Catering by Chrisetta: Cocktail/50th Birthday Party

I was thrilled to be the caterer at my mentor's 50th birthday party last night! It was a cocktail party so that meant lots and lots of small bites.

The customized menu: 
- Bacon-Wrapped Dates with Blue Cheese and Almonds
- Asian Inspired Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce
- Prawn Cocktail
- Grilled Chicken Kebabs with Tzatziki Sauce and Naan
- Cheese Platter with Grapes and Baguettes
- Antipasto Platter
- Indiviual Crudités with Herb Dip


Here's a look at some of the deliciousness!

 

 Prep fun!

 The birthday girl!

Catering by Chrisetta: Poker Tournament

Greek Salad

I was all jazzed up about this Greek themed catering event. Greek food happens to be my favorite, simple ingredients with delightful flavors.  On the menu:
 
- Fig & Apricot Quinoa Salad
- Greek Salad
- Green Salad (Arugula, Endive, and Romaine)
- Grilled Chicken Kebabs marinated in Greek Yogurt infused with Greek spices
- Grilled Chicken Kebabs rubbed in a unique blend of cinnamon, cumin, and I can't tell you the rest
- Tzatziki sauce with Naan
- Crudités platter and Pita chips with Hummus
- Bowls of Nuts & Olives
- Fig Newtons
- Shortbread cookies served with Apricot Spread

Thanks to my mentor and friend, Veronica, and Edith for having me serve their friends. It was a delicious time!

 

From garden to table: Gathering fresh goods from Edith's garden

 

Edith filling the water pitcher with oranges, limes, lemons, and mint

Greens: Endive, Arugula, Romaine tossed with Lemon Vinaigrette

Fig & Apricot Quinoa Salad

 

Chicken Kebabs served with made from scratch Tzatziki sauce

As always, I hand chopped the vegetables for the Crudités platter. Fennel bulb, carrots, tomatoes, squash, zucchini, red and orange bell peppers served with Hummus

Greek Goodness! Naan, Feta cheese, Kalamata olives, Hummus, and mint leaves

Veronica lovingly displaying the freshly baked shortbread cookies served with Apricot Preserves

 

Dining and enjoying each others company - my job's done!

Mingling

Sweet Endings

Shortbread cookies with Apricot preserves

Fig Newtons

Veronica: "Fig Newton anyone?"

The lovely co-hosts of the party Edith & Veronica

Oh yeah, the poker

Mouthwatering Munchies for Teens

Helping folks step Outside of the prepared food box -- The coolest "job" without a doubt! Doesn't matter what mood I'm in it all seems to be better when I'm presenting and cooking. Last night's "Mouthwatering Munchies for Teens" demo was one of those times. I was a little down, but as soon as I entered the library all was well.

The youth and teens are our future. And, I'm proud and honored to help them make better, informed food decisions. I tell you -- it's the most AWESOME feeling, to look around the room at young enthusiastic faces and see their bulbs shining brighter and brighter as I introduce ingredients and talk cooking techniques. My message is simple: Any and everything that is in a box or package can be made at home using fresh, whole ingredients.

To illustrate my point I showed them simple, healthy snacks they can whip up: Hummus served with Crudités (raw vegetables), Fresh Salsa and Guacamole served with Tortilla Chips (store bought), and Granola (made from scratch) Berry Parfaits. 

Knowledge is power. A big part of my presentations are educating about food. How food relates to our health, where food comes from, seasonal produce, etc. It's a bonus to do presentations at the library because I can tie in reading materials and videos that the guests can borrow from the library.

My cookbooks among the resources as well -- cool!

It's always a good time hangin' with the teens. Thanks to the teens that came out and the adults too. A huge thank you for helping me make the program run smoothly, Linda Landi -- Teen Librarian. An extra-special thanks to the Cascade Park Community Library for their continued support.  Happy Shopping, Cooking, and Eating!

shop.prep.cook with The Soanka's

I've been here, there, and everywhere in the community teaching cooking classes and delivering healthy lifestyle presentations. Now, I want to bring my passion for food and cooking right to you in your home. shop.prep.cook is a more personal experience. The way I see it, this is your food, you should have it your way. Having it your way means being involved in the entire process from meal planning to cooking. What I've learned is most people may want to cook at home but their busy lifestyles make it challenging, some are looking for new ideas, and others may just not know where to start. No matter where you are I want to help. I'm full of ideas and passion for home cooked food. 

About The Soanka's
As new parents and thriving personal trainers Derek and Christie Soanka were in a need of a little help. As personal trainers there job is health and wellness, but with their busy schedules sometimes they just don't have the time to prepare home cooked meals. I admire them for not being afraid to seek help and am honored to be the one to help them. They've also bought a few copies of my cookbook to give to some of their clients. They realize how important nutrition is in helping their clients meet and maintain their goals.
 
The experience
It was my great pleasure spending Sunday afternoon with Derek, Christie, and baby Olivia in their home.

After our consultation they decided to do their own grocery shopping with a customized grocery list that I provided. When I arrived at their home the counter tops were a sea of color thanks to the fresh produce.

After giving one my spiels about cooking and timing the meal.  Christie and I got to work prepping and cooking. Derek was nearby in their home office cracking jokes and baby Olivia was napping.

Christie admits she's not much of a cook but with me by her side was eager to learn. Her first task, boil water. Hey, you have to start with small steps.

With me coaching her Christie made the No-Bake Oatmeal Energy Bars, Hummus, and Baked Sweet Potato Fries.

Olivia awoke from her nap so she joined in on the delicious, fun! I fed her, her first potato. She liked.

After a while Olivia wanted mama so Derek took over in the kitchen. Watch out!  I started him off by chopping the slaw and he helped make the peanut sauce. He loved the peanut sauce he said, "It's legit."

We spent the afternoon prepping, chatting, laughing, cooking and creating magic, food magic. Christie and Derek done a great job in the kitchen and can feel proud of the meals they prepared.  This week they'll have an array of home cooked tasty dishes they can reheat with ease -- Outside of the Box!

The Soanka's personalized menu:

Classics: Macaroni & Cheese

Dips & Sauces: Hummus, Peanut Sauce, Teriyaki Sauce

Snacks: Kale chips, Sweet Potato Fries, Crudités (raw vegetables)

Salads: Green Bean & Potato Salad, Black Bean Confetti Salad, Simple Slaw

Meat: Sautéed Chicken

Taste Testing Fun!

  

The Spread

shop.prep.cook