Rocco and Aimee Hanson own a wonderful and inventive culinary company called Oui Cook in Mendocino, California. Describing them as caterers or even as chefs just does not do them justice. What they really do is create an ambiance for your event or private dinner that includes wonderfully prepared food. I have first hand experience with Oui Cook. Over the last few years, my family has insisted on Rocco and Aimee for any of our private...
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Paella with Seafood, Chicken and Chorizo There is something so festive and inviting about Paella . . .especially when it’s prepared over a wood fire or on the beach. I don’t claim that this recipe is an authentic or traditional version which would probably have rabbit and lima beans instead of chorizo and gabanzos. But I believe a 20 inch paella pan can be like an artist’s canvas. Have fun with it and make it...
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Pan Fried Abalone Growing up on the coast of Northern California I so fortunate to have access to fresh abalone. It’s considered a culinary delicacy for good reason. When prepared correctly, it is mouth watering, tender and buttery. And when it’s not prepared correctly, it can be like dining on a Michelin tire! The key is to pound it to just the right thickness and to make sure you don’t overcook it....
Read MorePhyllo Asparagus Spears These are easy to make, but take some practice. I would recommend you make them at least once before you make them for a special occasion. The above photo was taken by Ninette at Big, Bold, Beautiful Food. She made this recipe and made some little changes to it. You can read her take on the recipe here. Be sure to check out her website while you’re there, it’s gorgeous and is...
Read MoreProsciutto-Wrapped Grilled Plums with Gorgonzola and Rosemary by Chef David Lawrence www.chefdavidlawrence.com This year I had a very large July 4th party. It was held outside and the menu consisted of appetizers. We served these plums with a few modifications. The rosemary sprigs were made longer so that people could hold them while standing and visiting. St. Andre cheese is one of my personal favorites so we opted...
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Banana’s Foster Cream Pie Photos and Recipe Reprinted with Permission by www.evilshenanigans.com This is such a smart recipe. Take a classic dessert like Bananas Foster and turn it into a creme pie. The writers of www.evilshenanigans.com came up with this on a whim and I bet it will become a classic of its own. Here is the recipe, in her own words: Yield 1-9″ Pie Ingredients: Crust: 1 1/4 cup graham cracker crumbs 1/4 cup...
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