So Brilliant Daughter has friends who underwent an
amalgamation (euphemism for wedding) last weekend. In a very non-traditional gathering, family came to town for what was ostensibly an engagement party. They holed
up at the gorgeous CordeValle Country Club in San Martin, and the blended
families spent two days enjoying a slew of events. From a hands-on dinner party
with a local chef to a morning sojourn to Point Lobos, the beautiful couple capped
off their time together with what they called a “ceremonial amalgamation.”
Because the wedding was to be a surprise for their families,
and due to work constraints, Brilliant Daughter and I pitched in to help make
the weekend less stressful, by preparing food and the welcome packet. (See this post on Crafting Suburbia for the printed welcome
packets.)
Saturday, the official amalgamation day, started off with a
drive to Point Lobos on the California Coast. There was a hike in to a knoll at Whaler’s
Cove, where all enjoyed a picnic lunch—which is where we came in. Given that
there are 18 people, and we needed to keep things to 3 backpacks, we tried to
think creatively. We packaged bags of trail mix for the walk itself, and
Parisian walking sandwiches, gazpacho, and mini fruit crisps baked into 4-ounce
canning jars and topped with an oatmeal mixture.
Once the families returned to CordeValle, and after a brief respite,
they made their way up a short trail to a yoga deck overlooking the foothills
and the golf course; a beautiful outdoor setting that seemed perfect for this
active couple. Amongst loved ones, and with the help of a minister-friend, they
officially joined their families with personalized vows and a kiss to seal the
deal.
Upon returning to their luxurious fairway homes, they
celebrated with champagne and chocolate truffles. (In lieu of a traditional wedding
cake, we made champagne truffles, boxed up in pairs of two, and wrapped in
special Just Married bands, found at the most adorable store in the Cedros
Avenue Design District in Solano Beach.)
To get ready for the event, the last week has been spent in
the kitchen preparing all the yummy goods. I started on Tuesday, mixing and
packaging the trail mix. Eighteen clear bags, tied with twine and a
personalized label. Walnuts, sunflower seeds, cashews, coconut and dried fruit
should sustain the families during their hike.
Wednesday I made the batch of dark chocolate champagne
truffles, which are rolled in cocoa powder, nestled into purple paper cups and
placed side by side into ballotins. A purple ribbon overlaid with the Just
Married bands (originally intended to make a daisy chain) enclosed the sweet
treats and keep them safe.
I also decided to provide a bonus treat for arrival
day. Using my nanny’s shortbread recipe, I zested and juiced two of my Meyer
lemons to add in, and rolled the dough out. Cut into various sized heart
shapes, some with a cushion design, they are simple and tasty—perfect for a cup
of tea, a cappuccino from the couples’ famed “Miss Sylvia,” or even a glass of wine.
Thursday was spent making gazpacho. This is a fresh and
lively soup, full of multiple types of vegetables and healthy ingredients, and
makes a great picnic item. We had originally intended for the gazpacho to be
put in 8-ounce canning jars, but felt that 18 canning jars in a backpack was an
accident waiting to happen. Instead, we poured the soup into a large-mouth
plastic container with screw top, and provided plastic cups. Lighter in weight
and less bulky.
Friday morning was the last push. Bringing home fresh
baguettes from our favorite bakery, Pamplamousse, I assembled Parisian walking
sandwiches. Fresh mozzarella and pesto (some with prosciutto, some with
homemade sundried tomatoes) and dry coppa with Emmenthaler. Bound in parchment,
we slipped them into plastic sleeves, twisted the top close and sealed with
twine and label.
The fruit crisps also got made. Pear/blueberry (with a touch
of crystallized ginger) and apple/dried cranberry, topped with a cinnamon-cardamom
infused oatmeal mixture and cooked in 4-ounce canning jars, which were sealed
and got the same twine/label treatment.
Both Brilliant Daughter and I were honored and grateful that
we could help make this special family weekend a little easier on our friends.
It gave me a chance to keep busy, test some new recipes, and let the creative
juices flow a little bit. We wish them nothing but the best in life and love.
Recipes on Page 2