Annual Festive Smestive Dinner

Last night was our annual Festive Smestive Dinner.

The first weekend in December we invite our neighbors for dinner before everyone is all partied out for the season.  I make it a sit down dinner.  Formally set table. And always a theme. 

This year the theme was India....

I was inspired by a beautiful block printed tablecloth that I found on sale, which is likely destroyed by curry stains...(soaking in the laundry sink) 

I used all of my silver accessories, mercury glass candle holders, some Indian Silver candelabras, teak and silver napkin rings. 

Of course you need a selection of Indian beers....courtesy of our friend Ricardo who always manages our liquor to food selections perfectly.

This candlestick was my sisters wedding gift.  She didn't like it so palmed it off to me....

I use it all the time.

Menu

Butter Chicken

Beef Vindaloo

Chicken Korma with Coconut Milk

Pakora

Samosa

Dahl

Mango Chutney

Nann Bread

Basmati Rice

Mince Tarts in Puff Pastry with Homemade Vanilla Ice cream

Raspberry Trifle

Fresh Mango Juice

I made the main dishes, but went to a local Indian Market and bought the Samosa and Pakora and Nann Bread. Some things I just won't try myself. 

I love my Dining room in candle light.... the dusty corners don't show.

My favourite "wanka" water.  There is just something I love about these bottles.  I set them straight on the table even though they are plastic.  Someone did question why I have Polish water given that I preach about local produce and buying Canadian......I just don't have a good answer to that one. It's a design thing. 

I love paperwhites, but I hate the smell of them.  I bought two fakes instead.

All over the blogs when people talk of paperwhites, they say how they love the scent.

Is it just me?  UGHH. 

This year we were 12 .  The curries were made in crock pots, the rice made ahead.  All I had to do was set it on the table.  A very easy meal for entertaining.

I set up a very long table to extend into the living room. That way we are in front of the fire too. 

Trifle make great Breakfast Food. 

I don't have matching silverware or plates.  I use mismatched vintage cutlery and mix my old Buffalo China plates with plain white.  I found these stemless champagne flutes at my grocery store and we used them for mango juice, water, scotch and Baileys...They were cheap and fit easily into the dishwasher. 

A Really Good Tart