Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Murder Mystery Dinner

This Valentine's Day we hosted what I think is our 7th Annual Murder Mystery dinner.  We've had more or less the same crew for most of that time, so by now everyone knows the drill and has gotten comfortable.  Our friends know how to rock a party!  We had a blast laughing, eating, trying to pronounce French words, solving the mystery, eating some more and laughing.

Bethany ~ the winemaker (she even made her own labels)
Chris ~ boules player (slovenly in appearance)

Colombo ~ the Inspector
Amy ~ flower seller (elderly, crazy)
Connie ~ part time teacher, mother of six, the miller's wife
Eric ~ the miller (owns the local flour mill)
Laryssa ~ the barman's daughter (town gossip)
Nathan ~ postman and barman
Micah ~ the baker
Sienna ~ the baker's wife
Shaun ~ the butcher
Lisa ~ the butcher's wife
After all the guests arrived and introduced themselves, we sat down to begin our four course meal and our four rounds of the mystery theater.  Here was our first course, which got good reviews.

Gorgonzola Linguine with Toasted Walnuts

8 ounces uncooked linguine
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1 clove garlic
1 tablespoon butter
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/4 dry white wine or chicken broth
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese

Boil pasta.  Cook walnuts in ungreased skillet over medium-low heat 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently until browning begins, the stirring constantly until golden and fragrant.  Set aside.

Peel and finely chop garlic, cook in butter, stirring occasionally until golden.

Stir the whipping cream, wine and salt into the skillet with the garlic.  Cook about 6 minutes, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth and slightly thickened.  Remove from heat, stir in the cheese until melted.

Drain linguine and place in large bowl.  Pour the sauce over and stir until linguine is well coated.  Sprinkle with the toasted walnuts.
For the record, this year Eric committed the crime and we think he has always been "it".  For sure the last three years, so now we are beginning to wonder. :)  We ordered the mystery online using Host-Party.  It was a fairly well-written story and they made it very easy to host.

Just as lotions and fragrance give delight,
a sweet friendship refreshes the soul
Proverbs 27:9

5 comments:

  1. what a great tradition!! I have been to 3 murder mystery dinners, but the last one was probably 10 years ago. I need to do this again!! The first one I went to, my character was "torchy" the sexy blues singer...I was 8 months pregnant...very funny!!!

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  2. i remember wanting to do this last year, and i never did, it looks so fun!!! one day when my schedule allows, i will do it. great photos!!!

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  3. That is soo cool. I remember pics from last year! That's so awesome; I wish our friends around here would do that!

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  4. It was very fun! My stomach hurst soooo badly from laughing. All the way home it hurt! Thanks for a good time and always including us.

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  5. Yes it was a super time and it isn't every day you laugh so hard you cry! Thanks so much for all your hard work Lisa.

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