Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Memorial Day Menus

We topped off this Memorial Day Weekend with no less than 5 cookouts. None of them hosted by yours truly, so I got to reconnect with friends in LA and enjoy their delicious cooking.

Each Memorial Day menu varied in cuisine and theme. The most popular ingredient of the weekend being chicken (in 4 tasty ways!). Nary a hot dog to be had this time around.

The outdoor tableware highlight was Jed & Jess's eco-friendly biodegradable plates made of cornstarch, potatoes and limestone from Earthshell. Eggshell in color and sheen, the rough-hewn plates looked beautiful on the table, with each plate weighted by a single river rock from the yard. An elegant and elemental design concept.



Here are the featured menus of the weekend.

Dinner, Monday, May 24th
Elegant Poolside Potluck at Jed & Jess's
Silverlake, CA

MENU

+ Pea Salad with Radishes and Feta Cheese
+ Whole Wheat Penne Pasta Salad with Sun-dried Tomatoes, Oil-cured Black Olives and Arugula
+ Potato Salad with Tarragon and Dijon Vinaigrette
+ Grilled Portabella Mushroom Steaks, Eggplant Steaks, Big Asparagus, Zucchini Spears
+ Grilled Chicken Breasts with Cumin
+ Chiogga and Golden Beet Salad
+ Corn on the Cob with Ghee
+ Fresh Blackberries and Blueberries with Soy Vanilla Ice Cream and Mango Sorbet and Berry Coulis


Lunch, Monday, May 24th
Taqueria Cart Party at Lonnie and Eva's
Pasadena, CA


MENU
+ Carving Station with Carnitas, Carne Asada, Pollo and White Corn Tortillas
+ Taco Fixings: Salsas, Onions, Guacamole, Cilantro, Limes, Cucumbers
+ Spanish Rice
+ Pinto Beans
+ Frozen Margarita Machine

Sunday, May 23rd
Alfresco Sunday Dinner at Jim and Kristina's
Silverlake, CA

MENU

+ Cheese Plate with Manchego and Aged Gouda
+ Chips & Salsa
+ Barbecued Chicken
+ Grilled Salmon
+ Zucchini Sauteed with Onions and Cheese
+ Roasted Sweet Potato Fries
+ Corn Relish
+ Fresh Strawberries and Ginger Snaps

Saturday, May 22nd
Fish Tacos at Abbie and Nicole's
Los Feliz, CA

MENU

+ Grilled Black Cod & Shrimp Tacos
+ Frijoles con Queso
+ Avocado
+ Cabbage Slaw Salad
+ Homemade Salsa Picante Especial
+ Rias Baixas from Northern Spain
+ Steve's Merlot Pick of the Week


Friday, May 21st
Cajun cookout at the home of Shirley Morales and Kevin McSpadden
Hollywood Hills, CA

MENU

+ Guacamole & Tortilla Chips
+ Spinach Salad with Tomatoes, Feta, Black Olives, Peppers
+ Cajun Red Beans and Rice with Andouille
+ Barbecued Chicken (thighs and drumsticks)
+ Hot Condiments (banana peppers, etc)
+ S'mores
+ Margaritas
+ Beer

Big thanks to the great cooks and to our awesome, generous, and hospitable friends for inviting us. What a treat!

2 comments:

  1. Anonymous2:25 PM

    All the menu's oh-so fabulously Californian

    We DID have hot dogs in Ammagansett, along with BBQ Chicken, Jumbo Shrimp, Tuna and Swordfish steaks accompanied by grilled Asparagus Yum!.

    But, forget the menus, let's get in that pool!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous2:32 PM

    Sounds like an equally fabulous menu! I wish I coulda been there in Strong Island with you guys. I love hot dogs, and swordfish, jumbo shrimp.. don't get me started!

    ReplyDelete