I love an excuse to cook for people. I love creating something that I hope will bring joy, and seeing friends and family consume the food that I have made them with love. So, I decided to invite round some friends and to cook for us all. There were only three of us, but that only made what I chose to make a little more personal. I could consider likes and dislikes, and try to create something thoughtful.
The theme for my meal was centred on autumn and comfort food. I wanted to fix a warm and satisfying menu, and to have an element of sharing to create a more sociable atmosphere.
The central dish for the meal was always going to be a pizza. I liked the idea of a big comforting dish in the middle of the dining table for everyone to dive in and help themselves to. It turned out so well, and it was a dream to prepare. I made the dough at lunch time (see my dough recipe here), and left it under a tea-towel for the remainder of the afternoon to swell up and rise. I pre-baked it for ten minutes before smothering it in crème fraiche, three cloves of garlic, a whole large red onion and around seven mushrooms which I had previously caramelised in a glug of balsamic vinegar and a drizzle of honey. I then topped it off with mozzarella and mature cheddar cheeses before baking on the highest heat for a further ten minutes.
What kind of respectable autumnal dinner could exist without the appearance of sweet potato? Not this one. I simply peeled and chopped several potatoes before baking them in the oven with olive oil, a little honey, cinnamon and chili powder. Once cooked through and crisp on the outside, I threw the sweet potato into a bowl and dripped cool natural yoghurt mixed with harissa paste over them. The contrast of the very sweet potatoes with the tart yoghurt worked so well and really had a comforting yet fresh flavour.
Finally, I served up a side dish of tasty asparagus, pan-fried on a high heat until their vivid surfaces began to brown with lots of salt and pepper and a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar. Simple and satisfying. For added flavour, try adding crumbled feta and roasted beetroot, or poached eggs and toasted seeds.
Dessert was taken care of by my lovely friend who kindly brought over the most delicious gingerbread latte cake. It was the perfect autumnal finish to a really lovely meal.
Moments with close friends really are to be cherished. Eating a satisfying meal together and enjoying intimate conversations in a cosy setting as the frost sets in outside, truly is a great love of mine.
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