2012 Opening Gig

I know I have been ignoring my poor little blog, and I feel so bad about it! But in between moving, wedding planning and a few hired events sprinkled throughout the winter I have not had much opportunity to experiment with new dishes. I hope to change that in these upcoming slower months—so stay posted.

My first hired event of 2012 was another French themed cozy bistro dinner. The best part of it all was the guests of the dinner who got really into the theme with costumes, music and much more- it was a pleasure to cook for them! Here is the menu below:

{Appetizers}

Proscuitto-Wrapped Scallops with Romesco Sauce

Mini Brie & Red Onion Marmalade Tarts

French Cheese Board

{Starter}

Wild Mushroom & Goat Cheese Strudel

with Truffle Oil

& Watercress, Frisée & Pear Salad

{Main}

Filet of Beef Bourguignon

with Parsley Potatoes &

Thyme Popovers

{Dessert}

Scharffen Berger Milk Chocolate Soufflés

with Amaretto Nougat Whip

{Morning After Treat}

Meyer Lemon Bread

Christmas Dinner Menu

I am hosting Christmas Dinner this year, which left me excited to plan out the menu and cook up a storm with hint of our Middle Eastern roots. Here is what I will be serving:

{Appetizers}

Mini Crab Cakes – hooray for Dungeness Crab Season!

Holiday Cheese Plate

Honey Chipotle Pecans

{Main}

Braised Lamb Shanks with Olives, Lemon & Tomatoes

Beet Gratin with Feta & Fresh Mint

Dolma (lamb & rice stuffed grape leaves)

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Greek Salad

Thyme Popovers

{Dessert}

See’s Candy – Cali Favorite

Baklava

Pear Tart Tatine with Brown Sugar Banana Ice Cream

Christmas Cookies

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Cozy French Bistro Hired Event

Although I would definitely not say I am a French cook, I was pretty happy with this past weekends’ French themed hired event for 16 guests (way above my average of 10!). I made a variation of the classic Beef Bourguignon- instead of a stew, the focus was on the beef (filet mignon) and had with the wine based sauce and the vegetables over it.

See the full menu below:

{Appetizers}

Rosemary Lamb Sausages in Puff Pastry with Dijon Mustard

(a gourmet and formal pigs in a blanket that are heavenly)

French Cheese & Fruit Platter

{Starter}

Wild Mushroom & Goat Cheese Strudel with White Truffle Oil

Watercress, Frisee & Pear Salad in a White Wine Walnut Vinaigrette

{Main}

Filet of Beef Bourguignon

Parsley Butter Potatoes

Acme Garlic Infused French Bread

{Dessert}

Milk Chocolate Soufflés with Amaretto Nougat Whip

{Morning After Treat}

Banana Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Remember to check out my services for any themed dinner or small intimate event you would like to enjoy spending time with your guests and out of the kitchen!

Anniversary Hired Event

There really is nothing more romantic than having a night at home with the one you love over a gourmet dinner, without any cooking or cleanup. I was thrilled to offer my services to a couple celebrating their 5^th Year Anniversary, and I think that they were very happy with the results as well.

See below for the French-inspired lovebird menu:

Appetizer

Prosciutto wrapped scallops with Romesco Sauce

Starter

Wild Mushroom & Goat Cheese Strudel

with Truffle Oil

& Mixed Greens in Lemon Dressing

Main

Hazelnut, Roasted Garlic & Thyme Encrusted

Rack of Lamb

with Merlot Essence

Creamy Polenta

Lemon Infused Green Beans

Dessert

Lime Curd Tart

with Blackberries and Blueberries

+

Morning After Treat

Thumbprint Jam Cookies



If you are looking to surprise and impress your significant other—feel free to contact me at rens.table@gmail.com for rates, ideas and date availability!

HOA Hired Event

My condo complex turned 50 this year—and what better way to celebrate than reliving the past?? Back in the 60s, my unit was used by the airlines for pilots and stewardess to rest between flights, and there are stories of Swinger parties, balcony pool jumpers and scandals that are too racy for this blog—if only my condo walls could talk!

So, the HOA held a large party in the courtyard to celebrate, and hired me to grill all the main dishes for the meal (residents are in charge of sides and desserts- potluck style).  With my flight attendant costume on—here are the Kebab Assortments I prepared for the crew & passengers J

Herb-Marinated Chicken Kebabs with Kalmatta & Feta Tapanede

Cajun Shrimp Kebabs

Summer Vegetable Kebabs (Eggplant, Summer Squash & Zucchini) with Mint Dressing

Stay posted this week for the menu from my 2^nd hired event from the weekend—and don’t forget to check out My Services for future events that I can help with! 

Casual Summer Themed Hired Event

This past Sunday was the perfect “outside party weather” for my hired event. The style was summer casual buffet- so I made large portions for people to help themselves.

