Well, it’s the end of another year and quite the year it’s been.  I decided to keep it low key for the New Year’s Eve so I’ve invited a few friends over for dinner. Sean and I sat down and wrote out a menu for the night and this is what we came up with:

  • Appetizers (we’ll decide what once we get shopping)
  • Brown butter risotto with lobster
  • Steak with roasted potatoes
  • Salad
  • Tiramisu

The aim with dinner was to use as much local as possible on our menu.   It’s not as hard as you think.  Adriano and I are always talking about how great it is to live where we do.  We have everything we need right here.  Although, Sean was pretty insistent on having lobster incorporated into the meal in some way.  Now, as hard as I could try, there’s no way I’m going to find local lobster so we settled on the next best thing…Canadian lobster. 

For the rest of the menu, we headed out to the county to Sanson Estates.  I was originally heading there to pick up free range eggs but unfortunately the hens weren’t laying that week.  I guess they were on a holiday break. 

We got into Sanson’s and the ladies of the estate immediately offered us some home made squash soup.  They had smoked the squash themselves, browned some apples, added a little ice wine and wow…..amazing.  The smokiness of the squash was intense. 

Squash Soup at Sanson Estate
Squash Soup at Sanson Estate

I’m not much of a meat eater, so I left the decision of choosing the steaks to Sean.  He decided on the rib eyes and we grabbed a jar local pickled asparagus and goat cheese from the London area to go along with it.  Normally my family purchases their meat from Wild Acres out in Woodslee, but I thought I would give Sanson a try this time.  Both Wild Acres and Sanson Estate raise their cattle and pork naturally, no hormones, no steriods. 

Now, if you are asking yourself, what’s the difference, well, you haven’t tried beef or pork that has been raised in this way.  There’s a difference.  A huge difference.  I’ve actually talked about this in a post this past summer.   Understanding where our food comes from has become a huge issue in our family.  We want to be able to talk to the people who produce our foods.  Driving out to the county to purchase our meat, eggs and whatever else we can find is worth it.   I love being able to sit down to a meal and tell people where everything has come from or who the farmer was. 

Steaks and local asparagus at Sanson Estate
Steaks and local asparagus at Sanson Estate

On the way home we stopped off at Soulliere Sausage and picked up some great tasting smoked sausage and kielbasa.  Stopped by my mom’s as she just made fresh bread, so I snagged a couple loaves.  A few bottles of Mastronardi’s a’Dorah sparkling wine are chillin’ in the fridge. I’m set! 

Now I’m in the middle of preparing all this food and hopefully all goes well.  I’ll let you know how it turns out and of course post pictures!   2009 has been a great year and I’m kinda sad to see it come to an end but I can’t wait for 2010!  It can only get better.  2010 is gonna kick ass!

Happy New Year everyone!  Have a great night tonite and be safe!