For my birthday I like to keep things simple. All I really want to have on my special day is good food, good company, excellent music playing in the background, perhaps a sip of wine (or two) and, of course, a delicious cake to finish our repast. This year I had a small birthday luncheon here at home which, to my mind, was beautiful and pleasing to the eye & palate, because of its simplicity. Typical to the way I like to set a table for informal occasions, the china, linens and glassware where chosen and arranged with that effortless sense of calm that always puts guests at ease. The menu was fresh, tasty and infinitely edible. This is what I love: easy entertaining.
In terms of how I choose a menu, I always like to start with the vegetables. I think of those I’d like to have that are in season and absolutely the freshest, then build around them. As far as the main course is concerned, it too needs to be of the season and it must absolutely complement the flavors & colors of my vegetables. You see, I always think in terms of what my dinner plate is going to look like with the main course. To me, a plate is like a blank canvas which needs to have visual, as well as gustatory interest. The more color I see on my plate, the happier I will be for it.
From the few posts I’ve done on in the past, you will understand that an understated and quiet elegance is what I like best for table settings. I don’t really go for showy flower arrangements, gaudy silver & crystal or china which will detract from the food, because all people really want is to engage in good conversation and enjoy their meal.
For the luncheon I started with my color theme. I chose pale creams & pastel blues, along with the soft green of jadeite. The tablecloth was a hemstitched pastel blue linen, the dinner plates were old Wedgwood creamware and the salad plates were vintage British lusterware that have hand-painted flowers; they complement the linens quite nicely. The glassware was an unpretentious Polish tumbler for water and a hobnail-footed goblet from the 1950s for the white wine. Meant to mimic old French ivory, the stainless steel flatware was also very casual. Last, but not least, were the small jadeite pots filled with African violets, flanked by jadeite bunny egg cups acting as master salt & pepper cellars.
Here are a few photographs of my birthday luncheon.
African violets in mauve are so beautiful and just the right size for the Fenton jadeite flower pots from my collection. Although I didn't decorate anything with mauve, the small accent of color hit just the right note.
A small bunny holds freshly ground pepper.
Its counterpart on the opposite end of the table holds kosher salt. The diminutive bunnies were a recent birthday gift. From the moment I saw them, I knew they would be perfect for master salt & pepper cellars. Note the small glass shovels next to each bunny.
For the salad course, I made a fresh tomato & corn salad. The orange cherry tomatoes and sweet white corn were from an Amish farm stand near my home, and the fresh herbs were from the garden. The plates are lusterware from the 1950s. I just love that gorgeous blue hue of the hand-painted flowers.
For the main course I knew I wanted fresh crab cakes. I had been craving them for some time, so I went to the local Whole Foods and picked up a pound of Maryland blue crab for these tasty morsels. The haricots vert were blanched and sautéed with olive oil and minced garlic. The plates are old Wedgwood embossed creamware.
When all was said and done, not a fleck of food was left on the plates. This is what I like to see.
As for the cake, I made an old-fashioned, southern Jam Cake for my birthday cake. Yes, I baked my own cake! Again, I had been craving boysenberry jam for a while, so this was the perfect opportunity to use some and devour every sweet bite.
Here is a piece of that tasty cake sitting on a hobnail clear-glass dessert plate. I can guarantee you that it was delicious. Don't worry, I will share that recipe with you in the near future.
Our cat, Lion, being silly in front of company!
Even if you only entertain just once this summer, I hope that this gives you an idea or two for your celebration or event. It's always nice to find like-minded individuals who can inspire me to create and share for my loved ones, and believe me, I have very creative friends who are on my radar for ideas. To me, it's all about sharing.
Happy Entertaining!
A perfect birthday luncheon!
ReplyDeleteThanks Bernie! :)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely wonderful! I love your easy entertaining style. So elegant yet comfortable at the same time. A wonderful luncheon for your special day!
ReplyDeleteThank You, Kenn for the nice compliment AND for the beautiful bunny egg cups. I'm always going to cherish them!
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely birthday tribute, David! I am looking forward to the recipe for that delectable-looking cake, but would also like to beg for the one for those crab cakes, as well. I went weak in the knees, just looking at them!
ReplyDelete<3
I promise you that cake recipe will be up soon! As for the crab cakes....you and hubby are going to have to fly out here to PA to get some. I'll have them piping hot when you get here. :)
ReplyDeleteDavid it all looks perfect. I am ready to put that meal together and celebrate your belated birthday. I have never made crab cakes and have only had them once. I think my wife Eileen will definitely go for this meal. Then there's the cake. Oh my! I mentioned the Boston Cream Pie I made and you put the pic on your facebook before, but your cake looks like it is flowing with deliciosity! (Guess that isn't a real word but I think you understand my meaning. This cake looks like it will go with a dollop of vanilla ice cream and a cup of Earl Grey. Thanks for the ideas and Happy Birthday young man!
ReplyDeleteThank you John!
ReplyDeleteI almost did whip up some cream for the cake, but by the time we sat down to slice it up, I didn't want to get up. :)
I hope you make some crab cakes for your dear wife soon. Nothing beats them for a nice main course or as an appetizer.
Enjoy!
Looks so yummy!!!
ReplyDeleteIt was Coco!
ReplyDelete