Romantic Meal for Eight

Four couples in this household, so decided to celebrate together - it was a superb evening. L did the table: white roses, red gingham serviettes, and favours with love hearts, chocolates, each with a named luggage tag, and candles of course.

N & D did the drinks: caipirinhas with gold Pitu (bought in Brazil), Montepulciano d'Abruzzo (a favourite since our holiday there), beer, cider, and sanguinello for the non-alcohol.

D & S the starter: smoked salmon with parsley and lemon wedges, olives and flatbreads. M & I did the main: crushed pepper steak and onions, roast new potatoes, asparagus, corn-on-cob, garlic mushrooms and salad.

And J the dessert: dark chocolate torte (what IS the difference between a tart and a torte??) with white chocolate sauce, which she decorated with red hearts she cut with her tiny cutter, plus raspberries.

The food was perfection; the conversation was full of fun; and the company could not have been better.

Second day of Lent - do something practical for those you live with - guessing that steak qualifies...Here for mishkid's blip.