Ringing in 2012

Happy New Year! I hope your celebration of the new year enthralled you as much as it did I.

I started 2012 off with a bang; Tim and I celebrated our engagement with a brunch celebration. The permeating theme was "enjoying the local flavors." Thus, we celebrated with local wines, sparkling ciders and a beautiful array of foods grown, processed and prepared locally. We got a helping hand from Haute Cuisine Couture who assembled, cooked and served the food.

Since this was a brunch following the morning after the biggest party night of the year, we knew we had to have some strong, delicious coffee. Our guests started off with a steaming cup of Dean's Beans Moka Java.

There were also libations including Still River Winery's Apple Ice Wine and mimosas. For those not imbibing, Carlson Orchards McIntosh Sparkling Cider was the refreshing option.

And then came the food.

Old Mill pecan rolls.

Platters of fresh fruits, cheeses and meats.

Entree items included freshly made turkey meatballs in marinara from Bob's Turkey Farm and apple butternut squash soup shooters.

Breakfast casserole made with Country Hen eggs and Maple Heights Farm breakfast sausage.

But the piece de resistance was really the cheeseboard. This feature had been weeks in the making. I first went out to find a piece of slate large enough to hold all of the cheese. For less than $10, I bought a piece of square slate, cleaned, painted, sealed, and put non-slip holders on it for a perfect holder for these local cheeses.

We ate some of my favorites:

• Smith's Country Cheese smoked gouda
• Smith's Country Cheese sharp cheddar
• Robinson Farm "Barndance"
• Westfield Farm chocolate capri (the clear favorite of all)
• Westfield Farm farmers' cheese
• Westfield Farm herb and garlic
• Westfield Farm blue
• Westfield Farm cranberry orange

And for dessert, mini cupcakes from Honey Bee Baking Company in Princeton.

But the best part was the company.

As guests headed home to enjoy their New Years Day, they took home party favors: half-pound bags of freshly-ground Dean's Beans coffee, stamped with our initials and the date.

Happy New Year! 

(courtesy of Mark Girouard)

I'd like to thank Heidi of Haute Cuisine Couture for an excellent orchestration of food. Mark Girouard, a local photographer, also attended the party. If you're local and looking for a personal chef or a photographer with a collection of beautiful photos, I suggest Heidi and Mark! Feel free to contact me for more information.

Question of the Day: What do you see for yourself in 2012?

Disclaimer: I was not paid to promote Haute Cuisine Couture or Mark Girouard.