What if...you were asked to define your dream meal.

Ridiculous.
Oh, the layer's that would consume this.

Keep in mind this is your dream meal, regardless of protocol: app, salad, entree, dessert, etc.

I can't help thinking of those on such a stringent, limiting, to say the least, list.

I asked my Hub's this question, his was limited to a "3 pound beef tenderloin, with sauteed mushrooms, and a potato, and a salad with chunky blue cheese dressing and bacon bits."

Just for shits and giggles, imagining I could actually consume this much food, here's where mine would begin.

Though, I'm sorta' liking my Hub's response.

Let me begin. First and foremost, it would be cooked by someone other than myself. Who had just as much passion as I do with food and the consumption of food. And keeping it simple.

If you made me a PB and J, I would love that you took the time, to make me that PB and J. And quite frankly, I would love that PB and J for just those reasons.

Secondly, it would have to be sourced from local farmers, vendors, etc.

Thirdly, I know this is a crazy adaptation, but this is my dream meal, ok?

Here we go.

 Since we're all used to a schedule, or shall I say regimen, let's start with appetizers.

My appetizers would be sort of  smorgasbord of sorts. Not limited to one, but a collection of what I've experienced over the years.

Let's start with a trio of crostini's. First of all, my Mom's pickled eggplant. So laden with fresh garlic you have to choose an alternative corner of the house to spare your Hub's or significant other for the night. Then I'd have a fresh bruschetta with loads of fresh Roma's, basil and shaved, aged Parmesan cheese. To top the trio, I'd complete it with a smoked bluefish pate'.

Continuing with appetizers, I'd have Mussels a 'la Muer from the Grand concourse, poached in a tomato-wine broth that screams, eat me, and dunk some crusty bread in that broth!

Next up, on the appetizer list would include beefy mushrooms stuffed with jumbo lump crab meat, topped with creamy cheese. A sort of crab cake situated in a mushroom.

And finally, a selection of sushi, complete with wasabi, and ginger. My personal favorites are tuna, salmon, crab, and eel.

I told you this was ridiculous, let's move on to soup.

I honestly believe my all-time favorite food is soup. No lie, my Mom will verify this fact. In fact, if asked to eliminate all "dream" items from my list, except for one, I would wholeheartedly go for my Dad's vegetable soup. It's actually a beef-veggie soup, one that has yet to be duplicated.

This of course, would have to be served with a crusty, dense sourdough bread, with butt-loads of butter, to complete my dream list.

Continuing with dream list, a palate cleanser.....ha ha!

Ice cold watermelon (May thru July), seedless, and cut into bite-sized chunks. Not the two-bite chunks. And no chopped mint, or salt. Let the watermelon speak for itself!

Anal? Yes!

Ok, onto the pre-entree, an ear of corn (in July) from Duda's farm with as much butter and salt as you can slather. Those kernels are so tender and sweet, they literally pop off the Cob when you bite into them.

Next up, entrees. I have two, since I'm always willing to have more than one...

First selection would be Chicken Picatta with a homemade pappardelle noodle, with homemade marinara sauce. I love the beefiness of the pappardelle noodle with a light, garlicky-basil infused marinara. I also love the fact that the "picatta" has a light lemon-wine sauce with tangy capers. The pounded chickens medallions would be so tender, they succumbed to the edge of my fork.

I would definitely have a side of sauteed escarole with beefy white beans, garlic, and extra virgin olive oil.

Second selection on entrees would include a blackened fillet of salmon with a fresh pico di gallo, no side accoutrement's needed. Flaky morsels of meaty salmon, beckoning for a pico-infusion, while giving a spicy-cilantro edged bite. I'd even squeeze a lime wedge on that one.

Onto the salad, which I could eat any. But, for all intense purpose's, and the dream meal, I'm with the Hub's on this one. I would desire a crispy romaine, chopped, with bits of crispy bacon, and homemade blue cheese dressing. Except, I would add slivers of red onion to this as well.

Dessert: I have two.

A fresh July peach from Gaffney, South Carolina. As is. One bite into this plump and succulent fruit, and you'll know why a chin bucket is required. To die for.

 Anddddd,

 My Mom's homemade Vichyssoise, yet another soup...I warned you. Complete with potatoes, leeks, cream,  fresh chopped chives, and chilled. Absolutely delicious, and decadent. No pastries needed.

What's YOUR dream meal?