Dinner with Friends

Preparation Timetable

Baby Greens Salad with Oranges
and Olives

• Prepare Country-Style Semolina Loaves; store in an airtight container or sealable plastic bags at room temperature.

• Prepare dressing for Baby Greens Salad with Oranges and Olives; cover and refrigerate.
• Prepare cake for Festive Jam-and-Cannoli Cake Roll; cover and store rolled in towel at room temperature.
• Prepare Lamb Shanks with French Green Lentil and Sweet Potato Ragout. Let the mixture cool for 1 hour, then divide it between two large refrigerator containers or 3-quart casseroles. Cover and chill in the refrigerator.

• Prepare Lemon-Thyme Mayonnaise; cover and refrigerate.
• Prepare Cannoli Filling, and assemble cake roll; cover and chill in refrigerator till serving time.
• Chill wine and champagne.

• Remove excess fat from chilled, cooked lamb mixture. Return lamb mixture to a large Dutch oven; reheat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.
• Assemble gourmet chocolates on a serving tray; cover and let stand till serving time.
• Set the dinner table.

• Assemble Smoked Salmon with Lemon-Thyme Mayonnaise; cover and let stand at room temperature till the appetizer course is served.

• Assemble and broil the Sweet Pear and Cheese Crostini, then serve the appetizers with wine.
• Toss together the salad and divide among salad plates.
• Slice the semolina loaves.

• Transfer the lamb shanks and ragout mixture to individual serving bowls.

• Prepare coffee.
• Cut the cake roll into slices, and transfer to dessert plates; if desired, garnish each serving with chocolate shavings.
• Bring out the gourmet chocolates.