Food Maker, Chef, and Traveling Diner
Persimmons. I love them. I know fall is here when the persimmons are out in farmers’ markets and grocery stores. When I was little, my Bachan’s neighbors had persimmon trees, so we would have a ton of Persimmons, mostly of the Fuyu variety–the crunchy ones. …
A first birthday in my family is nothing to be trifled with. For Amaya’s big day, we had to do something that would keep everyone relatively cool, since August in the San Fernando Valley can get up to 100 degrees or higher. My family has …
My grandma is a very special woman. She’s such a loving, kind, strong and wonderful person and we were very happy to host her 80th birthday celebration for all of her friends and family. Granny has always been the talk of the town and never met someone she couldn’t charm or take a photograph of. Her personality is best displayed when she played Choco, the adorable little bear mascot for Children’s Hospital of Orange County. Her dancing and friendly waves along with blowing kisses to all the children, led her to be requested put on the suit well into her late 70s.
My sister, my brother and I spent countless hours with grandma when we were little. We’d get picked up and taken all the way out to Huntington Beach to stay with grandma for the weekend; some of my fondest memories as a little kid are feeding the ducks at the park, eating toast and tea for breakfast and having French bread and string cheese for snacks. I associate a lot of joyful activities with food as you can see. Grandma was never short on hugs and kisses or presents and spoiling and she’s passed down the fun to my little niece Maleeya. Grandma has the biggest heart and the attitude of someone half her age. Believe it or not, she still cruises out to Vegas in her Corolla on a whim and vacations whenever she can, all between traveling back and forth to come to visit all of us (over 100 miles away roundtrip).
Brandon and I put on a very special catering for all the guests and we were very happy with the outcome. Brandon was in charge of pastries and I helped him assemble some of them, while I took on the savory options, which he lent a big hand in helping with as well. My mom was assigned the snacks department and made our family’s favorite macaroni and potato salad, homemade beans for the chili and mini lemon cupcakes. My sister made the beautiful flower arrangements, all the gorgeous decorations and photo collages. My dad, brother, sister-in-law, brother-in-law and everyone else helped out so much to make this a beautiful, delicious, smooth event for everyone involved. I’m so glad I have this amazing family to call my own. I want to thank everyone who came, who helped, and who made this amazing event happen.
Happy 80th Birthday, Granny! We all love you so much!
Ruthie’s 80th Birthday Party Menu
Appetizers
Fruit Platter
Vegetable Platter
Chips and Dip
Salads
Macaroni Salad
Potato Salad
Baby Mixed Greens with Shredded Cucumber, Mozzarella Cheese, Diced Tomatoes, Pickled Red Onions and Blue Cheese Dressing
Entrées: Served Family-Style
Roasted Pulled Pork
Country Spiced Fried Chicken
Homemade Chili Beans
Sides
Mashed Potatoes and Chicken Gravy
Peanut Coleslaw with Red and Green Cabbage, Shredded Carrots, Green Onions and Asian Dressing
Roasted Corn on the Cob
Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Orange Honey Glaze and Marshmallows
Bread Basket
Corn Bread Muffins
Rolls
Dessert Bar
Lemon Meringue Pie
Banana Cream Pudding
Lemon Cupcakes
Cream Puffs
-cheers
unrivaledkitch
My niece just recently turned two on Monday, April 8th. I can’t believe she’s already two! It really goes by fast and I know that’s a very cliché thing to say, but it does. It feels like just yesterday that my sister told me she …
On a beautiful Sunday morning, Brandon, Lyz (Brandon’s mom) and I decided to go to the Channel Island Harbor farmers’ market to see what we could find. The freshness of fall produce entangles through the various booths and stands of fresh vegetables just picked from …
My niece, Maleeya, just recently turned one on Easter, which was April 8th, so we decided that it would be a good idea to celebrate Easter with our family, including a small birthday celebration for her and then, the following Sunday, have her huge birthday …
Brandon and I seem to find our way out to Santa Barbara pretty often. It’s far from where I live, but only 30 minutes away from where he lives, so when I visit him, which is often, we have a tendency to head up there …
My life seems to have evaporated in front of me this last month, but in a very amazing way. I’m so lucky all my friends and family are so amazing and I’ve had such an amazing August and September already. There’s so much coming up and I’m getting ready for so many big moves in life—it’s scary and exciting. My friend is on the same journey, but hers is educational bound. My best friend from high school got into grad school at University of California, Santa Barbara. I’m so proud of her. Since I won’t be seeing her as often, we decided to take a weekend trip together in the great outdoors about 30 miles from where she’ll be attending school at Gaviota State Park. The beach was beautiful. We spent the days in the sand drinking sangria and eating snacks in the evenings. We had campfire meals and were blown away, literally, by the howling wind. So much for camping, but we tried. I had so much fun. The night sky was just gorgeous and the water crashing on the shore was amazing.
Menu
Dinner Saturday night: Togarashi and ginger soy sauce marinated steak skewers with red bell peppers, Steamed soy broccoli, and Grilled corn on the cob. A completely utensil-free meal made on the wood burning campfire.
Breakfast Sunday morning: Scrambled garlic and swiss cheese eggs, grilled turkey sausage, mixed fruit, and French bread toast with Cinnamon and vanilla Mexican hot chocolate made on a outdoor propane stove.
Sangria made with Pinot grigio white peaches, granny smith apples, nectarines, raspberry rum and cranberry vodka mixed.
Dinner: Grilled herb marinated Bone-in Rib eye steaks, Roasted Rosemary fire potatoes, Grilled home grown green and yellow zucchini.
Cooking outdoors on a fire that can’t be controlled, not to mention the howling wind, is pretty intense, but I’d say we still ate very well and had lots of fun with it all. Anyone else been beach camping this year? You should go! It’s really fun to get out there, get dirty and cook up some grub under the stars. Beautiful!
So the next weekend Michelle had asked me if I would be able to cater her going away party for about 20-25 people and of course I told her I would. This is the menu. Everything went over so well and we had so much fun drinking, going in the hot tub and enjoying summer time as it quickly fades away.
Menu
Dry ground Mexican chili compound butter smeared grilled corn; Carne asada tacos with smoked paprika and sweet chili; Marinated lime and lemon ginger roasted chicken tacos; Spanish Rice with scallion and roma tomato; Three grilled chilies serrano, jalapeno and pasilla; Taco toppings: lettuce, queso fresco, sweet white onions, and cilantro; Vegetarian chorizo slow cooked homemade re-fried pinto beans, Pico de gallo, Salsa roja with vinegar marinated jalapeno
Good Luck at school Miche. I love you!
As for it being 9/11, I hope with these friendships and loving memories we remember the people that lost their lives and who still believe in our great country.
In gratitude
Cheers
Unrivaledkitch
Pistachio Pie is one of the things I remember as a child. My sister would ask my mom every year to make this simple pie for her birthday dessert. There would be blue candles atop (her favorite color) and she would smile big as …
