The Scented Kitchen: Simple Hospitality & Oranges au Caramel
Recently, our congregation hosted a missionary couple, and as always, it turned into one of those weeks filled with fellowship, conversation, and shared meals. We enjoy spending as much time as possible with visiting missionaries, so we signed up to host them for lunch on Saturday.
One of the things I enjoy most about having guests is hearing about the places they've been and the experiences they've had. Before they married, the missionary wife spent nine years serving in Panama. A few years ago, David and I traveled to Belize, so it was interesting hearing about both the similarities and differences between the two countries.
This particular couple has a gift for involving young people in just about everything, whether it's ministry opportunities or recreational activities. They asked if we could help organize a ball game and picnic at a local park. Some friends reserved a pavilion and the ball field for Saturday afternoon, and because we knew there would be plenty of food at the picnic, I decided to keep our lunch simple.
As much as I enjoy entertaining, I've learned that guests don't remember whether every corner of the house was dusted. What they remember is how comfortable and welcome they felt.
That Saturday morning, I focused on creating a pleasant atmosphere without exhausting myself beforehand. My house was already reasonably clean, so instead of finding more chores to do, I plugged in my Belle Aroma® ScenTrio Petite® Wax Warmer and added a fruity-scented No-Mess Fragrance Tart®. Soon the room was filled with a fresh, cheerful fragrance that made everything feel a little more inviting.
While the fragrance worked its magic indoors, I stepped outside and gathered a few flowers blooming in the front yard. We set the table on the back deck where we could enjoy the country scenery and the beautiful weather.
For lunch, I created a simple build-your-own wrap buffet. I put out organic tortillas, ham, roast beef, turkey, several kinds of cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, sliced red onions, colorful bell peppers, pepperoncini peppers, home-canned sweet dill pickles, spicy dill pickles, and a variety of condiments. I also included a couple of salad dressings in case anyone preferred a salad instead of a wrap. Organic tortilla chips and homemade salsa rounded out the meal.
My thinking was that everyone could eat exactly what they wanted without feeling overly full before the afternoon ball game. It worked perfectly. People visited, laughed, assembled their own lunches, and nobody felt rushed.
Best of all, everyone still had room for dessert.
I've continued working my way through Jacques Pépin's Cooking at Home series, and this simple dessert immediately caught my attention.
Jacques Pépin's Oranges au Caramel
(Oranges with Caramel Sauce)
Ingredients
- 2 oranges (I used Cara Cara navel oranges)
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons water
Directions
Peel the oranges with a knife, removing as much of the white pith as possible. Cut the oranges in half horizontally and place them on a serving plate.
Combine the sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat. Allow the mixture to boil, passing through its various stages until it becomes a beautiful golden caramel color. Avoid stirring, as stirring may cause the sugar to crystallize prematurely.
Once the caramel reaches a rich golden color, carefully pour it over the oranges. Garnish with fresh mint if desired and serve within 30 minutes.
The dessert was light, refreshing, and just the right ending to a warm afternoon meal.
What began as an effort to keep things simple turned into one of those special days that reminds me why I enjoy hospitality so much. Good conversation, good food, beautiful weather, and the company of friends are often all we really need.
As we headed out the back door toward the afternoon's activities, the fruity fragrance from the ScenTrio Petite® and No-Mess Fragrance Tarts® still lingered in the house, creating a welcoming backdrop for a day filled with laughter, fellowship, and memories.
Lori Herr for The Gift of Scent®
