As we got our stuffed together to exit the Belden Stratford Hotel, I looked out to the beautiful view of Lake Michigan with a happy feeling. This was by far one of the nicest places I’ve ever stayed. I’m very glad that we stayed outside …
Easter was really wonderful I hope you all had a beautiful day with loved ones or just a relaxing day of rest. I know not everyone is allotted that time but i hope you were or if not you get a day like that soon. We …
I’ve been food crazy lately see my last entry and I have a couple of food outings that I’ll be attending in the next couple of weeks as well. So those should be super fun!
I don’t want to wash another dish for a long time but I will I know I will.
I made about 30 pans of food for Sunday, chopped till my hearts content, making sauces from scratch, filling pastas, blanching, baking, braising, stewing, shredding, slicing, roasting, slow cooking, ever single pot bowl in my house was probably used, washed, and used again and washed again. My back hurt, my knees were bothering, I was hot and had a thousand things going through my head and remembered that I used to do this every day, all the time, well not to the extent of just me doing it but got the same old feelings back again it felt nice.
Here’s the updated menu and the pictures I was unfortunately up to the boiling point with things to do rather then taking pictures so these are shots some I took, my sister took, and some my dad took and we still missed some of the food Oh well!
It was about a three day process of shopping, organizing, usage of ice chests and dinning room tables, and 24 hours of solid cooking but the amazing amount of feedback I got from my friends and family was worth all a million dishes which is also what I had to do. A solo event like this really made me miss my old facilities but I was so proud of myself being able to make this all work in the space I had to use.
Black eyed peas with smoked turkey “Red rice” sun dried tomato and white wine rice
Three stuffed pastas Ground beef and rapini with creamy tomato sauce Braised steak, Italian cheese, and mushroom with mushroom marinara Chicken cacciatore with mixed vegetable red wine sauce
Shells three ways 3 hour Stewed Marinara Italian mac n cheese with mozzarella, parmesan, garlic and white cheddar Prosciutto “Carbonara” with Haricot Vert
Chicken three ways Herb encrusted Chicken breast Chicken Cordon Bleu Chicken with melted provolone
Salads Mixed green salad button mushroom, roasted beets, and garbanzo beans with homemade blue ranch dressing
Grilled shrimp salad with roasted asparagus, orzo, and spinach in a lemon cilantro vinaigrette
Balsamic cob spears with home made creamy balsamic roasted zucchini, maple bacon, hard boiled egg, and tomato
Kalamata, black olive, and green olive spicy tapenade Bean Dip Spinach dip Cheese and fruit plate Crostini, chips, and mixed nuts
I’d have to say the highlights with a ton of feed back were the Chicken cacciatore with mixed vegetable red wine sauce, Prosciutto “Carbonara” with Haricot Vert, three olive tapenade, and the shrimp lemon cilantro salad
Some things were set up a little weird but I had so many people helping me put out food and trying to be really helpful I had to use all my patience and stop being a perfectionist on everything and just get the food out so I could relax with my family. It was really amazing and so much fun.
We thought my brother wasn’t going to make it to the shower because he’s a fireman and he had to work but he surprised the family and made it! My sister almost cried it was so awesome. I’m so lucky to have this truly amazing family! They are the inspiration for so much of my cooking my strength and love and I’m so glad that I’m able to be there for them in this amazing time of celebration I love you guys so much!
Happy New Year! I can’t believe its almost 5 days in already. Time really does go by fast. Osechi-Ryori and Kagami mochi I’ve been taking a break from writing but now it feels like I’m good to go. More focused less tired and have that …