Toasted Marshmallow Day

While the day is recognized at the end of summer, toasted marshmallows are enjoyed at every BBQ all season long.  Who doesn't love s'mores?  The same fan club applies to this ice cream cake that Marge brought to Candace's house last month.  Every plate was licked clean.  She attibuted the recipe to America's test kitchens.

Craft, Chat and Chew

This was the theme yesterday when we created mosaic clay pots and then had lunch.  Gazpacho was made from produce straight from Joe and Sue's garden.   Delicious!   

   Sandwiches and pasta salad were accompanied by Cape Codders. 

The lemon custard pie was delicious.   The best part, however, was the lively conversation that lasted all afternoon.

Summer-y settings

Lunch a deux   -   a table for two.  Light and bright as an August afternoon should be.

Hawaiian shirt soiree

The party gods failed to get the weather gods on board and my annual backyard bash was moved indoors.  But the key elements were still in place - fun atmosphere, good food, and fabulous friends. 

 

All entered through the raffia curtain 

                and got lei-d by the hosts.   

                     E komo mai (welcome)


Next step was the bar

where my signature drink of the evening Kana maka u waki (pronounced can-a make-a you wacky) was served. 

 Other choices were Big Wave Brew or Aloha Ale 

Tom's beer got it's own hula skirt coozie. 

A video hula lesson played in the background but no-one seemed daring enough to try the steps.  Wait...the evening is young.  Between cocktail hour with coconut shrimp, wontons, deviled eggs and a cheese board and dinner, there was time for a photo op.

A simple buffet of ham with grilled pineapple, chicken breasts on mango salsa and teriyaki meatballs was emptied in minutes (forgot to take a picture prior)




and colorful plates and themed napkins set the tone.


 Deirdre's lemon meringue pie was a crowd pleaser - Mahalo (thank you) and some wicked wahines found their way atop cupcakes.

   

All quite casual as we remained ready to move outside if weather permitted.  An evening under the stars was not in the cards but it was memorable, at any rate.  Sue's rendition of Frere Jacques will be one for the books. 

Guests left with a mini ceramic Hawaiian shirt votive as a favor.

Malamapono a hui hou     (take care, until we meet again)

Cheers to the USA Olympic team

The close of the summer Olympics with the phenomenal showings by Team USA coincided with dinner out at a Chinese restaurant.  My cocktail 'mixed' with conversation about the weather at the Olympic site so I decided to call it a "London Fog Cutter"

The original recipe called for gin and lemon juice. Originally gin was used in many cocktails because it was the lightest tasting clear liquor. Today vodka has replaced gin and it makes a smoother tasting drink.

 • ½ oz. rum
• ½ oz. brandy
• ½ oz. vodka
• 1 oz. sweet and sour
• 1 oz. orange juice
• ½ oz. orgeat syrup
• Dash of sherry
• Mint sprig garnish   Shake and strain
Source:  www.barschool,com

Happy Birthday, Julia

Today would have been the 100th birthday of Julia Child who brought of French cuisine into the homes of millions.  She celebrated her 70th and 80th birthdays here on Cape Cod.
Inspired, I created a seven course meal.  The hors d'oeuvres (literally meaning 'outside the works')  were canapes, charcuterie (Trader Joe's white wine sausage), and cornichons.  Next was the fish course. I served a coquille (sauteed sea scallop on a bed of mashed peas with crumbled bacon.) 
This was followed by lemon sorbet to cleanse the palate.
The 'plat' was poulet avec herbes de provence ( pan fried chicken breast tenderloins), accompanied by pommes Chantilly (fancy mashed potatoes), and haricots verts (skinny string beans). 
The traditional order for salad  (frisee avec vinaigrette moutarde) is after the entree.  Then the cheese course of Brie with honey and walnuts served with baguette slices.

 Dessert was creme brulee, a fan favorite.

Chocolate Coconut Pie

Simply elegant, simply scrumptious, simply simple.

Mix together 5 cups (about 1 1/2 packages) sweetened flaked coconut with 1/2 cup softened butter.

Press into a 9" pie pan and cover edges with foil.  Bake 10-15 minutes at 350' until inside crust is light brown.  Remove foil and brown edges (about 5 minutes).  Cool completely.

Chop 1 cup bittersweet chocolate. (I used Ghiradelli 60% cacao).  Heat 1 cup heavy cream to boiling.  Pour over chocolate and let sit 10 minutes.  Stir until completely melted and pour into crust.

Refrigerate until set (at least an hour).

Lobster Roll

The must-have summer specialty in a coastal resort.  My favorite is made by The Seafood Shanty on Route 6 overlooking the Cape Cod Canal.  The sandwich is brimming with chunks of lobster meat and is served with french fries. 

Summer entertaining

"Summer afternoon... the two most beautiful words in the English language" according to Henry James.

 Perfect for dining al fresco (outdoors) but some elements are necessary to ensure your guest's comfort.  Suitable seating is a must.  No-one can  sit for long on slats or webs without being imprinted.  Make sure wood seats are free from splinters and metal seats are not as hot as a skillet!  Best still, use cushions.

August celebrations

August is American Artist Appreciation, Foot Health, and Home Business Month; also, National Catfish, Golf, Inventors, and Water Quality month.  We  can celebrate National Clown, Elvis, Apple, Smile, Dance, and Air Conditioning Appreciation weeks,too.
How about a birthday party for Francis Scott Key, Betty  Boop, Annie Oakley, Davy Crockett, Bill Clinton or Wilt Chamberlain? Other special days commemorate the debut of MTV, the founding of Switzerland, the first income tax, the issue of the Lincoln penny, the establishment of the Coast Guard, and the patent of the waffle iron.   I'm sure to celebrate National Chocolate Chip, Filet Mignon, Creamsicle, Peach Pie, Watermelon, Sponge Cake, and Ice cream sandwich days.
And let's not miss Middle Children's, International Left-handers, Book lovers and Sea Serpent days.
A party is called for on Wiggle Your Toes, Dream (MLK speech delivered), Be an Angel, Sit Back and Relax Days.
Enjoy the last month of summer!