lazy sunday afternoon
November 9, 2008
It’s working. Wallflour has inspired someone other than myself to have a garden party! A few weeks ago, I got an email from my friend, Heather, about a garden party to take place at my friend Reid and Tommy’s house in Echo Park. It was as simple as sending out an email and asking everyone to make canapés to enjoy together on a Sunday afternoon. We take full advantage of the non-existent seasons in LA- Garden party in October? I’m planning to enjoy Thanksgiving outdoors as well.
jicama, date and mint canapés
The word “canapés” might be intimidating to some and was obviously up for interpretation. Traditionally, in France and Spain, it means a small snack that can be enjoyed in one bite and usually before a meal, with a cocktail. Most times canapés involve some kind of bready bottom to delivery the salty, savory topping to your mouth. I’m not a ‘canapé cop’ though, and the party was a complete success. There are no rules when it comes to food-centric gatherings.
crab salad with granny smith apples and toasted baguette
Eating outdoors always makes food more enjoyable. So many yummy things were set out. My favorite dish was the homemade deviled eggs that Juon made. Amazing, he even made the mayonnaise from scratch and just goes to show the simplest things can be absolutely delicious when made with care and the right ingredients. Another highlight was the crab and celery salad on bruschetta toasts and the blanched asparagus tips with a miso dipping sauce.
best deviled eggs ever
Everyone was so inspired and usually inviting ten or so people would get you about five more dishes than what you would make yourself. But that day, the dishes out-numbered the people since many felt inclined to make several dishes and show-off their culinary flair. The fact that the guests all work in creative fields is reflected in the presentation and arrangement of the food. Another tasty savory item was the jicama and date canapes. Joan went with a 70’s theme and in addition to the asparagus, she made a warm crab dip and a salmon mousse. So beige and so 70’s.
an abundance of sweets
And then there was dessert. There were about four kinds of dessert. Mindy’s chocolate cream puffs were beautiful and fluffy. I made some ramekins of chocolate pot de cremes with fresh whipped cream and there was a huge platter of cookies and brownies courtesy of Tommy’s offsite kitchen, aka, Delilah’s Bakery.
grabbing hands grab all they can…
Cooking and entertaining at home can be so fun and totally affordable. I’m pretty sure everyone went home with doggie bags.These events are rather simple to put together and so much more relaxing than going to a restaurant. Restaurants really can’t accommodate more than a table of six. And there’s nothing more depressing than a screwed up order. Even if it’s not yours, it just sets the mood at the table.
cheese and salumi with cornichons and fig spread
Stay tuned for the coverage of the sausage party (literally) that I will be co-hosting this weekend with some friends at my place. It was that or subject myself to a night of Medieval Times. Some quick thinking on my part, and a full blown cocktail birthday party is in effect. Phew, that was a narrow escape.
It’s working. Wallflour has inspired someone other than myself to have a garden party! A few weeks ago, I got an email from my friend, Heather, about a garden party to take place at my friend Reid and Tommy’s house in Echo Park. It was as simple as sending out an email and asking everyone to make canapés to enjoy together on a Sunday afternoon. We take full advantage of the non-existent seasons in LA- Garden party in October? I’m planning to enjoy Thanksgiving outdoors as well.
jicama, date and mint canapés
The word “canapés” might be intimidating to some and was obviously up for interpretation. Traditionally, in France and Spain, it means a small snack that can be enjoyed in one bite and usually before a meal, with a cocktail. Most times canapés involve some kind of bready bottom to delivery the salty, savory topping to your mouth. I’m not a ‘canapé cop’ though, and the party was a complete success. There are no rules when it comes to food-centric gatherings.
crab salad with granny smith apples and toasted baguette
Eating outdoors always makes food more enjoyable. So many yummy things were set out. My favorite dish was the homemade deviled eggs that Juon made. Amazing, he even made the mayonnaise from scratch and just goes to show the simplest things can be absolutely delicious when made with care and the right ingredients. Another highlight was the crab and celery salad on bruschetta toasts and the blanched asparagus tips with a miso dipping sauce.
best deviled eggs ever
Everyone was so inspired and usually inviting ten or so people would get you about five more dishes than what you would make yourself. But that day, the dishes out-numbered the people since many felt inclined to make several dishes and show-off their culinary flair. The fact that the guests all work in creative fields is reflected in the presentation and arrangement of the food. Another tasty savory item was the jicama and date canapes. Joan went with a 70’s theme and in addition to the asparagus, she made a warm crab dip and a salmon mousse. So beige and so 70’s.
an abundance of sweets
And then there was dessert. There were about four kinds of dessert. Mindy’s chocolate cream puffs were beautiful and fluffy. I made some ramekins of chocolate pot de cremes with fresh whipped cream and there was a huge platter of cookies and brownies courtesy of Tommy’s offsite kitchen, aka, Delilah’s Bakery.
grabbing hands grab all they can…
Cooking and entertaining at home can be so fun and totally affordable. I’m pretty sure everyone went home with doggie bags.These events are rather simple to put together and so much more relaxing than going to a restaurant. Restaurants really can’t accommodate more than a table of six. And there’s nothing more depressing than a screwed up order. Even if it’s not yours, it just sets the mood at the table.
cheese and salumi with cornichons and fig spread
Stay tuned for the coverage of the sausage party (literally) that I will be co-hosting this weekend with some friends at my place. It was that or subject myself to a night of Medieval Times. Some quick thinking on my part, and a full blown cocktail birthday party is in effect. Phew, that was a narrow escape.
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