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Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Goodbye Is the Hardest Part

We have all kinds of relationships in our lives...but a theatre director's relationship with a longtime stage manager?

Priceless.

For those who don't know what a stage manager does, it is the person who takes all the blocking notes, keeps the director on schedule, is the primary contact for the the designers (sound, costumes, lights, props) and, when the show opens, has the primary responsibility for making sure that it runs right and on time--and those are just the common duties.  The director hands the show over on the day it opens. 

It's a terrifying thing, or would be if I haven't been fortunate enough to have a small handful of stage managers who I also consider good friends and confidantes.

My friend Erika first stage managed for me when I directed my first professional show, Deathtrap, in 2007.  I would trust her with just about anything, and never had a second's hesitation about handing a show over to her on opening.  I've lost track of how many shows we've done together, but Sandy, the head of our local semiprofessional theatre company, calls us "the Dynamic Duo."

Eeks, it sounds like I'm eulogizing her, doesn't it?  It's not that.  Erika is heading off to a four-year program at a Russian Orthodox seminary to become a counselor.  She moves to Kodiak Island later this week.

It's a perfect fit of a profession for her, and I wish her all the best. 

David and I had Erika and Sandy over to dinner this past Sunday to say our goodbyes, or at least our "farewell for nows."  It was a lovely dinner, but of course bittersweet since we will really miss Erika.

For a first course, we served the Barefoot Contessa's salad with phyllo-wrapped goat cheese.  It's a stunning salad, even if my phyllo purses were not quite as pretty as the ones in the cookbook.  Make sure you serve the salad when the purses are fresh out of the oven.

Summer Salad with Phyllo Purses
Adapted from Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics by Ina Garten

8 sheets frozen phyllo dough, defrosted
8 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
6 oz. log goat cheese
Baby salad greens (I used a spring mix, about 2 oz. greens per person)
2 1/2 tsp. champagne vinegar
1 tsp. coarse Dijon mustard
1 clove garlic, finely minced
1 tsp. kosher salt, plus more for serving
1/2 tsp. fresh-ground black pepper
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.  To prepare the phyllo purses, unroll the dough and set aside only what you need to use.  Cover the dough with a very lightly damp dishtowel--I ruined a couple of sheets of dough by using a towel that was too damp.


Trust me, they look so much better when browned.
Spread out one sheet of phyllo on a cutting board and brush all over with the melted butter.  Repeat with the remaining sheets of phyllo--you will want four sheets stacked on top of each other.  Cut the dough stack in half crosswise.

Cut the goat cheese log into discs about 1/4 inch thick.  Place two in the center of each phyllo section, then bring the sides of the phyllo square up to wrap around it.  The Barefoot Contessa compares it to wrapping a circular gift--you'll want to crimp together the top as much as you can, and get the dough as tight as possible around the bottom of each phyllo purse.

Repeat with the remaining phyllo--you will likely have some leftover goat cheese.

Spritz a small baking sheet or cake pan with nonstick spray and place the phyllo purses on it.  Bake for about twenty minutes, or until the purses are lightly browned.

In the interim, prepare the salad dressing by whisking the vinegar, mustard, garlic, salt and pepper in a small bowl.  Then whisk in the olive oil in a steady stream until the dressing emulsifies.

Place the greens in a salad bowl and toss by hand with a pinch of kosher salt, preferably flaked salt.  Then toss with the dressing until the greens are evenly coated.

Plate the salad with a small amount of dressed greens on one salad and one phyllo purse on the other.

Serves four, but could be easily doubled.

43 comments:

  1. I don't even know Erika and I am sad she is gone :) Best of luck to her and may you see her sometime in the near future!

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    1. David and I are planning to travel out to Kodiak Island to see her sometime soon--it's supposed to be beautiful!

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  2. Sorry to hear that your friend is moving on... but you certainly gave her a wonderful dinner as a send off. Lovely recipe.... it's another cookbook we both share. :)

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  3. Awe, good luck to your friend. What an adventure.

    Great recipe, so cute and adorable.

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  4. Here's wishing your friend all the best, and the Summer Salad sounds delicious!

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  5. The purses are so cute! Goodbyes are so hard ... I hope you can still keep in touch! I think there is something about theater that makes people super close!

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    1. Jane, I think you're right. Many of my friends here in Anchorage are from the theatre side of my life rather than the law side.

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  6. You're a fabulous friend for making such a fabulous "see you later" dinner!

    I've never seen those phyllo purses! YUM!

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  7. Oh I am so sad for you for loosing to distances great friend. Did she origninaly planned to work with you on the new play? Looks like she a great farewell dinner.

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    1. Erika has been planning to leave for a while, so she wasn't slated to work on "On Golden Pond." I have a new stage manager for that show and she's doing a great job.

