Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Busy Schedule? Time for a Leftover Makeover!

We are back! I know we have taken a break from writing here on our Blog, but July has been a busy and wonderful month for The Guest Gourmet. We have been busy conducting a few in home cooking demos, many dinner and cocktail parties, our 3 course Gourmet Dinner Club Dinners and even catering a Book Club! Like I said it's been a busy month, and I enjoy every minute! Thank's of course to all of our wonderful Guest!

But with a busy schedule comes less time to sit down and create a new meal every night. Last night I was exhausted after a busy and fun day with family and ruPnning errands that I decided to have a little fun clearing out the fridge and prepare dinner without spending an hour in the kitchen. What I found in my fridge to work with was: 1 baked chicken breast, 1/2 of a steak, 2 cups leftover risotto, 1 beer, 2/3 of a sliced onion, shredded Gouda, and 1/4 of a bottle of cocktail sauce. Hmmm... I thought, I could take the super easy way out and throw everything in a bowl, warm it up and wash it down with a beer, but I do enjoy playing with my food and I enjoy a challenge. So here is what I came up with. It was delicious! With a chopped salad on the side it was a wonderful, new meal!What I made was Sweet Corn Risotto Cakes with Smoked Gouda and Cocktail Dipping Sauce. A duet of Grilled Flatbreads on Naan Bread with Ale Glazed Onions, Filet and Chicken, Smoked Gouda, Red Pepper Flakes, tomato sauce, fresh garlic and shredded Parmesan. Finished with fresh minced herbs from my garden. A complete and reinvented meal!

Challenge yourself! What's your recipe make over? Have fun once a week and play with different ideas. Send me a picture of your dinner and I will post them here on the blog!

Happy Tuesday Everyone!

Friday, July 2, 2010

4th of July Foods

Happy 4th of July weekend everyone!

It's another beautiful day here in San Diego, perfect for outdoor cooking, swimming in the pool, going to the beach and enjoying time with friends and family. The fun thing, for me, on holidays is cooking with a theme. So when I found the recipe for this cake I was so excited! Isn't this cake fun?

Here is a link to help you decide what to prepare this 4th of July weekend.

Happy Friday!

http://mobile.seriouseats.com/2010/07/fourth-of-july-menu-planner-recipes-grilling-salads-burgers-desserts.html