Dream Party: The Midnight Supper

When she can't sleep, The Frugal Hostess tries to think happy thoughts.  She usually mentally decorates her house for Christmas, sparing no expense, with the thinking that putting up Christmas decorations is a better way to lull oneself to sleep than worrying about the Gulf of Oilexico or something.  When the decorations are all up and she still can't fall asleep, she plans her next party.

There is a good chance this particular party will never happen, for a few reasons.  It is in no way frugal.  Like, at all.  And unless the Four Hour Work Week (which TFH highly recommends, BTW) can come to life and put it's own philosophy in place, frugal is all The Frugal Hostess can swing at this point.  Also, this party would be best outside, and the muggy, buggy, itchy, scratchy Deep South is not necessarily known for swoon-less outdoor soirees.  

Regardless, the party has been planned during a bout of insomnia (brought on by evening napping and caffeine, rather than something cooler like a recent kidnapping or brush with corporate espionage), and so here it is.

The Midnight Supper

Said Midnight Supper wouldn't actually be served at midnight, probably, but guests would be invited for 9pm in the hopes that it would be midnight as dessert was served.  The dinner would be help in an outdoor venue, such as the back deck at The Frugal Homestead, on a full moon (or almost full moon) night.  In TFH's dream scenario, it would be a late September or early October weekend, still not so cold that being outside would suck, but not too hot and mosquito-y, either.

The deck would be set with a table for ten, with white linen, white candles, and metallic accents.  Maybe a square-shaped, bronze colored charger, topped with the off-white and platinum wedding china, or maybe just the white every day plates?  Mixed metals would definitely be featured.  The centerpieces would be low and long, two or three down the length of the table, white carnations massed into white milk glass planters and surrounded by the short and tall white pillar candles that cost practically nothing at Big Lots.  The deck rails would be wrapped in white twinkle lights, with luminaries lining the path and stairs up to it.  Each place would be lit with a tea light, and the place cards would be individual boxes of sparklers and matches.

Here's the menu, at least so far:

1st Course

BLT of garden cherry tomato, mixed lettuces, and Eden Farms bacon

Deviled quail's egg

New potato stuffed with sour cream and chive, topped with caviar

2nd Course

Crab and sweet corn soup 

Bread crumb eggplant and mozzarella sandwich

3rd Course

Marinated grilled hanger steak

The Greatest Asparagus of All Time*

Grilled bread

4th Course

Tasting plate of three blue cheeses, local clover honey, and warmed nuts

5th Course

Chocolate pots de creme

Coffee

Brandy

Soft music would play in the background, and there would be at least two people serving and cleaning up so FruHo and FruHubs could enjoy themselves.  What do you think?  Would you come to this party?

What do you think about when you can't fall asleep?

*The Greatest Asparagus of All Time (adapted from Food & Wine):

Ingredients

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup olive oil

3 tablespoons lemon juice

1 tablespoon paprika

2 teaspoons kosher salt

1 teaspoon cumin

1 pound of asparagus, peeled

Directions

1.  Mix all ingredients together and marinate asparagus for one hour.

2.  Grill.

3.  Eat, and love.  (Then pray for more.  Get it?  Eat, Pray, Love?  Tap.  Tap, tap.  Hello?)

Photo by Jared.

The Frugal Hostess's every vision includes caviar.  Discuss. You can also join the Frugalistas on Facebook for exclusive content, follow on Twitter @frugalhostess, or subscribe so that you always know when a new post appears.