The Five-Course Menu

Avery: How is the cooking going? Posting the master menu yet?? I feel like a nervous mother hen. Munchie is all grown up....
Celine: Umm I just had Spam for dinner.

That was the last time I talked about "progress" on my mission to perfect a five-course gourmet meal. As much as I do love Spam (it's a Filipino thing, don't judge), I really shouldn't be saying such things anymore now that I'm practically 30. When I created this list, most of the things I set out to do were largely about making the most out of my fleeting youth. This is one is about growing up.

I'd like to perfect one great meal that I can serve in a grown-up dinner party without fearing my guests will end up starving or munching on pizza delivered at the last moment. So without further ado, here's the meal I've decided to master:

First Course: Michael Chiarello's roasted butternut squash soup

Second Course: Mark Bittman's brussel sprouts with bacon and figs

Third Course: Thomas Keller's Ad Hoc caramelized scallops

Fourth Course: Ad Hoc beef stroganoff

Fifth Course: Jean-Georges Vongerichten's Molten Chocolate Magic

I welcome any constructive comments from people who actually know how to cook and construct menus since I pretty much just piled in dishes I love digging into during the winter. And of course, if any chefs would love to give me a lesson or two, I would be ecstatic for help. Do you have a trusty yet fabulous go-to meal when you need to impress? Tell us about it!

For now, I'm off to go be a good "customer". I am currently on Christmas vacation and my parents are on a mission to fatten me up. I can't complain.

Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas surrounded by those you love!

Image of caramelized scallops via Food Gal; beef stroganoff via The Cookbook Chronicles