Grantham Style

I got to spend Saturday with my favorite couple, Misty Barnes and Spencer Grantham, aka the Barntham's.  I mentioned that I had several autumn cocktails that I need to "test kitchen".  There is something about the word's TEST KITCHEN that make people want to be included.  So, it was decided, they'd (Spencer) would cook dinner, and we'd try out autumn cocktails.

First up... Spiced Apple Cider Mimosa

Spiced Apple Cider Mimosa

This tastes like fall in your mouth!

Pour the cider in the glass first, then sparkling wine (I used a brut), then top it off with club soda

It was a little sweet for me, but totally recommend it for Thanksgiving!

Next up, Spiced Apple Cider Sangria aka Autumn Sangria

Autumn Sangria

 This is better than the mimosa

 I used pinot grigio, brandy, maple syrup,

 Trader Joe's spiced apple cider, cinnamon sticks and fresh apples

I plan on making it again for my Friday night Happy Hour

I think I will leave out the maple syrup

Drinks out of the way

Here is the amazing dinner

thanks to Spencer

Recipes will follow 

but here is the preview

Mini Wedge with Gorgonzola

This was the most amazing salad

I love these little "gems" salad wedges

They bought them at Market Street

I even went on Sunday and bought my own 

along with the gorgonzola cheese

The dressing is tomato paste mixed with dijon mustard and balsamic vinegar

YUMMMMMMMM

Now here's dinner...

Pork Tenderloin & Roasted Veggies

So, check out the blueberries on top of a dollop of mustard

When Spencer put the plates in front of us & left the room

Misty whispered "You don't have to eat that"

Spencer returned and explained

that this is the "sauce" for the pork

It made perfect sense

&

it was perfectly delish

it actually could have used a little more

Trader Joe's Gingerbread Cake

I found this bundt pan, and it reminded me a Christmas

Come to find out, it's called Fiesta Party by Nordic so I'm not really sure it was intended for Christmas

But it looked good to me

I do not know what it is about bundt pans 

& Christmas

but

they seem to be my "go to"

I think because I can make several different flavor cakes

and know that one will appeal to someone 

 

This is one of my Christmas 2014 desserts that I served along with a 

traditional bundt red/green/white swirl cake

and

a heath bar cake (no bundt)

I always like to have gingerbread. 

 It just looks Christmasy

and

everyone loves it