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Wednesday, November 4, 2009

HE SHOULDA BEEN A COWBOY!


If you've been visiting my blog since it began, you know that my sweet husband thinks he "shoulda" been a cowboy, so for his birthday celebrations, I usually create a cowboy theme for his dinner table. I am joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday, and I'm joining Michael Lee at Designs by Gollum for Foodie Friday.

So, go ahead on - git yer cowboy (or girl) hat, git on yer boots, and join us for his rootin' tootin' bash.

Did you see that cute reproduction vintage cowboy tablecloth that my friend, Susie, gave me? I know, I'm always showing you something Susie gave me, but if Susie wasn't such a great gift-giver, I wouldn't have anything worth showing you!
(I purchased the cowboy dinner plates from Tuesday Morning a few years ago --- 222 Fifth "Slice of Life")


John held salad dressing for our dinner. My sister, Julie, gave my cowboy those vintage whiskey decanters several years ago. (Looks like some feathers from Indian head dressings have been left in the shrubs too!)





The guest of honor had a magnetic "shoulda been a cowboy" sheriff badge attached to his napkin ring. Oh, and there's a gift from my friend, Melinda - "35 Things to do with a Cowboy's Bandana". We had fun laughing over some of those suggestions before we ate dinner. See my Davy Crockett mug that I drank from when I was a child (another salad dressing server for our dinner)? (Yep, back then, I thought I shoulda been a cowgirl! I outgrew it though-he didn't!)




Yep! I even have Roy Rogers' lunch box and thermos salt and pepper shakers (a gift from my friend Charlie Ann). I sure have some generous and kind family and friends, don't I?



I served salad on the blue spatter ware "camp fire" plates.

I used two recipes from fellow bloggers for our chuck wagon dinner, and let me tell y'all, we have some fabulous chefs in Blogville! For my contribution to Foodie Friday at Designs by Gollum, I'm showing you Individual Beef Wellington and Faux Bananas Foster.





Dinner included two recipes that came from some of our fellow bloggers, and I just want to say that we have some excellent chefs in our corner of Blogville! When I get a recipe from a blogger, I ALWAYS record the name of the blog ... well, ALMOST always! Remember, I recently told you that senility is taking over. When I looked at this Beef Wellington recipe in my file, I could not believe that I had forgotten to record where I got the recipe. Just more of my senility! So, if this is your recipe, please let me know so I can give you credit for it. Since I can't send you to the blog that originally posted the recipe, I am posting the recipe for you, and I'm tellin' ya, this recipe got rave reviews at my house. (Yes, Filet Mignon is expensive, but this was worth it!)
Edited to Add: Yea! Rett at The Gazebo House stopped by and told me she was glad I enjoyed the recipe she posted last week! Can you believe that? She just posted this last week, and I could not remember where I found it! Thanks so much Rett.

Beef Wellington Singles

Ingredients

1 egg, lightly beaten
1 Tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
2 sheets puffed pastry, thawed
1/2 Cup Boursin Garlic & Herb Cheese (I used a different kind of cheese, because my cowboy can't handle garlic)
1/2 Cup mushrooms, chopped
2 Tablespoon butter
2 Tablespoon olive oil
2-3 shallots, finely chopped
4-6 filet mignon steaks, 2" thick
Salt & freshly ground pepper, to taste
Parchment paper

Recipe Description:


Traditionally a large roast entrée, Beef Wellington Singles are essentially individual "roasts" that provide the flexibility to serve fewer people. They may be prepared a day in advance.Recipe Directions:Heat olive oil in a heavy skillet over high heat. Season steaks with salt and pepper, and sear. Sear steaks for 3 minutes on each side. For rare steaks, sear 1 to 2 minutes; for well done, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove beef from skillet and allow to cool.In the same skillet, melt butter. Add mushrooms, shallots and thyme, and sauté for 5 minutes or until soft. Remove from heat and cool. Preheat oven to 425F. On a lightly floured surface, prepare pastry.Roll out each puff pastry into a 13 to 15" square. Cut into 4 equal squares, for a total of 8. Blot steaks dry and place in the center of each square. Spread 2 tbsp. Boursin cheese on each and top with mushroom mixture.Brush the corners and sides of each square with lightly beaten egg, fold each corner up to the center, tuck in the sides, and press lightly to seal. Transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.To decorate, use a paring knife to cut out pastry leaves from remaining puff pastry. Brush with egg to help leaves adhere. Cover and chill 1 hour or overnight.Remove singles from refrigerator and brush again with lightly beaten egg. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes for medium doneness, or until golden brown. Serve warm.


Since my "cowboy" doesn't really love birthday cake, I prepared the Bananas Foster that had been posted by Susan at Thoughts from Over the Rainbow. (Okay, I must have been having a good brain day when I saved this recipe!) Click here to get this easy, but delicious recipe from Susan's blog. This one also got rave reviews at my house, and let me tell ya, rave reviews are not the norm when I cook dinner!


Now pardner, git yersef over thar to Between Naps On the Porch and Designs by Gollum fer all the links to great tables and great grub. You might wanna git that cowboy hat offen yer head fore ya git to those more refined blogs though. Thanks fer visiting me, and y'all come back soon, ya hear. laurie

48 comments:

Kammy said...

I say " HOWDY PARTNER " !!
Love your stinkin cute post - how nice to be so nice to your hubby - you must like him, LOL ! Such nice "fancy" stuff and I got a kick out of how you wanted to be a cowgirl...guess the two of you were ment for each other ! So sweet !
Kammy

Kathleen said...

No wonder you are so WANTED!
I think that is so neat you did that for hubby..
I love the cloth , so cute!
Fun table , Laurie!

Sarah said...

Laurie, what a lucky "cowboy" to be married to you! This birthday table is about as clever and cute as they come. Being from TX I do know a bit about cowhands, and this is the perfect table! LOL
Happy Birthday to your cowboy! ~ Sarah

Carol said...

Your creative tablescapes never cease to amaze me! I think you should publish a book featuring all your wonderful ideas for themed dinners & celebrations.

Hugs,
Carol

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

Oh how cute -- I did a cowboy tablescape for my SIL back in the Spring -- with the same tablecloth! Love all your cowboy (&girl) pieces on the table - wonderful!

Coloradolady said...

Laurie...this is just adorable...you always have such cute tables. You have a real talent for that, you know!!

Kathryn @ Bonafide Southern said...

I love cowboys and I love your cowboy table! Everything is so cute. I'd like to recreate this them sometimes too. Thanks for sharing and Happy TT to you!

susan said...

Laurie--I hate that my birthday was in September, because I would LOVE to have had a party or dinner given by YOU! You do the best. I kept humming "Should been a Cowboy" all while I was reading this :) Can't believe you have the Roy Rogers lunch box!! Glad you liked the bananas foster--Didn't you feel like you were cheating--too good for that easy! Thanks for the shout out!

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Howdy Girl...I'll get my buggy hitched and me right there for some grub...Girl you out did yourself on Cowboy Dan's Birthday Table...Tell the BOSS man I said Happy Birthday and Sleep with him girl ha ha!! Love ya sis...Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

santamaker said...

What a lucky hubby! I bet he just loved the table and the yummy filets!

Phyllis @Around the House said...

wow I love the cowboy black and white dinner plates, those are just too cute for words, loved the tablescape...perfect cowboy dinner

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Dinner sounds awesome. My husband wants to be a cowboy too! He now has a saddle stand that is just waiting for him to buy a saddle for. Kids are thinking of getting him some horseback riding for his birthday in November.

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Awww! You did good for his birthday! Happy Birthday to your husband! The menu looks and sounds wonderful - my kind of food!
Love this weather.
Glenda

Kristens Creations said...

