End of Summer/Getting ready for the Fall

How is it that summer is over already?! I feel like it went by SO quickly! But I have to say, it was a great summer! Lots of catering! And it doesn’t stop there. Planned an AMAZING menu for an “End of the summer pool party”, which should have been this past weekend, but with Hurricane Dorian passing through, we had to reschedule our event for a couple of weeks from now. (Be sure to check in a couple of weeks for the final results!) This party of 40 people will have:

*Crudite platter with veggies, fruit, hummus, and tzatziki

*Veggie paninis with pesto

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*Antipasto pasta salad with an herb vinaigrette

*Sliders with all sorts of toppings

*Grilled chicken

*Grilled corn with cilantro lime butter

*Coleslaw

*BBQ spiced popcorn

*Sweet and savory chex party mix

*Peach cobbler

*Strawberry shortcake

I don’t think it’s going to be enough food! LOL If you read the post before, this is going to be for the family that I catered a fun First Holy Communion for their daughter. The best compliment they gave me, being able to be present for their celebration while having fun hosting and not having to prep and cook for all of their guests. Can you imagine this pool party with all of this food and they won’t get to enjoy their own party? I can’t wait to post how it went! So when she requested peach cobbler, I began to crave it so I HAD to make a little batch of it (ya know, because of the diet! LOL).

Also, getting ready for the Fall and put up some awesome cooking classes to get you ready for all of your fall hosting. There are some great recipes that you can add in your archive of recipes! There is more information under the Services page, but here are the menus for September and October:

September cooking classes:

  • Hot Cuban Flavors Amazing Latin flavors are packed into this simple, but delicious menu!
    • Spicy Grilled Mojo Chicken with Avocado Mango Salsa, Grilled Corn with Cotija and Lime, Coconut Flan
  • Fall Favorites Perfect, comfort recipes just in time for the fall!
    • Perfect Roast Chicken with Lemon and Herbs, Vegetable Pot Pie, Apple Crisp with Cinnamon Cream
  • For the kiddos Fun and interactive class where kids learn how to make pasta! They will also learn to make a cookie they are sure to love!
    • Fettuccine Alfredo, Chicken Parmesan, Lemon Sugar Cookies
  • Date Night Enjoy a fun night with your friends and cook an amazing dinner that you will for sure cook over and over!
    • Crostini with Caramelized Shallots, Balsamic Fig Jam, and Burrata, Fresh Pasta, Lobster Ravioli with White Wine Beurre Blanc, Champagne Chocolate Truffles

October cooking classes:

  • Autumn Pies It’s that time of year again and that means fall baking! Learn how to make delicious, decorative fall pies
    • Classic Pumpkin Pie, Apple Pie, Bourbon Caramel Sauce
  • Fall Soups and Stews Fabulous recipes for the perfect fall day
    • Chicken and Herb Dumpling Soup, Hearty Tuscan Beef and Red Wine Stew, Sweet Potato Soup with Apple and Ginger
  • Girl’s Night Out! Grab your favorite Champagne and your girlfriends to this delicious fall menu!
    • Endive Salad with Grapes and Candied Pecans, Pan Roasted Chicken with Sage Au Jus, Pumpkin Risotto with Fried Sage, Apple Butterscotch Gallette
  • Date Night The perfect dinner for a romantic, fall night in!
    • Fennel and Blood Orange Salad with White Balsamic Vinaigrette, Cast Iron Steak with Red Wine Sauce, Truffle Mashed Potatoes, Chocolate Espresso Pot de Creme

What would you like to learn in November? I’ll be posting the November classes by the end of the month, because my favorite holiday is right around the corner and there are some good, classic recipes to be shared! Thanksgiving is the perfect time to host a great dinner and my classes will be filled with all sorts of tips and ideas!

