"Dogs are miracles with paws"

Appropriate to what are known as the “dog days of summer”, we invited some of our favorite canines to lunch yesterday, and told them it would be fine to bring their people along if they’d like. Isn’t it just like a dog to do the gracious thing? They all let their people come along!

We began, of course, with a tour of the chicken coop.

Katherine and Pamela

Karma, Dan and Katherine

Kirk and Pamela

Pamela brought treats for the chickens

After the chickens were duly admired, we had lunch outside. For once, I was not complaining about the weather – it was a gorgeous summer day! Victoria volunteered to cook for the group and after consulting with her mother (a splendid French cook!)  turned the menu I had suggested into an epic meal. We started with various Cheese Toasts, then Chicken Pasta Salad (our favorite family stand-by), Chilled Pea Soup with Mint  (I’m going to ask Victoria for the recipe), and then the most amazing Coconut Flan, and Chocolate Mousse served in “spoon bowls”.  Here is the www.epicurious.com recipe for the Bleu Cheese toasts we all loved:

Parmesan-Blue Cheese Toasts with Green Onions

Gourmet | November 2003

by Tina Thompson, Orlando, FL

1 cup mayonnaise

2 large garlic cloves, minced

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese (about 5 ounces)

3/4 cup finely crumbled blue cheese (about 3 ounces)

28 1/3-inch-thick diagonal bread slices cut from 2 sourdough baguettes

Olive oil

3/4 cup finely chopped green onions

Combine mayonnaise, garlic, ground pepper, and cayenne pepper in medium bowl and whisk to blend.

Mix in cheeses; season with salt. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)

Preheat oven to 400°F.

Brush 1 side of each bread slice with oil. Place oiled side down on large rimmed baking sheet. Bake bread slices until almost golden, about 5 minutes. Spread 1 generous tablespoon cheese mixture on each bread slice on sheet. Bake until cheese topping starts to bubble and toasts are golden at edges, about 10 minutes.

Transfer toasts to large platter.

Sprinkle with chopped green onions and serve warm. 

Thank you, Victoria!

Soho and Bernadette

Dan and Katherine thoughtfully brought a box of “Frosty Paws” for the dogs to enjoy.

Katherine shows Tahoe how to enjoy Frosty Paws

Karma in Nirvana

I think Soho is actually smiling in this picture!

It was a good day to be a dog and a good occasion for this quote by Roger Caras:

“Dogs have given us their absolute all.

We are the center of their universe.

We are the focus of their love and faith and trust.

They serve us in return for scraps.

It is without a doubt the best deal man has ever made.”