Culture

Mimi Thorisson's Picture-Perfect Dinner Party in France

A beautiful woman cooking mouthwatering food in a gorgeous French farmhouse? Don't hate Mimi Thorisson: Just follow her tips for how to throw a dinner party
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A beautiful woman cooking mouthwatering food in a gorgeous French farmhouse? Don’t hate Mimi Thorisson: Just follow her tips for how to throw a picture-perfect dinner, sans stress

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    That's Mimi. And, yes, she's wearing her wellies to cocktail hour.

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    Self-serve charcuterie from Louis Ospital.

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    Balkis Guy and Thorisson's daughter Louise, on right, have an apple aperitif.

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    Mimi likes to begin the evening with a game on the lawn. It helps people work up an appetite, and gives them something to laugh about over dinner.

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    Thorisson arranges roses with help from the family dogs.

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    Kids help set the table.

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    Entrepreneur/pro surfer David Guy and artist/pro surfer Sheyenne River sit across from winemaker Fabien Courrian of Château Tour Haut-Caussan.

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    Poulet Vallée d’Auge

    Named for a region in Normandy known for its apples (and Calvados), this traditional recipe combines both in a rich, creamy sauce. Afraid to flambé? Buy a long-reach lighter at a hardware store.

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    Daughter Gaïa takes a break from the kids' table.

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    Rose Water Marshmallows

    These old-fashioned marshmallows look beautiful in apothecary jars. Find one at a flea market or Williams-Sonoma

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    Eric Ospital awaits his dessert.

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    Gâteau Breton aux Pommes

    In this indulgent cake, apples are caramelized before being baked in buttery batter. Why stop there? Salted caramel sauce lets guests indulge even further.

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    Salted Butter Caramels

    Put the evening over the top by setting out these easy, impressive caramels after dessert. Or set out wax-paper bags so friends can take them home for the next day.

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Executive Editor. When not pulling together lifestyle, travel, and entertaining stories—and tasting every recipe in the magazine way more than once—Christine is writing cookbooks with the likes of Eric Ripert, David Kinch, and Eric Werner. Spirit food: Dip cone ... Read More
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