Come Dine With Me!

While many American TV shows are very popular across the pond, Britain does have many original shows, one of which, Come Dine With Me, has become the inspiration for many a Poobeaurice night. Basically, a group of people (4-5 if I understand it correctly) each make a meal at their home that is attended by the other members of the group. After dinner, they go into a room with a camera (very Big Brother style) and give the meal a rating. The person who gets the best rating overall gets a prize and bragging rights. While I have never seen the show, the Brits have informed me that the greatness of the show has nothing to do with the food or people but with the narrator. When I told the group that I wanted to make them an American dinner, one dinner spurred into a Come Dine With Me extravaganza that is still incomplete to this day. After each meal, we go give a score on Katy's computer and at the end, we'll watch the scores, crown a winner, and that person gets an all expense paid trip to How's Your Father? Can you say jaegerbombs!!! (I really hope I win but I think Krish has taken the cake)

We began with Nikki, the token vegetarian, who made stir-fry. A little spicy, and the first time I had ever tried tofu, but all in all an awesome meal.

I was next. I like to call it Dinner de Americano. I went a little overboard and decided on a menu of meatloaf, mashed potatoes, glazed carrots, and a from-scratch apple pie with ice cream for dessert. I spent the better part of 6 hours prepping this wonderful meal and let me just say, it was well worth it. The Brits had never had meatloaf before (shocking!) and the sides were just my favorite meatloaf sides while at home. I had to ask Kate Happe for her recipe as she is the master of meatloaf and it turned out perfect. I did burn the top crust of the pie but I just rolled out a new one and baked it again, no harm no foul. Everyone loved it. Including Libby, Sami, and Adele who came as my American support...thanks lovelies. :)

Josh was next, chicken skewers and stir-fry, more spicy than I normally like but still delicious.

Cat was next, sausages (not at all like American sausages) and a cheesecake for dessert.

Sofia made some type of casserole type dish that was awesome.

Krish is the only meal that I really remember for two reasons; it is the most recent of the dinners and it was the first time I had ever had duck. Let me tell you, every chance since then that I have been able to order duck, I have. Thank you Krishnan for introducing me to the wonderful world of duck. :)

Katy went just last night and made chili (a little spicy but awesome) and fajitas with a nacho starter. Everyone ate way too much and went home happy.

The best part about Come Dine With Me is that we all get together for dinner, chat about our days, discuss plans for the night, and just have time to be together. When I think about it now, these were some of the best nights, just sitting around and sharing some food. These people are nothing short of amazing. :)