Well, my sweet man turned 59. What did he want for dinner? "I don't know... but chocolate mousse for dessert." I know he wouldn't want anything too fussy and I know when we are in Italy he orders lamb so--
I got these beautiful Sliver Fern, organic, New Zealand baby lamb chops from Kent at Clusters & Hops. I just seasoned them with salt and pepper and rubbed a little garlic and dried thyme onto them and gave them a quick sear in the cast iron skillet--about 2 minutes per side. Perfect! I also made a simple vinegar mint sauce I found on epicurious which was nice but a little too much vinegar for me. We also ate some simple "cavolo nero" (tuscan kale) and gorgonzola mashed Yukon Golds. I'd never done the potatoes with gorgonzola before and I really loved it. For about 2 pounds of potatoes, I used about 2 ounces of the cheese, with the half and half and butter, which I thought was the perfect balance of flavors. You could still taste potatoes with an undercurrent of blue.
For the mousse I used the recipe in Cook's Illustrated's Best Recipe cookbook. It was simple, classic and fabulous. I used a combination of Ghiridelli 60% and Sharfenberger 82% chocolates.
We drank a NXNW cabernet which wasn't as wonderful as I remembered but still paired well with the meal.
So, Happy Birthday to Ken. He DID enjoy it!
Comments (6)
What a birthday present! He's a lucky guy.
Posted by Peter @ italyMONDO! | September 19, 2009 9:39 AM
Posted on September 19, 2009 09:39
Jan, What a lovely dinner and thank you for giving us the how to tips. I want to repeat this meal soon. It's my husbands birthday as well and I am giving him a small surprise party tonight. I know you have a very loving marriage. It makes me feel so happy to read celebrations like this...marking the passage of time with someone you love and who loves you is a gift. Happy Birthday to Ken!
Posted by Barb Cabot | September 19, 2009 11:10 AM
Posted on September 19, 2009 11:10
Looks like a perfect birthday dinner. Happy Birthday to your husband.
Posted by Cindy Ruth | September 19, 2009 1:02 PM
Posted on September 19, 2009 13:02
Lucky Ken! It looks like a fine way to celebrate another milestone. You'll have to pull out ALL of the stops next year. *smile*
Posted by Jerry | September 20, 2009 8:26 AM
Posted on September 20, 2009 08:26
Yum. Happy birthday to Ken! He's a lucky man to have you cooking a beautiful meal like that.
Posted by Deborah | September 20, 2009 9:41 AM
Posted on September 20, 2009 09:41
What a simply beautiful birthday dinner, Jan! Please extend my good wishes to Ken.
Posted by Terry (teaberry) | September 23, 2009 7:59 AM
Posted on September 23, 2009 07:59