[Sca-cooks] Housewarming menu

[Michael Gunter]

I had my housewarming party this weekend for my new
apartment. Basically it was just an excuse to get folks
together for a party.

It turned out pretty well, in spite of the very nasty weather.

My food was a bit eclectic and not exactly designed to go
together, but it got eaten so it wasn't a total loss.

I started out the day making a homemade Boston Cream Pie.
Probably my favorite dish and I didn't get any.  :-(
Man, guests can be piggy!

Then put some chicken and turkey Italian sausage (just italian
sausage made from turkey for friends who don't eat red meat)
mixed with lemon sections, unpeeled garlic cloves, a bit of olive
oil, white wine, pepper and fresh thyme in a 200 degree oven
for 2 hours then uncovered and cooked at 400 degrees for
another half an hour. Very nice dish.

Because of the discussion on the list I wound up making a
pot of chili in my 128 year old dutch oven. Basic recipe of
coarse ground beef browned with onion and garlic. Added
an 8 oz can of tomato sauce and two cans of water. Then
added paprika, salt, cumin, red pepper and let simmer for
30 minutes. After 30 minutes I made a slurry with masa flour
and added that. Cooked another 20 minutes and done.

I did cornbread in another cast iron skillet to go with it.

Another dish was a portabella risotto with pan roasted vegetables.
A basic risotto made with chicken stock that portabella mushrooms
have been simmered in. Then oiled up a pan and roasted onions,
tomatoes and swiss chard. Stirred together and served.

I did a light bruschetta of toasted ciabatta with a topping of
tomatoes, basil, garlic and onion.

Cookies with pecans, caramel and chocolate chips.

Various wines, sodas and coffee. I even served some chocolates
designed to be eaten with a merlot that was a gift from Countess Sara.

The party went all day and finally ended with a group of us going to
see assorted movies. The planned trip to the Oriental market next
door never happened.

Still, a rather fun, if eclectic dinner.

Gunthar