We have some very good friends nearby, and we’ve known each other for well over 50 years.   While we share many things in common, pretty high on the list is a love of food and wine.  We had the opportunity to have them as guests for dinner last month.  Here are the highlights:

• a range of appetizers (or antipasti, tapas, or mezes, as you prefer)
  • black and green olives
  • Iberico jamon and Pipperas pickled peppers
  • golden beets with Manchego cheese
  • walnut paté emulating chopped liver
  • leftover octopus salad
• salad of avocado, orange segments and pesto
• grilled salmon, lentils, and red potatoes
• figs with honey & goat cheese, candied orange peel, and cacao powder
• wines: Polvanera Spumante (rosé) and Beaux Freres Pinot Noir (red)

It was a great evening.  I must say that Barbara’s creative fig dessert was as spectacular to taste as it was to see on the plate.