I probably was the only one this year who waited until the night before the big meal to go shopping. We had a hungry crew coming, and with all of the mixed tastes and preferences, I was in for some serious work. A friend and I arrived at the grocery store at approximately 10:00 pm and set out to cover the isles in a speedy fashion. As I arrived at the meat counter and asked for what I was sure to be the last and less choice rack of lamb, I was greeted by the reality that there was none to be found. As this was the back bone of the Easter menu, I quickly shifted focus and began creating an alternative menu on the spot.
I called my buddy Chris to go over some quick ideas and looked at my friend with an assuring glance and totally revamped the menu. Instead of lamb, I saw two choice flank steaks and grabbed them immediately. Next, I was off to the produce section to get some inspiration and sort through the leftovers from hurried shoppers. I spotted fix-in's for a cucumber salad and spring rolls, then I checked off my appetizers and salad off my list and continued to find a soup course. We decided on a lentil soup with quinoa to please our non-meat eating friends. Last I gathered up fresh asparagus for a quick vegetable. We checked out and were back in the kitchen by 12:00 am. I prepped until the wee hours of the morning (Thank goodness for Cafe Bustello coffee!) so, I could sleep late. The next day, the meal went off with out a hitch. My friends were pleasantly surprised by meal as it was change from the heavy fare they were expecting. They loved the fresh flavors and we all had enough energy to play a quick game of Taboo before the evening ended. Who knew a mismatch meal would be ideal for Easter. The lesson learned...go with the flow.
