Friday night, date night, at home!

I came home Friday night to John preparing a Friday night surprise dinner...First off, we have oysters on the half shell with champagne.  The oysters were accompanied by three sauces: red wine vinegar with red onions (French style according to John), Tabasco (New Orleans style according to John), and horseradish.  I tried them all, but the New Orleans sauce--not my style--and decided that the best way to eat raw oysters is with red wine vinegar and onions or shallots.  

Second course, centered on one of my favorites, spinach, that was prepared with shiitake mushrooms and a cognac sauce.  John bought four bunches because from past experience one is just not enough, so lucky me we have leftovers.  This was accompanied by scallops prepared simply cooked with salt and pepper--delicious!  The last player on the plate was the pan-fried new potatoes.  These can serve as an side partner to many meals so I copied the recipe below:

Pan-Fried Friday Night Potatoes

Quarter new potatoes (John used baby Yukon Golds) and put in a Dutch oven with olive oil over medium heat for 25 minutes.  Once cooked, add fresh garlic, thyme, salt, pepper, and chopped up bacon.  Yum, yum!