The Dainty Dish

Recently, I joined a book club with several fabulous women in Atlanta. Some of the girls I have known since I moved to Atlanta six and a half years ago, others I met at the first meeting I attended. Regardless of how long I’ve known each, it’s a great group of ladies and I’m happy to have the chance to hang with them at least once every thirty days.

Each month, we choose a book to read and discuss, and one girl volunteers to host the club meeting. Some months are themed, while others stay eclectic. In honor of the club’s one year anniversary, for the December meeting, my friend and book club member, Molly, decided to host and throw a holiday themed party for club members and their mate/date. I say party, because Molly really outdid herself. She pulled out all the stops and did so beautifully. This was not your ordinary book club meeting, but rather a holiday dinner extravaganza—decorated to perfection—complete with a well-stocked bar, buffet station, and a dining table with seats for twenty. This was an evening full of taste for all the senses.

Holiday Decor

Will and Molly live in Sandy Springs, a suburb just North of the city perimeter, in the home Will grew up in. Over the last two years, Will and Molly have done a fabulous job renovating parts of the house. They have updated the master bath and suite, updated the family room, and just completed a new laundry space in the basement. I have to say though, the fact that the front rooms of the house retain their old style only added to the charming holiday atmosphere of this evening. The reds and greens of the decorations and table settings against the white and floral wall paper made it feel like Christmas at your family’s house, only with hipper guests. Molly even put up three Christmas trees—one in the family room with all of the presents, one in the front room by the dinner table, and a mini tree in the dining room—all tastefully dressed in a mixture of old and new ornaments, again adding family-like charm throughout the house.

Cocktails, please!

Molly hit a home run with her holiday cocktails and bar. She used an old dresser for set up, and even used a drawer to store ginger beer to make “old fashioned”s. For swilling, all the fixin’s and recipes were included for guests to make both an Old Fashioned and a Pimm’s Cup (including cucumber spears and fresh mint). If neither of these were your scene, red and white wine, whiskey, and vodka, and appropriate mixers were available. Molly sent us over the edge by making whiskey ball ice cubes with pomegranate seeds and rosemary sprigs to keep our drinks cool and festive. And if all of that wasn’t enough, a personalized bottle of Knob Creek wished guests a “Merry Christmas from Will and Molly.”

Family Style Dinner

Guests were asked to bring a dish to share for the event. The hosts made scrumptious pork medallions (I’m assuming, because I don’t eat meat). Other dishes ranged from vegetarian, gluten free chili to a winter salad with arugula, pears, pumpkin seeds, and goat cheese. I made this salad, and I have to tell you, it is divine. See the bottom of this post for the recipe.

After everyone helped themselves to food at the buffet station in the adjoining room, we sat down for dinner at a table for twenty. Twenty! And to make it even more unbelievable, the table was set with Christmas china; had glasses for both water and wine; had a runner made of candles, pine garland, oil lamps, and cloved oranges; had ample bottles of both red and white wine, and had vintage bottles filled with water for guests to easily fill their glasses as needed. Really? Really. Well done, my friend.

As everyone was seated, we raised our glasses for a dinner toast. We were delighted to hear that Will and Molly hope to host this magical event every year.

Thank you so much, Molly, for inviting us into your home, and for making it such a spectacular evening.

Happy holidays!

-R.M.

Asian Pear and Arugula Salad

• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1/2 teaspoon chopped thyme
• Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
• 5 ounces of baby arugula
• 3 Asian pears, peeled, cored, and very thinly sliced on a mandolin
• 1/2 cup salted roasted pumpkin seeds
• 3 ounces fresh goat cheese, crumbled

Directions

1. In a small bowl, whisk the olive oil with the lemon juice, honey, and chopped thyme. Season the salad dressing with salt and pepper.
2. In a large bowl, toss the arugula with the pear slices and pumpkin seeds. Add the dressing and toss well. Top with the crumbled goat cheese, sprinkle lightly with sea salt, and serve right away.

All photos in this blog were taken by yours truly on my old, fading BlackBerry; I was *that girl* snapping photos all over the house with my phone.