Hi Laurie, what a perfect table for your hubby! I just love all of your tablescapes! Oh how I love filets! Kevin has cooked them out on the grill pit and they are wonderful!

We were so relieved to hear the mass was not cancerous! His mom died 2 years ago of cancer and I had a friend die this summer of cancer. We are praising God that this is benign! The doctor said alot of people might have these or things in their bodies that aren't dangerous and never know it until they have a cat scan or MRI for something else. That's what happend to Kevin. Even though we will have to keep an eye on it, we are still so relieved! Thanks for your concern and prayers!! Kristen

Kim @ Starshine Chic said...

Laurie,
I adore your tablescape. I love, love, love the tablecloth & your cowboy plates. And you have so many neat "old things". You are indeed lucky to have such good friends and family. I have never had Beef Wellington. Thanks for visiting my blog & leaving me a comment.
Kim

aimee said...

you did an excellent job! the setting looks great and the food looks yummy. you are so sweet to that for your husbands birthday. happy birthday to your special cowboy :)
blessings,
aimee

food with style said...

what a cute post!

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

OMG Laurie!
You are so darn clever! This is about as cute as it comes! The Roy Rogers lunchbox is amazing and all those neat decanters, the plates, well of course everything! Remember, I wanted to be your grandchild? Now I want to be your hubby! LOL! Just kidding everyone. I think your a long way from senility, your creative juices are a flowing! Hugs, Cindy

Rettabug said...

Laurie, what a manly table you've set for your "Cowboy" hubby! Great attention to detail & lots of humorous additions for laughter...the most important ingredient in any gathering.

I'm thrilled that you were pleased with my individual beef wellington recipe that I posted last week. I can't take credit for creating it but I'm glad you used it & it worked well for you. :D :D

fondly,
Rettabug

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Laurie, this is just the cutest table. I love all the cowboy stuff and the lunchbox is just unreal. Such fun and so wonderful to boot. Hugs, Marty
P,S. The two recipes sound just marvelous. Thanks

Judi said...

Hi Laurie
Oh my goodness what a FUN tablescape. I love your tablecloths and your dishes and the whole setting. And you have saved your lunch set too. I wish I had. I bet you all had so much fun at that table...I can just imagine.
thank you for sharing...this was so fun and uplifting.
Judi

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

Wonderful post, Laurie!!

Love the cowboy table. One of the first things J bought for his room in the basement, after we built the house, was a huge framed John Wayne print!:-)

Grandma Yellow Hair said...

Wow what a lucky husband you have. You are so creative. I love this post.
Maggie

black eyed susans kitchen said...

What a very fun party you made! Love the whole table set up. I bet you had a great time.
Susan

Unknown said...

So cute! I have two boys and this would be great for a birthday theme! Thanks for sharing.
Michelle

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

HEEHE Laurie,
I thought it was kind of fishy too! And then today Gloria told me she was the one who drew my name for Dawn,. LOL, sounds fishy for sure! Hugs, Cindy

Ginger said...

Happy Birthday to your cowboy. What a special dinner you made for him. I hope he rides off into the sunset with a big smile on his face.

Candy said...

Hee-Haw looks like a guttin tootin good time and the grub don't look too bad either.
Good friends, good food, good times.
Thanks for your encouraging words and I do hope my venture rolls on the sunny side and sure wish ya could mosey on by.
Hit the trail blessings ;-)

{Bellamere Cottage} said...

Sweet Laurie...

Your cowboy is one lucky fella! What a great 'lil party. Love that tablescape...just spectacular.

Hugs,
Spencer

Michelle @ Sweet Something Design said...

What a fun table!!I love all the details!

Sue said...

You created one of the most ingenious and fun tablescapes, ever! That tablecloth set the tone and you just kept adding onto the theme to make it a special dinner for your hubs.
Yee Hah! You're a good cowgirl, Laurie. :-)
hugs, Sue

puddin07 said...

