Tablescape Tuesday

I don't have pics of the table from our Halloween party w/ the grands, as promised. We did have the party on Sat but hubby was sick, the boys had football games nearly all day & to be honest, having the table "just so" w/ all the accompanying dishes, is really only important to me. *gasp* Did I just admit that? Well geeez, don't let my hubby here me talk like that! *grins* Anyway, we just watched old scary movies & ate take-out wings on TV trays w/ storebought mini-cupcakes for dessert. And popcorn & candy too, of course! It was still fun & was definitely a lot less work!

We did have a small (very small!) dinner party this week-end though so I'll share pics of that. My husband, & an old high school friend, took our 2 oldest grandsons to the Nascar races this Sunday (in payment for having to dress up as Wizard of Oz characters). I spent my time piddling in the house, making pumpkin butter (will share that recipe one day this week) & getting dinner ready for the men. Hubby's friend is newly divorced & I wanted to have a nice dinner for him w/out making him feel uncomfortable so I kept the table & the menu very low-key. Cause you know how men can be about fou-fou stuff. *sigh*

I got the twig placemats from Garden Ridge & the dishes are Roscher & Co. in the Flower Antique White pattern from Ross, T J Maxx or Marshall's. I also got the twig flatware from either Ross, T J Maxx or Marshall's...those stores are all the same to me so I never can remember what came from where. As I said, I kept the menu very simple....just Salmon Chowder w/ fresh French bread. I love this recipe for Salmon Chowder...the addition of the dill is such a wonderful flavor component!

The recipe is here but I can't recommend using canned salmon. I normally use leftover salmon but if I don't have that, then I use the salmon in the pouches. And I only use canned milk if I am out of half & half or cream.

And for dessert, Spiced Pears w/ Camembert. I often serve poached pears @ dinner parties...they're super-easy, can be made ahead, they can be presented beautifully & EVERYONE loves them. The addition of the spices in this recipe gives them a fall attitude. I used larger pears than called for so I increased the cooking time & I cut the recipe in half ( but left the spice amounts the same). I always core my pears but followed the recipe instructions & didn't this time...next time I will. It's just too difficult to manuever around the core when eating. I wish I had had some cranberries to scatter on the under-dish w/ the camembert cheese...wouldn't that have been pretty? The wine I used was a chenin blanc but just about anything white will do. I've used pinot grigio, gewurztraminer, riesling, sauvignon blanc...just don't use anything oaky like a chardonnay.

Spiced Pears and Camembert
Makes: 8 servings
Prep: 20 minutes Cook: 6 minutes Cool: 30 minutes Stand: 30 minutes


Ingredients
3 cups dry white wine
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup coarsely chopped crystallized ginger
12 inches stick cinnamon, broken
8 whole allspice, whole cloves
8 cardamom pods, slightly crushed
8 small firm ripe pears, peeled
Cranberries (optional)
1 8-ounce round Camembert cheese, cut into wedges

Directions
1. In a saucepan large enough to hold the pears (but only large enough to hold the pears), combine the wine, sugar, ginger, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, and cardamom. Cook, uncovered,* over medium heat to a gentle boil. Add the peeled pears. Return liquid just to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered,* for 6 to 7 minutes or until pears are just fork-tender. Let the pears cool in the poaching liquid, turning, if necessary, to be sure all sides are moistened.
2. Using a slotted spoon, transfer pears to a serving dish. Strain poaching liquid (I didn't strain...I left the bit & pieces in to add visual appeal). Serve the pears slightly warm, at room temperature( I served them room temp), or chilled, with the poaching liquid spooned over. If desired, surround the serving dish with cranberries. Accompany with cheese wedges. Makes 8 servings.
*Note: Be sure to cook the wine mixture uncovered to avoid the wine's vapors bursting into flames.

Can't wait to see the other tables! Check them all out @ Susan's place @ Between Naps on the Porch .

And after you do that, please go vote! I don't care who you vote for ...well I do but I'm not going to try & convince you to vote my way ;o).... just GO VOTE!