The eldest munchkin is no longer a teenager.
I don’t know how it happened….she sure as heck didn’t clear it with me!
But here we are. The once little chubby and mischievous baby girl is no longer a baby.
Of course our hearts are filled to see what a wonderful young being she has grown into.
But when you were in the room where she took her first breath in this world – it can get really emotional for this Auntie!
Not to mention for her Dad and Uncles, too!
(Sneaky, little photobomber Luna is just pumped to be celebrating her cousie’s bday)
Signs of Nina having a foodie knack emerged very early on.
I like to say that it’s partially due to her genes and partially because Mom and Dad took care of her every weekday until she was two. So you know that they were sneaking her all kinds of fantastic goodies all day long.
It was no surprise that when we asked her what she’d like to have on the menu for her birthday Fam Din, she didn’t hesitate to say: Prime Rib, Garlic Knots, Broccolini and Chocolate Raspberry Tart.
All of her faves.
Hey-we weren’t going to argue because those were some great choices!
The only thing she didn’t have an opinion on was the appetizers.
V and L opted to go the “surf” route to pair with the “turf” entree.
They whipped up these beautiful Brown Butter Seared Scallops.
Maya spent a little QT with her cousie Leo before she jumped into the kitchen to help with some prep.
While the prime rib roasted, the girls assisted T with fixing up the horseradish cream sauce – a MUST have accompaniment to the main course.
And then the roast was pulled out of the oven to rest.
The birthday girl could barely contain her excitement.
Yup. It’s bigger than her head!
After the resting time was up, T began to carve up the gorgeous roast.
A FANTASTIC cook!
Great job, Seestrah!
Per the bday gal’s request, V and L prepared Garlic Roasted Broccolini.
So garlicky delicious.
I was tasked to make the Cheesy Garlic Knots – which was fine by me because they’re easy to make and oh-so cheesily delicious.
It starts with my basic pizza dough, cut into portions and rolled into ropes. After the dough ropes were flattened, they’re filled with minced garlic, mozzarella cheese and a sprinkle of garlic salt. They’re then rolled up, slightly knotted and brushed with melted garlic butter (butter infused with minced garlic and dried Italian seasonings) before a quick bake in the oven. Once out of the oven, I brushed the knots with more garlic butter and sprinkled them grated parmesan and chopped parsley.
I served them with two choices of dipping sauces – marinara and ranch dressing. Winning, right?
Why don’t I make these more often???
Scrumptious choices, Nina, scrumptious choices!
By the way, a few days later I made a little “slider” out of a leftover Garlic Cheesy Knot and Prime Rib….I was making some GREAT choices that day.
Seesters! ❤
And then it was time for Nina to blow out her candles on her birthday dessert.
Nina chose my Chocolate Raspberry Tart that has now become a staple in the family. Actually, Seester N makes it regularly that it’s pretty much become her recipe.
The crust is a buttery-shortbread –and the filling is like a thin truffle layer. The raspberries bring a nice tartness to the decadent chocolate.
Family pic!
Leonidas needed in on the love and wanted to give his big couise a birthday hug.
And that was a wrap to Nina’s Birthday Fam Din! It was a delicious way to celebrate our dazzling niece. ❤
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This Month’s Family Dinner Menu
Cocktails: Various Wines
Appetizers: Brown Butter Seared Scallops
Entree: Garlic-Rosemary Prime Rib Roast
Sides: Garlic Roasted Broccolini, Cheesy Garlic Knots
Dessert: Chocolate Raspberry Tart
theculinarychronicles.com 