Potluck

Drew and Len invited me and Luke, along with Lyndsey and her brother Nick, over to their house for a potluck. It was, by far, the best potluck I've ever been to. All the foods went together well, everything was beautifully presented, and everything was delicious. Luke brought fried mushrooms (he loves making fried food, and he's really good at it) and I brought Portabella mushrooms stuffed with artichoke lemon pesto, tomatoes, bell peppers, and pine nuts:

Lyndsey and Nick brought 'pizzas' made of naan with mozarella and grilled peppers:

And Len and Drew made baked ravioli smothered in tomato, mozarella, and basil:

Delicious!

Garden Party

May was a slow blog-posting month. Between graduation, a sister-in-law's out-of-town wedding, and spending most of most of my time studying for the Utah bar exam, I haven't been spending too much time on hobbies. But I'm back!

My birthday was at the end of May, and I planned a late-night garden party for myself. There was a three gallon recycled glass cooler (like this one) with limeade and all the mix-ins for cocktails (mint, basil, strawberries, tequila, vodka). Rather than a full meal, I served bread, flat bread, crackers and dips: hummus; sundried tomato and pineapple (I tried to replicate the one from Paradise Bakery, and think that besides being a smoother texture, it was a pretty good match. It seemed to be the favorite of the night); sweet onion (my favorite); Coriander-Chile Pinto Bean; and a tomato basil butter. Ash brought a delicious bruschetta.


For decoration, Drew and I put blankets on the grass surrounded by candles in mason jars. I used some of my vintage fabrics to make some fabric banners, one which hung between a tree and garage, and one that we draped around the table.

It was a little early for the garden to be far along, but I did have a couple pots filled with snap dragons, dahlias, and celosia. I also had jupiter's beard and daisies in a bud vase Whitney found at an antique store and gave me for my birthday.


So everything was beautiful, and just as I'd planned it.... And then it was too cold to enjoy. After ignoring everyone's shivers for an hour, we moved the party inside, where (despite not being as pretty), we warmed up and had a good time.

Yummy recipe

My friend Len gave me a copy of this month's Real Simple, which has tons of ideas for Christmas presents, wrapping, and recipes. Last night I made one of those recipes, a caramelized onion tart, and I think it was one of my favorite things I've ever cooked. Top ten at least.


And it was so easy!

Ingredients:
1-2 T butter
a medium onion (I used a white one)
medium red apple, chopped in small pieces (I used Gala)
1/4 t salt
1/4 t pepper
one sheet puff pastry, thawed
1/4 C sour cream

-Preheat oven to 400
-Caramelize the onion in butter on medium heat for 10-12 minutes
-Add the apple, salt, and pepper and cook another 3-5 minutes so the apples get soft
-Prick the puff pastry all over with a fork
-Spread pastry with sour cream, leaving 1/2 inch border on all sides
-Spread onion/apple mixture over the sour cream
-Bake until pastry is puffy and golden- 15-20 mins