Egg Yolk Raviolo with Brown Butter Sage and Pappardelle with Sweetbreads, Maitake Mushrooms and Cognac

Back when I said that I could not imagine that 2012 could be any better than the amazing year we just finished, it was because I had missed the fortune teller's memo about the 2nd day of 2012 when chef Chad Colby would roll fresh pasta with my little pink KitchenAid stand mixer and cook for our small dinner party in my kitchen.

Is this real life? Is it?! ...

Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame 1990

Bacon Wrapped Terrine

Homemade by a friend.

Black Truffle Salami

"Homemade" by a professional chef (Chad).

Egg Yolks for Handmade Pasta

Pasta Dough

Pasta Dough, Smooth

Chad Colby Rolling Pasta Dough

Yes, that is my pink KitchenAid stand mixer.

Finished Pasta Sheets

Homemade Fresh Cheese

Made from just milk and lemon juice

Pasta Sheets on Counter

Raviolo in Progress

Almost a qaurter cup of homemade fresh cheese per raviolo!

Raviolo in Progress

Raviolo in Progress

Handmade Linguine Pasta

Pappardelle, Raviolo and Pasta Resting

Raviolo in Progress - Boiling

Butter and Fresh Sage for Raviolo

Butter and Fresh Sage, Foaming

Cooked Raviolo in Sage Butter

Raviolo, Plated

Sweetbreads

Sweetbreads and Butter

Deglazing Pan with Cognac

Me (from upstairs): "Are you taking out that bottle of Hardy's?!
Le Ben: "Don't worry, we're not drinking it..."
I come downstairs to find the boys deglazing the pan with a $$$ bottle of Cognac.

Sweetbreads and Maitake Mushrooms

Onions and Garlic in Pan

Adding Pappardelle to Pan with Sweetbreads Sauce

Pappardelle with Sweetbreads, Maitake Mushrooms and Cognac Sauce, Plated

Butter Fried Bread

Grilled Porterhouse Steaks, sliced

Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame 1990

Rene Collard Champagne 1976

Benanti

Diamond Creek, Red Rock 1975

Diamond Creek is a girl's best friend.

Chateau Margaux 1959

If you want to attempt any of this at home, here are some resources to get you started:

• How to roll fresh pasta {TasteSpotting}
• How to make fresh cheese {Smitten Kitchen}
• How to shape egg yolk raviolo (uova da raviolo) {TasteSpotting}
• Mario Batali's Brown Butter and Sage Sauce recipe {FoodNetwork}

{dinner with friends Monday January 2, 2012: pasta by Chad Colby, steaks by Dan P.}