Xmas Gaming Dinner

Well, last night I had over six of my ottawa gaming buddies (or maybe they are my bitheads buddies... there is a fair intersection of sets). The list included Lorry Moller of the oversized White Russian and other booze, Chris Whitaker with game presents in hand (win!), Chris Winstanley with the awesome and almost timely bread-maker bread and a lovely book for me, Alex Bates and the lovely Melanie with a fantastic plum pudding (with whole plums), Shane "Cochrane's Eggnog" Richer, and me.

Too much food, good times, and a gaming reminder of how slow and boring Star Fleet Battles seems by modern game standards. I think this reminder has reminded us why we don't play it anymore.

The company was superlative, the food was amazing, a good time was had by all as far as I can tell.

Menu:

Appetizers and Drinks - Celery and chips plus a black bean and sour cream dip, crackers and brie with cranberry nut compote, drinks of various natures - beer and wine to get things started mostly although the white russian in a beer mug may have appeared here.

Main course - 7 pounds of AAA sirloin slow cooked in a guiness/beef broth rubbed with various spices, carrots (a bit too al dente for anyone's taste), salad with cheddar, iceberg lettuce, small cherry tomatos, garlic parmesan roasted potatos, potato salad, macaroni salad, red wine, asparagus boiled in a lemony solution, fresh breadmaker bread with margarine, and a great gravy made with the au jus from the slow cooker and some new non-clumping thickener I found.

Dessert: Plum pudding complete with real plums! We forgot the ice cream. This is where the super good egg-nog appeared, as did some nice 10 year old Tobermory single malt scotch, or in my case a 10 year old Otima port, and some brownies, micro-butter tarts, and other pastry goodness.

Overall, a wonderful dinner. The company and the meal were both wonderful and I thank all the attendants and contributors! The roast was a bit more well done than I prefer, but it was good. The cleanup is into dishwasher load 3 of probably 5, but the kitchen is starting to look sane again - after using just about every pan, serving or mixing bown, glass, mug, wine glass, knife, fork, spoon, carving knife, etc. in the place.

Good friends, good times - Christmas is feeling seasonal already!