Tag chicago

In the Test Kitchen: New Recipes for Fall & Holiday

Chef TanyaAs annual ritual dictates, we recently broke out our knives and spatulas for rigorous recipe testing of our newly drafted 2008 Fall & Holiday Menus. It’s only mid-September, but here at Parties That Cook we’re already gearing up for a busy holiday season jam-packed with holiday parties, corporate team building events, Christmas cocktail soirées and family celebrations.

Mini Meyer Lemon Cupcakes with Cream Cheese FrostingThe day began with a meeting of five PTC chefs at our top secret test kitchen facility. Executive Chef Gignilliat assigned each of the chefs 5 to 6 recipes each to test and refine during the course of the day.

Below are a few items on the lengthy carte du jour….(C)LICK links for tasty sneak-peek photos of these delicious holiday dishes.

You’ll just have to join us for a holiday cooking party to taste test the real deal!

If you book a cooking party with us now through Oct 31st, we’re offering $200 off all parties! Our stove is filling up fast, so call or email us to reserve your holiday party date!

White Bean, Yogurt and Feta Dip with Herbed Pita Chips
Caraway and Gruyère Gougères Sprinkled with Sea Salt
Mini Meyer Lemon Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
Savory Butternut Squash Turnovers with Cinnamon-Harissa Crème Fraîche
Tartlets of Roquefort, Apples, Onions and Honey
Chicken under a Brick Stuffed with Ricotta, Walnut and Arugula Pesto
Grilled Skirt Steak with Ancho Mole Sauce
Spice-Crusted Salmon Skewers with Harissa Yogurt Sauce
Lamb Loin Chops with Dried Cherry Port Sauce
Parmesan and Herb Crusted Filet Mignon
Gingerbread Cakes with Aunt Mimi’s Bourbon Cream Sauce
Meyer Lemon Olive Oil Cake with Pomegranate Syrup
Brown Sugar-Roasted Pineapple with Coconut Shortcakes

Okay, we’ve teased you enough!

If you’re in the mood to try our Savory Butternut Squash Turnovers with Cinnamon-Harissa Crème Fraîche, check out these How-to photos and grab the recipe here.

Savory Butternut Squash Turnovers with Cinnamon-Harissa Crème Fraîche

Top Chef is great TV, but what’s really cooking in Chicago?

The Windy City is looking as magical as ever on this season’s Top Chef. We were sad to see fellow San Francisco chef, Erik Hopfinger, booted off the show last week for a soggy corn dog offering at a Chicago neighborhood block party. We’ll continue to root for charmer Ryan Scott, former chef of Myth Cafe and member of our Parties That Cook culinary team!

If you’re in the mood for culinary adventure this week (blame it on your Top Chef-watching high), you’ll want to join us our Chicago singles event, where the Windy City’s in-crowd mixes and mingles while learning to cook a menu of delicious gourmet appetizers and tapas.

Scallop and Shrimp Tostadas with Tequila, Lime and Garlic

Chicago: Gourmet Dating for Singles – Cooking Class
This Thursday, April 3, 2008, 6:30-8:30PM
Calphalon Culinary Center
1000 W Washington Blvd, Chicago, IL 60607
$75 per person (buy tickets online)

On the Menu
Hosomaki: Spicy Tuna Sushi Rolls
Cornbread Tartlets with Ricotta and Tomatoes
Moroccan Bisteeya Baskets Filled with Chicken, Raisins and Cinnamon
Mini Gyros Pita Pockets with Grilled Lamb and Tzatziki Sauce

Shoestring French Fry Bar with Assorted Dipping Sauces
Cinnamon Churros with Hot Chocolate Dipping Sauce

Click here to read the tasty event details here