Category Archives: Fredericksburg

Food, Fireworks, Fifty, Fantastic

Fredericksburg, I, Me, and Myself

Dave is turning 50. When he got his present a month ago, he was so overjoyed, he said that as soon as his actual birthday comes, we will just chill and drive around his gift with the top down. That was sweet of him but I can’t imagine not preparing him anything, so I suggested that we have a nice dinner with Steve and Ginger at home.

Since I am going to be making dinner, then we might as well have  a birthday cake too.

This is amaretto cake with Italian cream filling topped with chocolate ganache. I added sparklers and a little Porsche 911 Turbo, his bday car.
I ordered an  amaretto cake with Italian cream filling topped with chocolate ganache. I added sparklers and a little Porsche 911 Turbo, his bday car.

I started his day with Williams-Sonoma Almond Croissants.  Sadly, I don’t have enough talent nor inclination to make these myself. Not that I haven’t tried. It’s not easy and it involves an obscene amount of butter. I’m pretty sure what we had, had tons of butter too. But for as long as I don’t see it, it should be fine. Right?

These croissants need some prep time, but nothing laborious.

It needs to thaw and rise for at least 9 hours/overnight. Note the background is dark signifying that it's nighttime (duh)
It needs to thaw and rise for at least 9 hours/overnight. Note the background is dark signifying that it’s nighttime (duh)

The following day, it should have risen up and ready to pop in the oven. Note the dawn rising in the background. My artistic license. Bow.

After baking at 350 for 20 minutes, breakfast is served.
After baking at 350 for 20 minutes, breakfast is served.

Nothing starts a birthday better than the smell of croissants and bad-ass coffee. Happy Birthday!!!

After consuming what i’m sure is 2 pounds of butter, I am ready to whip up goodies for D’s birthday dinner.

For appetizers, I made Brie En (Herbed) Croute. A delectable concoction of cheese, pastry and jam.

 

Once baked, you can now put your favorite jam or compote on top, with the little walls you made to keep it in place.

 

I also made Brie-Stuffed Mushrooms as a savory alternative

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I made Greek Orzo Salad  to balance what is yet to come, which is a little bit on the heavy side. It’s a birthday celebration. It’s really not a time to be calorie-conscious.

Did I mention how pretty this salad looks too?
Did I mention how pretty this salad looks too?

For carbs, I made Creamy Potatoes Au Gratin. Calorie-wise, this will make the croissants blush in shame. It’s fine, just grab a spoonful or two, then vow to jog the next day for about a hundred miles…or two. That’s what I tell myself to sleep through the night.

sinfully cream and delicious
sinfully cream and delicious

Now for the big guns (main course), I made Turkey Pot Pie (which is D’s favorite) Beef Kabobs (because one can’t have a birthday in Texas without involving a grill), and Pesto Scallops for a lighter option.

Fancy-schmancy Turkey Pot-Pie
Fancy-schmancy Turkey Pot-Pie
Beef Kabobs
Beef Kabobs
Pesto Scallops
Pesto Scallops
this is our dinner spread….so much for a "small"dinner
this is our dinner spread….so much for a “small”dinner
Happy faces!!!
Happy faces!!!

I did include fireworks in my title, didn’t I? Sorry, Katy Perry had previous engagements…But we still had fireworks.

50!!!
50!!!

 

The drink was the most fantastic in D’s and Steve’s opinion, Johnny Walker Blue.

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A good dinner is not only about good food but also of good company. I can’t say enough good things about Steve and Ginger. If anything, one of the best things that happened when we got this house was that we became closer to them and got to spend more time in their company.

Cookie enjoying quality time with the birthday boy.
Cookie enjoying quality time with the birthday boy.

It was a long day  but a wonderful one. Turning 50 is an awesome thing and needs to be celebrated. Here’s to 50 more years,  D!!!

 

 

The Herb Farm Restaurant

Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg Herb Farm is an herb farm (duh!), and  also boasts of a bed and breakfast and a restaurant. The restaurant is a historic rock house built in the 1890’s. The chef  prepares the menu using fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs grown in the premises. With that, it became our instant favorite, specially when we need to detox from all the German food (I have not featured any of those yet, I have to pace myself because there’s a LOT of great ones here)
Thyme Basil Sangria--an "organic" drink. You're welcome, liver.
Thyme Basil Sangria–an “organic” drink. You’re welcome, liver.
Like almost every place here, this has a homey vibe going on.
Like almost every place here, this has a homey vibe going on.
Had to take a picture of this electric snow-globe-but-not. It changes color, really cool.
Had to take a picture of this electric snow-globe-but-not. It changes color, really cool.

 

Menu changes by the season. I was going to get the Spinach and Mushroom lasagna, but they ran out (WTH, at 11:30 noon??? FAIL) It infuriated me because I thought it must be that good, and I just missed it…So I gave the menu a once-over and found this jewel. It smelled so good! I can always make any old lasagna. I have no idea how to smoke a duck and/or potatoes THEN smack them all into a pizza and make it turn out this way.  So, this order was a total win, you can tell from my smile.

Duck and Smoked Potato Pizza
Duck and Smoked Potato Pizza
D, the original creature of comfort, ordered the house special, Roasted Pecan and Dried Cranberry Chicken Salad.
D, the original creature of comfort, ordered the house special, Roasted Pecan and Dried Cranberry Chicken Salad.

He’s been ordering that from the last 82 times we’ve been here. He is “that” kind of person. And that is why he has no food blog….hehehe. In his defense, that salad is really good.

Rosemary Pound Cake. I have yet to be comfortable adding herbs to desserts. This is an inspiration.
Rosemary Pound Cake. I have yet to be comfortable adding herbs to desserts. This is an inspiration.