Monday, December 26, 2011

Holiday Party

     “Hi Charles,” said Dylan, pushing his way to the punch bowl. “Having fun?”
     “Indeed,” said Charles. He had to speak above the jazzy Christmas music coming from the living room. “I always enjoy a good holiday party. And I’m so glad they decided to make it a potluck. I love to prepare food.”
     “Yeah, I agree.” Dylan refilled his cup of punch. “What did you bring?”
     “Me?” asked Charles. “I prepared a cheese tray.”
     “No kidding? Me too.” Dylan toasted him. “What did you do for yours?”
     Charles took a cup of punch from the table to toast him back. “Well, first I selected a delicate Hervé Mons Camembert—my favorite from the Normandy region of France—and I rubbed it with a coat of white wine. Then I baked it with some fresh Oregon hazelnuts and garnished it with freshly ground parsley sprigs from my herb garden. Lastly, I surrounded the plate with thinly sliced prosciutto and cubes of my own homemade sourdough boule. I think the nutty richness of the Camembert provides a delectable balance to the savory meat and the thicker texture of the warm bread. What did you do for your cheese tray?”
     “Well,” said Dylan, “First I spread a pack of Saltines across a plate and coated each one with a thin layer of mayonnaise. Then I took a can of Easy Cheese and used it to draw a picture of a Christmas tree onto each cracker.”
     “That sounds very… creative,” said Charles.
     “Thanks Chuck. Good to see you.” Dylan toasted him again and returned to the living room.
     Charles cursed under his breath after Dylan left. Why didn’t he think to make his cheese plate look like Christmas trees?

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