Christmas Party 2012

This year we had a Christmas Party to celebrate with a few friends and once again it was a last minute deal.  When I say last minute, I meant last minute.  We were at the store that afternoon buying groceries and making things up as we go.

 

Now, Crystal is a big Pinterest fan and went online and found a couple ideas which I thought were genius.  She learned how to take box cupcake and tweaked the recipe a bit to make it taste rich and homemade.  The Meatloaf "Cupcake" with a Mash Potato "Icing" was a great idea.  I would have never had thought of that.  The Deviled Eggs with Avocado was Festive, but most importantly Delicious.  And the 4th food item she found was Tomato Soup in a shot glass served with Grilled Cheese.  I liked this idea, but I wanted to take a step further and made Gazpacho and served it in Brandy glasses with strips of Grilled Cheese to dip.

 

Christmas Party Menu: Gazpacho with Grilled Cheese, Meatloaf "Cupcake" with a Mash Potato "Icing", Mini Quiches (Made by Crystal), Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce, Red Velvet Cupcake (Made by Crystal), Deviled Eggs, and Asian Empanadas.



 

 

 

 

Red Velvet Cupcake, Mash Potato Cupcake, Gazpacho, and Mini Quiches.

Gazpacho with Grilled Cheese.

Deviled Eggs, Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce, and Asian Empanadas.

Asian Empanada with Asian Chimichurri Sauce

 

Cranberry Galore!

I have been cooking Thanksgiving for my Family the past I would like to say 10 Years.  Usually, I would put together a List of Ingredients I need and my mom would pick everything up the week before Thanksgiving.  For some reason, this year, she came home with Cans up on Cans of Cranberry Jelly.  I for one do not let anything go to waste!

 

Ribs sounded terrific the week after Thanksgiving.  I ran to HEB just for Ribs and came home and the cans of Cranberry Jelly kept staring at me. 

 

The End result was Cranberry BBQ Sauce for the Ribs.  I slow cooked the ribs in the Oven at 225 Degree F (Same Temperature I would do on the smoker) for about 4 to 5 Hours.  The Meat just feel right off the Bone.

 

Of course I needed a Side Dish and made a Potato Salad that had Bacon, Hard Boiled Eggs, Olives and a bunch of other items. 

 

I had caught wind across the Room that someone wanted Dessert so there I go again, running to the Kitchen.  Once again, the Cranberry Jelly Screaming at me.

 

 

This resulted in a Cran-Apple Pie with Almonds.  I wished I would have taken a picture of it after Plating it.  Nothing makes a Home smell better than a HomeMade Pie in the oven.

 

Last but not Least!  My favorite...Old Fashions.  This bottle of (ri) Bourbon was selected by my cousin Khanh.  How can you beat a Build-Ur-Own Old Fashion Station!