Tag chicken

Parties That Cook Recipe Testing for Cooking Classes and Corporate Cooking Events

Once a season, the Parties That Cook crew does their version of a pirate attack and takes over the Sur La Table kitchen. Armed with large knives and lots of spice-filled Tupperware, our team spends 6 hours mincing, frying, baking, and tasting their way through over 20 fall and holiday season recipes. Perfection doesn’t grow on trees (unless it’s a PTC tree), so our motley crew of talented chefs makes sure each gourmet item is described and portioned to custom-fit our parties and themes. We set out the finished dishes for the customers of Sur La Table to stop by and enjoy. We had overwhelmingly positive feedback! The crowd favorite was a Mexican Chocolate Soufflé with Cinnamon Whipped Cream, a close second being the Porcini Mushroom Bisque and the Oven Roasted Broccolini with Pine Nuts, Currants and Bread Crumbs.

Peanut and Coconut Wontons with Sweet and Spicy Soy Dipping Sauce
Peanut and Coconut Wontons with Sweet and Spicy Soy Dipping Sauce

Miniature Sophisto Joes with White Cheddar Cheese
Miniature Sophisto Joes with White Cheddar Cheese

Polenta with Fontina and Herbs
Polenta with Fontina and Herbs

Fettucine with Arugula-Walnut Pesto
Fettucine with Arugula-Walnut Pesto

Mini Apple Upside-Down Cornmeal Cakes
Mini Apple Upside Down Cornmeal Cakes

Garlic and Gruyere Mashed Potatoes
Garlic and Gruyere Mashed Potatoes

Spinach and Gruyere Cheese Souffle
Spinach and Gruyere Cheese Souffle

Pancetta-Cured Skirt Steak with Chanterelles and Shallots
Pancetta-Cured Flank Steak with Chanterelles and Shallots

Curry Dusted Salmon Skewers with Yogurt Dipping Sauce
Curry Dusted Salmon Skewers with Yogurt Dipping Sauce

Crepes filled with Hazelnut-Chocolate Gianduja
Crepes filled with Hazelnut-Chocolate Gianduja

Coffee Crusted Pork Tenderloin with Red Chile Sauce
Coffee Crusted Pork Tenderloin with Red Chile Sauce

Coconut Tempura Shrimp with Banana, Lime, Cilantro Relish
Coconut Tempura Shrimp with Banana, Lime, Cilantro Relish

Mexican Chocolate Souffle with Soft Cinnamon Whipped Cream
Mexican Chocolate Souffles with Soft Cinnamon Whipped Cream

Chocolate Dulce de Leche Shortbread Bars
Chocolate Dulce de Leche Shortbread Bars

Buttermilk Brined Chicken Breasts with a Mustard Cream Pan Sauce
Buttermilk-Brined Chicken Breasts with a Mustard Cream Pan Sauce

Oven Roasted Broccolini with Pine Nuts, Currants, and Bread Crumbs
Oven Roasted Broccolini with Pine Nuts, Currants, and Bread Crumbs

Bacon Wrapped Persimmon with Blue Cheese and Balsamic-Honey Glaze
Bacon Wrapped Persimmon with Blue Cheese and Balsamic Honey Glaze

Lucky for me, I got to try each and every one and I solemnly swear that this is no ordinary gourmet extravaganza you will embark on as you try these recipes. It is amazing what a pinch of salt, shot of brandy, or touch of Parties That Cook magic will do to your food! Book your party today so you can get your hands on these delicious recipes!

Contributed by Leigh Hermansen

Homage to “The Joy of Cooking”

Joy of CookingThe Joy of Cooking has been the quintessential kitchen reference for tens of millions home cooks, since it was first published in 1931. From tuna noodle casserole to pate maison, Joy covers a comprehensive slew of culinary endeavors rooted vaguely in 20th century American homemaker tradition.

The book’s first edition was self-published by Irma S. Rombauer, a struggling homemaker from St. Louis, who wrote the book to support her family after her husband’s death. Joy became immensely popular as an encyclopedia of tried-and-true recipes, textbook of cooking techniques (canning, pickling, butchering), and culinary primer for proper American dining.

We selected the 75th Anniversary Edition of Joy for our October PTC Cookbook Luncheon. Released in 2006, this latest revision was received with a bit of skepticism because of its restoration of original recipes including use of ready-made products like Cream of Mushroom soup, as well as use of “modern” appliances like the microwave.

On the exploratory menu for our monthly luncheon (see below for our descriptions and thoughts):

Vegetable Pot Pie with Cheddar Biscuit Crust – Made with a variety of meticulously peeled and chopped and individually sauteed winter root vegetables, Rosie’s main complaint was the many hours she spent preparing this dish. Overall, a very satisfying, heart-warming dish that could be pared down to just a couple varieties of vegetable for ease of cooking.

Pate Maison – A dramatic veal and chicken liver pate wrapped in bacon. While the bacon wrap is meant to be cut off after the smoky flavor is imparted, Crissy couldn’t bare slicing off all of the fatty goodness, and served it sliced alongside crusty baguette, dijon and cornichons. We loved the rustic, crumbly texture of the pate and agreed it was all-around was quite impressive a dish.

Tart Greens with Apples, Pecans and Buttermilk Honey Dressing – A simple salad, perfectly balanced and full of flavor. Christina tossed a tasty bowl of seasonal tart greens including endive, radicchio and arugula. The buttermilk honey dressing was surprisingly light, yet satisfying.

Cheese Soufflé – A classic French recipe, prone to “falling.” Bibby adeptly timed her masterpiece, so it was presented in fully poofed gloriousness. The creamy and rich center included a mix of Gruyere and Parmigiano-Reggiano. Bibby pumped up the flavor of the recipe with some Dijon mustard and lemon juice.

Tuna Noodle Casserole – A nostalgic favorite from almost everyone’s childhood, Lauren elected to make the Cream of Mushroom-based pasta bake. Eaters agreed the topping of buttered cracker crumbs and parmesean cheese “made the dish.” Alternative topping suggestions included canned potato sticks, cornflakes and breadcrumbs.

Gorgonzola Stuffed Chicken Breasts – Shanti had originally planned on a chicken piccata, but only had a cast-iron pan on-hand, deeming her cream sauce impossible. Instead, she seared up this juicy chicken dish – perfect for a weeknight dinner.

Herb Crusted Sirloin Kebabs with Tomato Basil Relish – New to cooking, Office Manager LeRoid tried his hand at kebabs. Most notably, the recipe lacked portions for the herbs, so LeRoid was left to his own tastebuds to decipher the perfect blend of herbs for the marinade. The directions were also missing basil entirely, so LeRoid instinctively mixed chopped leaves into the relish. We all agreed he did a great job winging it!

Stuffed Cabbage – Tanya had long been searching for a great stuffed cabbage recipe, and may have found it! Traditionally a very labor intensive dish, Tanya cleverly invited friends and family to partake in the rolling of the hearty meat-filled leaves. After being simmered in a well-spiced tomato sauce, the leaf parcels were fork-tender and infused with flavor.