So-Cal Bridal Shower

Our friend Nicole is so popular she is having multiple bridal showers throughout the country.  So, for her LA shower, we wanted to make everything uber-California.  The setting was a lush garden overlooking the city.  The luncheon menu was inspired by Nicole's favorite foods (avocado & cheese) and all that is fresh & Californian.  Who knew that there are so many varietals of avocado?!  After a generous tasting with an avocado man, I selected my favorites and came up with a trio of avocado for the hors d'oeuvres (see full menu below).  The Sir Prize avocados were a rich, creamy discovery; they joined the Santa Barbara spot prawns in the entree salad.  My favorite course was the cheese: individual cheese boards with Cali cheeses and accoutrements from the farmers market.  I guess I loved it all because I also want to mention the mini date shakes that were inspired by a road trip Greg & I took to Yosemite--so damn good.  Amy set a gorgeous table with hydrangeas and greens.  She used polaroid pics of Nicole and her groom-to-be, Jacob, throughout the day: on the invitation, food cards & menus.  Tucked in with their menu, guests got mad libs to fill out about Nicole & Jacob's past, present & future.  Perhaps the most California element of all was having a real deal cinematographer (Amy's husband David Jones) shoot a video version of the popular newlywed game (gorgeous light and a Laurel Canyon backdrop didn't hurt).  For the favor, we made bottles of jalapeno-mint simple syrup with the recipe to make the day's signature drink--California Love (aka, a spicy margarita).  It doesn't get more So-Cal than that!!  Note: This was one of those days where Amy nor I had our acts together to take many photos (and DJ wasn't around to take his pretty pics), so we've borrowed a few shots from guest/professional photographer Lauren Ross.  The good ones are hers!!).

The Menu

sips

california love

silver tequila, lime, jalapeno, mint

the nic & jake

vodka, cucumber, lime, simple syrup

tuscany here we come...

rhubarb compote, prosecco, lemon twist

snacks

a trio of avocado:

fuerte avo's avocado, lemon, red pepper flakes, sea salt on wheat toast

zutano avocado, dungeness crab, sticky rice, cucumber, sriracha & nori

crudites with hass avocado green goddess dressing

savory

california chopped salad:

santa barbara spot prawns, little gems, farm egg, sir prize avocado, beets, snap peas, apple-smoked bacon, persian cucumbers & citrus vinaigrette

california cheese board:

local honey, dried persimmons, candied walnuts, quince paste, santa rosa plums, fig jam, crackers & bread

sweet

mini date shakes

chocolate espresso cookies

chocolate covered gaviota strawberries

the favor

jalapeno mint simple syrups with recipe cards for the 'california love'

Cheese & Sparkling

Yes red wine is a delicious pairing for cheese.  But, I'm not crazy about drinking red wine during the day.  So for an afternoon party, say from 4-6, cheese and sparkling is a great option.  We did a bellini bar with prosecco and fresh fruit purees--raspberry, blackberry, mango & peach--where guests could help themselves.  While I'll always opt for the straight stuff, colorful fruit in pretty bottles makes for a nice presentation and it feels very Spring/Summer.  For the cheeses, I'm a big fan of sampling before buying, so I love to go to Joan's on Third and taste a few before making my selections.  In general, I aim for at least one sheep, one goat and one cow and then pick two more favorites.  I like a mix of hard & soft, rich & tangy, plus one with a little funk.  It's nice to buy something unexpected like a goat cheddar.  For accoutrements, the more the merrier: fig jam, candied walnuts, quince paste, dried fruits, fresh fruits, local honey and an assortment of crackers & bread (grilled is a nice touch).  The chalkboard cheese signs can be found here, but just writing the names of the cheeses directly onto the parchment paper also works.  Of all of the parties I've ever done, this might be the most 'make ahead' of them all.  In fact, cheeses should be out for at least a few hours to be especially delicious.  Everything is out before guests arrive and you can really enjoy your own fete.  

The Menu

sips

bellini bar

prosecco with raspberry, blackberry, mango & peach purees with fresh fruits for garnish

snacks

cheese board, walnuts, olives, dried stone fruit, honey, fig jam, quince paste, assorted crackers 

sweet

chocolate espresso cookies

strawberries with soured cream & brown sugar

It's A Girl

This food is pretty.  Bite sized.  Quaint.  Charming.  Appropriate for a baby shower, fitting for a tea.  But, if I'm honest, it's these gorgeous serving pieces that really elevate this whole spread.  I mean...assorted crystal cake stands change some wonder bread & cucumbers into a wow.  (Note, wonder bread is THE BEST for tea sandwiches).  So, while most of us can't run out and get dozens of these decorate trays--start collecting!  And for parties, transfer the idea of potlucking food, to potlucking cake stands.  It really makes a difference--especially for teas & showers.  Amy hung these handmade paper poufs above the buffet.  These photos don't do it justice--the quantity of her pink balls jammed together made a dramatic impact.  My menu was traditional tea time with a few highlights: watermelon radish tea sandwiches and lavender short bread.  The key ingredient in both: good butter!

 

 

  

 

The Menu

sips

pink champagne

tea selection: earl grey, english breakfast, ginger & mint

tea

cucumber & watercress tea sandwiches

watermelon radish & chive tea sandwiches

smoked salmon, cream cheese & dill on pumpernickel

prosciutto, fig jam & mint crostini

deviled quail eggs

steamed asparagus

currant scones

strawberry jam, orange marmalade & clotted cream

lemon chocolate tarts

raspberry & pistachio eton messes

earl grey cookies

lemon almond tea cake

carrot cake cookies

fresh strawberries

chocolate ganache bites

the favor

lavender shortbread & earl grey tea

Passover

I'm not Jewish. But, I have been dying to celebrate Jewish holidays for years. Specifically, I've been dying to cook food in theme with Jewish holidays. This year I got my big break: a Passover Seder. As a novice, I wanted to honor tradition (chopped liver) and still add my own twists (e.g. artic char gravlax instead of gefilte fish). Luckily, it wasn't my first time making matzo balls; this recipe for mini chive & leek matzo balls is a must try. Forming the balls with a teaspoon, plus a splash of ginger ale, makes for tiny, tender bites. I'm really not sure why this meal of unleavened bread gets such a bad rap. Flourless chocolate cake & meyer lemon olive oil cake, made with almond flour, are delicious desserts fit for any holiday. This year I spent my Easter weekend learning to make Charoset, and I found it inspiring. Passover is so rich with tradition and experiencing the preparation of the meal made me appreciate it all the more. Since I value my own food traditions so much, I want to continue to learn, and be inspired by, other cultures' culinary rituals. I love hearing about others' traditions so please share holiday & celebration ideas. A comment from a fellow blogger has already encouraged me to throw a Kentucky derby party, so please throw party ideas my way!!

The Menu

snacks

chicken liver pate & cornichons on matzo cracker

minted pea spread & radish on matzo cracker

deviled eggs with chives

fish

artic char gravlax, cucumber dill relish & beet horseradish

soup

mini chive & leek matzo ball soup with dill

main

braised beef short ribs, smashed fingerling potatoes & lemon roasted asparagus with horseradish crema

sweet

flourless chocolate ganache cake

meyer lemon olive oil cake with almond flour

coconut macarons with rhubarb compote & strawberries