Recipes for Special Occasions

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Is company coming? Are you making a dinner for a special occasion? Or a romantic dinner for two.  This week Mama Says is serving up some menu and recipe ideas for special meals and occasions (anniversary, Valentine’s, celebrations and gatherings of dear friends). We’re thrilled to share several of our favorite recipes and menus so you can create your own sophisticated, delicious and easy- to-prepare special occasion meals.

Celebration Menu

This special occasion dinner features risotto, trout salad, an oven roasted vegetable and finishes with rum cake.

Il Primo “first course”: Lemony Risotto with fresh vegetables

Early Spring Green Peas in Risotto with Lemon (Risi e Pisi). View at Picasa Early Spring Green Peas in Risotto with Lemon (Risi e Pisi).11-Apr-2010 06:55, Canon Canon PowerShot SD78, 3.2, 5.9mm, 0.05 sec, ISO 800

Based on a Mama Says recipe posted earlier this spring, Risotto with Peas and Lemon, for this meal substitute fresh sliced asparagus and portabella mushrooms for the spring peas. You can make this dish as your guests arrive.

Il Secondi “main course”: Smoked Trout Salad with Creamy Horseradish Dressing

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Prepare as noted  on epicurious.com (link above). This recipe is also fabulous with heirloom lettuce or chopped Romain leaves. You can find smoked trout in most grocery stores, farmer’s markets, or online. In Atlanta we’re lucky to have access to Dianna’s Specialties – her smoked trout and salmon are divine; look for her booth at various ATL Farmer’s Markets. Assemble this dish earlier in the day by making the dressing and prepping the greens, and onion (slice the apple  just prior to serving) –refrigerate and store separately. Just before dinner toss the salad together and dress.  You can either serve the trout in wedges (as shown) or chop and mix with the salad assembly.

Il Controno “side dish”: Oven Roasted Beets

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Wash beets, toss with EVOO, salt and pepper (to taste), roast at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes or until tender. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Il Dolce “dessert”: Rum Cake – based on the Bacardi Rum advertisement.

View at Picasa 21-Oct-2009 18:45, 3.2, 5.9mm, 0.077 sec, ISO 800

Yum. People will rave about this Rum Cake – it is divine. You can make it a day ahead. Serve it alone or with a side of fruit (pineapple, berries, etc.).

Keep it simple. Special occasion dinners are about spending time together and celebrating. This menu allows you to prepare many of the items ahead of time. As your guests arrive, invite them into the kitchen (they go there anyway!!) to  enjoy a sip of wine and talk while you finish the risotto – or ask them to stir the risotto while you toss the salad together.

Cheers! May we all have lots to celebrate in the years to come. Enjoy!

Early Spring Green Pea Risotto with Lemon (Risi e Bisi)

View at Picasa Risotto in the pot. Stirring yields a rich and creamy treat.11-Apr-2010 06:53, Canon Canon PowerShot SD78, 3.2, 5.9mm, 0.05 sec, ISO 500

Risotto has a reputation for being “difficult” to cook since it requires active cooking time – stirring. It’s time to rethink that label and try this classic and other-worldly dish. How difficult is stirring for 20 minutes? Not difficult. Risotto is worth the time (loving care) you put into the stirring. Pour yourself a glass of wine or an iced tea and enjoy the process. You’ll be delighted with the rich and creamy results.

This recipe for Risotto with Peas and Lemon is one of my favorites. It comes together quickly and requires basic ingredients which yield subtle and wonderful flavors.

Risotto with Peas and Lemon makes a wonderful side dish or entree.

View at Picasa Early Spring Green Peas from the Farmer’s Market.10-Apr-2010 08:24, Apple iPhone, 2.8

Early Spring Green Pea Risotto with Lemon

Springtime, means fresh spring green peas. And there is no better way to showcase peas than in a delicately flavored risotto. This recipe makes a creamy, delicious dish that is ideal for a side dish or first course.  It contains less butter and cheese than other recipes without sacrificing the wonderful, creamy texture and rich taste of risotto. If fresh peas aren’t in season you can substitute frozen peas without adjusting the cooking times.

Serving suggestions: with a simply prepared fish and a green leafy salad.

Serves:  4 – 6 as a side dish

Active Cooking Time: 35 min

View at Picasa Freshly shell early spring green peas.10-Apr-2010 05:53, Canon Canon PowerShot SD78, 3.2, 5.9mm, 0.05 sec, ISO 500

Ingredients

• 6 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 2 cups water
• 1 large shallot, finely chopped
• 2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 cup Arborio rice
• 1 cup peas (fresh if available, frozen will work as well)
• 1/3 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (divided)
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

Preparation

1. Bring broth and water to a simmer in a small saucepan.
2. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-low heat, add shallots and sauté until translucent, 3 – 5 minutes. Add garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, until soften and a pale golden. Add rice, stirring to coat.
3. Add ¼ cup (approximately 1 large ladle-full of broth to the rice mixture and allow to simmer while stirring constantly, until broth is absorbed. Continue simmering and adding hot broth mixture, about 1/4 cup at a time, stirring frequently and letting each addition be absorbed before adding the next, until rice is just tender and creamy-looking but still al dente, about 20 minutes. (Reserve leftover broth mixture.)
4. Add peas and cook, stirring occasionally, 2 minutes.
5. Stir in cheese, remaining butter, zest, and juice. Thin risotto with some of reserved broth mixture if desired and season with salt and pepper. Serve warm. Top with additional cheese if desired.

View at Picasa Early Spring Green Peas in Risotto with Lemon (Risi e Pisi).11-Apr-2010 06:55, Canon Canon PowerShot SD78, 3.2, 5.9mm, 0.05 sec, ISO 800

Mama Says Note: Have you checked out the fabulous recipes at Food52? We’ve been enjoying their contests and reader submitted recipes ideas. Check them out…perhaps you’ll even find a recipe or two from the Mama Says team.

Recipe inspiration: Pea and Bacon Risotto, Gourmet | January 2009 by Ian Knauer. I’ve used the risotto technique but eliminated the bacon and added a shallot to showcase the peas, subtle lemon and nutty cheese flavors.

In good health and healthy meals.