Tuesday, November 11, 2014

October Dinner Recap

We had a "knotty" time at dinner club this month with our pretzel challenge!

Paprika started us off with a bottle of the new and tasty Apothic Dark

Her pretzel appetizer was cheese fondue in mini pretzel bowls served with apples!  More please!

Couscous main course was pretzel and cashew encrusted tofu with sweet onion chutney.  Even the tofu haters enjoyed this one and plans were in the works for an appetizer of brie with the chutney!

Grapes brought an X-tremely good wine - Xplorador Malbec

And an interesting appetizer which was surprisingly really good!
Pretzel & Honey Mustard Spaghetti Squash Casserole
Yes, we all had second helpings!

Saucy rounded out our twisted night with decadent peanut butter & pretzel truffles!!

To avoid the craziness of December we are having our holiday Dinner next month, were we treat ourselves to a night out of the kitchen!

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

September Dinner Recap

We tied one on for this dinner club

No, knot that kind of tie!

This kind of Thai!

Grapes got us going with not 1, but 2 appetizers: 
Thai peanut cheese ball

and the spicy thai chex mix...that wasn't
Well, it was chex mix, but it lost its peanut thai taste in translation.

Grapes' wine of choice was a Blackstone Merlot

Saucy slaved over a scrumptious entree of tofu and chicken pad thai
Chicken Pad Thai

Tofu Pad Thai




















Couscous rolled up with vegetarian spring rolls and a thai dipping sauce (oops, no pic of the dipping sauce available) 

Her wine selection was Sin Zin - Zinfandel

Paprika's tasty traditional thai dessert was
Khao Niaow Ma Muang (Mango Sticky Rice Pudding)

Next month we get twisted for dinner!!

Saturday, September 13, 2014

SEPTEMBER DINNER W.I.T.


UPCOMING DINNER:  SEPTEMBER

HOSTESS: SAUCY

THEME: THAI
August Dinner Club Recap

You say tomato, I say tomato

Paprika hosted a home-grown get-together!

Saucy started us off with a bottle of Red Truck (red like tomato, farm truck) Pinot Noir

Paprika put our potluck portions on her new poppy plates!



















Saucy's appetizer of chocolate and yellow tomatoes (no they did not taste like chocolate) with basil and mozzarella was refreshing.

Paprika followed with an entree of Pasta Eger: angel hair aglio olio with tomatoes, spinach, banana peppers and parmesan cheese.  Delicioso!!
 

Couscous shared a Rex-Goliath Pinot Grigio because the Rooster was farm-like.

Her side dish was a caprese salad with lemon herb dressing



















Grapes ended the evening with a tomato soup cake - yes in the soup can itself!



















The cans were our take-home gift, so she prepared a bundt cake version for us to have at dinner.

Join us next month when we "Thai" one on!

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

August Dinner Club W. I. T.

Upcoming Dinner:  August

Hostess:  Paprika

Ingredient:  Tomato

Sunday, July 20, 2014

JULY DINNER RECAP

Well, the weather forced our picnic indoors,

but Grapes made sure the bugs were still present!

















Unfortunately Saucy was  unable to be present, but was with us in picnic spirit!!!


Couscous got the picnic party started with Red, White and Bruschetta!

A strange combination of tomatoes, blueberries, and feta cheese that was surprisingly tasty!!!

She also brought a picnic friendly Pinot Grigio.

Paprika was able to sub in for Saucy's missing side dish with a spicy couscous and "fresh from the garden" cucumber and herb salad!

Grapes picked a peck of pickled peppers for her picnic!
Sweet orange peppers with chili beans, corn and cheese - Mmmmm good!



And what picnic isn't complete without a strawberry pretzel salad???
Paprika made sure our picnic was complete!

















By the end of the evening the inclement weather had cleared enough for us to enjoy a final glass of wine on Grapes' patio oasis!

Check in next month for our ingredient dinner!  Is it a fruit or is it a vegetable??

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

July Dinner Club W.I.T.


Upcoming Dinner: July

Hostess: Grapes

Theme: Picnic
MAY DINNER RECAP

A tisket a tasket, a green and yellow basket..... 

and what did everyone bring to the Mother Goose themed dinner???

Saucy "Had A Little Nut Tree", so she brought pears with goat cheese, nutmeg and spices!
Whole pears stuffed.










Sliced pears marinated.













Her wine of choice....Jacob's Creek Shiraz!

Paprika met a "Farmer in the Dell" and brought the lonely cheese in a brie and herb baked bread!

















She also brought a theme wine....Once Upon a Vine


Couscous's entree was courtesy of "Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater".  And we all loved the pumpkin ravioli in browned sage butter.

Grapes fortunately "Met a Pie Man" on her way to dinner and brought banana and chocolate cream pie.

We are taking a break for the month of June, but check back in July when we load up our baskets once again and go on a picnic!!!