Dinner For Eight at Fascione's

We started the day cooking for 14 and we are down to 8. We agree to eat like Romans.

Our first course, mussels (purchased at the University Farmers Market from Bill of Taylor Shellfish).

But before the mussels get going, seemingly out of know where, a plate of kippered salmon from Mutual Fish appears.

Living in or visiting Seattle? Plan a trip to Mutual Fish. In the young city of Seattle, the Mutual qualifies as an old gem - founded in 1947. My favorite, the miso marinated Black Cod. Check out recipes on their web site. (I plan on trying the Tuna curry).

Cooking the mussels was a group affair...we used ingredients from the cupboard and damn they were good.

First we sauteed (garden grown) shallots, then added a curry powder Fascione picked up in Zanzibar.
Next we tossed the mussels in and around, threw in some chopped parsley and topped it off with a cup of drinking sherry - covered and waited for the sea goodness. Five pounds of mussels, 7 people, yes we were only 7 at this point! A feast? Yes. Man were those mussels perfect.

What's next...a roasted rolled leg of lamb with spinach and a macadamia nut anchovy paste...served with a cilantro salsa and yogurt.

Patti made a couscous dish with garbanzo beans, dates, cardamon, green onions, chopped almonds, lemon juice and a dash of olive oil. This she made early in the day and served it at room temperature. Really good.

Vegetables - we had brussel sprouts topped with a fig dressing and a plater piled high with roasted Nash root vegetables...beets, turnips, carrots, parsnips and onions. Oh my.

And for dessert? I can't recall. (Seems like there had to have been a dessert at Fasciones place).
Help. I ate too much.