Friday, August 17, 2012

60th Birthday Party in San Francisco

I catered a 60 birthday party for new clients Eric and Laurie in San Francisco last Saturday night, it was Eric's special day!  Boy after 25 years living in the bay area, you would think I would understand the weather.  It was 90 degrees here in San Mateo and when I arrived to the city, it was foggy and 59 degrees, nonetheless, everyone enjoyed the wonderful food for the festive occasion of the big six o.  We served assorted hor d'ouevres and finger foods to this hungry crowd and everything was a hit.  It is always my pleasure helping people entertain, glad they all had fun.
 Petite Smoked Salmon Pizzas
 Pesto Chicken Salad Stuffed Mini Bell Peppers
 The always popular mini baked Macaroni and Cheese
Spicy Peanut Noodle Salad in mini take out containers with chopsticks
Saffron Lamb Turnovers with Golden Raisins
"Meatloaf" sliders with Cheddar Cheese, Chiptole Mayo and Mixed Greens, oh...and a mini pickle!
Orange Tarragon Salmon in "Spoons" with Hollandaise Sauce, this isn't a diet party, don't you know!
Crab and Cheese Tartlets, Eric said these were better than he ever imagined they would be! Thanks Eric!

House Warming Party in Atherton

Hi food lovers and party givers!  I catered a housewarming party in Atherton last Friday.  I loved the kitchen, two huge islands, one was for the food and the other was used for beverages.  Hor D'Ouevres...seems to be a trend these days. 
 One of two large islands, perfect for casual entertaining...
 Endive Leaves stuffed with goat cheese, mandarin orange, balsamic glaze & pistachios

 Wasabi Lime Crab Salad on cucumber slice
 Rye Toast with artichoke pesto, steak & horseradish cream
 Asparagus Parmesan Straws with lemon parmesan aioli
 Roasted Garlic Bruschetta with grilled tri-tip and gorgonzola cheese
 Mini Shrimp & Guacamole tostadas with queso fresca cheese & salsa

Roasted corn, green chili, jack cheese & chipotle tartlets
Chinese Chicken Salad in mini take out boxes with chopsticks...it's very popular!!

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Baby Shower

Butler For Hire Catering did a baby shower in Mountain View today.  My fruit baby carriage was a big hit! lol.....anything for a fun laugh, right? The menu was small bites and hor d'ouevres mixed in with fun backyard games...I think one had something to do with a child's tricycle and water balloons...ha, ha.  I think a drinking game would be more fun at that point or you would have to drink a bit to even try that kind of thing.  Popular items included the usual Tuna Tartare and the pick of the party was the "fruit baby".  Hope you get inspired by the menu and photos and you call me to cater your next party in the San Francisco Bay Area, www.butlerforhire.com.

Menu
Butler Passed Tuna Tartare on Wonton with Edammame Wasabi Puree
Butler Passed Artichoke, Sundried Tomato Pizzas
Buffet Table
Mini Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Strawberry Goat Cheese Bruschetta with Balsamic Glaze & Pistachios
Fresh Fruit in a Baby Carriage
Teriyaki Chicken Skewers with Peanut Dip
Asian Peanut Noodle Salad in mini "Take Out Containers"
Petite Turkey, Pesto, Provolone and Mustard Panini
Cupcakes











Monday, July 16, 2012

Bride's Luncheon

Catered a Bride's Luncheon yesterday to 20 ladies in San Mateo and it turned out, as far as I heard, fabulous!  She wanted "small bites and finger foods" there was plenty to equal a meal and the menu was very eclectic with an asian twist.  Some customer favorites were chosen along with a couple of newer items, they were sure to please.
Menu
Artichoke, Parmesan & Ricotta Tartlets (Butler Passed)
Ham, Aspargus & Gruyere Cheese Tartlets (Butler Passed)
Buffe Table
Roasted Rack Of Lamb, cut into chops with fresh Mint Sauce
Chinese Chicken Salad in "Take Out" Boxes
Chinese 5 Spice Chicken Wings with Hoisin Sauce
Swiss Fondue
Asian Salmon Sliders with Wasabi Lemon Mayo





Thursday, June 21, 2012

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.

Sunday, June 10, 2012

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