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  8. It's always hard to say goodbye to a friend, even if you know they're going somewhere better for them. As for the salad, the only thing I love more than goat cheese is goat cheese wrapped in pastry!

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  9. MMMMM---those sound delicious. What a great "send-off for now" dinner for your friend.

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  10. This goats cheese salad was an excellent ploy to try and get Erika to stay! It sounds like your new stage manager has a lot to live up to.

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  11. You are too sweet! This is a great "send off" dinner!

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  12. Great outcome with the dough and I think this is a wonderful idea to come up with a lovely recipe. I am sure your friend must have enjoyed it very much.

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  13. Hey, I love this starter, anything wrapped up in phyllo gets me all excited! I'm not usually a fan of celebrity chefs but having seen an episode of her Back to Basics series, I couldn't help but warm to her and this does seem like a simple but winning morsel!
    Good friends will always be just that, no matter the obstacles!
    I've heard of Kodiak Island, if I remember my facts right, the Russians landed there sometime in the 18th century? Despite its past natural disasters, it still looks like Heaven!

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    1. I think you've got the history of Kodiak right--it was definitely settled by Russians, which is why the Russian Orthodox seminary is based there.

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  14. Wonderful recipe.
    Good luck to Erika. Even though you'll miss her, think of how much fun you'll have when you see her again. :)

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  15. Sorry to hear that your close friend is moving away, but you obvious see it's a good move for her. Wishing her the best! What a great send off you provided. Looks DElicious!

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  16. These purses are so adorable.
    All the best to your friend Erika.

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  17. i like the snack good wishes to your friend

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  18. Those are the most delicious looking purses! I wish you all the best of things, my friend!!!

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  19. These are beautiful and so creative! I've never seen such a thing. The best part is: they're stuffed with deliciousness!

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  20. I know it sounds sad that your sidekick is leaving but imagine the excitement she's experiencing and bask in that for a bit. Oh and eat some of these purses and every time you do you'll remember this last meal together.

    All the best to you both.

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  21. Whenever you miss Erica just make the phyllo purses and you will live the moments spent with her.

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  22. I have always wanted to try this recipe of Ina's but been a little intimidated to handle phyllo. It looks so beautiful. Little pouches of phyllo stuffed with cheese. You have done a fantastic job of it.

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    1. I will admit that I lost a few sheets of phyllo along the way, but it was hardier than I thought it would be. You should try it!

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  23. I'm sorry to hear your friend is leaving, and I know it takes time to build a good friendship, so it sucks. Hopefully you will make some new space for new friendship! I love the purse. I remember a guest blogger made dessert purse with chocolate on my blog and that was my first time learning about this cooking technique. Delish!!

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  24. I am sure Erika will forever think of you when eats this absolutely stunning tart my friend and vice versa too :D

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

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  25. Best of luck to Erika! Your little parcels sound fantastic.

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  26. Such a lovely dinner to prepare for a dear friend! I like this technique for preparing the little parcels out of phyllo dough and goat cheese, perfect with a green salad on the side;-)

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  27. Such a light and delightful lunch, which I'm familiar with these cute little phyllo purses...and wishing your friend Erika the BEST in her new endeavor!

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  28. Losing a friend and business partner is really hard! But I think if she is happy then you will be happy for her! These little purses are lip-licking. i love everything you put in them!

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  29. Well, I'm sorry you're losing your bestie but this is a great opportunity for her and for you :) Imagine how much fun it could be working with some fresh ideas too!

    Fabulous phyllo, darling!

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    1. Thanks! This is one of the difficult things about living in Alaska--sooner or later, people leave Anchorage to further their education/career. Fortunately, Erika is still in state!

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  30. What a wonderful way to see Erika off! You will miss her as a friend and colleague, but I'm sure there are great things just around the corner for both of you.

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  31. Awwwww....goodbyes are really hard even though you know you will always be in touch. How lovely that you made such a beautiful dinner to share together. These goat cheese purses sound amazing. And hang in there! And keep remembering those good times together! : )

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  32. I bet Erika will keep coming back and leaving again if you make her these every time. ;)

    Love the stuffing idea. I can't get enough dijon lately.

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  33. What a fantastic salad! I love the idea of phyllo purses...such an elegant touch. What a nice way to say goodbye to a dear friend~

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  34. wishing you all the best my dear... nice way to say goodbye this looks fabulous

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  35. Love the idea of stuffing these with goats cheese!Looks so elegant and easy to make :) Wishing Erika all the best!

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  36. I actually didn't know what a stage manager does... wishing Erika the best! And thanks for sharing these lovely little purses with us!!! :D

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  37. Saying goodbye is hard...This time its for good things.

    I love Ina Garten recipes. I have seen this recipe too. Looks delicious.

    Velva

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