Be sure to follow me on Instagram! So many good food pics and inspiration! Also, subscribe to my blog for future classes and recipes! xoxo

Meal Planning and Back to School

Hi everyone!  Summer is coming to an end and we’ve eaten a lot of great food.  Meal planning going strong!!  I’m very grateful that I have new clients and I am helping families.  I love that they are referring me to their friends and family!  It’s very fulfilling to provide fully cooked meals for families who don’t have the time to cook.  I get the opportunity to help them eat healthy food while they take care of everything else.  What would you like to see on the meal plan rotation? 20190812_161015-01

On the menu for one family:

*Lemon and Parmesan Salmon with Heirloom Tomato, Corn, and Avocado Salad

*Korean Grilled Steak with Sesame Chimichurri and Asian Chopped Salad

*Greek Chicken bowls with Lemon Orzo and Tzatziki

*Roasted Lamb Chops with Mashed Potatoes and Honey Glazed Carrots

*Double Chocolate Brownies

For another family:

*Gnocchi Bolognese with Caesar Salad

*Sweet Thai Basil Chicken with Jasmine Rice

*Lemon Roasted Salmon with Roasted Potatoes and Asparagus

*Sheet Pan Steak Fajitas with Cilantro Lime Rice

*Chocolate Chip Cookies

 

Let’s plan your weekly meals!  Be sure to follow me on Instagram!  xoxo

Memorial Day Weekend meal planning

Hi there!  I hope everyone is having a fun filled and safe holiday!

Every week, I’m incorporating more and more kid friendly options for busy families.  For one family this week, I prepared:

*Ginger soy glazed salmon with sauteed bok choy

*Herb roasted chicken and potatoes

*Lasagna with Caesar salad

*Mac and cheese and roasted broccoli

 

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I’m also planning a birthday party for a new family this weekend and the menu we came up is going to be fantastic:

*Peach, honey, and goat cheese crostini

*Bruschetta with and seasoned ricotta and roasted tomatoes

*Grilled Caesar Salad with homemade croutons

*Marinated veggie paninis with sun dried tomato pesto

*Grilled steak with chimichurri

*Potato salad with herb dressing

*Vanilla panna cotta with balsamic roasted peaches

This new family is a referral customer and for that, she (and the customer who referred her) are getting a special gift!  I’m so happy that she and her family are giving me the opportunity to take the stress off their shoulders and cater their special occasion for them.  All they need to do, is have fun with their guests!

The month is almost over and so is the discount off your first service!  Let’s plan your special occasion and create an amazing menu!

Lemon Thyme Shortbread

This post is pretty exciting for me because this is the first post where I post a recipe!  Though this site is meant to promote my services as a private chef, I would love to share some recipes with you every once in a while.  This weather has my herbs growing so beautifully and so I have been wanting to make these cookies all week!  They are so easy to make and they are bursting with Spring flavor!  For those busy families, you can make a large batch of dough, wrap in parchment paper in the shape of a log, and freeze until ready to bake.  They will make great slice and bake shortbread cookies!

By the way, be sure to follow me on Instagram!

Lemon Thyme Shortbread Cookies

  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Ingredients

-1/2 cup butter, room temperature

-1/2 cup granulated sugar

-Zest of 1 large lemon

-Juice of half lemon

-1 1/4 cup All purpose flour

-1 1/2 tbsp Thyme, finely chopped

-1/4 tsp salt

Directions

  1.  Preheat oven to 350.
  2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the butter and sugar together for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy.
  3. Add the lemon zest and juice and mix to combine, about 10 seconds.
  4. Add 1/2 cup of flour and mix on low speed.  Add the remaining flour, the chopped thyme, and the salt and mix until just combined, careful not to overmix.  The dough should be cleaning off the sides of the bowl.
  5. On a lightly floured surface, turn the dough and shape into a ball.  Roll out dough until about 1/4 inch thick.  Cut out cookies and place on a sheet tray.
  6. Place in freezer for about 5 minutes (this prevents the dough from spreading as it bakes).  Place sheet tray in preheated oven and bake 12-15 minutes.
  7. Allow cookies to cool before enjoying!

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