40th anniversary bash roundup

Saffron Mama's Glasgow trifle--one of the dishes that didn't make the feast table

I'm back in Japan now after a fabulously relaxing few weeks in Australia. With my "only-17-years-late" graduation, Christmas and New Year in quick succession, there was plenty of excitement, too. The last big event of the trip was a Ruby Wedding anniversary party for Saffron Papa and Mama!

Saffron Papa, Mama and I cooked up a storm in the three days leading up to the party and managed to make rather more food that was strictly necessary (g). (So much so, actually, that some did not even make it to the table!)

Some of the party guests were kind enough to comment on my contributions, so I am rounding up the recipes here to make it nice and easy for them to replicate them at home if they choose. I would also point them to the original recipe sources, all of which are documented in my blog posts below, for more treats in the same vein.

A selection of Middle Eastern appetizers

Turkish tomato dip/salad
Moroccan carrot dip
Turkish red pepper, walnut and pomegranate dip

Tzatziki

Lemon-spiked main courses

Moroccan lamb with peas and preserved lemons
(Note to our guests: Saffron Mama made more preserved lemons than we needed, so contact her if you would like some. Otherwise, they are very easy to make.)

Pakistani mince and potato curry

Finally, I'd like to thank all our guests for their own culinary contributions--Cypriot dolma-dakia stuffed vine leaves, the world's best lasagne, jumbo pavlovas, a fruit platter, and brownies and a lemon meringue pie. What a great feast it turned out to be!

Saffron