Tracey's Blog Worthy Dinner

Derby Day Darlings:  Tracey Smithers and Me

Have you ever had one of those fabulous meals where you know you should put down your fork and push yourself away from the table but you just can't? That's what happened to me tonight. 

My friend and Gr(eat) Pl(ate) Cr(eat)or, Tracey Smithers, invited me to her house for dinner. An invitation to Tracey and Mark's House is always a treat... and Rita and Reg Arthur and I were quick to accept. Tracey is one of those cr(eat)ive marvels who can do and does do everything effortlessly and to perfection. Her home is like walking into a Pinterest board of everything you'd like to get around to doing some day. Every room is inviting, comfortable and full of loving decor that they've collected, photographed or made.

The menu board was displayed, the tables were all set, the hors d'oeuvres labeled and served, and the pl(ate)s and glasses were n(eat)ly organized in the order they were to be used. There were no pots, pans or dirty dishes in sight! Knowing Tracey, there never are.

Tracey and Mark are gr(eat) hosts. They are welcoming, relaxed, funny, interesting and interested in their guests. The glasses were filled and stayed that way all evening. As we nibbled and chatted around the pre-meal spread, our dinner magically appeared...Balsamic Pork, Roasted Corn, Herbed Potatoes, Broccoli Salad and Warm Dinner Rolls.

The Balsamic Pork was delicious, moist and fork tender. Tracey says she got the recipe from Pinterest, but it was a perfected cooked pork loin co(ate)d in a flavorful glaze of balsamic vinegar, brown sugar and a variety of spices--perhaps a hit of chili powder? The Cheesy Grilled by Mark Corn on the Cob was a Paula Deen recipe called Cheese on the Cob.  I eat corn on the cob "typewriter style" and there wasn't a kernel left on the cob. I would have eaten the cob if I could. The secret ingredient--mayo!  I've had Broccoli Salad many times but Tracey's was extra special. Cranberries, honey, lemon and just the right amount of bacon! The Herbed Potatoes (barely visible in the photo) were my downfall. Perfectly roasted and seasoned and placed right in front of me. I couldn't stop eating them. 

This is where I should have put the fork down! Actually, I should have retired the fork 3 piles of potatoes sooner.  But....this was when the BEST part of the meal was revealed...Peach Cobbler with Homemade "Homemade Vanilla" Ice Cream. Who makes and bottles their own Vanilla Extract?

Tracey does!
She says she soaks the best vanilla beans she can find in the cheapest vodka she can find. "You know the cheap stuff that's on the very bottom shelf of the vodka section."

“Dessert is to a meal what a dress is to a woman.”
― Béatrice Peltre

Forget about Strawberry Shortcake! I don't care how full I am, there's always room for anything with the words "Cobbler" or "Pie". I had no intention of actually finishing the generous serving of Warm Peach Cobbler ala Mode. None of us did. But, WOW....there was no stopping us... it was that good! The Homemade "Homemade Vanilla" Ice Cream was simply perfect--creamy, smooth, cold (and lacking icy crystals-yay). Each bite of the cobbler/ice cream combo was like a spoonful of luxury.

As someone who loves a good home cooked meal but doesn't really do much home cooking, I'm very grateful when someone shares their home and food with me. Many thanks Tracey and Mark!

Is Good Company the secret ingredient to a Gr(eat) Pl(ate) Meal?

I say "Yes"!