Get Wild at Home…Original Recipes from Chef Dawn

Strawberry Bleu Salad

Salad Ingredients:
Baby Spinach
Bleu Cheese
Fresh Sliced Strawberries
Candied Walnuts (see recipe below, also available to buy at some gourmet stores)
Strawberry Balsamic dressing (see recipe below)
Salt and Pepper to taste

Candied Walnuts:
1 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
¼ cup water (add only as needed)
1 pound raw walnut halves

Place brown sugar, rosemary, balsamic vinegar and water in mixing bowl and stir to dissolve the sugar. Add walnuts and coat with sugar mixture.

Place on a nonstick cooking sheet; use a silpat(French silicone cooking sheet) if you have one. The sugar mixture is very sticky and hard to clean. Bake for approximately 10 minutes or until the nuts seem golden brown. They will seem sticky when they come out of the oven but will harden as they cool. Nuts can be stored in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette:
5 fresh strawberries stem removed
1 shallot, rough chopped
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
½ cup honey
1 cup balsamic vinegar
2 cups Canola Oil mixed with ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
Water

Place strawberries, shallot, salt, pepper, honey and balsamic vinegar in a blender. Blend together then add Canola/olive oil blend slowly as the blender is going. If the mixture seems like it is getting to thick and emulsified, add water while blending until you attain a dressing like thickness.

Taste for seasoning and adjust with salt and pepper if needed. Mix all ingredients in a large salad bowl and serve immediately.

Themed Events

It is always a lot of fun to be a part of theme parties. Recently we had an Oktoberfest themed event! It goes without saying we worked with a fun blue and white color pallet, served German Fare and a lot of beer…

The menu featured classic dishes such as; Made to Order Schnitzel, Knockwurst with Sauerkraut, Potato Leak Soup and Apple Strudel. The decor tied it all together with traditional white and blue check design, a grand tent with long table seating for everyone and the food was all displayed in our clients 200 year old pewter dishes. The band played German tunes while the guests who were all dressed in their lederhosen enjoyed themselves and their surroundings. Our ability to create custom menus adds the finishing touches to any themed event.

Other fun theme events that we have done include; Western BBQ, Halloween, Morrocan, Hawaiian Luau and much more. If you are interested in hosting a themed party give us a call (858)527-0226.