Salmon, Wine and Chocolate
Pretty much my 3 favorite things… oh, and goat cheese was in there, too, so it was a very good night 🙂
We got the casa all sparkly and the table set- LURVE these place settings that my stepmom and dadoo got for us.
I set out all of the usual Gina dinner party appetizers:
Hummus (chickpeas, amazing olive oil- Ina would be proud, cumin, garlic, lemon juice and tahini)
Veg (peppers, cucumber, carrots—all organic) and greek olives:
Cheese plate with smoked gouda, goat gouda and local strawberries:
(tip: for cheese plates, try to make them look as rustic as possible. Have a variety of cheeses –ours was smaller as we only had four people- and combine with fresh fruit, berries, olives, dried fruit and toasted nuts)
Mary’s crack and artichoke dip from Eat, Drink and Be Vegan
For the salad, I usually make my own candied nuts in the dehydrator. I forgot to make them in advance, so I grabbed up some of these and they made an awesome replacement
Salad with organic greens, sliced organic apples, goat cheese and said Valdosta nut mix:
Salmon with that Maple-Orange Bourbon glaze I told ya’ll about:
Mashed sweet potatoes (with almond milk, Sucanat, cinnamon, nutmeg, Earth Balance and vanilla)
My plate:
I also had 1.5 glasses of the pilot’s favorite wine: Rodney Strong Symmetry 😀
And then, the best part…
Raw Malted Chocolate Tarts
I topped the tarts with raw chocolate mousse that I made yesterday and some Himalayan sea salt. No words, only foodgasms 😉
We had a blasty hanging out with the squadron doctor and his girlfriend.. I’ve been wanting to have them over forever and was so glad it finally worked out.
Despite my vino and feast, I woke up bright and early to run 10 miles with Meara. I’ll post all about it later this evening (and am SHUDDERING from the ice bath I just took!), but for now, I need some FOODIE.
Have a relaxing and wonderful Sunday.
See ya tonight <3
G$
Today’s tip: After a late night (or perhaps some vino), get out there and *attempt* your workout first thing. You may find that you needed to get moving and will feel GREAT when it’s over, or you’ll just find out that you need to take a day off. No big deal and just get back in the swing of things when you can. Usually after a later night, if I don’t work out first thing, it won’t happen and a first-thing wrkout also gets my productivity in motion for the day.
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Beautiful dinner setting. You look like a great host! I think you may have inspired me to have some people over. Now if only I could hire you to put it together!
Off to run as well. Had a bit too much vino last night. Must clear out the pipes!
haha i would totally put it together for you 😀
have a good run- you’ll feel so much better!
Gina your home is so pretty, love your kitchen table and the place mats. I like your idea of doing exercise first thing after a late night. Didn’t get home til 4am this morning and feeling a little hungover and delicate but I made myself go on a walk and get some fresh air.
your dinner party looks like something I’d love to be a guest at! I”m going to try that salmon glaze ASAP, it sounds phenomenal!
Your hummus looks fabulous! Looks like the authentic one my mama makes :)…and those mashed sweet taters- gorgeous!
Wow what a beautiful dinner! Random question.. How do you keep the salmon hot for serving time? I always cook it last minute but somehow it gets cold really fast? What am I missing!
hey girl,
i pan-sear it about 5 minutes before the guests arrive and put it in the oven to bake. when it’s done baking, it’s time for dinner, so it’s the last thing i put out before everyone starts eating
WOW! Girl- what a spread! I would sit and eat the cheese, strawberries and artichoke dip all night long. Looks professionally done 🙂 Great job on the mileage too! Happy Sunday
all that food looks amazing! Glad you had fun!
Great spread! You’re right, those Mary’s crackers are totally addictive.
Good job on your run!!! Salmon + maple sounds delish!
What an amazing meal! If you ever move to Austin, I would beg you to be my personal trainer and chef. You are very talented! 🙂
thank you! <3
i WISH we could move to austin.. would be a little more fun than valdosta 😉
Foodgasms through the screen! Ahh looks delicious!
xo
K
Looks like a fab dinner party!!!
glad you’re feeling better! i’m guessing you have the winter shape up post go up automatically? if so, do you think you can post it a little earlier in the AM? i work out in the morning and I couldn’t do last week’s workout on monday. thanks and enjoy your sunday!
sure, what time were you thinking? i usually post it when i wake up at 7:30, but if you need it before then i can auto post it earlier. just let me know
6:00 am would be great 🙂 thanks!!!
k i’ll put it on autopost for you early risers out there 😉
this week’s workout is going to be awesome!
Great dinner spread. I’d love to be one of your guests.
Your dinner looks awesome! Great job on the early exercise too! If only I were more like you!
Your spreads always look AMAZING. Come to New York and be my personal chef, please? Congrats on the run by the way!
