I invited a couple of friends to come over for lunch this past week, so of course that meant setting a nice table. I piddled around with a lot of ideas, but nothing seemed quite right. It was way past Gal-entines day, too early for spring, pastels and flower baskets just didn’t seem right. I wanted to use my pretty Japanese bowls for the soup I planned to serve, but nothing went with them. I got out my bowls with the roosters on them, and decided to go with that color scheme. The red was just more appropriate for February, since it is still winter. My Sweet Babboo often calls these lunches a Hen Party, so I just went with that theme and pulled out more chickens.
The only red table topper I have is one with hearts, so I used it. I filled a red ceramic basket with red and white silk flowers, and placed a pair of chickens in front, also red and white. There were only three of us, as the fourth gal couldn’t make it. So, the centerpiece is put to one side. The trivet usually sits next to the stove, and it had some of the same colors as the bowls. I put it in the center so it could hold the quiche I planned to make for serving at the table.
Red chargers hold white plates topped with the rooster bowls.
The red napkins are held with white chicken napkin rings.
Crystal water glasses and individual salt and pepper shakers complete the settings.
So, table all set, it was time to turn my attention to the meal. I made the soup and dessert a day ahead. The soup was my Butternut Squash Soup, recipe on that post. Once the soup was made, I put it in the refrigerator for heating up the next day. Then I began work on dessert. I haven’t made Creme Brûlée in years, and wanted to do some. I researched recipes, but none seemed quite what I wanted. That meant I needed to make up my own, taking the proportions from most of the other recipes, and adding real vanilla bean seeds rather than extract. I also added a pinch of salt for balance. Start by measuring out the cream and adding it to a cooking pot, then scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean into it and heat it up. Prepare the ramekins.
Whisk the eggs, salt and sugar, then pour the warm cream into them slowly in a thin stream, whisking constantly until blended. Pour into small ramekins. Mine are 5.5 ounce, wide and shallow ones, but you could use almost any size you like. Smaller and deeper will just take a bit longer to cook. Add water to the pan.
Bake until done, then cool to room temperature for about an hour. Then chill in the refrigerator overnight. Download the recipe – Creme Brûlée
At the luncheon, I heated up the soup, ladled it into the rooster bowls, and topped them with a disc of goat cheese and a sprinkle of dried parsley. The heat of the soup will melt the cheese in just a minute or so. Yum!
Our main course was a ham and spinach quiche.
Then, the dessert! I pulled the creme brûlées from the refrigerator, and sprinkled the tops with caramelizing sugar. This is a large crystal brown sugar, meant for topping and burning. Using my little kitchen torch, I caramelized the topping as my friends watched. (Find one like mine on Amazon – Kitchen Torch.)
My friends certainly knew they were special on this day!
Lingering at the table for a long time is a wonderful way to spend time with friends.
Then we went back to the sewing room for more chat time and a bit of hand work while we talked. It was a relaxing and immensely enjoyable way to spend the day. I look forward to the weather warming up, and maybe the next hen party will be on the veranda.
Who’s up for a hen party?
Check out Milk Street’s Summer in Winter Sale! Hurry, sale ends tomorrow.
From My Carolina Home 
Love your theme and how you carried it out. The menu certainly was a treat for your guests. A great hen party!
that was a very nice luncheon. You know how to treat your friends nicely! I bet it was appreciated and enjoyed – I really don’t know when I enjoyed a lunch like that – been a long time
Hi I hate to ask but do you have the pattern for the table topper? or where to find it could you let me know either way thanks Donna
Hi Donna,
The table topper is called Hearts Around, and the pattern and tutorial are on THIS POST.
Thank you Carole, Donna
A lovely table, luncheon and gathering!
I absolutely love your tablescapes. Sounds like a perfect day to me: a delicious lunch that includes dessert with friends, and time doing handwork and chatting afterwards. Lovely Sunday read to start my day.
So much fun! Now I want to have a hen party!
Your table is just adorable! Who wouldn’t love to have lunch and chat with friends here? The topper is quilted so beautifully and the chicken napkin rings are a fun addition. I loved to have friends over but no one seems to want to do that much anymore. They say it is too much work! But you have shown that things can be done ahead—pacing oneself makes a huge difference for me! Always love the Sunday posts!
Thank you so much. For me, it wasn’t work at all but I like setting tables and cooking. I set the table two days ahead. If they don’t like to cook, make it a potluck. The main idea is spending time with friends, outside of meetings.
What a beautiful setting. I love chickens. I had a pet rooster when I was a kid. That is why I love chickens so much. Glad you showed this.
The menu sounds perfect and I love the theme – Hen Party!
You always set such a beautiful table, Carole. I’m sure your friends felt very special. I always enjoyed having special lunches or dinners for friends. It takes a lot of planning, but is so worth it in the end. Glad your “Hen Party” was a success.
What a delightful luncheon & afternoon. Fun to be entertaining again.
What a fun luncheon Carole! Your menu sounds delicious, and I love all those things, wow! Your table looks so cute with the red and white and chickens, I know everyone had a marvelous time~
Jenna
That’s a fun table! I loved the combination of hearts and chickens with the red theme pulling it all together. You have the best dishes! The meal sounds yummy, too. Sounds like a lovely day!
What a fun theme for a party – as a crazy chicken lady, I heartily approve 🙂 Good friends, delicious food, and a pretty table sound perfect. I have picked up so many good recipes from your blog, I wanted to suggest one to you 🙂 We had a roased butternut squash and shaved brussels sprout pizza a few weeks ago that was so delicious! I’d never heard of it before, but we were being adventurous and gave it a try. It turns out that there are lots of recipes for it out there, we’re going to try one we found that uses Ken’s balsamic fig glaze. Happy Sunday!
What a super idea for getting together with friends! Sounds fun and memorable!
The menu………….yummy!! I love butternut squash soup and this recipe, how simple it is. Your tablescape is so cute. I’m sure the chickens and happy red color made everyone feel warm and welcome. Time with friends is so special.
They DO know they were special! I love your table and your soup bowls especially and of course all the hens and the quilt topper. It’s lovely and every bit of it sounded just delicious!
What a lovely table setting and how fun! Love the chickens! Hen party? yes please!
I just LOVE the table setting, Carole. You’re so creative! You have more talent in your baby TOE than I have in my entire body. I really appreciate it when you share your tablescapes with us. I only wish I was in your close circle of friends. They’re some lucky ladies.
Such a wonderful day, and your menu sounds delightful. Creme brulee would be one of my favourite desserts too. Just a pity I live so far away.
Wow! What a beautiful tablescape and what lucky friends you have. Creme brulee is my all-time favorite dessert! Thank you for the recipe….and the next time one of your friends can’t show up please let me know….I’m only 4 hours away… 🙂
Is there a pattern for the heart table topper, please?
Yes, The table topper is called Hearts Around, and the pattern and tutorial are on THIS POST.
Your table looks lovely.
And the meal sounds delicious.
Great way to spend a day!