Oooozing Evil Cake.

Oooozing Evil Cake., originally uploaded by miss.mallory.

Unfortunately, I didn't take too many pictures of food at our cooking clubs holiday dinner. Sadly, I only have two to offer. It has nothing to do with the meal, because it was stunning (I did a lovely job of hosting if I do say so myself). There are two major reasons no pictures were captured; One, because I hate low-light photography. I don't like the way food looks under artificial (and in my homes case, low wattage) lights. The food always has a bit of a yellow tinge to it. I much prefer the daylight when taking photographs of delicious dishes. And two, I may have gone with the yellow pictures if I'd ended up taking a picture of the main dish I'd prepared. But, we were all so hungry by the time it came out of the oven they were devoured (or picked over) in quick order. To start the evening I offered pear and pomegranate martinis that featured freshly juiced fruits (thanks to Ashleys nifty difty juicer, I need to get myself one of those!), Absolut Pear vodka, and a jolly rancher candied rim. Needless to say, it was a mighty delicious cocktail. The other dish I was responsible for was the main. Whoever hosts the dinner makes the entree, mostly because imagining having to pack up and cart around a main dish for 6-8 people doesn't sound like a chore too many want to attempt. I made mini beef wellingtons with filet mignon. Each pocket was stuffed with sauteed shitake mushrooms, caramelized shallots, and french gorgonzola. It was delightfully delicious (and I don't eat or cook beef often).

We also had mashed potatoes, onion gravy, stuffed pears, roasted red pepper soup, homemade sun dried tomato and mozzarella bread, creamy (heavenly, delicious, mind blowing) brussel sprouts, and to finish it off we had homemade cider and a truly decadent (beyond belief, pictured below) chocolate peppermint cake. This cake not only had four or five layers of moist chocolate cake, it also features layers of chocolate ganache, peppermint pastry cream, and a homemade marshmallow peppermint frosting, all topped off with shaved chocolate and crushed canes. It was surely a meal to remember.

For the recipes pictured here (brussel sprouts and devilish cake) check out roses and lemonade a lovely little blog by fellow (fabulous) cooking clubber ms. rachelle. On her blog you can find both of the recipes and her feelings on both dishes and our evening.

Enjoy!



Heavenly Sprouts of Brussel

Brussels Sprouts From Heaven, originally uploaded by miss.mallory.