April Dinner Club W.I.T.

Upcoming Dinner:  April

Hostess:  Grapes

Ingredient:  Cheese

Lately, we've all felt like we've been Livin La Vida Loca (Living the Crazy Life)!

But this was a month of good news!

From Papa T's release from the hospital!

To a long awaited sale of a home!

To an engagement!

Some much deserved good news all the way around!!!  So now onto our Caribbean dinner!  Puerto Rican presented a bit of a challenge for our vegetarian friendly, seafood allergy group, BUT, as always we prevailed!!   Wepa!!!

Couscous started us off with a Puerto Rican appetizer of Plantain chips with Black Bean, Coconut and Sweet Potato Salsa.  She didn't wuss out and included a whole jalapeno! (She donned a Hazmet suit to chop the little sucker, but it was worth it!)

Since PR isn't known for it's wines, Couscous and Grapes looked high and low for Puerto Rican beer; sacrificing many a night at the local beer establishments searching for Medalla Light or Silver Key, but alas they could not find one without traveling to the island itself - and don't think they didn't think about it!!!

But,instead they collaborated to bring a dangerously tasty Puerto Rican Rum Punch!

Extra Rum Punch Soaked Pineapple!!!

Puerto Rican Rum Punch

But be careful Saucy (how do you think she got her name???), too much rum punch leads to funny Puerto Rican hat wearing!

Before too much punch was poured, Saucy presented her entree of Mofongo (fried mashed plantains and garlic crushed in a pilón [wooden mortar and pestle]) .  She made a spicy tomato sauce with two different toppings for our finicky crowd to top the mofongo:  Shredded pork and shrimp!  Complete with fried plantains on the side!

With Pork

Or Shrimp

Grapes' gastronomic gift was Puerto-Rican style Green rice which was rice combined with green tomatillos, green jalapenos, and green cilantro.  Makes plain rice green with envy!!

Paprika completed our Caribbean travels with Arroz con Dulce (Candied Coconut Rice), a time-intensive dessert, similar to rice pudding made with coconut milk, raisins, cloves, ginger and cinnamon.  Glad she took the time to make it, as it was deliciosa!!

Catch us next month to see what "gouda" dishes we create for dinner club!