Today is a chance for us to recognize some very important people in our lives. May this day bring you many reasons to smile!

Happy Father’s Day!

For the avid foodie, there are few things in life more beautiful than a good cheese plate. If you want to create a truly gourmet quality cheese plate for your next dinner party or holiday gathering at The Asher, use these simple tips for assembling the perfect spread.

1. Consider the basics. Before beginning, consider how many people you’ll be serving and what other types of food you’ll have. This will help you to determine how much cheese to buy.
2. Determine quantity. For an hors d’oeuvre, your cheese plate should include one to two ounces of cheese per person. If you plan on serving it after the main meal, pare it down to just one ounce per person.
3. Choose the perfect serving platter. Invest in a sturdy cutting board, a marble cheese platter, or an attractive slate slab.
4. Choose the cheeses. Lighter options, like goat cheese and fresh mozzarella, are great options for before dinner, while fuller bodied cheeses include cheddar, aged gouda and bleu cheese.
5. Create a theme. If you’re still unsure of which cheeses to choose, create a theme. Pick cheeses from one specific region of the world, or opt for cheeses that are all made from goat’s milk.
6. Organize. Spread your cheeses out on the platter for easy cutting, and be sure to offer a different knife with each kind. You’ll also want to serve complementary breads and crackers alongside.

The Perfect Cheese Platter [Real Simple]
How to Set Up a Cheese Platter [Food Network]
Creating the Perfect Cheese Plate [Food and Wine]

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr Lorrie3211

Alexandria's Aditi serves authentic, traditional Indian food in a contemporary setting, with the dining room decorated in earth tones & rich wood details. Diners enjoy the garlic naan, which is the ideal balance of pillowy and crispy. The baby spinach chaat is a recommended appetizer, containing sweet yogurt, raisins, tamarind, and cilantro dressing. Regulars enjoy the chicken tikka entree, boneless pieces of seasoned chicken cooked on skewers in a clay oven, and the lamb curry. For dessert, try the kulfi, which is rich Indian ice cream topped with cardamom.

Aditi has an all-you-can-eat lunch buffet from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily. The buffet has been voted as best D.C.-area Indian buffet in both quality and value, a distinction that frequent guests say is well-deserved.

Aditi Indian Dining
5926 Kingstowne Towne Center
Alexandria, VA 22315
(703) 922-6111
www.myaditi.com
www.yelp.com/biz/aditi-indian-dining-alexandria

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/auxesis