bkdelong

I think I've mentioned Dorset Tea & Coffee here before as it's run by one of my business partners - Sally Khudairi - along with her sister, Sue. I am also their Webmaster.

However as an amateur gourmand, I can't recommend the place enough. Many of you may know Sally has a solid foot in all things luxury and her commitment to superb food and atmosphere is intense. Even the sandwiches - a roast beef with tomato and boursin on a brioche roll - is to die for. Both the tea AND coffee is top notch - the former coming from Mark Mooridian's MEM Tea Imports and the latter George Howell's Terroir Coffee.

Recently, Sally has become frustrated with her inability to get soups worthy of her standards so she's started making her own and in light of the coming holiday season, she's offering special catering options.

Now, I've known Sally to always have a way with words but ever since I sent out this month's Dorset Dispatch newsletter, I've been drooling over the holiday fare:

Canapès such as Proscuitto-wrapped Roasted Asparagus Spears, Country Patè with Mushrooms on Mini Toasts, Smoked Salmon Mousse on English Cucumber with Créme Fraiche, Spanish Brandied Blue Cheese Dip with Marcona Almonds on Water Crackers, and Wild Mushroom and Leek Bundles.

Soups such as Velvety Butternut Squash, Creamy Wild Rice and Turkey, Crécy Carrot, and Lobster Bisque with Créme Fraiche.

Sides and Accompaniments such as Traditional Creamed Spinach, Savory Apple-Corn Pudding, Yukon Gold Boulanger Potatoes, Maple-glazed Carrots, Apple-Cranberry-Cointreau Chutney, and Balsamic Roasted Vegetables.

Sweets and Pastries such as Spiced Pumpkin Tartlets with Vanilla Panna Cotta, Almost-Flourless Chocolate Tortes, and Caramelized Cranberry-Walnut Tartlets with Traditional English Custard.

Confections and Fancies such as Dark Chocolate-Espresso Cream Diablos, Vanilla-Caramel-Pecan Turtles, Chocolate-dipped Strawberries, Assorted Petit Fours, and Milk Chocolate-enrobed English Toffees with Toasted Almonds.

Yum.