Those chocolate tarts look so yummy!
You are such the hostess with the mostest 🙂 Lovely dinner party! And good for you for getting that run in right away! I’m the same way– if I don’t do it first thing after a big night out, I never will! 🙂
Your party spreads always look so great! And I love your table settings 🙂
Goat gouda? Um, yum! I’ve never heard of such a thing, but I’m going to have to seek some out.
I realllly want to try mashed sweet potatoes.. next tiem I cook they will be on the menu, but who knows when that will be!
Oh my god, that meal looks INCREDIBLE. I wish we were having some semblance of that (especially the salmon!) for our Super Bowl food tonight!
everything looks delicious! what kind of olive oil?
Ooh, that hummus looks so good! How was the artichoke dip? I have a party to go to next weekend and I’m trying to figure out which dishes from ED&BV to bring.
You’re amazing host! Something to aspire to!
Everything looks amazing! I struggle to find tasty yet healthy things others will enjoy when I host dinners/bring a dish to others. I am definitely saving this page for ideas next time!
I love the color scheme in your dining room/kitchen… it looks so nice!
I didn’t know that Valdosta is know for their pecans. I’ve seen that brand at Starbucks, but I’ve never picked up a bag!
MARVELOUS spread! I wish I were there… specially for dessert 🙂
Just the title made my mouth water. Looking at the pictures was too much to even handle.
running = ultimate hangover cure for me. great tip of the day 🙂
You present your food so beautifully!!! You are quite the hostess!!
thank you!
you entertain all the time, i’m jealous! I love having people over to eat, too. Your spread looks awesome
me too, i LOVE entertaining! 🙂
Everything looks SO delicious. I bet those tarts were out of this world. You make Barefoot Contessa look like McDonalds, sista. 😉
-Bloggy Boy
thanks so much, b.b. 🙂
love this tip…i so wanted to work out this morning, but turns out 4 hours of sleep leaves you a little tired… 🙂
Wow, wow and wow… you are an amazing hostess and chef!
10 miles this morning? You rock! I ran my very first 5k yesterday and feel so accomplished. Up next… a 10k! 😉
Mannnnn do I ever so badly wish I could attend a Fitnessista Feast! Everything looks AMAZING!!! drool. 😀
All that I can say is ‘YUM’!
Next time can we come for dinner?!!!!
heck yeah 🙂
Your chocolate tarts look so yummy! 🙂
Hi Gina!
Just wanted to pop in and say I’m still going strong (hehe, pun intended!) with the Intro to Pumping Iron workout. I’m nearly at 1 month and I think I’m starting to see results – my mum and sister both commented that they thought I’d lost weight (I haven’t according to the scales but I think I’m toning up).
I’m planning on doing another month (increasing the weights every couple of weeks) and then I’m going to move on to your summer shape up (I’m in the Southern Hemisphere so thought I’d save the winter one for our winter).
Thanks for providing such great fitness advice and plans – and for free!
hey leah,
that’s AWESOME! keep up the amazing work 😀
I’ve found that when I lay in bed all day with a hangover, I feel WORSE than if I just get myself out of bed and have a blood pumping workout. Seriously, the workout usually cures me!
Hi Gina,
Thanks for the info and links! I will check them both out.
Jonna
Everything looks SO delish! I love the looks of your tartlets. What type of tarlet pans did you get for them? I saw some at Williams & Sanoma and was wondering if they were the same ones?
hey kilee,
those are the ones 🙂
hahaha, you’re tip totally reminds me of being an undergrad. I remember going out Th, F, Sat night and each morning waking up and ‘running off’ my morning ickiness.
PS, I totally can’t/don’t that anymore 😉
YUM! Sweet potatoes and salmon are two of my favorite foods, especially together.
Congrats on the 10 miles! yay!
I love the tip today! So true. Glad your dinner went so well…
I bought the exact same nuts today!! Only complaint is that I can’t taste the orange rind. I always forget about adding nuts and fruit to salads so I think I’ll be experimenting this week.
Off topic, but I joined a gym yesterday. A friend of mine has offered to train me…for free!! I’m super excited to get to that place where it doesn’t feel like a chore to work out but is something I get to do. You have inspired me so much through your blog, so thanks for all of your posts and information!
that is so cool- have fun!
What a beautiful spread! That’s definitely my kind of party. 🙂
oh man, that salad looks so good! i just tried goat cheese for the first time on a salad with apples and toasted almonds, the flavors go so well together, i love it!
I wish I lived close enough to come to your house for dinner! Amazing food, Gina!!!
Great tip about working out the day after a late night. Sometimes your body just needs a rest.
Also, that dinner looks AMAZING. Salmon is also one of my favorite things, for sure 🙂