
Did you miss Part 1? Find it here.
Quick refresher: Naked was the theme. Drinks included a cocktail named Hop, Skip and Go Naked and some truly excellent organic/biodynamic wines. Appetizers featured sushi served in … let’s just say in a unique way.
Drinks – Greg and Dan: Hop, Skip and Go Naked cocktails; Sangría de Cava (with a theme-appropriate substitution of Naked Wine pinot grigio in place of the bubbly); a progression of Benziger Tribute Cabernet Sauvignon – we sampled the 2010, 2011 and 2012 vintages
Appetizers – Ilise and Ann: Sushi (Spicy Tuna Rolls and Salmon Nigiri) and Cucumber Canapes served nyotaimori style
Main course – Karen and Kathleen: Gnudi in parmesan broth with asparagus, mushrooms and peas; and an “Undressed” green salad
Dessert – Ellyn: Naked Cake - Lemon Layer Cake with whipped cream and berries
In Part 1 we enjoyed an excellent Naked Playlist from Kathleen. Find it here. For Part 2, I've mixed up a little something that oughta polish the buttons on your birthday suit. Give a listen as you keep reading. |
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This version was light and fluffy, nicely supported by the delicately flavored parmesan broth, earthy shitake and crimini mushrooms and fresh green vegetables.
Featured in the “undressed salad” were greens so fresh they deserved a slap. An abundance of tasty add-ins - beans, salami chunks, rainbow carrots – boosted flavor and variety. Edible nasturtiums brought beauty to the whole endeavor.
The Ks used this recipe from Food & Wine as the base for the gnudi. The broth was made by browning a half a head of garlic, and then adding thyme, water, peppercorns, bay leaf, and parmesan rinds. The undressed chopped salad was based on this recipe from Not Without Salt.
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Ellyn overcame her qualms about baking, serving up a light and luscious lemon layer cake with whipped cream and fresh berries between the layers. As beautiful as it was delicious, this style of cake with no frosting on the sides is known as ‘naked cake’ – quite on-point for trendy weddings these days.
The cake was served with a dollop of berry compote. Because too much is never enough! This was over-the-top delicious. More, please.
Ellyn used the Southern Living recipe for Lemon Layer Cake as the basis for her Naked Cake - find it here.
Click the photos to enlarge them and read the captions.