Lunch with Old Friends

August 8th, 2011

The most important word in that title is “old”.  We have known our friends Bill and Liz since the very beginning of our marriage.  David and Bill worked together at the University and Liz and I raised our families together.  Our Sons were roomates in college and we were present at the marriages of all three of their children, as they were there for Michael’s marriage.  We moved to Lake Lure.  They remained in Greensboro.  So it is a pleasure to get together with them when they are in the area.  They stopped by for lunch on Sunday.

I never worry about what to serve when they are here.  I know their tastes well.  Liz is originally from Australia and over the years has developed tastes similar to mine.  She is a great cook and maintains a huge vegetable garden.  There is always a great variety of food on her table.  I remember being surprised that one of her children’s favorite dishes was artichokes.  They learned at an early age to peel the leaves from the steamed artichokes, dip them in butter and draw the flesh across their teeth.

So anything goes for lunch.  And I am also using the word “old” for the recipes that I am posting today because I have already blogged about them.  You know you are getting old when you start repeating yourself.

I served citrus grilled chicken which I blogged about here.  It is my favorite way to grill chicken breasts.  I love the way the lemon and lime juices play with the brown sugar and mustard to give the chicken a nice glaze and flavor.

With the chicken I served curried couscous, one of Ina Garten’s classic recipes.  Couscous is so fast and easy and I love all of the additions to it.  It is full of tasty bits of carrot, green onion, toasted almonds, dried cranberries and garden fresh parsley.  I blogged about it here.  A huge tossed salad rounded out the lunch and we spent out time talking and catching up on each others’ lives.

Oh, and we had Georgia peach cake and peach ice cream for dessert.  It was a pleasant Sunday with old friends.

12 responses to “Lunch with Old Friends”

  1. It sounds like a wonderful day Penny. The grilled chicken and couscous looks yummy! Can’t wait to see you this week!
    Hugs,
    Penny

  2. Pondside says:

    I’m sure that every, single bite was delicious! To sit with old friends and catch up over a good meal – well, it just doesn’t get much better than that.

  3. What a nice day you had with your friends. Aren’t old friends the best? And that chicken looks so good, I want to eat the whole platter myself, thank you. 🙂
    Best,
    Gloria

  4. It all sounds delicious, Penny, and even better shared with good friends!

    We are definitely planning to have dinner at Woodfire this week, one of my favorite spots in Dowagiac!

    XO,
    Jane

  5. Lorrie says:

    Mmm. That sounds like a delicious meal. And old friends are the best friends.

  6. Big Dude says:

    I’ve always been so willing to let go of relationships that I have no old friends like these. I am very envious of your long term friendship with thes folks.

  7. Perfect! Nothing like good food and old friends. I’m envious. My husband and I married after living separate lives for 20 years (after his first wife died) and we have only a few mutual friends.

  8. bellini says:

    Nothing like sharing a tasty meal with friends.

  9. Gloria says:

    OM This sounds amazing and tasty! gloria

  10. Stacey says:

    Mercy, that chicken looks wonderful! Your day sounds like fun too.

  11. Cathy says:

    The older I get the more I appreciate the friends I’ve had for many years. And its always so much fun to get together. Your lunch sounds wonderful, Penny. We are big fans of couscous.

  12. Sounds delicious Penny. You can never have too many “old” friends.
    Sam

© Penny Klett, Lake Lure Cottage Kitchen. All rights reserved.