See the menu below:

{Appetizers}

Fig, Robiola and Pistachio Crostinis

Prosciutto Wrapped Melon

Gazpacho Soup Shots with Polenta Croutons

{Mains}

Roasted Herb Leg of Lamb with Potatoes

Crème Fraiche Roasted Salmon

Chicken Masala

{Sides}

Saffron Basmati Rice

Greek Salad

Cucumber Yogurt Sauce (Raita)

Cilantro Scallion Bread (post to be featured soon)

Zucchini & Green Beans with Verte Sauce

{Dessert}

Top Crust Peach and Cardamom Pie with Vanilla Ice Cream

I am leaving on a long vacation this week-- so this was the perfect ending to a summer filled with great events. I have a feeling this fall will be just as exciting! 

A Night in Tuscany Event

So you have heard me mention the “Night in Tuscany” themed event here, here and here and I am finally revealing the full menu from this past weekend.

In addition to the food, a couple organized wine pairings with each course, which added to the Italian feel of the dinner.

{Welcoming Appetizers}

Gorgonzola & Fig Pizza with Prosciutto

Caprese Skewers

{Antipasti}

Rustic Panzanella Salad with Balsamic Glaze

{Primi}

Braised Lamb with Swiss Chard over Pappardelle

{Secondi}

Salmon Al Cartoccio with Roasted Tomatoes

Served with

Shaved Summer Squash Melody & Chickpea Couscous

{Dolce}

Mini Ricotta Doughnuts

with

Scharffen Berger Dark Chocolate Sauce

Liquors and Cordials

{Morning After Treat}

Biscotti with Dried Cherries and Pistachios

If you would like a custom menu for any type of intimate event, gathering or themed party, check out My Services.  

Birthday Event

I was recently hired to do another Birthday Event and I not only had fun with the food, but I decided to add some pizzazz to the table with yellow flowers and a large vase filled with citrus fruit.

Below is the menu from the evening:

{Appetizer}

Crostinis with Peppered Ricotta, Prosciutto & Honey Drizzled Peaches

{Starter}

Chilled Avocado Soup Shots with Spicy Breadcrumbs and Bacon and Cherry Tomato Garnish

{Main}

Olive, Rosemary & Garlic Stuffed Grilled Chicken Breasts with Orange Rosemary Sauce

Grilled Oranges

Farro Salad with Roasted Beets, Radicchio and Feta

{Dessert}

Scharffen Berger Milk Chocolate Soufflé with Amaretto Nougat Whip

{Morning After Treat}

Zucchini Bread

Remember to check out My Services Link for any type of party or event- I especially love creating menus for themes!

Birthday Dinner Event

I was hired this past weekend to cook for a 60^th Birthday Dinner for 10 people. Although I do not have any pictures to show, here is the menu I put together based on the Birthday girl’s preferences:

{Appetizers}

White Bean & Roasted Garlic Hummus with Rosemary Oil

Served with Crudites and Homemade Pita Chips

Burrata with Strawberries, Basil, Walnuts & a Balsamic Glaze

Served with Assorted Toasts and Crackers

{Starter}

Sauteed Wild Mushrooms with Fresh Herbs & Truffle Oil

over Toasted Acme Bread 

{Main}

Surf & Turf

Wild Pacific Roasted Halibut

Seared Cumin Rubbed Sirloin Steak

both with Chimichurri Sauce

Saffron Basmati Rice with Toasted Raisins & Almonds

Roasted Asparagus & Charred Colored Peppers

{Dessert}

Rhubarb & Strawberry Crisp with Hazelnut Topping

served with Vanilla Ice Cream 

It was a pleasure serving such a sweet and close knit family in their beautiful home.

I can customize menus for any type of event (Bridal/Baby Showers, Romantic Dinners, Game Watches)  ranging from 2 to 15 guests (or more if solely appetizers and snacks)- just see my Services link to the left! 

Welcome Spring Event

I was recently hired to cater a Welcome Party and good luck brought good weather, as all of the main menu items were grilled! See the menu and some pictures below:

{Appetizers}

White Bean and Roasted Garlic Hummus with Assorted Vegetables & Pita Chips

Asparagus wrapped with Prosciutto and Goat Cheese with a Mustard Vinaigrette

Foccacia topped with Tomatoes and Shaved Provolone

{Main}

Indian Grilled Chicken with Mango Salsa

Sausage, Shrimp & Cherry Tomato Skewers with Smoked Paprika Glaze

Ancho Chile Grilled Leg of Lamb with Grilled Onions, Tomatoes & Cucumber Yogurt Sauce

Saffron Rice with Raisins & Almonds

Greek Salad

Cannellini Bean Salad

Middle Eastern Flatbread

{Dessert}

Strawberry & Rhubarb Crisp with Vanilla Ice Cream

Be sure to check out my Services, where you can learn more about how I can make hosting easier for you!