Photo credit: dailymail.co.uk
via Google Images

Some info about our Gourmet Group:  We are 4 couples who enjoy cooking, entertaining, and most of all, each other’s company.

We take turns hosting in our homes.  The hosts decide on the menu (theme) from appetizers to dessert for the evening.  The hosts cook most of the meal, but give at least one course (along with all the recipes) to the other couples to prepare.  We love trying new recipes and ideas.  So most of the time, the recipes are ones we haven’t cooked before, but they don’t have to be.

Another couple in our Gourmet Group hosted this past weekend.  Considering the world has been engrossed the past two weeks watching the 2014 Olympics happening in Sochi, Russia, they picked a very timely 2014 Olympic Theme complete with Russian fare.

“Let the Dinner Begin!”

In honor of our USA athletes, the hosts chose red, white, and blue tablescapes.  They even requested we wear red, white, & blue attire to fully capture the spirit of the evening.  This photo was taken in their kitchen where appetizers were served.   On the front corner of the table is one of the appetizers, “Smoked Salmon Pancakes with Cream & Caviar”.  They were delicious!

~ Note:  Sorry about the quality of these pictures – they were taken on my phone ~

They hung up a U.S. flag.

She started with red and white striped fabric for a table runner, and added blue napkins and scattered blue stars across the table.

She added several red, white and blue candles to the center of the table on a mirror to reflect the light.

She used gold chargers at each place setting.  The blue napkins were tied with “olympic-type” gold medals.  Flag cards were used for name place cards.

Our Russian Menu for the Evening

Appetizers:

Smoked Salmon Pancakes with Cream & Caviar

Savory Crepes with Meat Filling

Russian Cheese Stuffed Flatbread

Salad:

Russian Salad

Soup:

Fresh Shchi with Meatballs

Entrée:

Beef Stroganoff

Dessert:

Black Russian Cake with Kahlua Glaze

My favorites from the menu were the smoked salmon pancakes and the black cake with kahlua glaze.  Yum!!

Of course, we all received medals for our participation…The “Sochi Medals” are actually chocolates purchased from a local specialty chocolate shop.