A Fall Feast

Bridget, Jodi, Lynley & Andrea

Wow! This really is our favorite night of the month! Another gourmet success! We met at Bridget's place on Tuesday, October 7, 2008. We were all sad LS was away on business. Lynley started off the evening with three sensational appetizers: "Smoked Salmon in Endive Cups with Caviar", "Roasted Fingerling Potatoes with Gravlax, Sour Cream & Ostra Caviar", and "Grown Up Ham and Cheese Sandwiches". Jodi made a delicious "Marian's Salad" and Lara provided a yummy "Tomato and Garlic Focaccia". The main course by Bridget was "Lamb Kebabs with Couscous" from Barefoot Contessa at Home, and we polished off the evening with molten chocolate cakes by Andrea. Everything was superb!

Lara, Jodi, Lynley and Andrea

Smoked Salmon Salad in Endive Cups with Caviar ( left)

AND

Roasted Fingerling Potatoes with Gravlax, Sour Cream & Osetra Caviar (right)

Grown Up Ham and Cheese Finger Sandwiches

These were TASTY, and according to the recipe rather simple.

Marian's Salad

Looks beautiful and tastes wonderful too!

1 head Romaine lettuce

1 head Red Leafy lettuce

1 package bacon

3 to 4 sliced pears

1 package blue cheese crumbled

1 pomegranate or craisins

1 package walnuts (roast at 350 with 1 T butter for 25 minutes or can just toast plain)

Dressing:

1 cup sugar (Jodi said she used 1/2 cup)

1 tsp salt

1 tsp dry mustard

1/2 cup red wine vinegar

2/3 cup oil (can use olive oil, Jodi used veg oil)

1 tsp celery seed

3 green onions chopped

Blend the first four ingredients in a processor, then add the rest.

Lamb Kebabs with Couscous

So the Couscous is not really amazing to look at, but was quite tasty.

Tomato and Garlic Focaccia
 

1 pkg (10 oz) refrigerated pizza dough

2 T olive oil
2 cloves garlic, crushed in a garlic press

1/3 cup pre-crumbled feta cheese

1/2 cup thinly sliced tomato

course salt

Place a rack in the center of the oven and pre-heat to 400. Unroll the dough onto an ungreased rimmed baking sheet. Using your hands, form into an 11x7" rectangle. With your fingertips, make indentations all over the dough. Drizzle olive oil evenly over the dough. Scatter the garlic and feta cheese over the dough. Arrange the tomato slices evenly on top of the dough. Sprinkle salt over the tomatoes. Bake the focaccia until it is golden brown, 15-18 min. Remove the pan from the oven and when cool enough to handle, cut into squares, using a pizza cutter.

Molten Chocolate Cake Unfortunately Andrea did not bring the recipe with her tonight, but stay tuned, we'll get the recipe up! This is one you will definitely want to try!

The Mexican Fiesta

 

For our August 2008 gourmet group, we had a "Mexican Fiesta" at Laura Stevens'. We started off the night right with Margaritas (non-alcoholic of course) by Lynley! Our appetizer was a delicious "Tortilla Soup" by Jodi. Bridget made "Cool southwestern salad with corn and avocado" from Real Simple, LS brewed up some amazing "Pork Tacos", and "Spanish Rice" was provided by Lara. Of course Andrea made not one but two breads: "Corn Bread" and "Brown Sugar Rolls", and we finished off the night with "Cheesecake Flan" by Lynley. There was even something else special at the end of the night! A pinata - in the form of LS of course!

Tortilla Soup

1 Tbs olive oil

1 1/2 7 inch corn tortillas or 3 small (cut into 1 inch squares)

1 1/2 Tbs minced garlic

1 1/2 tsp minced jalapeno pepper without seeds

2 Tbs minced white onion

Heat oil and add all ingredients. Cook until tortillas are golden. Set aside.

Separately, in a soup pot:

24 oz can of diced tomatoes

1/3 cup white kernel corn

1 quart chicken stock

1 1/2 cups water

1 1/2 cups cumin

1 Tbs salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1/2 tsp chili powder

Bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add tortilla mixture. Puree in a blender. Put back on head and add 1 more cup of white kernel corn.

