JUNE DINNER PARTY

A recent bachelorette dinner party at a mountain location.

"It was a delicious and relaxing meal. Appreciated Phyllis checking the kitchen out beforehand and planning a menu that fit the tastes of my sister and 11 friends for a wonderful bachelorette weekend!"

Here is the menu:

Olive Tapenade Crostini

Caprese Skewers

Fresh & Smoked Salmon Cake

on Composed Salad

Chorizo

Vegetarian: Potato & Chive Cake

Pickled Red Onion

Lemon vinaigrette

Creamy mustard sauce

Braised Cornish Hen

White Wine, Olives, Tomato, Rosemary

Vegetarian: Stuffed Zucchini & Tomato

with Couscous & Pistachio Oil

Mushroom Risotto

Asparagus with Noisette Butter

Yellow Butter Cake

with Strawberry Coulis

Whipped Cream

Chocolate dipped Strawberry

Toasted Almonds

Mint

For those of you interested, here is my grocery list:

Photographs to follow.

NEXT CLASS APRIL 23RD

KNOW ANYONE WHO IS DIABETIC?

YOU MIGHT WANT TO TELL THEM ABOUT THIS CLASS.

We'll explore the options of a diabetic-friendly pantry and an unprocessed food diet with many plant-based options. The recipes are geared to spring ingredients with new potatoes, asparagus, chicken tostadas, a couple of fish recipes and the use of fresh herbs and spices. All quick and delicious. For the second session you'll pick ingredients you want to use and we'll create some personal favorites.

Bring an apron, your favorite knife, a container or two and a kitchen towel.
Class fee $69 plus $20 food fee payable to instructor

Two sessions April 23rd & 30th

Maximum students: 10

Where: Ulster Boces, 319 Broadway (9W), Port Ewen, NY
Call to register: 845-331-5050
www.ulsterboces.org

WHAT I'M COOKING TOMORROW

Since I haven't been showing you what I am cooking lately...I am listing what I'm cooking for a client tomorrow. You can also see how they are packaged. Photos below:

Chicken Breast stuffed with Prosciutto and Herb Garlic Cheese

with a Lemon Sauce

Quinoa Pilaf with Shiitakes, Carrots, and Pecans

Soy-roasted Salmon

Asparagus and Beets with Goat Cheese

In the refrigerator

Beef and Sauce Stuffed Eggplant with Bechamel Sauce

Sauteed Broccoli and Tomatoes

and a Mixed Green Salad with Green Goddess Dressing 

(no photos)

JULIA CHILD'S 100th BIRTH DAY

In honor of Julia Child's birth day here is a menu for an Informal Dinner from her cookbook, Julia Child & Company:

Beautiful ingredients prepared with loving care but little effort: this simple menu is an example of the wisdom and sane good taste of civilized cookery.

Menu

Asparagus Tips in Puff Pastry, Lemon butter Sauce

Casserole Roast of Veal with Carrots and Celery Hearts

Wok Saute of Grated Zucchini and Fresh Spinach

Floating Island

Suggested wines

A light white wine with the first course, like a Chablis, Chardonnay, or dry Riesling

A red Bordeaux or Cabernet Sauvignon with the veal

A Champagne or sparkling white wine with the dessert

Bon appetit!

VALENTINE'S DAY EROTIC FOOD LORE

 Get ready for Valentine's Day 
with a bit of Erotic Food Lore

I didn't make this up, really.

Oysters: documented as aphrodisiac by Romans. Resemble genitals.

Avocado: “Ahuacuati” trans.: testicles tree. Resembles genitals.

Almond: passion and fertility. Aroma said to excite women.

Prawns: Shellfish considered aphrodisiac

Walnuts: Romans again - threw walnuts at weddings - believed they held powers of fertility

Garlic: healing aid and stimulant. Dedicated to Ceres - goddess of fertility

Truffles: Stimulate and sensitize the skin to touch

Pomegranate: the love apple

Honey: Guards against sterility and impotence and stimulates and strengthens

Ginger: Oil enlivens and stimulates body and mind

Aniseed: Greeks and Romans believed it had special powers. 
Sucking on seed increases desire.

Celery Seed: Stimulates pituitary gland and releases good scent

Asparagus: Phallic shape

Arugula: added to grated orchid bulbs and parsnip.

Vanilla: Scent increases lust, especially with chocolate

Pine Nuts: Rich in Zinc. Used in love potions

Saffron: stimulates erogenous zones, excess causes uncontrollable laughter

Chocolate:  the king of aphrodisiacs. “Nourishment of the gods”

Gold: Stimulant and fortifier

Strawberries and Raspberries: invite love. Described as erotic ‘fruit nipples’

Bananas: erotic shape and erotic energy. Rich in B vitamins for sex hormones.

Basil: stimulates sex drive and boosts fertility. Sense of well being.

Carrots: Phallus shape. Aids seduction.

Coffee: Coffee beans stimulate body and mind

Coriander seed: stimulant

Liquorice: Women’s aphrodisiac

Mustard: stimulating effect on sexual glands

Nutmeg: seed , stimulates

Pineapple: rich in Vit C., potent with rum and honey

And sometimes Artichokes, Olives and Mushrooms