A Birthday Dinner

It's great to feel healthy again and feel like entertaining. What better way than to host a birthday dinner party for a dear friend who turns 72 today.

The party was the Sunday before -- the only day our schedules allowed us all to be together to celebrate this very special birthday.

The table for six in the dining room -- with a quaker lace cloth.

The Spode Blue Room, casual wine glasses, and for the first course, mother of pearl handled forks (which are really dessert forks but I thought they would be great for the Shrimp Louis).

And a menu, of course, announcing that this, indeed, was a Birthday dinner!
Tapers in silver candlesticks and a vase of the very last flowers blooming in the garden -- the false sunflowers and a couple of sprigs of anise hyssop.
The first course, Shrimp Louis -- served over a chiffonade of lettuce in martini glasses and garnished with lemon wedges and parsley.
It's easy to make and came from my latest read, Plum Pudding Murder, by Joanne Fluke. It was for a "dip" but I just cut the onions bigger and used whole rock shrimp. It was a perfect first course for a celebratory dinner!

SHRIMP LOUIS

(Adapted from Plum Pudding Murder by Joanne Fluke)

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup chili sauce

1 T. horseradish

1/8 teaspoon pepper

6 green onions

2 cups cooked salad (or rock shrimp)

salt to taste

Mix the cream cheese and mayonnaise. Add the chili sauce, horseradish and pepper. Mix it up into a smooth sauce. Slice the green onions. Stir them in well. Fold in the shrimp. Add salt if needed.

Chill the shrimp louis in a covered bowl in the refrigerator at least 4 hours.

NOTE: If you mince the shrimp and green onions, it makes a great cocktail spread.

Today is Thursday which means that it's Tablescape Thursday. Please join Susan at Between Naps on the Porch to see the other great tables this Thursday!