Summer Time Grilling!

Nothing else feels like summer like grilling foods.  Once the food hits the grill and you hear that sizzle and you smell the smoke, you know that something fantastic is happening....Summer Time and Supper Time is here!  I love to help people entertain and nothing is better than helping people with their outdoor parties.  So many different foods out there make good grilling, like: hamburgers, steak, chicken, lamb or vegetables.  Below are some images of various grilled foods that I've done at events...but to satisfy your hunger, I've included a marinade recipe that I use all the time and it's good for chicken, beef or fish!  Enjoy

Lemon Garlic Marinade with Herbs by Chez Joseph
good for up to 5lbs of meat, chicken, fish or vegetables
4 cloves of garlic, minced
1/4 cup of olive oil
1/2 cup of white wine
4 tablespoons chopped fresh italian flat leaf parsley
1 teaspoon of oregano
1 teaspoon of thyme
1 teaspoon of paprika
1 teaspoon of chopped rosemary
6 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
zest of 3 lemons
1/2 teaspoon of fresh cracked pepper
couple of pinches of salt
Directions:
Place meat, poultry, fish or vegetables in ziploc bag
mix all ingredients together and pour over your selected meat.
Let marinate for at least an hour or overnight....fish or vegetables marinate much quicker,
like 20 minutes.

 Grilled Tri-Tip

 Grilled Chicken

 Grilled Vegetables...OMG, how healthy!

 Grilled Tri-Tip....this was done with the "Fred's Steak Marinade" recipe also on this blog from last year

Swordfish Skewers with Tomato & Olive Tapenade

Vegetable Strudel

Vegetarian does not have to be boring.  One of the guests at a party that I catered was a vegetarian and I made this delicious vegetarian strudel with goat cheese, asparagus, eggplant, red bell pepper and caramelized onions all wrapped up in a delicate pastry and drizzled with romesco sauce.

Afternoon Wedding Reception

Catered a friends wedding reception.  They were married last month in Hawaii and wanted a reception for many of their friends and family that could not make it to the wedding in the islands.
Simple cocktail hor d'ouevres that everyone enjoys, comfort food in small size with season appropriate items like bbq pulled pork sliders and chilled shrimp with cocktail sauce and who wouldn't love the petite individual macaroni and cheese, please!  The weather was perfect and the guests and the bride and groom were thrilled with the food.  I was honored that they asked me to cater it instead of being a guest, I wanted to make sure that their entertaining needs were met....and it was with smiles on! Congratulations Ron and Julie!

 Buffet Hor D'Ouevres...Plus we passed out Artichoke Ricotta Tarts and Tuna Tartare...

 Fresh Vegetable Crudites with Homemade Onion Dip, Sundried Tomato Dip and Hummus

 Everyone loved the Strawberry Topiary Tree, They were afraid to eat them, I had to let them know, that it may be pretty, but PLEASE eat them!

 BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders topped with Cole Slaw and a Baby Pickle...YUM

 Assorted Cheese and Fruit

 Petite Macaroni and Cheese

Chinese Chicken Salad in "Take Out" Containers with Chopsticks

Garden Chistening Party

Catered another Christening party this past Sunday.  The weather was perfect for an outdoor party, not too hot, not too cold.  The guests arrived hungry, thank God, since there was plenty of scrumptious food to eat.  The Host & Hostess of the party decided to do a wine pairing with each course, my idea of a great party!

Menu

Course #1 Hor D'Ouevres with Champagne

Tuna Tartare on Wonton with Edammame Wasabi Puree

Smoked Salmon on Brioche with Orange Caper Cream Cheese & Arugula

Artichoke, Ricotta & Parmesan Tartlets

Course #2 with Chenin Blanc

Tikka Misala Chicken Skewers with Corriander Dip

Cucumber Salad with Peanuts & Toasted Coconut with Lime

Caprese Skewer, Cherry Tomato & Mozzarella with Balsamic Glaze & Basil

Course #3 with Pinot Noir

Indian Spicy Roasted Rack of Lamb

Saffron Cous Cous with Peas, Sun Dried Tomatoes, Green Onion, Slivered Almonds

Course #4 Dessert with Dessert Wine

Petite Chocolate Pot De Creme

Mini Cheesecakes

Red Velvet Cake

Spring Baptism Luncheon

Baptisms are always popular in spring.  Did one last Sunday; Getting together with family and friends to celebrate the divine one with fantastic food is always wonderful!  Buffet Luncheon on the kitchen island with passed appetizers.

Menu

Passed Hor D'Ouevres

Tuna Tartare (my #1 Hor D'Ouevres)

Caprese Skewer with Balsamic Glaze and Basi

Mini BLT on Brioche

Luncheon

Mixed Baby Greens with Pear Gorgonzola Dressing, Candied Walnuts, Cucumber, Cherry Tomato Halves and Dried Cranberries

Chilled Asparagus Salad with Orange Vinaigrette & Slivered Almonds

Sesame Lemon Chicken wrapped in a buttery and flaky Phyllo crust

Saffron Coucous with Sundried Tomatoes, Peas, Golden Raisins, Pine Nuts, Green Onions

Raspberry Filled Baptism Cake with White Cake & Buttercream

Going away dinner party for 8

Catered a going away party for 8 a few weeks ago in beautiful Lafeyette.  Saying goodbye to friends is hard, but what made it easier is delicious food, laughter and wine!

Menu

Tuna Tartare on Wonton with Edamame Wasabi Puree

Mini BLT on Brioche with Arugula, Baby Heirloom Tomatoes & Basil Aioli

Sesame Beer Battered Green Beans with Hot & Sweet Mustard

Dinner

Caesar Salad

Shrimp Scampi with Wild Mushroom Risotto and Broccoli Rabe

Dessert

Chocolate Croissant Bread Pudding with Milk Chocolate Ganache & Whipped Cream

Easter Brunch Buffet

This sure took me a while to post! Here are some photos from an Easter Brunch that I did on Saturday, May 7th.  The server passed 2 appetizers and all the other delicious morsels were on the buffet.

Easter Brunch Menu

Passed Hor D’Ouevres

Coconut shrimp beignets with pepper jelly dipping sauce

Mini BLT on Brioche with Arugula, Tomato, Basil Aioli

Brunch Buffet

Ham w/Apricot Mustard Glaze and Biscuits

Hash Brown Casserole with Cheddar & Gruyere Cheese

Endive stuffed with goat cheese, mandarin orange, balsamic glaze, pistachios

Shrimp orzo salad w/mint, peas, asparagus, feta, lemon vinaigrette

Fresh fruit salad

Pigs in a blanket

For your sweet tooth!

Lemon blueberry bars

Butterscotch pot de crème w/caramel sauce, sea salt and whip cream