Sitting around the table sharing a good meal is just plain fun.
I’m sure that my foodie friends would agree that this is why we
cook.
Leisurely hours sharing stories, laughing, crying, tasting, and
sipping – isn’t that what life is all about?
Sometimes it’s fun to present a fancy dinner, served in courses,
on your best china, with crisp white linens, sparkling crystal, and sterling
silver place settings.
Alternatively, there are times when keeping things casual can be
just as elegant.
Simple white plates, mismatched napkins, tumblers, every day cutlery,
and blue jeans. Cozy. Comfortable. Intimate.
In the end, whether it’s fancy or casual, it’s really about the
people at your table.
Occasionally, when we are entertaining just a few friends, I love
to put out several dishes in the center of the table to share. It
makes my heart happy to watch everyone dig in.
That is one of the reasons I enjoy the concept of tapas so much.
All you need are a few hearty dishes to share, and you can sit down and enjoy
being with your company. After all, they are the reason you are together.
If Mr. Rogers taught us one thing, it was “sharing.”
Make a few tapas, invite a few friends, uncork a nice bottle of wine, and –
before you know it – you will be deep into the night with a warm glow in your
heart.
~ David
Coliflor con
Vinagreta Templada de Jamón
salt
1 tablespoon
sugar
1 large tomato
1 large cauliflower
3 tablespoons sherry vinegar
1⁄2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1⁄2 cup virgin olive oil
2 scallions
1 green frying pepper, such as Anaheim
2
tablespoons snipped chives
4
ounces Jamón Serrano
Bring
a large pot of water to a boil with 1
tablespoon salt and sugar. Cut a cross in the lower end of the tomato, then blanch
it for 60 seconds; peel, seed, and cut flesh into small dice. Cook the
cauliflower in the same water as the tomato for 15 minutes, then drain and set aside; keep warm. Place 1
teaspoon salt, the pepper, and the vinegar in a small saucepan. Add the oil and
whisk to emulsify. Chop the scallions and pepper. Add the tomato, scallions, Anaheim pepper,
and chives to the vinaigrette. Add the Serrano ham, finely-diced, and bring the
mixture to a boil. Boil the vinaigrette for 3 minutes, then spoon over the warm
cauliflower and serve.
Serve 6-8 as a tapa.
Lois B
May 13, 2017 at 3:23 pmLovely description of shared meals, David. Whether elegant or casual, both scenarios touch my heart. We have a mutual friend with a fondness for olives. I'll have to make this the next time we're getting together.
Cocoa & Lavender
May 14, 2017 at 1:49 pmThanks, Lois – I hope you and Sue enjoy this!
Jill
May 13, 2017 at 3:52 pmOn my list of "must try"!!
Cocoa & Lavender
May 14, 2017 at 1:49 pmYou and Dave will love it, Jill!
Liz (Good Things)
May 13, 2017 at 4:22 pmGorgeous! Love it. x
Cocoa & Lavender
May 14, 2017 at 1:50 pmThanks, Liz!
Gerlinde de Broekert
May 13, 2017 at 6:58 pmYou are so right David, sitting around the table and sharing a simple or elegant meal is fun and warms the tummy and the heart. This is definitely something I am going to make soon.
Cocoa & Lavender
May 14, 2017 at 1:51 pmI knew was going to resonate with so many of my friends, Gerlinde!
Nutmeg
May 13, 2017 at 9:36 pmOh la la that looks delicious. Yes that is exactly why we cook, the enjoyment of the food for sure, but mostly the company.
Cocoa & Lavender
May 14, 2017 at 1:52 pmAnd that was so evident when we were with you this spring, Carolyne!
John | heneedsfood
May 13, 2017 at 10:22 pmIt's been a while since I last sat at a sharing table. I really miss it!
Need. This. Cauliflower.
Cocoa & Lavender
May 14, 2017 at 1:53 pmThis is straight-up you, John! I actually thought of you as I was making it!
