h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

First we need to know each others likes and dislikes.

I'm thinking maybe each course could be traditional to the country of the person preparing that course. That would help us to learn a little more about each other.

That's a bit unfair on the Brtis as most of our best dishes have been imported over time.

I've got a good starter though, pan-fired shallots on a herb and gorgonzola salad. Bit italian but nice anyway.

Rama

You think it's unfair for the Brits? What about the Americans, who not only imported all our culinary fare but nearly wiped out the native population and their heritage along the way?

Somehow when I phrase it like that I find it hard to follow up with "it's really unfair for us".

I guess the real point is most cultures borrow from other cultures. Yeah, that sounds better.

Maybe we should decide what courses first? I can only think of three:

Antipasto
Main course
Desert

I guess that shows my lack of culture. Does salad count as a course on its own? What about soup?

Ummm that sounds good.

I must admit that South African gourmet meals are probably very traditionally British and could well include Yorkshire pudding with the roast.

*grins*

I could do a Cape dish: Breyani. First I would have to research it 'cause I've never made it.

So we need a starter, do we need a fish course (I don't really like fish though I don't mind a sole or shrimps)?

How about:

Starter (or entree)
Soup or Fish Course
Main Course
Pudding

Another as well maybe cheese at the end or have soup and fish?

End it with cheese and biscuits and coffee/tea

I can see myself eating and eating this weekend. All this talk of food has already made me hungry.

Got to go. Back later.

So we have:

Starter
Fish
Main
Pudding
Cheese selection with coffee

For the last course we could have cheeses from around the world with various varieties of coffees

I'm off in a few minutes, see ya all in about 40 hours.

Peace

OK, what is "Starter"? is that the same as Antipasto, because if it is it would involve lots of cheese (among other things), which means we would start and end with cheese.

And does the salad come before or after the main course? Most Americans insist on having it before, but I am of a small breed that prefers to have it afterward.

And we could go for an alternate menu:

Spam and cheese
Spam, fish and spam
Spam, spam and spam
Eggs and spam
Spam cheese, spam, coffee and spam

Maybe BB could supply the Viking helmets.

First a "starter" is the same as "entree" or "antipasta".

Second salad is in the most countries a side dish, so an addition to the main course.

I would like to propose the following:

1st course: soup or bouillon
2nd course: carpaccio from chicken/cow/pig
3rd course: main menu fish or meat with potatoes, vegetables and salad.
4th course: a selection of pudding and icecream in combination with fruit or sauce.
5th course: selecetion of international cheese, combined with coffee, cappucino etc.

If you like this poposal we have to discuss who is preparing which course.

We need also todrink something with the meal. Since this is gonna be a "official" dinner I propose the following:

We start with a glass of champagne (Dom Perignon or Bolinger).
With the carpaccio a rose wine (spanish).
With the main course red or white wine from Southern Africa, depending if it will be fish or meat.
And for the fifth course a cognac or port.

Any other ideas are welcome.

Hi guys. I'm back at last. When I got home last night my telephone line was out of order. I have been having major withdrawal symptoms and the stress level is still quite high.

I like your suggestion Alfredo. I am just wondering if BB would consider a selection of cheeses enough to prepare. If not we may have to put in separate fish and meat courses

We could replace the soup or carpaccio by a course with fish. I prefer the carpaccio above the soup.

If we order the right things, then BB can't deny them. It's our task and if they are not willing to comply we can't complete it.

They can be mean, but I don't htink BB would do such a thing. To be sure I will ask in the hall about it.

Please excuse my ignorance - what is carpaccio?

I would like to go with your suggestion Alfredo. Could we make the 3rd course meat and could I please make it? I was thinking of making Babotie, which is one of the dishes made in the Cape and now very popular all over South Africa. It is made using minced beef. Do you all think that would be ok for such a grand meal or do you think a serving of specially prepared lamb chops or steak would be better?

I say make the babotie, Infinity. I've never had it, so it's gourmet to me. Plus I like trying new things.

Carpaccio is thinly sliced meat. I'm still hung up on antipasto, since in my limited experience it is always the first course and consists of cheeses, thinly sliced meats, anchovies, olives, etc. It's actually my favorite part of dinner, but if nobody else wants it I'll let it go. It certainly conflicts with having separate carpaccio and cheese courses.

I could make a fish course - going with an American theme I think I would pick a blackened catfish, although I'll have to ask my friend from Louisiana what the best way to make it is.

Doh! Of course babotie is a meat course, which rules out a fish course.

I think. I'm very confused. I've only had a true, gourmet, multi-course dinner once, maybe twice in my life. They were both very long ago.

We could still drop the cheese at the end and make course 3 fish and course 4 meat.

The only multi course dinner I ever had was also long ago. So this should be good.

*feeling hungry*