May 2009 Gourmet Night

I'm on a roll! Can you believe it? I'm posting May's gourmet events before June has even happened! (Unfortunately due to crazy schedules and traveling gourmet members, we did not meet in April).

The evening of May 12, 2009 was another feeding frenzy at Miss Jodi's. We started off the evening with some crazy appetizer by Andrea which we could not get enough of (see pictures). Lynley provided a delicous Salad with Warm Goat Cheese AND Strawberry Pretzel Squares. Bridget's side was a cold Cous Cous salad and Jodi seared up some amazing Ahi Tuna! For desert we all indulged in Lara's fabulous Strawberry Cake! Since Laura Steven's spot is semi-permanently vacanct we all voted in a new member of gourmet girls, Raquel Carter! Welcome Raquel! We can't wait for you to join us next month!

Andrea, Jodi, Bridget & Lynley

Bridget, Jodi, Lynley & Lara

Bridget & Jodi shoving their faces with appetizers.

Lynley looking beautiful.

Our hostess, Jodi having her way with the Strawberry Pretzel Squares!

Yummy Appetizer

(you can bug Andrea for the recipe)

Seared Ahi Tuna

and Cous Cous Salad

2 boxes cous cous (I like the pine nut flavor)

2-3 stalks of celery, finely chopped

2-3 green onions, finely chopped

2 Roma tomatoes, finely chopped

2 Avocados, finely chopped

Cook the cous cous according to the directions on the box. Let cool and chill. Mix with the above ingredients and toss with a little balsamic vinegar just before serving. Very tasty and very easy! (I credit Lori Paulsen with this one!)

Salad with Warm Goat Cheese

Strawberry Cake

1 box white cake mix

1 3 oz box strawberry flavored gelatin

1 10 oz package frozen whole strawberries w/o syrup, thawed and pureed

4 large eggs

1/2 cup oil

1/4 cup water

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease two 9" pans. In large bowl, combine cake mix and gelatin. Add pureed strawberries, eggs, oil and water. Beat well and pour into prepared pans. Bake until toothpick comes out clean, 28-30 minutes. Cool completely. Frost with strawberry cream cheese frosting. Decorate with fresh strawberries.

Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

12 oz cream cheese, softened

4-5 oz pureed strawberries

1/2 cups soft butter

1/4 cups whipping cream whipped

About 7 cups powdered sugar