Serve with Monterey Jack Cheese, cilantro, and chips. Can also add chicken or black beans.
 

Cool Southwestern Salad with Corn and Avocado
1 small heads romaine lettuce, cut into bite-size pieces
1 15-ounce can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
2 ears corn, kernels cut off the cob (about 1 cup)
2 avocados, chopped
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
1/2 cup fresh cilantro sprigs
1/4 extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
Kosher salt and pepper
1/2 9-ounce bag tortilla chips
In a large bowl, combine the lettuce, beans, corn, avocados, onion, and cilantro.
In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, lime juice, cumin, 3/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Drizzle over the salad and toss. Serve with the tortilla chips.

Pork Tacos

1 Tbs brown sugar

1 tsp onion powder

1 Tbs Beef base (I don't think I always use this)

1/4 tsp. ground pepper

Pork Roast

juice of one fresh orange

2 Tbs soy sauce

2 Tbs cilantro

1 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp dried oregano

salt

1/2 cup water

juice of one fresh lime

Throw it all in the crock pot and serve it up. Shred it just a bit before ready to serve. Serve with white corn tortillas. Optional garnish: white onions, cilantro, avocado, guac, whatever.

Corn Bread

1 1/2 cups cornmeal

1/2 cup all purpose flour

1/4 cup vegetable oil or shortening

1 1/2 cups buttermilk

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

2 eggs

Heat oven to 450 degrees. Grease 9 inch round pan, or square pan 8x8, or 10-inch ovenproof skillet. Mix all ingredients. Beat vigorously 30 seconds. Pour into pan. Bake round or square pan 25 to 30 minutes, skillet about 20 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm. 12 pieces.

 

Brown Sugar Rolls

1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar

1/3 cup vegetable shortening

2 teaspoons salt

1 3/4 cups hot water

1 package active dry yeast

Dash of granulated or dark brown sugar

1/2 cup warm water (105 to 115 degrees)

2 cups whole wheat flour

3 3/4 to 4 cups all-purpose flour

1 egg, slightly beaten

Brown Sugar glaze (1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar and 2-3 tsp water, mixed until of spreading consistency.)

Place brown sugar, lard and salt in large bowl. Stir in 1 3/4 cups hot water until brown sugar is dissolved. Dissolve yeast and granulated sugar in 1/4 cup warm water; stir into brown sugar mixture. Beat in whole wheat flour and enough all-purpose flour to make dough stiff enough to knead. Turn dough onto lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. Place in greased bowl; turn greased side up. Cover; let rise in warm place until double, about 2 hours. (Dough is ready if indentation remains when touched.) Line 2 cookie sheets with aluminum foil; grease. Punch down dough. Turn onto lightly floured surface; knead until smooth. shape into roll, 10 inches long; cut into 10 slices. Shape each slice into smooth ball. Place on foil0covered cookie sheets; flatten into circles, 3 1/2 to 4 inches in diameter. Cover; let rise until double, about 30 minutes.

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Brush rolls with egg. Spread Brown Sugar Glaze on centers of rolls. ?Make diagonal or crisscross cuts in tops of rolls with tip of sharp knife. Bake until rolls are brown and sound hollow when taped, 20-25 minutes. Immediately remove rolls; cool on wire racks.

 

Spanish Rice

1/2 lb bacon

1 1/2 large onions, chopped

2 cups bell pepper, diced

2 cans diced tomatoes, not seasoned

2 cups instant rice

1 cup shredded jack cheese

Fry up the bacon. Drain, crumble, and set aside. To the drippings, add the onion and bell pepper. Saute until tender. Add tomatoes and salt and pepper to taste. Add rice, two cups of water, and bacon to a buttered 9x13 pan. Make sure the rice and liquid are equal parts. Add a few more bacon drippings to taste. allow a little space at the top for rice to expand - use two dishes if necessary. Scatter the cheese on top and bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes.

