Easter Sunday in Caillevet .............03-27-05 Around the world in 4 hours

unfortunately we were too busycooking, serving and trying to "talk" to people (through our fabulous translators and hosts, to take any pictures except for the one right above of the Crudites and Ethnic Breads and Spreads Station. The produce suppliers were kind enough to lend us the pretty market baskets and the flowers were from the stalls at Vic and later planted in Susan's garden.

We even got a write up in De Peche de Midi, the regional newspaper that covers the mid Pyrenees - in French of course.

Here's the menu we served and what a bargain it was at about 14 euros per person, including wine, food, service, the works... I think it cost us about 11 euros p/p to produce because we didn't have the wholesale sources we needed until late in the game and paid way over the odds for certain products. Mostly the French were kind and accomodating, escept the darn chicken lady (NOT to be confused with the aforementioned egg lady who was a complete sweetheart and generous to boot- she contributed eggs for the event and refused to be paid - and attended as a paying guest. The chicken lady, on the other hand, quoted one price and charged another - almost double the price - and claimed we misunderstood her - fat chance that our niece whose french is 110% misunderstood but at least we got free range chickens - even though she took us for American Turkeys. C'est la vie~


---It was billed as "Around the World in 4 Hours":

I wish I could access the french version for you, maybe my niece still has it on her computer and will email it, I'll have to write and ask.


passed hors d'oeuvres

** Smoked Salmon and Goat's Cheese "Sushi"
** California Pizza
** Anchovy Stuffed Olives wrapped in Puff Pastry
** Eggplant Tapenade in Cucumber Crowns
** Thai Chicken and Pork Satay with Peanut Sauce
** Moroccan Carrot and Spinach Pinwheels
** Indian Potato Samosas with Cilantro Chutney
** Cumin Spiced Potato Crisps
** Deviled Eggs with Crab Salad
** Country Pate on Crostinis

Ethnic Breads and Spreads Station
** Mexican Tortilla Chips with Salsa Fresca
** French Garlic Rondele Cheese and Crackers
** Cruditè
** Hummous
** Babaganoush
** Indian Snacks
** Crostinis and Breads
** Antipasto of Olives, Roasted Peppers and Balsamic Onions

International Quesidilla Station
** Brie and Raspberry
** Bombay Potato with Coconut Chutney

Asian Dinner Station
** Singapore Mussels
** Tandoori Lamb and Basmati Rice Pillaf
** Yogort, Cucumber and Mint Raita
** Peking Sesame Noodles
** Gado Gado Indonesian Potato Salad
** Gingered Sweet Potato and Spring Onion Salad

European Dinner Station
** Lasagne Bolognese
** Scandanavian Cucumber Salad with Dill, Caraway and Crème Fraiche
** Spanish Frittatta with Fennel, Potato and Roasted Red Peppers
** Greek Salad with Feta Cheese and Oregano
** Tuscan Polenta topped with Puntanesca Sauce
** Quiche Lorraine
** Sicilian Orange, Red Onion and Beet Salad

The Americas Dinner Station
** Cuban Black Beans with Chicken and Rice
** Kansas City BBQ Pork
** Big Mama's Southern Style Macaroni and Cheese
** Indiana Coleslaw
** New England Potato Salad
** Texas Caviar with Black Beans and Corn

Desserts Served Family Style on Platters
American Brownies and Cookies
Lemon Pound Cake
Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
Easter Chocolates