It started as fun banter between Linda and my boyfriend about how they both made amazing fennel dishes. It quickly became a dinner party plan where all of us made dishes with fennel in it, resulting in this fun fennel night.
Linda’s man, “Sugarface” as the Internet knows him, started the night with fennel orange gin cocktails, which was a great combination! Delicious and pretty.
Sugarface also made the appetizer: fennel apple bacon chutney. The bacon balanced the sweetness well.
We next enjoyed my boyfriend’s roasted fennel salmon, which also had onions and cherry tomatoes.
Soon after, Linda’s lemon roasted fennel chicken with a side of pasta was ready to enjoy. I loved the tenderness of the chicken.
We finished the meal with my dessert – a fennel panna cotta with raspberry garnish. Here it is plated three ways. Taking it out of the ramekin didn’t quite work because it wasn’t gelatinous enough. One of the ramekins had raspberry preserve that looked like a mustache so we made it into a face. This was my first time making panna cotta and I’m now a fan! It reminds me of flan and the fennel flavor is strong but delightful.
I love how while we used the same ingredient, the similarities in the flavors were subtle. Fennel is so versatile. I also loved how light and healthy the meal was, despite the multiple courses. This dinner party was a fun way to challenge our cooking skills, share the responsibilities in the meal and relax the flow of a dinner party. In other words, a success!
One of my goals this year is to throw 12 celebrations. This is #2 of 12. These are big and small parties for any occasion with the goal of planning and executing something fun. See all the celebrations here.
What’s your favorite party attended where everyone used the same ingredient? Or, do you have any same ingredient party ideas/suggestions for the future?
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