My GOD, that is the biggest spider I have ever seen.

The weekend was RIDICULOUS. About a month ago, my friend Alan from the Silver Spring Moishe House (a social hub for Jewish 20-somethings) contacted me, asking me to prepare a meal for the LUV-themed dinner they were going to have. This is pretty ridiculous, as I am chronically single, run a community commonly known as the "Anti-Marriage Group", and have a tradition of writing violent and STD related haikus on Valentine's Day. But, it gave me the opportunity to cook an elaborate meal for a large group, so I agreed.
As is my way, I went absolutely NUTS planning it. However, the implementation was even crazier than my planning. After about 2 weeks of planning an extensive, aphrodisiac-themed meal, on Weds, I forwarded my shopping list to one of the house members to approve and buy. (The house receives a budget from the parent org to do these events.) I was planning to start cooking Thursday evening. However, due to a whole mess of... messes... I wasn't able to get my ingredients until Friday afternoon. (Let's just say someone at the house had dropped the ball on this one.) By the time I had made it back from the store, it was 3pm and I had until 8pm to cook.
You have never seen someone cook as fast as I did. Thankfully, I have experience cooking for large groups in short periods of time and I whipped up a cooking schedule. Towards the end, I had to cut a few dishes out, but no one starved, I can assure you that.

Aphrodisiac Dish Menu

• Homemade Challah Bread
  
• Spiced Grilled Veggies
• Various salads provided by attendees
  
• Swiss Potato Gratin
• Casanova's Macaroni (Originally, it was going to be homemade gnocchi, but time made me switch the gnocchi to linguini)
• Linguini with Pesto
• Champagne Fruit Soup
  
• Dark Chocolate Truffles
• Cocayoa Truffles (Chili Truffles)

My only real regret was the dishes I had to cut. Saffron bread, fennel salad, onion soup, strawberry and spinach salad, champagne truffles, and chocolate dipped strawberries injected with liqueur. Not to mention, in addition to those, I had a dozen or so recipes waiting in the wings and another dozen drink recipes. On that note, I am happy to talk cooking, menus, and recipes with anyone interested.

My god, I love to cook.

Anyhow, the menu was well received and everyone was delicified, however no one seemed particularly amorous. I guess that's a strike against the aphrodisiac theory, but it was still fun.

Now I am in relaxation mode as I've finished my summer law class and the dinner. I have a good 3 or 4 weeks to relax before having to hit the books again, so I'll be relaxing HARD. A great deal of reading, gardening, and casual gaming is on the horizon. Not to mention some fun times with Yo and her little one and possibly some participation in the upcoming Baltimore Restaurant Week. Hoooooray!

Stay groovy kids!