Sunday, October 3, 2010

FOOD, FUN & ALL THAT JAZZ - A Virtual Dinner Invitation

To escape the record breaking temperatures of Los Angeles this past week (and my non-air-conditioned home), YOU are cordially invited to (virtually) attend a 1920's Lawn Dinner Party.

(Challenge #3 in the FoodBuzz Next Food Blogger Star Challenge: Luxury Dinner Party to be interpreted and posted by 200 chosen bloggers and voted on by YOU - Oct. 4-8, 2010
)

Luxury, like beauty, is in the eyes of the beholder.

Behold... a luxurious spread of culinary adventures including Lemonade, spiked (with thyme & mint), homemade pickles, jams and Farmer's Market "last of the season" vegetation slathered in herbs and oils. Haricots Verts and Roasted Cherry Tomatoes w/Herbal Vinaigrette (recipe below)

Tea Smoked Chicken Scrap Salad in Cheddar Lace Cups (salad recipe here)

Chipotle Corn and Bacon (recipe below)

And foreign inspired desserts (don't tell the Feds.)
Gatsby Chilled Orange Bowls w/ Mixed Berry Mousse, & Coffee w/Raspberry Ganache French Macarons

Here's the "whole deck o' cards"
Lay back on our blankets, protected from the 5PM sun by a gauzy white sky, and let our musically talented friends tickle your auditory canals with vintage tunes and sinful JAZZ.
Everyone will get a basket of their own utensils, plates and napkins. And, please remember that Prohibition is in affect, so bring a flask at your own risk.
It's always fun with a lawn full of Joe Palookas and Skirts, enjoying a little jorum of skee, just so nobody gets zozzled. Ya know what I mean?

If you've virtually enjoyed this afternoon and would like to RSVP (read that: VOTE for ShowFoodChef) - why, I'd be literally thrilled and grateful. You may do so starting Monday morning Oct. 4th til Friday, Oct. 8th, 2010 by clicking on my FoodBuzz profile pic, and I thank you.

Also, if you would like to throw your own themed fun and food event, I've included a few recipes below and a couple helpful hints. I'd love to be invited (virtually or otherwise) to your soiree.
RECIPE: Chipotle Corn and Bacon
(serves 4)

3 ears of fresh corn, (remove kernels from the cobs for recipe)
3 stripes of bacon (cut into about 1 inch pieces)
1 chipotle pepper (dried, reconstituted in a cup of boiling water, chopped)
1 tsp. ground chipotle chili pepper
2 oz. (1/4 cup) of heavy cream
2 oz. (1/4 cup) of water (if needed)
salt/pepper for extra seasoning

1) In a large skillet, cook bacon pieces until crisp. Carefully pour-off extra bacon fat (reserve for buttermilk dressing on cole slaw).
2) Pour corn into the skillet with the bacon and cook while stirring for 2 minutes.
3) Add the chipotle pepper and stir, again, to incorporate.
4) Add the cream and stir until thickened. Season to taste. Pour into a serving dish.

*Can be served warm or chilled
RECIPE: Haricot Verts and Roasted Cherry Tomatoes with Herbal Vinaigrette
(serves 4)

1 pint cherry tomatoes

1 lb. Haricot Verts (can use french or traditional green beans)

Several stems of fresh thyme or tarragon

1/4 - 1/2 cup olive oil

3 Tbls. Balsamic Vinegar

2 Tbls. Brown sugar

salt/pepper


Slice Cherry tomatoes in half and spread on a parchment covered sheet pan. Drizzle with olive oil and toss in a few sprigs of thyme or tarragon. Roast in 350F oven for 10 mins. Remove and let cool. Tomatoes can be prepared ahead and held in refrigerator.
Blanche Green beans in boiling water for 3 minutes, Shock in Cold ice water, and drain. Blanched beans can be held covered in refrigerator for 2 days before using in the recipe. For the Vinaigrette: In a small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, Balsamic Vinegar, a handful of chopped herbs (I love tarragon), and a pinch of salt and pepper. Gradually whisk in Olive oil until mixture thickens. In a large serving bowl, toss together the greens, tomatoes and vinaigrette - serve room temp. or chilled.


Thanks for reading!


44 comments:

Inspired by eRecipeCards said...

A fabulous post, and I would love to attend... will be back to vote for this winner... good luck

Karen (Toronto Girl West) said...

Are you serious!?!?!? I thought I was looking at a spread from Martha Stewart!

UNREAL!!!!!!!!!!! AMAZING!!!!!!!!

Morgan @ Life After Bagels said...

Love and love and love . . . you totally did luxury lady, hats off to you, and you are getting my vote :)

Eileen said...

Wow! Your food looks delicious, and the atmosphere - awsome. Just one question, well two - When's the next party? And am I invited? You got my vote!

Cheryl@BlackGirlChefsWhites said...

Can I get an invite to the next one? Great post and fantastic looking party!

Inspired by eRecipeCards said...

All Voted... Good Luck!!!

Dave

RhodeyGirl said...

Had to vote for you! Your party looks like it was beautiful. I can't believe you were able to organize all that AND get blessed with sunshine in such a short time frame. Best of luck! You're tough competition!!!

Sippity Sup said...

Such a great way to beat the heat! I threw my party during that same heat wave. GREG

Lindsey @ Hot Polka Dot said...

