1) the table is ready for the Marble Dinner; 2) Planter’s Punches all around
Some weeks ago, we stumbled across a find at The Bay we couldn’t resist. A marble hotplate stone, with burners, that was on sale and then further discounted … the end result being we paid all of $4.79 for the contraption.
Sweet!
Last Saturday, we invited Blee over and tested the beast out and I’m telling you, what a success. A marble hot plate provides not only a fun dinner (in a fondue-style sort of way) but delivers a fabulous meal too boot!
We prepared several foods we thought would work well, including:
- chili garlic shrimp;
- scallops, which I made a lime, butter sauce for;
- fresh yellowtail tuna;
- prosciutto-wrapped asparagus with little chive ties;
- multicoloured pepper and bean skewers; and,
- Halloumi cheese from Cyprus, which is a goat cheese that can withstand barbecueing (it is delicious and similar to a Canadian (Quebec) cheese you can also get, called Mi Dor Re)
3) the shrimp; tuna and scallops are ready; 4) the veggies and cheese are ready
5) I tied each of those little chive bows myself; 6) season well
7) the wonderful cheese; 8) the rack awaits the marble
9) HOT!; 10) sprinkle surface with salt; 11) and you’re set to go just …. finish off the red wine and open …..
12) … the Champagne! (That’s my CN Tower Stair Climb t-shirt from last year … made it up in 17:27)
13) let the grilling begin; 14) OMG, the cheese is so good
15) the shrimps and asparagus cook; 16) on go the scallops
17) we saved the tuna for last … 18) Blee’s piece caught in the act of tumbling
19) the tuna … perfectly cooked!
5) I tied each of those little chive bows myself; 6) season well
7) the wonderful cheese; 8) the rack awaits the marble
9) HOT!; 10) sprinkle surface with salt; 11) and you’re set to go just …. finish off the red wine and open …..
12) … the Champagne! (That’s my CN Tower Stair Climb t-shirt from last year … made it up in 17:27)
13) let the grilling begin; 14) OMG, the cheese is so good
15) the shrimps and asparagus cook; 16) on go the scallops
17) we saved the tuna for last … 18) Blee’s piece caught in the act of tumbling
19) the tuna … perfectly cooked!
…. and while I’m on the tuna band wagon, I just finished reading Sasha Issenberg’s excellent book on sushi, called “The Sushi Economy: Globalization and the Making of a Modern Delicacy”, which I’d highly, highly recommend for all foodies.
AppsScraps 
Fascinating – I’ve never heard of a marble hotplate. You preheat it in the oven? I’ve seconding kunhuo42’s remark. When you going to invite us all over?
A fondue-ish grill! HOW AWESOME!!! How can I find me one for $4.79??? Once again, you and your crew revolutionize the art of cooking and eating. Now that’s relevant art that needs no discussion. I’m truly mesmerized.
Good deal for such a nice piece of stone!! I like the cocktail umbrella!! Cute!!
What a bargain! I keep thinking that the food would stick to the marble. I guess the salt helps to prevent it from sticking?
*drool* you have to stop torturing us with pictures of all this delicious-looking food and invite us over already!
You deserve the marble table with all that you prepare! I love sushi!!!