Cheri Savory Spoon
May 14, 2017 at 2:21 pmShared meals are the best, such a wonderful way to converse and spend time with others. especially love the way you prepared this cauliflower, I know that both Don and I would really enjoy this.
Cocoa & Lavender
May 15, 2017 at 2:00 pmCheri – the first time I made this, I shared it alone with Mark. Boy was that a rich meal! It didn't stop us but we sure were wishing there were others with us!
Unknown
May 14, 2017 at 9:44 pmVery interesting recipe!
Cocoa & Lavender
May 15, 2017 at 2:00 pmThanks, Anna e Giovanna!
Sippity Sup
May 14, 2017 at 11:24 pmWe are so alike. I love the big heaping plates of food in the center of the table too. GREG
Cocoa & Lavender
May 15, 2017 at 2:01 pmIt does the heart good, doesn't it, Greg?
Marcelle
May 15, 2017 at 12:17 amI love the small bites and good company too. Overdue for an adult tapas-style night here and this gorgeous cauliflower recipe is on the list of wonderful dishes to serve when we get the chance. 🙂 Thanks for sharing it, David!
Cocoa & Lavender
May 15, 2017 at 2:02 pmI hope you get your adult tapas night, Marcelle! Thanks, as always, for your kind comments!
Unknown
May 15, 2017 at 11:11 am… this is to be eaten warm, correct? + I guess it could work also with Italian prosciutto…? (easier to find) (oddly enough I do have a cauliflower in the fridge) stefano – italianhomecooking.co.uk
Cocoa & Lavender
May 15, 2017 at 2:03 pmStefano – yes, this is served warm, but not necessarily hot. And, yes, you can use prosciutto a special easily and it works fine! I should add that to the instructions! What a glorious way to use your cauliflower! A presto, d
Inger at Art of Natural Living
May 16, 2017 at 1:54 amCompletely agree on the tapas concept David! In fact for my extended family Christmas party (45-65 people depending on the year) everyone brings an appetizer which is always a bigger hit than the sliced ham or turkey provided by the host.
Cocoa & Lavender
May 19, 2017 at 1:25 pmWhat a wonderful way to have a party, Inger! One of our favorite small-ish events to host (8-10 people) is "tapas and telly" – we watch a favorite movie and everyone brings an app to share. Great fun!
Frank
May 19, 2017 at 1:16 pmCouldn't agree more, David. Although I'm fine with cooking for myself, it's really all about sharing. And for that, nothing beats a communal meal.
By the way, don't tell any of my Italian friends, but I think I may actually like jamón serrano and especially jamón ibérico even better than prosciutto di Parma. Shhh!
Cocoa & Lavender
May 19, 2017 at 1:25 pmYour secret is safe with me, Frank! I really like it, too – great texture and flavor.
Ngeun
May 20, 2017 at 8:09 amHi David! This looks like a wonderful way to enjoy cauliflower, and I love cauliflower especially when softly textured. Food definitely tastes best when enjoyed together. And I like my eating experience casual because I can be quite a klutz! :/
Cocoa & Lavender
May 20, 2017 at 2:05 pmAh, yes – we all can be such klutzes! I learned to skirt the issue by using the WWJD method (What Would Julia Do?) – like the other day when I forgot the pear tart in the oven – the crust was toast, but the main part was merely crispy – so I cut of the crust and no one was the wiser! Thanks, Julia!
Colette (Coco)
May 25, 2017 at 7:26 pmI don't know if I've heard a word you've said….I'm fixated on the photos….
Cocoa and Lavender
May 31, 2017 at 11:00 amYou are so sweet, Colette!
Provence WineZine
June 5, 2017 at 1:52 amI love the photos, the sounds of the recipe, and your sentiments about the joys of gathering around the table for good food, conversation, and camaraderie. That's the good life!
Cocoa & Lavender
June 5, 2017 at 7:59 pmWe just miss sitting around the table with you and Towny! Come visit soon! xx