This is such a fun little presentation idea!
And I thought of it all by myself! I was in the garden snipping herbs and edible herb flowers to roll our homemade chêvre in, when I got an epiphany! Why not serve a miniature herb bouquet at each place setting for the cheese course! Instead of plating the crustadas or toasted baguettes with a tarragon leaf, or lavender buds, each guest could adorn their own! Who doesn’t like playing with their food?
I do happen to have an abundance of adorable miniature serving plates, utensils, and, yes, even the vases! I was delighted. Much more delighted than my guests, I will add, but that is not at all daunting. I equate it with getting dressed up to go on a hot date when I was young. So much fun and tingly anticipation getting ready, and the date? Well, usually not nearly as fun as imagining what he would be like. I am sure I was the same for him! I do not expect my dinner guests to be as into food and little moments like this that those of us who are, find delightful.
Can you see the English Breakfast radish in the vase? What fun!
This bouquet includes: Lavender, French Tarragon, Green Oregano, Chive Flowers, Spearmint and one French Breakfast radish. Lilac blossoms were available on the side. Each gives the cheese, whether it is homemade ricotta, yogurt cheese, or chèvre a completely novel flavour. Mixing them up is the most fun!
What more can I say?
CHEESEPALOOZA
Which brings me to a pre-announcement: Watch for Cheesepalooza coming to your neighbourhood, soon. I have spoken to Mary Karlin of Artisan Cheese Making at Home and though she is not sure, at present, how much time she can devote to our project, she will contribute her mentorship to it in a yet to be determined capacity. Project?
Yes, Addie, Ian, Deb and I are initiating a Cheesepalooza Project: a 9 to 10 month Artisan Cheesemaking adventure where we use Mary’s book as our guide and all make the same cheeses to a specific schedule. We hope many of our readers will participate. There will be monthly postings. Right now we are working on the plan. Then comes the prizes and sponsorships, we hope!
If you are interested in participating, let us know in the comments section here, and I will e-mail you with the deets as soon as we have them! Please also tell us what you are interested in learning and doing, cheese-wise!
If you have any cheese making expertise, please also let us know!
Hi Valerie,
I love your mini vase idea – they’re so pretty! And I always love a bit of ‘do-it-yourself’ at meals. I’d like to be kept in the loop for your cheese-making project. I’ve never made cheese before, but ricotta is on my 100-list, so trying a project like yours might be a great kick-start for me 🙂
Courtenay
Courtenay!
Wonderful to hear from you – and you are local – so you don’t need to do it on your own. You can come over and I can walk you through the ricotta when we do it – or whatever you find intimidating, like I did… with the ricotta. Whew, a life long fear, and it really was that easy! Thrilled to have you aboard!
🙂
Valerie
Absolutely gorgeous!
Beautiful photos! Looking forward to cheese. 🙂 polkdadot variety
It really is a delightful presentation.
That’s adorable! If your guests weren’t excited, you’re inviting the wrong people to your dinner parties. 🙂
Tara!
Thank you! I knew there would be others as excited as me!
XO
Valerie