The menu was Salmon ala Newman & Merchant, the cauliflower and scallion dish that I stole from Julie Sahni and saffroned basmati rice. For dessert, a raspberry crostata with homemade vanilla ice cream. There was some homemade bread--sort of, I cheat and let the breadmaker do the heavy lifting of kneading and rising. Then I step in at the last minute and steal the show, forming the loaf and baking it off.
How were things made? Stay tuned. I'll let you in on all my secrets. I may even give credit to the people I stole them from...