Après Fête

October 21, 2011

Oktoberfest

My miniature dachshund George (girl George) is the light of my life. What is a better way to celebrate her and her German heritage than with an Oktoberfest party? A drunken weekend at the real deal in Munich inspired my classic menu: sausages, sauerkraut, soft pretzels and plenty of mustards. And the farmers market inspired my asian pear applesauce which begged to be paired with potato pancakes, creme fraiche & chives. My husband Greg (aka George's dad) mixed fall cocktails (crowd favorite: 'the lederhosen' with muddled cranberry, apple cider, ginger beer, lemon & gin) and of course we also had a hefty selection of Oktoberfest beers. Amy set a beautiful table, shying away from a kitschy interpretation of the theme, instead focusing on all things October: white pumpkins, fall foliage, and greenery. Always the theme-a-holic, I managed to slip in a detail of kitsch with pretzel shortbread, tied up with red, black and yellow, for favors. You have one more week: celebrate Oktoberfest!

The Menu

sips

the lederhosen

cranberry, apple cider, ginger beer, lemon, gin

the munich

hard cider, applejack brandy, dry vermouth, bitters, orange twist

das biers

franziskaner: hefe-weisse & hefe dark

ayinger: ur-weisse & weizen-bock

avery kaiser: oktoberfest

snacks

radishes, butter, sea salt

smoked trout, creme fraiche & dill on pumpernickel

wild mushroom crostini with thyme

hard cheese, gherkins, german dijon & salami on rye crisps

dinner

sausages: bockwurst, knackwurst, andouille & hungarian

with sauerkraut

soft pretzels

mustard assortment: sweet hot, stoneground, horseradish, sweet bavarian & extra hot!

potato pancakes with asian pear-applesauce, sour cream & chives

red cabbage braised in vinegar with caraway seeds

spicy greens with lemon and peppery extra virgin olive oil

sweets

apple streudel ala mode with caramel sauce

black forest cake

haribo gummy bears

favor

pretzel shortbread

October 15, 2011

Solar System Soiree

When I asked my friend Seth if he wanted a theme for his birthday dinner, I did not anticipate his response: the solar system. While at first stumped, a chat with my brilliantly nerdy friend David and a trip to the library revealed fun facts about each planet, as well as plenty of mythological references. These findings inspired a ten course menu with each course themed around the sun and nine planets. For appetizers--the introduction to the meal--I thought back to children's introduction to the solar system (e.g. Goodnight Moon and wishing upon stars) for inspiration. Along the way I remained mindful of Seth's favorite foods and flavors. Amy's decor started with a hanging mobile of the solar system and stayed in theme with plenty of star and planet motifs. With a blue and white color palette, Amy did graphic floral arrangements and iron-on napkins with an explanation of the planets. At each place setting, we gave guests their horoscope and astrological character description. And, of course, all guests went home with neapolitan astronaut ice cream; what would a space party be without it!?

The Menu

snacks

a child's introduction to space

"The Big Dipper"

always better with dip

herb salad rolls with peanut hoison dip & spicy vietnamese dip

"When You Wish Upon A Star"

wish-bone...shapes

open faced thanksgiving sandwiches

"The Big Bear"

inspired by what a bear eats...

smoked salmon & berry caviar on potato chip

"Falling Stars"

1/5 star anise

chinese five spiced nuts

"Good Night Moon...Cow Jumping Over The Moon"

a cow becomes...

air cured beef wrapped around asian pear, manchego, fig jam & mint

dinner

a meal inspired by 9 planets & the sun

"PLUTO: The God of the Underworld"

technically a dwarf planet...potatoes grow underground...amuse bouche

mini baked potato with melted cheddar, rosemary & creme fraiche

"MARS: The God of War"

the red planet...hot versus cold

duo of tomato sorbet & tomato soup

"VENUS: The Goddess of Love & Beauty"

earth's evil sister...because the birthday boy has two least favorite foods

pan roasted asparagus with caramelized diver scallops

"NEPTUNE: God of Water & Sea"

fish swim in liquid

black cod with miso broth and shitake mushrooms

"EARTH: Mother of Mountains, Valleys & Streams"

life...mother and child...vegetation

cold smoked chicken, slow poached egg, steamed rice & pickled cucumbers

"THE SUN: Light, Heat & Energy"

colors of the sunset...too hot to handle

inedibly spicy yellow curry with red peppers, carrots & corn

"URANUS: Lord of the Skies"

flying

pomegranate glazed quail on a bed of wild arugula & pomegranate seeds

"MERCURY: Messenger of the Gods"

made of iron...full of craters

grilled rib-eyes with crater lake blue cheese

"JUPITER: King of the Gods"

the largest planet...90% hydrogen...carbohydrates are mainly hydrogen...stormy

giant chocolate-chocolate chip cookie with clouds of whipped cream

"SATURN: God of Agriculture"

seven rings

seven flavors of cake doughnuts: cinnamon spice, citrus, maple, milk chocolate, old fashioned, sugar with rainbow sprinkles, dark chocolate with chocolate jimmies

October 12, 2011

Chicken & Waffles

I recently watched a marathon of Mildred Pierce on HBO on demand. This created a die hard craving for chicken and waffles. So, I had to have a party. This classic combo is delicious no matter what (Roscoe's anyone?), but making it at home feels especially luxurious. Once again, Thomas Keller's Buttermilk Fried Chicken recipe from Ad Hoc is a show stopper (that lemon brine is magical!). And since everything is better with buttermilk, I put it in the waffles too. Add some pies into the mix (another Mildred Pierce induced craving) and you've got a perfect night!