January 31, 2023
Ashley turns 20!
In this house, food and birthdays mean a lot. Being the one cooking all the birthday dinners, I have always put a lot of thought into planning the menu. What preferences does the birthday person have? What is their most recent craving? Any special request? Have I recently prepared a dish like that?
I have always had a lot going on in the kitchen around this time of the year. Ashley is currently in the spotlight following the holiday feasting and Audrey's birthday earlier this month. This year, she hasn't made any special demands, which makes my job much more difficult!
Ashley loves Jamon Iberico so that goes into the starter with some some seared scallops, burnt asparagus and poached egg drizzled with lemon butter sauce. I had wanted to use white asparagus but could not find any at the market which had just reopened after the CNY break. But I am happy with the burnt green asparagus in this elegant dish. Cooked until just tender, the asparagus spears and the iberico ham pairing is one of the best combination of flavours and exquisite textures. Topped with a humble runny yolk to add a splash of gold sauce to the dish.
Facebook memories reminded me that Ashley had been requesting for duck breast for her birthdays all these years and I shall not break the "tradition" this year. I made some gnocchi from scratch and cooked the potato pillow cacio-e-pepe style and served with a garden of grilled broccolini.
And of course her Mom baked her a sweet 20 birthday cake.
