Tuesday, August 04, 2009

A Last Dinner for Felix

Bella took it upon herself to plan the menus this week. She used a tiny piece of paper and her handwriting's not that clear anyway, so the meals have been surprises to us. Pleasant surprises.

She didn't actually do all of tonight's cooking, though. We've gotten into a rhythm of cooking together every evening, every one who's home. Each person takes on one of the dishes--Giles does the salad, prepping the lettuce and making the balsamic dressing. Clara and Felix often prepare the other vegetables, although I don't like entrusting Felix with any delicate steaming--he's so apt to become absent-minded and wander off leaving the asparagus to turn to mush.

Bella does everything, and sets the table. So cooking dinner from start to finish rarely takes more than forty minutes of prep, and we all think it's worth it.


For Felix's last evening at home for a while Bella marinated flank steaks in an Asian vinaigrette this morning, then Giles grilled them. A spicy grated carrot salad, steamed asparagus, and then that most Southern of all delicacies, fried okra, finished the plate.


And Clara made this beautiful fruit salad. How about that giant footed milk glass thrift store find? I think yes!

15 comments:

Lisateresa said...

Grated carrot is something I never think of........
What a nice family.

Farrah said...

It's so awesome how y'all work together as a family to cook dinner! May God bless and watch over Felix during his fall term!

Quick question, how do you keep your kids occupied and creative during the summers? I have realized, too late, that my kids really have a big addiction to electronics and it needs to stop but I'm not sure how to change that living in our apartment. Thanks!

Polly said...

Excellent dinner for Felix. Bella is an asset, as are all of your children. Can't wait until my now-2-year-old can grill for us!

Bethany Hudson said...

Smiling! Have a great year, Felix! Whose name, I don;t think I've mentioned before, I LOVE!

Shana said...

I have followed all of your meals this past week and I must say they have made me ever so hungry each time I have viewed them!

Your blog is so refreshing. I am so glad to have found it!

mrs boo radley said...

We had flank steak too.

Farewell, Felix!

Unknown said...

Everything looks so delicious.

Heather said...

I would love the recipe for the carrot salad. Our Central market has an amazing morroccan carrot salad that is amazing!

Serena said...

The fruit salad took my breath away! There's nothing like a good fruit salad!

Farewell, Felix!

Anonymous said...

Do you have a tried and true recipe for fried okra. I'm getting close to the way my husband's grandmother used to do it (I hear about how wonderful it was, all the time) but I'm not quite there yet! Would love suggestions!

Amy in Texas

Kathy said...

Have a great school year, Felix! And that Bella is quite the chef for one so young, could I borrow her for awhile? You have a lovely, well-rounded family, children to make any parent proud!

Jane said...

THAT looks good. I just love okra, but it is rarely available here, except frozen. Bella must be a pretty amazing cook!

Kimmie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jen said...

The babies are flying the nest. Be glad you taught them so well that they will not take long to fly well.

Best of luck to Felix.

Jen in Oz
(who is sharing your Coffee Cake recipe with all and sundry in both real and paper format)

Unknown said...

WOW! I so want to teach my kiddos to prepare dinner...I've started but I let them get a bit older before they can grill by themselves! ;)
Beautiful dish and table cloth!

Blessings!

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