Hi, Laurie, I'm sorry I haven't left a comment recently, but I have enjoyed your Halloween, autumn, and this blog, too. All of your tablescapes are so adorable, I know your Hubby loved his cowboy table. You put so much effort into everything you do, and the food looked yummy, and I know it was. Love Ya! Connie

Stickhorsecowgirls said...

Girlfriend, I hate to tell you, but you ARE a cowgirl! It's a spiritual thing...

I'm drooling for the dishes. Wanna sell 'em? Cowgirl C.

Anonymous said...

Laurie,now i've got that "should've been a cowboy" song in my head and it will be there all day.ha
you are such a funny lady.i laughed half the way thru this.my side is hurting so bad from laughing.
the colors are so bright and fun.you always do it up big.i'll bet the cowboy enjoyed it,didn't he?love.///anniepoo

Unknown said...

Such a special dinner, Laurie! I LOVE the cowboy theme and your pieces are so unique. I have always had a love for things cowboy and rustic and it's a good thing, since I have 3 wanna-be cowboys :) I even did a cowboy themed Christmas tree last year that I hope to add to this year and post. You are one of my favourite visitors!

Andi's English Attic said...

I love this tablescape. The cowboy theme is fantastic. I really enjoyed the idea of the little guys staging a shoot-out. Thank goodness the daddy of them all was around to keep them in check. Hope your hubs really appreciated his special meal. I'm strolling off into the sunset now....xx

Soosie said...

Laurie Eve, This MIGHT BE MY FAVORITE TABLESCAPE YET..I love
that Cowboy Dan got to enjoy all this attention as he is one of the nicest men I have ever met..plus, he cleans up when you have a party..(or at least, helps)..The dishes are darling..you have made the tablecloth proud. You have so many "irons in the fire", cowgirl..

Connie said...

Hi Laurie, How exciting to be married to a cowboy "wannabe'. You table looks like it should be in a magazine.
I love the table setting with the blue speckled plates that cowboys and campers, like me, eat with.
Love it !

Connie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
SmilingSally said...

Yipee! What a great wife you are to hep your cowboy saddle up to the table for a heap o' grub!

nannykim at spindle cottage said...

Such a cute post. Love the dishes, and the little cowbow type statues. The tablecoth was simiply dandy!!

Designs on 47th Street said...

Oh Laurie! I truly think you have outdone yourself this time. My goodness, that is just the best table for a wanna be cowboy! I sure hope your husband appreciates your creativity. Even if he didn't go on and on about it, I just KNOW he was tickled!! That's great you do this for him....and your menu!! WoW!! Thanks for sharing. I just might have to treat my cowboy wanna be to this!! :)

Donna

kanishk said...

I love the cowboy black and white dinner plates, those are just too cute for words, loved the tablescape...perfect cowboy dinner
Work from home India

Anonymous said...

Well, howdy there, Ms. Laurie! Well, ain't you just set the most yip yelling little ole table ever? Look at all those cowboy dishes and what a spread! Better'n any ole beans and franks by the campfire I've ever seen.
Now I must tell you, as a little girl Roy Rodgers was my hero. He could no wrong in my tiny eyes. I think he really did care how he lived his life because he knew little kids were watching. Bless his heart. When I heard he passed away I just sat down and cried! Too bad our children today don't have these great roles models today.
Great post, Laurie and it's always a treat when you come to see me.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

Oh my gosh that table is so cute! Your husband must feel so special on his birthday (just the way he should)! The tablecloth is just so perfect - everything is so perfect and the food looks delish!

Manuela

xinex said...

Belated happy birthday to the cowboy! How nice of you to prepare a special cowboy dinner, Laurie. Love all the cowboy accessories and your menu looks so good..Christine

cotedetexas said...

this would be so perfect in Houston in February when the rodeo is here! omg -!!!! perfect!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have to remember this.

Miss Janice said...

From the tablecloth to the campfire plates, this is absolutely so creative and cute Laurie!