Southern White’s
In Emeril Lagasse’s cookbook, Every Day’s A Party, he tells of a book called Almost Innocent by Sheila Bosworth that is set in New Orleans. In the book, tow characters, Rand and Airey, meet every Ash Wednesday at St. Louis Cathedral to get ashes, then walk to Antoine’s where they have their ” . . . annual White Lunch: vichyssoise, accompanied by vodka martinis, folowed by filet de truite au vin blanc, pommes de terre soufflees, a bottle of Pouilly-Fuisse, and for dessert, Baked Alaska. No green salad, or coffee, or cigars, in keeping with the Tout Blanc dictum.” Emeril liked that so much he devised his own menu for a white lunch.
I love the idea and can envision a Tout Blanc party.
All white decorations.
With touches of silver. Everyone would wear white and eat off of sparkling clean white plates with crisp white linen napkins. What a lovely story and a lovely vision.
You can see how to make the feathered centerpieces and the wine glass lamp shades at SaveOnCrafts. They have great prices and I always find lots of inspiration there.
Today’s Lagniappe: Emeril’s Vichyssiose
4 cups sliced leeks (use ONLY the white part)
4 cups diced potatoes (gold or baking potatoes recommended)
6 to 7 cups chicken stock
One and one-half to 2 teaspoons salt (or to taste)
One-half cup heavy cream (chilled)
1 tablespoon snipped fresh chives
Combine the leeks, potatoes and chicken stock in a heavy bottomed 3-quart saucepan. Bring to a boil. Season lightly with salt, partially cover and simmer until the potatoes and leaks are tender, 20 to 30 minutes. Taste and correct seasoning.
Puree the soup in a blender or food processor and chill in the refrigerator for at least two hours before serving. When ready to serve, add the heavy cream and mix well. Top each serving with a bit of minced chives.
Makes 6 to 8 servings
Tags: Southern Party
February 17th, 2010 at 8:38 pm
What a pretty and stunning table! I love all the sparkles!..Christine
February 17th, 2010 at 8:47 pm
Until I started visiting TT, I never realized how beautiful all white table settings are! This is beautiful.
February 17th, 2010 at 8:50 pm
Love it! Absolutely beautiful!
xoxo Pattie
February 17th, 2010 at 8:55 pm
White is perfect for Ash Wednesday and I love the pics you’ve shown! Heading off to attend the Ash Wed service at our church tonight and wish we would be coming back to a nice tablescape like that!
DD
February 17th, 2010 at 9:06 pm
I love it!
February 17th, 2010 at 9:11 pm
Wow, now thats a party table! Gorgeous.
?, Susan
February 17th, 2010 at 9:15 pm
Very pretty! I buy from them too.
I hosted an all white tablescape party last summer . Lots of amazing entries!
Come over and look around if you have time.
February 17th, 2010 at 9:19 pm
Beautiful table, love the wine glass lamp shades.
February 17th, 2010 at 11:03 pm
I love those tables, and I think I’ll try the silver and white!
February 17th, 2010 at 11:33 pm
Hi Christi…
Oooh…so very elegant! I love it! Thanks for sharing this lovely table with us today!
Warmest wishes,
Chari
February 18th, 2010 at 1:11 am
I adore white and silvery. This is one of my fav setting so far this early morning in Sweden.
Thanks for sharing and have a blissful Thursday.
Greetings from a snowy Stockholm.
xoxo
February 18th, 2010 at 1:58 am
This is stunning, I love those little table lamps.
February 18th, 2010 at 12:45 pm
Well, your words caused me to bring up a memory of eating at Antoine’s too many years ago to even say. Creative setting. Thank you for sharing the “white” idea!
February 18th, 2010 at 2:36 pm
BEAUTIFUL! What an elegant table.
February 18th, 2010 at 3:14 pm
This is just beautiful! Love it.
February 18th, 2010 at 7:44 pm
Very pretty 🙂
February 18th, 2010 at 9:39 pm
Beautiful, and what a wonderful story about the two friends meeting each year for an all white Ash Wednesday!
Kat 🙂
February 18th, 2010 at 9:58 pm
Just beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing. -Lia-
February 19th, 2010 at 4:16 am
Oh so fun, I must look into this story. Love the white, I am going to be brave one day and do an all white table. It scares me a bit, and even with my fear of color I have never done one. Thanks for the inspiration.