July '08 Gourmet Group

   
The Gourmet Girls met at Lara Dixon's on Tuesday, July 15, 2008 for another fantastic meal together. The evening began with dipping veggies in Bridget's "Green Herb Dip" (Barefoot Contessa at Home). Once we were seated in Lara's beautiful backyard, we had "Strawberry Gazpacho" (The Domestic Diva's Party Cookbook) - pretty much awesome. We then sliced into Lynley's heavenly croissants and scooped on some of Lara's delicious "Rosemary Chicken Salad" (Cooking Light). Andrea's "Roasted Eggplant and Prosciutto Salad" was the perfect side dish. And as if we hadn't already eaten enough, Jodi spoiled us with a "French Banana Cake" from Favorites. Apparently LS's job is more important to her that eating, so unfortunately she was not able to join us this month. :(

Green Herb Dip

8 oz cream cheese at room temperature

1/2 cup sour cream, at room temperature

1/2 cup good mayonnaise

3/4 cup chopped scallions, white & green parts

1/4 cup chopped fresh flat parsley

1 tablespoon fresh chopped dill

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

Blend all together in food processor.

Serve with fresh vegetables. 

Strawberry Gazpacho
1 quarts strawberried, rinsed, hulled, and halved
1 ripe mango, pitted, peeled, and diced
2 kiwis, peeled and diced
1/4 cup sugar, or sugar to taste
1 cup white grape juice
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1/2 cup vanilla low fat yogurt
Dice the one cup strawberries; combine in a small bowl with mango and kiwi. Reserve and refrigerate 1/2 cup. Puree remaining halved strawberries with the sugar in food processor until smooth. Pour into a bowl; stir in grape juice, lime juice, and remaining diced fruit. Refrigerate at least two hours, or up to one day. To serve, ladle gazpacho into individual bowls. Top with yogurt and reserved fruit.

Roasted Eggplant and Prosciutto Salad

French Banana Cake

Summer BBQ at Laura's

Okay, so the food looks half-eaten in this picture, but it really was amazing. Again, not an "official" gourmet night, but a BBQ hosted by one of the gourmet ladies. LS put on a fabulous spread on Saturday, June 28, 2008. The "Perfect Guac" recipe is listed on the June 3rd blog entry, where you will also find a link to "Charred Corn Salad". Word on the street is you will find those cupcakes in a Salt Lake bakery in the near future. Here are a couple of snapshots of friends and recipes for other tasy dishes of the evening.

 

Sour Cream Bundt Cake

2 cubes butter
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
8 oz sour cream
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
Cream together the butter, sugar, eggs, sour cream and vanilla. Then add 2 cups flour and baking powder. Mix thoroughly. Grease bundt pan and sprinkle half mixture of 1 tablespoon sugar and 1 tsp cinammon in the bottom (I use a little more). Fill pan with half of the batter, then another layer of sugar mixture, then remaining batter. Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes, take knife around edges and flip onto cake platter. 

Grapes and Pasta Salad

(same salad Andrea made for gourmet night August '07)
1/3 cup seasoned rice vinegar

1/4 cup honey

1 TBS lemon juice

1-2 tps onion (grated onion)

1 tsp Sweet Hungarian Paprika

1 tsp celery

3/4 cup light vegetable or canola oil

salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

12 oz bow tie pasta, cooked & well-drained

1 pound baby salad greens

1 cup seedless red or green grapes, halved

3-4 green onions cut diagonally into 1 inch pieces

1/2 cups toasted pine nuts

salt and gresh ground pepper to taste

1/4 cup Parmesan or asiago cheese, shredded

Mandarin oranges (optional)

(Can also add cooked chicken to make it more of a meal)

Place 1st eight ingredients in blender and blend at medium speed until all is blended. Place in small container and refrigeratre until ready to serve.

In a large salad bowl, combine the next 5 ingredients and toss well. Sprinkle shredded cheese over all, toss with dressing just before serving.

Bridget's Summer Kick-Off BBQ

Although not an official "gourmet group" it seems appropriate to mention the evening of Friday, June 13, 2008 since 5 out of the 6 "gourmet girls" were in attendance and all brought very tasty dishes! (Plus, we have to post the recipe for Lara's amazing "Mint Brownies"!) The main course (by Bridget) was BBQ'd kabobs with marinated tri-tips and chicken, peppers, zucchini, pineapple, tomatoes and mushrooms. Lynley made a fabulous mixed greens salad with strawberries and candied almonds, Jodi made her delicious brie appetizer, and L.S.'s "Perfect Guac" may have been the hit of the night! Okay, it was a toss up between the brownies and the guac. (See guac recipe in June 3rd entry). Too bad we didn't take any pictures of the food.

