Selective Palate

So you must be wondering if I have have given this whole blogging thing up for bigger and better things. Well the answer is no, not exactly. You see I have been having these hosting issues that will not go away. It is really getting annoying and yes I have spent much time with tech support and still things are not working as they should.

But moving on….. I catered a small spa party last night at a salon. I have prepared a small healthy menu and I took a risk in that I sold a menu with a dish I had never tested and 1 I had never even tasted! But I have had all the ingredients so I could figure out a flavor profile but still! Luckily it all turned out well. I don’t know how this catering thing happened, I just kind of fell into it and I have to say I kind of like it. I get to do something I enjoy and on top of that get paid! Not a bad gig huh?

So would you like to know the menu? Ok here is goes:

Muhammara with Whole Wheat Pita (I had never tasted this before)
Candied Ginger Macadamia Nuts
Vegetable Sushi Rolls
Marinated Strawberries in Phyllo Cups with Yogurt
Citrus Cucumber Fresca (to wash it all down with!)

I actually love this menu. I am making it for about 10-15 people who will be coming to learn more about knew spa treatments and skin care that the salon is offering. I picked the menu based on ingredients that are are good for the skin and body as a whole. I know, besides the salon owner I will be the only person who realizes this but that doesn’t matter.

Muhammara is a Turkish dip not unlike hummus. It is a beautiful deep red color and has a wonderful unexpected texture. It is made with roasted red peppers, walnuts, cracker crumbs, lemon juice, olive oil, cayenne pepper and pomegranate molasses. It has a a sweet, tangy, and spicy flavor that is unlike anything I have ever had before. Though this dish may be high in fat it is high in monounsaturated fats; which are the good fats. Fats that have been linked with decreasing amounts of breast cancer as well as healthy skin, nails and hair! Not to mention it is loaded with Vitamin E and Vitamin C. Perfect for a salon party!

Candied Ginger Macadamia Nuts are awesome! Sweet, crunchy, spicy, and nutty! It is a great snack, although they can be quite addicting; I could not stop “testing” them!

Vegetable Sushi Rolls are easy to make and easier to eat! And the possibilities are endless. I made cucumber rolls, avocado rolls, and pickled carrot rolls. Served with pickled ginger and wasabi, it can be a meal in its self, at least for me.

For the sweet tooth, I marinated some sliced fresh strawberries in a little raw sugar and pure vanilla extract. Then pilled them into small phyllo cups and topped with a dollop of vanilla yogurt.

And last to wash everything thing down a Citrus Cucumber Fresca. Its really simple, mix together cucumber juice, lemon juice and little sugar (or agave nectar) to taste then add either carbonated or non carbonated mineral water. I like the bubbles so I used carbonated but either way it is a very refreshing drink; great for pool side!

Well, that’s it for now. I will let you know how it all went. Hopefully, my host will have fixed the problem once and for all!

Wow I have been gone a long time. I know, no warning, no explanation, I am horrible! Well let me fill you in real quick. I had some business I needed to take care in the old dirty south. Actually I used to live right outside Atlanta and I went to visit friends, family and yes take care a few things I left behind when I moved up to the north country. It was a bit hectic, I had a lot to do and people to see and not a whole lot of time to do so. But over all it was a nice time except for the flight back (which I will get to later) and even had some time to go out for a bite and a show at an Atlanta landmark!

My good friends Mark & Becky took me to Shakespear’s Tavern. We had a wonderful time. We saw a Hamlet and it felt authentic, like this is how it was supposed to be played. The players mixed in some humor in the otherwise dark tragedy and I have to admit the “authentic” english fare made it that much more fun. I took some photos but I had my flash turned off so the pics did not come out so great. But I have to say the food, which was served caffiteria style at the back of the theater, was quite good. They also offered a good selection of beer and wine. Over all if ever in the Atlanta area I recomend this. It’s something a little different than the regular touristy stuff and clubbing the city has to offer, plus it is kid friendly!

Afterward we were still a little hungry, after all we were there for over 3 hours. On the way home we tried out a late night sushi restaurant located in Buckhead called Bluefin. We split a few rolls and a great sashimi appitizer of white tuna in a light yuzu/ponzu vinagrette and a small seaweed salad. They had a nice saki list, though not much to chose from for 1 person. But over all it was very nice and they are open and serving a full menu till 2am!

However, we were not exactly drinking much that night considering the night before we had all gotten together with our pal Amity and belly danced the night away at a fantastic Mediterranean joint in Alpharetta called Cafe Efendi. If you ever get the chance I recomend the Iskander and Adana kebab, oh and the Baba Gannuj! Fantastic night, from what I remember!

Lastly, before I left we held a BBQ where Becky and I went crazy with the food. I am waiting for our friend Mark (another Mark) to get me the pictures and I will tell you all about it. We had everything and that girl Becky can cook! The 2 of us in the same kitchen was insane but the guests sure liked it! We ate and drank our fill then they sent me on my way to go back home to Vermont.

So my ride home left me sick and sitting on a plane for hours. It’s not a long flight but the computer system went down in Baltimore so that left us and many other planes stranded just sitting on the tarmack. I didn’t land in VT til after midnight and couldn’t wait to drive the hour home to get to bed!

By the morning I was not feeling any better and desided I needed a nice gental elixer to soothe my turbulant tummy. I whipped up a Sweet Ginger Tisane. This is a great alternative to tea. It works hot or cold over ice and dare I say with a boost of vodka on another occation. This set my tummy staight and it was very tastey to boot!

Recipe:

6 cups water
1/4 cup peeled and chopped fresh ginger
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup firmly packed fresh mint leaves
6 tablespoons dark honey (or to taste, I used about 4 T. and that was enough for me)
1 lemon, cut into 6 wedges

Combine the water, ginger and lemon juice in a sauce pan over high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, add the mint, and let steep for 5 minutes.

Filter the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing down lightly on the ginger and mint. Discard solids.

Stir in the honey and serve hot or iced, garnished with a lemon wedge and some extra mint if you like!

CHEERS!