Party with New People Menu

Last night we had a collection of pals over that we have wanted to meet each other.  But maybe the affair was a little too big and too many people did not know each other.  There was a choppiness at moments.  And the conversation stayed somewhat surface.  But there are always first steps in introductions.  I coordinated what peeps brought and that worked well, except I forgot to assign the bubble water.

Carolyn brought a bottle of 1950s tequila which made my evening smooth.  Several Vodka and Tonic drinkers.  Wine.  And non drinkers.  I had made some rose water with the intention of making a non-alcoholic concoction, but ran out of time.

The Menu:

Starters

Seviche

Guacamole

Homemade Chips

Jicama Appetizer

Dinner

Carolyn's Watermelon, tomato, cucumber, mint and feta salad 

Slow baked Mexican Ribs

Salsa verde of Capers, Green Peppercorns, Serrano Chilies and Cilantro

Alice's Blueberry Jalapeno Chutney 

Buttermilk Cornbread

Chipotle Butter

Desert

Barbara's Plum Crisp with Vanilla Ice Cream

Amy's Going Away and My Little Brother is in Town Party

I woke up feeling upset and annoyed about the party.  I did not know who was coming and it had been designated as a potluck.  The fear that it would be a "bad party" cuz I was not totally controlling it is knotted in there deep.

But by 11am or so, when Geordie and I had to go shopping I made a conscious (slightly aggressive) decision to change my mood about it and have fun.  I cam eback to the original intention of gathering which was to come together and love Amy.  And of course it was a blast.  

About 30 wonderful loving people all happy for Amy's Journey to New York showed up with food and drink to share.  My little brother and I had a blast cooking together.  And we got to roll the furniture around to open the house.

The theme was Mexican.

Drinks

Arturo brought Sangrita and Tequila

Jackie brought Mojitos

Beer and Wine

Lots of Pellegrino

Appetizers

Seviche with Homemade Chips

Guacamole

Salsa

Grilled Corn with Mayo, Chili Powder, Feta and Lime

Dinner

Homemade Corn Tortilla (Roberto and Alana)

A delicious Squash Filing (Roberto and Alana)

Smokey Pork Filling

Grilled Achiote Fish

The Trimmings for Tacos

Black Beans (Olivia)

2 Delicious Rice Dishes (Amber and Elizabeth)

Chili Cornbread (Meghan)

Lots of wonderful Green Salads (Jacqui, Sara, Jim)

Deserts

Flan (Allison)

Chocolate Cake (Amy)

Homemade Chocolate and Vanilla Ice Cream (Amy)

Lulu Bandha's 6th Birthday Party

We gathered to sing to Lulu and eat well.
At 3:00 or so Uschi and Alana showed up and we tore up the kitchen.
Together we produced a feast. Creative spontaneous and totally inspired by the amazing vegetables that were picked for us that morning from Steve Sprinkle's honor farm and B.D.

Cocktail
Virgin Mojitos made with ginger, mint, lime, honey and sparking water.
Got the recipe from You Tube.
Jeff and Marcia put them together for everyone.

Grazing Menu
Olives baked in Wine with Garlic Herb Paste
Roasted Garlic and Sage White Bean Dip
Herb Jam
Hummus (from Betsy)
Baked Peppercorn Ricotta
Lavender Infused Feta baked and glazed with Balsamic Vinegar
Smoked Salmon with Creme Fresh Sauce
(the carrot scallion pancakes were originally meant to arrive at this stage, but they got pushed back to dinner)
Baked Pita Chips with Caraway, Fennel, and Spices
Tabbouleh (brought by Ashley and Amber)
Mushroom Vegetables Tarts made and brought by Elizabeth

Main Event
Grilled Rosemary Lemon Shrimp
Grilled Scallops with Fennel

Roasted Beets, Polenta and Greens served with a caramelized tomato Sauce (Uschi single handily pulled off the vegetarian entree)

Leeks simmered in Olive Oil

Carrot Scallion Pancakes with Shallot Yogurt Sauce

Butter Lettuce Salad with Herbs and Green Peppercorns Dressing


Desert
Olivia's Marzipan Cake with Strawberries and Mangos
Katherine's Pear Tartin
Allison's Rose Custard
Sara's Raw Chocolate Mouse
Ginger Ice Cream