dish was another blockbuster
worthy of any TV or anywhere top prize and I was happy to serve it
with a super BAROLO from 1999 from my cellars.
A refreshing Salad of ESCAROLE with Apples, Candied Walnuts & MT. TAM
Cheese came with Shallot & Apple Cider Vinegar and stood out for the
fresh ingredients and the tasty tangy creamy triple-creme style
cheese.
Many LAYER NAPOLEAN with Lime Cream and Sour Cherry-Thyme Compote was
a perfect light, refreshing and innovative dessert, and as if this was
not enough CARLA's famous COOKIE COLLECTION (which can now be
purchased online at Alchemy Caterers (www.alchemycaterers.com) which
is her company. These miniature-sized buttery rich cookies are worth
their weight in gold as is having Carla as a friend, as she is truly
one of the kindest people in the food biz we know!
