Annual Awty Dinner

Cion and I catered a clients annual Awty dinner on Saturday. Cion provided the appetizers and plated the remaining entrees and dessert. I provided the drinks, played bartender and waiter. Drink menu included Champagne Cosmos, Pomegranate Martini's and Kachumber Kooler.

Here is the recipe for the Kooler:
Ingredients:
2 oz. Tanqueray 10 gin
2 half-inch round slices of cucumber
1 stalk cilantro leaves
1 1/2 tsp. green finger chilies
Simple syrup (recipe follows) or liquid sweetener
Instructions:
Fill mixing glass halfway with ice and add cucumber, cilantro and chilies.
Top off the glass with ice. Use a muddling tool to crush mixture to extract juices so they dribble into the ice.
Add Tanqueray 10 gin and a splash of simple syrup and shake well.
Strain drink into a double rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish rim with a single slice of cucumber.
Simple Syrup
Stir equal parts granulated sugar and water in a saucepan. Bring mixture to a boil and cool, then use the reduction to sweeten cold drinks. Refrigerate in an airtight container.

Menu for Annual Holiday Party

Every year I look forward to hosting a holiday wine and cheese. I enjoy the company, food and most of all the free flowing booze. I went to my all time favorite store Spec's off Smith last night and stocked up on assorted cheeses and meats for the event. I also purchased 2 bottles champagne, 2 bottles of Rhone and 2 Cab's for Saturday. Everyone always brings bottles to share and it's alot of fun to try peoples favorites.

The menu for this year includes:
Chipotle Glazed Pork Tenderloins
Smoked Gouda
Manchego
Summer Sausage
Soppreso
Proscuitto
Pepperoni Roll
2 Baked Bries (one with a mushroom wine reduction and the other is TBD)
Artichoke Spinach Puff Pastry
The standard veggie tray
Cupcakes

Breann is making Oreo Truffles, Jimmy is making his jalapeno poper dip and Adrianne is bringing homemade crackers, spinach dip and queso with sausage

Should be a great evening as always. Happy Holidays and Cheers!

Post Snow Blues

Two nights ago I woke up vowing to finally go on a diet. I meant it this time. That lasted a whole whopping 2 minutes till I realized it is the holiday season and it's party time. I swear I could lose weight if I just cut out the alcohol but what fun is that?

Is RSVP even understood anymore?

I just don't understand how you can send out almost 60 invitations and barely get back 15 RSVP's. What is wrong with people. How hard is it to pick up the phone or email and say I am sorry I can't make it or Yes I will be there? Nothing irritates me more. It's rude. Are you waiting for another offer to come in that is better than the invitation you just opened? Unbelievable.

Needless to say the RSVP count at the wedding shower was an embarrassment. Not only for me but I am sure it made the guests of honor sad. So today I went to the post office and mailed out 26 invites for a baby shower I am hosting at the end of the month. Let's see how many people RSVP out of this group. If I get less than 15% I am calling Miss Manners.

Crazy Themed Events and More!

Wow how pathetic am I? It's been all summer since I last posted. That's what happens when all of a sudden you are actually required to work for your paycheck. Let's see how do I pick up after my last post. Let's start with Cion.

Cion is still at Tracy Scott Salon and busy as ever. It's the start of his busy season which should make him very happy. He is also fast approaching his birthday on October 27. So if you are reading this and know my favorite person text him and send him good vibes for his upcoming day. Oh and he hasn't been cooking much just pouring concrete and of course drinking with me. Don't ask.

Here is a rundown of upcoming events I am hosting:

October 3 - Wedding Shower for Carl and Damian, Fall Themed
Menu: Sandwich Wraps, Spinach Dip served with crackers, Veggie Tray and Mini Quiche

October 17 - Monthly Supper Club Mediterranean Theme
I have appetizers so will probably do a hummus dip spread and cucumbers served with a mint yogurt and topped with a grilled shrimp

October 24 - Halloween Couples Baby Shower
Menu: Tea Sandwiches and a bunch of Halloween inspired finger foods

Secret Surprise Dinner Party for 14 people (still trying to play with menu, more on that later)
Ugh what do you cook for 14 people when it is teh same day as your puppies Halloween party?

November 14 - Renaissance Festival Camp Out for 30+
Old standy Burgers and Hotdogs

Turkey Day - 18 people
Brined Citrus Turkey with a champagne gravy, buttermilk mashed potatoes, slow cooked green beans, Cion's special recipe dressing, cranberries, brussel sprout coleslaw, deviled eggs, relish tray, pies, pies and more pies.

Tonight well I am craving a Filet. Wish we had a Sprouts here in Houston but unfortunately we do not so I will settle for Central Market. Maybe Dave will read this and also pick up a bottle of Joseph Phelps. I would but my local Specs closed down thanks to our wonderful City.

Cheers!

Back from Destin

I am officially back from vacation. Cion, Randy, Dave and I drove to Destin, FL with 3 dogs in a pathfinder. I have to say it was tight but comfortable. Both Cion and I packed too much but I think he wins with a whole duffel bag of shoes for the beach. Seriously the bag was 3 ft long full of shoes. Me, well I packed 6 pairs of flip flops. Mind you flip flops do not take up a whole duffel bag. Anyways, as a result we had bags on the roof of the car and in the back. The dogs were forced to sleep on the bags for a 10 hour drive. Poor things. People do NOT call PETA, they were fine.

Destin reminded me so much of Mexico. White sand beaches and clear, I mean crystal clear water. It was incredible. I was so impressed if I won the lotto I would buy a house down there. Only negative thing, okay 2 negatives, were you can't take dogs on the beach and it was very family friendly. Lots and lots of kids. You know I am allergic to them, right? Well I survived thanks to my alcohol supply.

Speaking of....funny story. It was Sunday and we were passing through Louisiana on way to Florida. I realized that you can buy liquor in LA anytime, day and even in gas stations. Well we crossed into Mississippi and I made Dave turn the car around and go back to LA so I could stock up. We stopped at the first grocery store and spent $200 for 4 days. Yes I know excessive but we drank every drop.

We spent 4 whole days laying by the beach, watching the waves and of course cooking. We made so much food I gained 5lbs on this trip. If I were to gain a trip on how much weight I gained this would probably be my most successful. Now vacation is officially over and I am back at work and my pants are to tight. Oh well at least I have wonderful memories.

Off for a Foodie Vacation

Off to Florida with Cion Ortega this month. The four of us will be hitting the road with our 3 puppies and driving to the panhandle area. Our only thought is food, from where we will eat to what are we cooking. We will be stopping in New Orleans one night for dinner at Mr. B's Bistro and breakfast at Cafe Dumonde, lunch at Central Grocery then on to Florida. We will be staying in Destin at a beach house with a full kitchen. We plan to make a bunch of food and drink enough that all the food will taste good.

In other news Cion has settled in really nicely at the Traci Scott Salon. He has a very comfortable room with great space to feel pampered in. I myself have changed jobs. I am really enjoying this new adventure. It has been the best start of a job I think I have ever had in my career. I truly hope this will last a long time.

Sorry for not posting. I hope to have some images from our foodie adventures soon.