With our wedding coming up in 10 months, Suzy and I have been overwhelmed with all the planning involved. Since she is a teacher, it is important we get as much accomplished as possible before she goes back to teaching. It is also important that we take a opportunity to relax an unwind.
That's where our friends come into play. We recently were fortunate enough to have one of our dearest friends over for dinner. Toni Gilbert is one of Suzy's sorority sisters from UMCP. She immediately showed me how much she cared about Suzy. Toni and I had a few talks in her room at AOPI that showed she cared about me too.
When Suzy and I got back together last year, Toni was one of the first people she told. Toni tried to help get me a job at Congressional Country Club when she found out I was returning to Maryland. Although it didn't work out because they were fully staffed, I truly appreciate the efforts she made. Toni thought enough of us to invite us to her graduation party for her masters program and to a brunch she recently hosted. So we were more than happy to have her over for dinner.
It took me some time to figure out what to make. Toni wouldn't give me any suggestions, giving the customary "I eat anything response." Since I know that Toni likes Bonefish Grill I decided on seafood. The Harris Teeter near us had a great sale going on so I decided on a Pecan Parmesan Crusted Grouper with a Lobster Thermidor Sauce. I wish I could share the recipe with you but I got a lot of the "secret" ingredients from one of my managers at Bonefish Grill. All I can tell you is there are similar recipes on the Internet for thermidor sauce and the grouper was coated buttermilk, crusted and baked @ 375 for 30-40 minutes.
The meal was completed with mashed potatoes and a strawberry, caramelized pecans, and spinach salad. The three of us stuffed ourselves into a food coma, while enjoying a bottle of wine that Suzy and I were saving for a special occasion. And there isn't too many things more special than Toni Gilbert!!
