Tuesday, January 31, 2012

A Simple, Affordable and Elegant Dinner Idea

Last week, I had some of my fellow Eversave co-workers over for dinner and vino. 

Photo courtesy of thedailycraic.

Each and every one of my three dinner guests (as well as myself) have different tastes in food, so it took me some time to figure out what to make. For example, one of my co-workers doesn't like cheese, eggs or beans - three ingredients I use in 90% of my meals. I had to be creative, while making the meal affordable and elegant.

And what's more affordable and elegant (not to mention versatile and delicious) than puff pastry?

After flipping through several of my cookbooks, I combined my inspiration from several of the recipes I found. The end result: Leeks, tomato, herbs, salt and pepper, all cooked in a puff pastry.


The pre-baked entree.

 I served the tomato and leek "tart" with roasted potatoes and a simple arugula salad.


The meal ended up being pleasing to all palates at the table - and it was also simple, elegant and ultra affordable.

Do you have picky eaters in your life? Or would you consider yourself a picky eater?

10 comments:

  1. Luckily, I don't have many picky eaters in my life and most of my friends are willing to try something at least once!

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  2. Looks great! Thankfully no picky eaters around me either! I love that this is a vegetarian plate :)

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  3. Michelle - I do not really consider myself or any of my friends picky eaters. Quality and passion are the two ingredients that are required for any meal. Even if I'm not necessarily crazy about a particular ingredient (olives, eggplant, salmon) I wouldn't dream of offending my host by complaining about it. My brothers and I grew up on food stamps and whatever was on the table was dinner, period. I find picky eaters tiresome.

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  4. Michelle - I do not really consider myself or any of my friends picky eaters. Quality and passion are the two ingredients that are required for any meal. Even if I'm not necessarily crazy about a particular ingredient (olives, eggplant, salmon) I wouldn't dream of offending my host by complaining about it. My brothers and I grew up on food stamps and whatever was on the table was dinner, period. I find picky eaters tiresome.

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  5. so nice of you to host co workers! what a thoughtful and delish meal.

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  6. What a lovely meal! My husband was somewhat picky when we met, but he has learned to like lots of new things!

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  7. I definitely have a picky eater in my life. He would be quite a challenge for dinner with you... as he's very meat and potatoes and not so into veggies. I've been working on him little by little though. I think I'm finally getting somewhere. :)

    This tart sounds wonderful to me!

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  8. I myself am a very picky eater!! This tart looks great, but I would have to sub the fresh tomato for sundried tomato. There's that pickiness coming out!! Great post!

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  9. My husband USED to be a picky eater, but I have sort of forced change upon him...you can't be a picky eater if you're married to me! Your tart looks awesome.

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  10. Such an easy idea! I love it. Of course I shall add some cheese :) Who is the non-cheese-eating offender, I think we need to have a chat...

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