Category News & Events

Nothing But Love For Pacific Community Ventures and PTC’s Ahi Tuna Tartare

On Tuesday, November 2nd, some of the Parties That Cook team attended the Pacific Community Ventures Annual Luncheon and Showcase. PCV is a non-profit organization that invests in small businesses, as well as offers entrepreneurs access to valuable business advising. Bibby had been asked to introduce George Beardsley, who was being honored as Advisor of the Year. George has recently provided PTC with some truly amazing guidance and advice in its endeavors, so Bibby was eager to help. Once again, Crissy was recruited to (wo)man the PTC booth. Carolyn, usually PTC’s operations manager, came out as our Lead Chef for the day.

We had a couple of tables set up with the usual marketing materials as well as an interactive cooking station! Passers-by were invited and encouraged to put on an apron, jump in and help us make Ahi Tuna Tartare for the crowd. We really did get some great volunteers! Visitors intrigued by the cooking station, and attendees interested in hearing more about our business kept us very busy!

It was great to reconnect with some familiar faces, as well as meet other showcasing companies, some of which included: Charles Chocolates (delicious AND represented by wonderful people), Fireclay Tile (beautiful designs, thanks for the tile!), Chile Lindo (glad you got the chance to make some tuna tartare with us!), Rhythm and Motion (dance classes look like SO much fun), InterSchola (brilliant idea), and SFMade (hope to see you again soon!) –they were all SO nice!

Everyone LOVED the Ahi Tuna Tartare on Wonton Triangles, so it only seemed right to share the recipe in a blog (it is also posted in our Appetizer Recipe Library). Fortunately, the wontons made the day before (triangles instead of cups) were crispy enough to last through the day (I made 200, and we still ran out!). This recipe will lead you to an appetizer with fresh, slightly tangy flavors that have just the right amount of spicy kick!

Ahi Tuna Tartare in Toasted Wonton Cups

Wonton Cups:
24 wonton wrappers
Olive oil spray
Salt for light dusting

Tuna Tartare:
9 ounces sushi-grade tuna, cut into 1/4-inch cubes
2 Tablespoons green onions, green parts only, finely chopped
2 Tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted
2 Tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, peeled and grated
1 clove garlic, minced
3/4 teaspoon orange zest
1/2 teaspoon Sriracha (red chili sauce)
2 Tablespoons cilantro, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 avocado, cut into 1/4-inch dice
2 teaspoons lime juice
Cilantro sprigs for garnish

Methods/Steps:

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Make Wonton Cups: Spray mini muffin tins with olive oil. Spray (or brush lightly) both sides of each wonton wrapper with olive oil. Place wrappers in mini-muffin tins. Bake until golden, about 6 minutes. (They can burn easily so watch carefully.) Remove cups from pan, sprinkle lightly with salt and let cool on a cooling rack.
Alternatively, if you want triangles: Cut the wonton squares on an angle to make two triangles. Spray with olive oil, or brush lightly, on both sides. Arrange triangles on a baking sheet, and bake until golden, about 6 minutes. Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle lightly with salt before cooling.

Prepare Tuna Tartare: Mix tuna, green onions, sesame seeds, soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, orange zest, Sriracha, cilantro and salt together in a medium bowl.

Assemble: Right before ready to serve, add avocado and lime juice to the tuna mixture (Do not add in advance or the texture will be compromised). Gently mix. Place a heaping teaspoon of the tuna tartare in each wonton cup. Garnish with a sprig of cilantro. Place on serving platter and serve immediately.

This original Parties That Cook recipe makes 24 wonton cups.
For other proven crowd-pleasing recipes, check out our Appetizer Recipe Library!

Check out a throw-back video of Parties That Cook founder and CEO, Bibby, giving a great tutorial on these wonton wrappers!

Journey To The Other Side of The World: Authentic Thai Recipe

Fun. Simple. Delicious. These are the only descriptors needed to grab my attention on the cover of a brochure for Amita Thai Cooking Class. For the most authentic Thai cooking class, why not go straight to the source? Parties That Cook founder and CEO, Bibby Gignilliat, did just that early this month when she embarked on a journey that would take her to Southern Asia.

Bibby was lucky enough to partake in an Amita cooking class, held in Bangkok, Thailand. Before the cooking begins, the instructors present a quick cooking demonstration (sound familiar?), and students get to pick fresh ingredients to be used in the day’s recipes from a nursery herb garden. After the class, students get to keep the recipes of the day, printed on the back of a colorful postcard of the finished meal! One of the favorites of the day was the sweet yet tangy Tom Kha Gai, or Chicken in Coconut Soup.

Tom Kha Gai
For more recipes with exotic flavors, check out our Ethnic Recipes Section!

Ingredients
100 grams sliced chicken breasts
¾ cup chicken stock
½ cup coconut milk
1 Tablespoon fish sauce
1 Tablespoon lime juice
5 thin sliced young galangal (blue ginger)
2 stalks lemongrass cut 1 inch length, crushed.
3 fresh kaffir lime leaves torn in half
3 red and green chilies, crushed for seasoning and garnish
Coriander leaves clipped for garnish

Methods/Steps
Soup: Boil chicken stock with galangal and lemon grass for aroma. Bring out galangal. Add chicken, slicked young galangal, coconut milk, lemon grass, kaffir lime leaves. Cover and simmer on low heat until chicken is cooked.
Season: Remove from heat. Season with fish sauce and lime juice, and add a pinch of salt for taste.
Garnish: with coriander leaves and red and green chilies before serving.
Makes 1 serving.

Bibby was eager to immerse herself in the culture and traditions of Thailand, though her ultimate destination was the tiny land of Bhutan. About half the size of Indiana, this landlocked country has been said to be “The happiest country in Asia” – take that Disneyland!