As our midwinter feaste this year is set in Venice, we have decided to make it in the spirit of Carnival! Masked performers as well as patrons. Since anonymity does breed confidence, and brings out the self usually hidden from the eyes of the world, this should make for a VERY interesting evening! We have finally set the menu in it's finished form. Appetizer - Carpacio of tenderloin. First course - Angel hair pasta with shrimp, artichokes and asperagus. Third course - chicken brochettes marinated in fresh rosemary and garlic, served with a white bean cassollet. Fourth Course - Morroccan Chicken spiced with cinnamon and apricots, and served with cous cous. And for desert - individual riccotta tarts flavored with almond and golden raisins soaked in brandy, served with a side of kadota figs in a port wine sauce.
As last year, the last week of the dinner, any open seats will be made available to the public.
Just more than a month away, and the planning for the second annual midwinter feaste at Prairie Dunes Country Club is deep underway. It seems that this year the Doge of Venice shall be our host as he attempts to bring peace to two kingdoms on the precipice of war. Since we shall be dinning in the Doge's palace, the menu will be centered around a selection of Mediteranean dishes. I had originally thought to use actual Venetian dishes of the time, but upon research decided that the guests would most likely NOT be overly fond of cuttlefish in ink sauce, or the whipped cod. I am instead going with such items as Morrocan lamb, skewred chicken with fresh rosemary and garlic,and angel pasta with shrimp and artichokes. As per the desert, well, that one is still up in the air!
Today we lay my father into the arms of his final slumber. He would be happy to know that so many of his friends came to see him off. He was a very long member of the Lions Club and the Moose Lodge, both of which were there. However, he would have been most proud of the Navy Honor Guard which bid him an honorable farewell. He was so very proud of his service as a Navy medic in the Korean war. If You have never had the priveledge of experiencing such a sendoff, it is truly moving. I have no shame in saying that it was what finally moved me to tears. Safe travels my father, you shall live in our hearts.
On this day, the Clan McKane is diminished, as my father joins his ancestors. The man who shared in me his passion for history and knowledge, his love of food and travel, his wit and sense of wonder has passed. His pain has ended, and his next great adventure has begun. Slainthe!
