first night post flight

The afternoon’s conversations drift from children to jobs and table to lounge chairs. Minted Arnold Palmers give way to Pete’s 22 Ice Cube Margaritas. And if you know my dad, as these girls most certainly do, when he says twenty-two ice cubes he means it. Guac and my food detective’s rendition of Salsa Attack Salsa are the evening’s preamble.

The afternoon’s discourse melts the years away and just like the mountain sun these rekindled friendships are the perfect tonic for this quad of tried and true friends.

Dinner comes together in a snap thanks to the overnight marinade. With lemon and orange trees in the backyard can one ever tire of citrus overtones? Here is the freshest pork tenderloin. The secret is an abundance of fresh herbs and citrus juice all zipped into an airtight bag and stowed in the refrigerator overnight.

The citrus reduction sauce can be made earlier in the day. Fresh orange, lemon and lime juice are reduced, as is the added chicken broth, all finished with heavy cream. The creamy tart is the perfect compliment to the bright grilled pork.

It’s my maiden voyage with quinoa. Cooking “keen-wa” (easier to pronounce with one’s second margarita) is similar to preparing cous cous. Simmered in broth then tossed with grilled peppers and red onions. Divine with a drizzle of the citrusy sauce.

Lemon sorbet with what was supposed to be Gran Marnier spiked blueberries (but whose spirit must have spiked one of my daughter’s own sorority gatherings leaving the bottle empty) concluded the evening. On the docket tomorrow are sunrise power walks for the east coast contingent followed by a hike in Joshua Tree Park.