We just dropped off our friends Ann and Julie at the airport for their trek to Brittany and Paris.  A mere 18 hours ago we picked them up at the airport.  An overnight stay at Chez TimAndVictor is the perfect way to break up a long airline trip.  And they are just the perfect guests!

Julie lived in Paris Once Upon A Time and writes a really wonderful fun-filled blog, Julie’s Paris.  I love visiting the city with them – even if it is vicariously through the internet.  They share meals with us the same way – which is how last night’s dinner came into being.

A while back Victor made a really wonderful Stuffed Cabbage.  Ann asked him to make it for them when they came down.  And I had recently made  a Lemon Meringue Pie.  “I received one of those OMG I LOVE LEMON MERINGUE PIE” notes…

The menu was set.

But, Victor couldn’t just serve Stuffed Cabbage…

Gnocchi was also needed…

Yummy, yummy gnocchi, in a sauce of butter, olive oil, and parmesan cheese.

Nothing fancy…

And, the dessert…  Lemon Meringue Pie.

The pie came out great, although it did separate just a bit.  Oh well.  It certainly didn’t stop us from licking our plates…  I also made my regular meringue instead of the syrup meringue from the recipe.  Mine was better.

We stayed up late and woke up early.  Naturally, if one is flying off to France, one must get in the mood… Freshly-baked croissants for breakfast.

Traditional…

And Chocolate…

It’s only fitting, right?!?  We ate our croissants, drank copious amounts of coffee, and compared travel notes on Paris and Italy.

Soon, it was noon – and time for even more food.  A simple build-your-own steak sandwich buffet was the perfect answer!

Thinly-sliced grilled filet mignon, homemade tomato jam, roasted red pepper spread, lettuce and tomatoes, salad with a homemade balsamic vinaigrette… and San Pelegrino Limon to add that continental flair…

18 hours.  Not nearly enough time, but we shall be visiting them for a few days this summer…  We’ll be able to share France and Italy stories…  And we can drive and bring Cybil.

More fun and food awaits…