I love your vintage theme and how you stayed true to it! The food looks lovely as well as how you presented it. You have my vote!

Meseidy said...

Beautiful party! Love the old school picnic feel of it. Hope to see you in the next round!

Anonymous said...

I will be attending; thanks ever so much!

You certainly have one of my votes--lovely post, mouthwatering menu!

Danielle said...

Love the tablescape and the 1920's theme is too cute! Good luck in round 3!

Amy (Sing For Your Supper) said...

What a cute party! The food looks amazing! You've got my vote!

jen cheung said...

VOTEDDDDDDD! Good luck! Wish you all the best!

jen @ www.passion4food.ca

Julie @ Willow Bird Baking said...

What a truly beautiful setup, and a fun event! You get a vote from me!

My dinner party was designed to take the diner food from Gooch's diner, where my parents first met over 40 years ago, and elevate it to luxury for their 39th wedding anniversary. Come see if you'd like :)

Unknown said...

This post is the bees knees! Something about recreating past aristocracy is too much fun, everything you served looks beautiful. Looking forward to your next post, you've got our vote!

Lauren Fister said...

Fun party!! The only person you were missing was Nucky Thompson ;)

Jacob's Kitchen said...

Everything looks perfect! And most importantly it looks like it was a lot of fun. I voted for you!

Good luck! Fingers crossed that we both make it through to the next round! =)

Lana said...

WOW! What a party! I cannot imagine a better way to beat the heat (I escaped to NorCal to visit my College Kritter at Cal:)!
I love your theme and the spread. I am looking forward to reading the previous posts. Always fun to discover another kindred spirit close by.
You got my vote! Good luck!

The Duo Dishes said...

You did a FABULOUS job with this challenge! You pulled out the big guns actually. And your tips are helpful as well. Very impressed and definitely voting for you!

Joanne Choi said...

Great party and I love your presentation and photographs! How fun! I voted for you. I hope you make it to the next round.bar

Spicy Green Mango said...

Wow! So festive and fun! Definitely a winning combo and I love the picnic baskets, tablescape and vintage attire. You got my vote!

Natty said...

What a difference a few days make! I wanted to have our dinner outside but by then, the thunder clouds had rolled in, so I moved my canopy inside. We both rolled with the wild LA weather! I love that you had live music! Beautiful work!

Daydreamer Desserts said...

I'm in... and not just because macarons are on the menu! ;) You've got my vote babe!

Debi (Table Talk) said...

The setting is fantastic. I love the vintage feel & casual picnic style~automatically makes the guests feel relaxed and at home, surrounded by fabulous food!

Unknown said...

Love the theme of your party. The food looks delicious and you got my vote. Good luck!

Jeanne said...

A wonderful virtual party to attend! All of the food looks spectacular, and I love the style! Nothing beats live music and great food on a sunny afternoon.

Whitney said...

I love love love it! RSVP for me!

http://whitneysamusebouche.blogspot.com/
Whit

Megan@foodalution.com said...

A hoot! An absolute hoot! ♥ it and you have my vote! - megs

Queen of Cuisine said...

So creative and tasty- I have to send a vote your way! Great post. I look forward to your next one.

Lisa.

We Are Not Martha said...

I love how you decorated your menu!! The whole party looks awesome... Super relaxed, but luxurious at the same time :) Good luck!!

Sues

Jessica said...

Wow! What an amazing set up! Hope we both make it to the next round! :-) You have my vote!

Lindsey @ FRESH AIR + FRESH FOOD said...

Swell! Love the sinfully stylish jazz band! Hope to make it to the next round with you - loved your ideas!

shaz said...

What a fun party, with dress-ups! Yay! Yes, I'm rsvp-ing to this :)

Anonymous said...

Great post! I love that you had live music. Swanky!

Stay-At-Home-Chef said...

What a fun concept for a dinner party...well done! Hope to join you in round four :)

Amelia PS said...

I'm in!!! It's so beautiful. RSVP, and voted.

(see my entry here: http://www.foodbuzz.com/project_food_blog/challenges/3/view/1094)

Allison said...

Love the theme and setting- great job!

Daily Spud said...

Who could refuse an invitation like that? It looks positively decadent! RSVPing now :)

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness!!! I LOVE THIS IDEA!!! Having people dress up, and just get in the character of how things were (prohibition times hehehe) is always so much fun. I had my guests do the same--vintage, Italian, or both inspired :D I think it really makes the guests feel special and more apart of the occasion. Your menu sounds just as fun as the soiree itself. You've got my vote for sure!

XO best of luck!

Butter said...

This is great! I have always wanted to do a lawn party...but live in NYC in an apartment so lawns are hard to come by lol. So I loved coming to your virtual party thanks for inviting me! I had a great time, learned some tips and enjoyed the visual feast!! And the lemonade was quite refreshing thank you. I hope your guests don't talk about me too much when I leave because I hovered around the dessert table for so long :). Nice touch with the Jazz...how fabulous! Now I am all packed up and ready to vote!
- Butter
(fron Running On Butter)

Charmaine @ Speakeasy Kitchen said...

Brilliant! Looks like this party was the cat's meow!

Anonymous said...

What an original idea! I love the jazz theme :) I can't believe you pulled this all off so quickly... Great job!

Mariko said...

That is so cute. You had JAZZ at your party. That is amazing.