LS and Bridget

"The McBrides" Sister-in-law Whitney & Bro Dustin, Mom & Bridget
(http://mymcbride.blogspot.com/)

Lara’s Amazing Mint Brownies
Brownie Part:
2 ¼ cubes margarine
12 large T cocoa powder
3 3/4 c sugar
7 eggs
2 t vanilla
3 c flour
1/3 t salt
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt margarine and put in kitchen aid. Slowly add cocoa powder (while mixer is on), then add sugar and eggs (one at a time). Beat until smooth. Add vanilla, flour and salt and mix for 1-2 minutes. Pour into greased cookie sheet (jelly roll pan). Bake at 350 for 25 minutes (mine oven is exactly this time) and let completely cool on a cooling rack.
Mint frosting:
1/2 c margarine (cubed)
2 c powdered sugar
2 T milk
1 t peppermint extract
4 drops green food coloring
Melt butter and put in kitchen aid. Stir in all other ingredients and make sure nothing is stuck to bottom of mixing bowl. Pour evenly onto cooled brownies.Chocolate frosting:1 1/2 cubes butter1 1/2 c semisweet choc. chips. In a saucepan, melt butter then add choc chips; stirring continuously until all the way melted. Pour over mint frosting (green frosting does not need to cool down). Place in fridge to set up until 10 minutes before serving.

Brie in Puff Pastry by Jodi (also served at Feb '08 gourmet night)

2 pound wheel of Brie cheese

1 package frozen Pepperidge Farm puff pastry

1 egg, separated

Brown sugar

Chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, or hazelnuts)

Cut wheel of Brie in half horizontally. Sprinkle on brown sugar and chopped nuts. Replace top of the Brie. Place Brie on one sheet of the pastry. Beat the egg white with a fork and brush onto the cheese and pastry. Place the other sheet of pastry on top of the cheese, cutting off excess pastry. Wrap bottom pastry up to top and crimp edges to enclose cheese completely. Beat the egg yolk with a fork and brush over top and sides of pastry. Place on baking sheet and bake at 425 degrees for 30 minutes, or until lightly browned. Remove, and let stand for 10 minutes before serving. Serve with apples, sliced French baguette, grapes, etc.

Let's BBQ!

June 3, 2008 - Tonight was pure eating heaven. We had an amazing dinner in Andrea's beautiful backyard, where I believe we all ate more than we thought humanly possible. L.S. fully redeemed herself with "Perfect Guacomole" and a tasty "Charred Corn Salad" (William Sonoma) for our appetizers. Lara brought a yummy "Potato Salad", Lynley some very fancy "Stuffed Artichokes" (perhaps not our favorite), and Jodi treated us to "Peasant Bread" (Favorites). Andrea's main course was Cedar-Plank Grilled Salmon with a yummy maple glaze. We polished off the evening with Bridget's "Berry Trifle" (Food Newtork) and a Lemon Yogurt Cake (from Barefoot Contessa at Home). We were entertained by Andrea's adorable children and a "Gourmet Girls Photo Session" by her husband James. We all concurred that Gourmet Group is definitely our favorite night of the month!

Quote of the Evening: "Cuz if you can't find it at Costco, you must not really need it."

The Berry Trifle!

Lynley, Lara, Jodi, L.S., and Andrea

Bridget & Lynley

Perfect Guacamole
1 jalapeno chili seeded and chopped
1/3 c. cilantro chopped
1/4 c. chopped sweet onion
1/2 t. salt
2 ripe avocados
1 plum tomato
lime juice to taste

Chop and mix.

Cooking Class

Lynley and Bridget (that's me) decided it would be fun to take a cooking class together. We attended "Your Best Barbeque" by Sara Voortmeyer at "The Finishing School" (http://www.thefinishingschoolslc.com/). We learned how to make three BBQ sauces, "Best Ribs", "Better than the best Potato Salad" and "Banana Cream Pie". Sara also teaches classes at Thanksgiving Point. We had a great time learning "tips of the trade" from Sara and decided the BBQ sauces were definitely our favorite part of the evening.

Check out "Sara's Secrets": http://svoortmeyer.blogspot.com/