HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAUL!

     A few weeks ago Jeremiah and I hosted a dinner party. The occasion was Paul's birthday (what a perfect opportunity to get some research done). A close friend, who only eats chicken or turkey meats. He does however enjoy seafood. Kathleen and I decided that it would be a "sea menu." I knew that I wanted oysters, and I let her handle the rest. She was more than eager to. 

      I compiled our grocery lists before heading to Whole Foods. Maine mussels and oysters were the objective. I had bought oysters from here in the past, and they were pretty good quality with a decent (limited) selection. There were three varieties- Wellfleet, Dennis, and some other local cape cod producer. 
     Luckily I already know how to shuck oysters. So, it didn't take me too long. I made a simple shallot and white wine mignonette first. Then I got started on the oysters. They were exquisite! A little bit of tobasco, horseradish, mignonette, or a combination of all. Life as a taste bud can't get any better!

     Kathleen decided to make mussels in a sauce of garlic, white wine, onion, lemon, tomato and butter. It was simple, and it was good. Especially when I got to sop up the delicious broth with bread. Along with the mussels. She prepared shrimp in a garlic wine butter. MMMMM. Again with the sauce- simply delicious. 

  

      Coming from a family of herbivores. We of course had to have a vegetable. So we made a saute of green beans, mushrooms, and onion. The green beans still had a bit of a crunch, and the mushrooms were earthy. It was a perfect pair to our seafood venture. 

     I find that I relearn things everyday. "Life is best when left simple and sweet." We hear variations on this riffed comment constantly. I know it to be true, but it's times like these that it really resonates with me. A simple no fuss menu with few ingredients, family, friends, and a place to call home. Life is good.