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We don’t live close to our immediate (or extended) families. MJ’s family is three plus hours to the east and mine is three plus hours to the west. Because of the distance, we’ve worked to create a community of our own. Lately, we’ve been all about the progressive dinner. Have you tried one? It’s a fun, offbeat way to share food with people. With Thanksgiving right around the corner, our meal was like a Thanksgiving meal for our group without the classic Thanksgiving dishes or, for us, the travel. Our group has become something like family to us and we are sure thankful for them.
Last Friday, our group gathered and progressed from one house to another until our dinner was finished. The first house was a combination of both the appetizers and the soup course. It was a chilly evening and our friends are so considerate of our little ones, we combined the first two stops into one. Our appetizer was a plate of artisan cheeses and fun crackers. Sweet J was all about the crackers. He held one of the boxes hostage and ate from it until we left for the next house.
We also enjoyed two soups at the first house. The first was a curry apple soup, pictured above. It was the first time my friend had made it so we were all curious to its taste. Despite the interesting curry yellow color, it was delicious! I had a few servings. Topped with green onions and almonds, it was a flavor feast! The second was a cheddar soup topped with bacon and popcorn, of all things. Might look strange but it was good enough Bug had her own bowl. In a progressive meal, the actual eating is slowed which, as a parent of two small children, is wonderful. Instead of try to eat everything in 12 seconds flat, each course has its own time. With all the soup toppings, a matching serving set like this one would come in handy. And, while bowls are one of my favorite things to collect, I adore these colorful soup mugs. So many colors! And perfect to fill with soup and cuddle with under a blanket.
Then we hopped on over to our house. We were in charge of the main course meal, baked chicken breast with Italian breadcrumb crust, the recipe I share yesterday. We also served hot crusty bread because ‘just meat’ seemed lacking to me. :) We own something similar to this bread board and I like it because not only is it utilitarian, but it looks good too.
When we have people over, our children love to play host. They enjoy setting the table, counting out utensils and assigning a seat for everyone. Our space is small but being cozy is not so bad.
The final stop was for dessert. Our children were very ready for this course. We all enjoyed delicious cheesecake with caramel and hot fudge sauce. Adults had an additional raspberry wine sauce and all were topped with a raspberry. Our friend served them up on simple clear plates, similar to these dessert plate beauties. Simplicity is perfection.
Food is good and all but I go for the togetherness. When the hour got late, we headed home with full tummies and full hearts. Being together is good for the soul.
Couple things about progressive dinners:
1. Why do it? It’s fun! It changes things up. Instead of the common ‘bring a dish to share’ potluck, usually at the same person’s house, a progressive dinner is more interactive.
2. Take time to really enjoy the food. Don’t rush or don’t hurry. Take it in and taste the food.
3. Think smaller servings. More courses means more food and the dessert servers will be fairly bummed if everyone is too full by the time the end rolls around. Staying small will ensure each course will have room and no one will be uncomfortable.
4. To facilitate planning, share a theme or style for the dinner so the meal can be cohesive.
5. It’s a great way to build community in a neighborhood, for instance. Everyone shares in their own space and this togetherness creates bonds.
Here are a few things you might find useful for your progressive dinner:
Ladle in Red | 5 Piece Serve Set | Bread Board & Knife
Have fun!
We had a progressive dinner with our neighbors a few weeks ago. It was so much fun!