Awesome 3-course dinner

As cooked by the Sparkly One this very evening.

To start:

Parmesan-and-roasted-parsnip soup, made from local organic veggies.

The main course:

Fillet of beef wrapped in porcini and prosciutto; pommes dauphinoise;
carrots & greens.

For dessert:

Pear and apple pie; custard

And to drink (the Sparkly One can take no credit for this one, alas):

Beyerskloof Reserve Pinotage 2007

I can take no credit for the wine, either, as it was brought by our dinner guests.

Culinary Genius: Cauliflower and Cheddar Soup

Step aside, dear pumpkin, for I have a new favourite soup.

The New Covent Garden Soup Company's recipe for Cauliflower and Cheddar (in their Soup for All Seasons book) is, simply, puree'ed cauliflower cheese, that staple of Sunday lunches and carveries everywhere.

It's heaven in a bowl.