Aperitif - a Success Story

Aperitif - a Success Story

On my book review page,  I wrote a paragraph or two about the book, Lessons From Madame Chic 20 Stylish Secrets I Learned While Living in Paris by Jennifer L. Scott.

Part of my review read, "Chapter 15 - Practicing the Art of Entertaining.  I give a dinner party every other month and, good golly Miss Martha, do I go at it from the wrong perspective.  When my guests arrive I am usually a bit worse for wear. I settle down after we begin the meal but I am usually rushing around when they first arrive.  According to Jennifer and Madame Chic, frazzled, rushing hostesses are not chic. The author suggests resurrecting the ritual of the aperitif.  I looked up aperitif. It means a beverage which stimulates the appetite. As Jennifer, the author, describes it an aperitif is used to settle the parties involved and prepares them for a pleasant dinner. I think an aperitif in the living room with my guests would help me transition from maker and planner to hostess and participant."

Dear Reader, if you doubt my need for a better transition of dinner maker to dinner hostess please read the post "Mis-steaks and Baked Potatoes".  No harm could come from testing this "Aperitif hypothesis".

I love an experiment, so I gave it, the aperitif,  a whirl last Wednesday.  Our close friends came to our home for the monthly dinner party.  When they arrived at 6:00 pm, they were greeted by soft classical music and an aroma therapeutic (Cheer*) fragrance, as well as a tray of brie appetizers and blackberry mock-tails.  The dinner was simmering on the stove and didn't need my attention for another half an hour so I sat and enjoyed conversation.  Our guests had had a very harried day and were grateful to just sit a spell and unwind.  I wasn't rushing and they didn't feel like they needed to pitch in and help me plate supper.  It was wonderful!!!!!!

Aperitif (1st Course)

Brie wedge with a drizzle of honey and blackberry sauce 

& round butter crackers

Blackberry Mock-tail*

We enjoyed the appetizer, made individual conversations and the half hour past pleasantly.  When there was a natural break in the conversation I was participating in, I excused myself.  I went to the dinning room,  filled water glasses and plated the dinner.  Then I returned to the living room.  I slid back into my seat, made a bit more small talk, and quietly announced dinner.

Dinner (2nd Course)

Poached turkey breast

Boiled new potatoes

Steamed & buttered broccoli shoots

Traminette Wine* (Sweet White)
*(VanTill Family Farm and Winery, Rayville, MO)

The whole evening ran quietly, comfortably and beautifully.  I netted many, many compliments.  The food tasted better without rush or panic. After dessert, the young men excused themselves to have conversation elsewhere in the house.  The adults remained at the table sipping our water or wine and continued on with a most pleasant conversation. If our guests had not had such an exhausting day, we would have returned to the living room with a beverage to continue our visit.  Instead, being weary, they headed for home around 8:30 pm.

Dessert (3rd Course)

Chocolate Torte 

With Blackberry Sauce and Freshly Whipped Cream

The entire evening was delightful and I had enough gumption to do the dinner dishes. I wasn't exhausted from the event; I was rejuvenated. (Even the kitchen and dining room looked snug and happy as I turned in for bed.)

This experiment was a success.  The Outcome:  I do recommend adding the aperitif to your dinner parties or the occasional weekly family dinner. Your family will feel extra special.  The atmosphere of the aperitif is worth the extra 15 minutes of food prep and a few more dirty dishes (small plates and glasses). When you try it out, please post your results.

*Blogger's Note*
*Cheer (Uplifting Blend) is a product of doTERRA.  Cheer is part of the Emotional Aromatherapy collection.  Please contact your local Wellness Advocate for purchase or questions.
*Blackberry Mock-tail Recipe:
In a glass flute, spoon 1 T of blackberry sauce.  At serving time, fill remainder of the flute with seltzer water.