Alphabet Dinners: Dang!

The Dow is down daily, the depression is deepening, and it's difficult to deny the damage done earlier this week by the declaration of some deplorable dispensations. But, on Wednesday, we defied the doldrums with a delectable dinner, delightful discourse, and even a few daffodils.

For D, the party moved uphill to Holly and Lo's deluxe digs in Queen Anne. Aside from being a dynamite duo, these two are discerning decorators. I'm going to step out of D-mode for a moment here to say this in earnest: it is a wonderful thing to eat at a table so thoughtfully prepared. And so comfortably occupied. In other words, it is a delight to drink from a delicate decanter.

We started with Dan and Abby's Dandelion-like greens. (Sometimes, the grocery store just doesn't cooperate.) These were to be Dressed with Dill and Dijon...the dill was deployed, but things might have been dull if not for Dan's delayed dose of dijon. Disaster diverted!

For our main meal, we were treated to Do-it-yourself Dumplings with a Dollop of Dairy (i.e. sour cream). They were definitely dense, but decidedly delicious. More importantly, the directions for this Uzbek staple came by way of Holly's sister-in-law. I'm always curious to learn what different families eat as their go-to meals -- Steve and I frequently wonder why we eat what we eat rather than what we grew up eating -- but this dish was especially dramatic as it wasn't disclosed until the moment it was delivered to the table.

For me, a lot of the fun of these dinners is didactic. Who knew the Uzbeks ate so many dumplings? Who knew a "dacqoise" was a dessert made of layered meringues and whipped cream? I sure didn't until I found the definition on Epicurious and decided to devote an unemployed day to Double Decker Dacquoise with a Dash of Espresso.

We missed dazzling Ashleigh, dapper Preston, and droll Kuhrt this week. From now on, those who dare to disappoint with dinner diversions may find a doggie bag delivered to their doorstep.

Steve, as always, did the documenting: