Big Food

Lent is coming early this year. Really early. Like, next week. Which means that this Saturday evening we'll be hosting our annual Carnevale (literally, "farewell, meat") dinner party. I don't usually go public with the menu before the event, because at least one guest reads this blog, but since I've already lost the menu once and just found it again, I thought I'd commit it to the ethers just in case. SCG, you should stop reading now and if you don't, you have to swear on a stack of chocolate bars that you won't tell anyone else. 'K?

Right.

The driving force behind this menu is to incorporate as much butter, fat and alcohol into the meal as possible. Not necessarily a heat-healthy approach, were one to eat like this every day. But since the purpose of Carnevale is to get all the feasting and revelry out of our system before the 6 week fast of Lent, that's how we roll.

Apertif

Fromage Fort with crackers

Champagne

Amuse Bouche

Blinis with salmon roe and creme fraiche

iii

Wild Mushroom & Sherry Bisque with Garlic Toasts

iv

Parmesan and Celery Salad

(Sounds nutty but it's very clean and refreshing. Plus the ancient Romans used to put celery leaves on their heads to prevent hangovers. I think eating the celery (and drinking a lot of water during the meal) is the best preventative).

v

Roast Leg of Lamb with Potatoes and Artichokes

Roasted Provencal Tomatoes

Saffron Rice

vi

Molten Chocolate Cakes

(we'll drink framboise with it, if I can find some)

I. Can't. Wait.