A “Fiery” Evening

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I was walking with my friend TJ over to his place to make dinner the other day, when we both saw it: a towering cloud of black smoke billowing into the sky (see photo at the end of this post). We walked closer towards Boylston Street and realized said cloud was the coming from the Prudential Center…we later learned that an 115,000-volt transformer had caught on fire at the adjacent HIlton Hotel. With the cacophony of sirens and a dark, smoky sky just outside our window, we prepared a spicy Asian meal that was all too fitting for the “fiery” event we had just witnessed: Spicy Chicken Chop Suey and Sesame Green Beans.
Chop suey is believed to have originated in Taishan (a coastal city in the souther Guangdong province), and was introduced to the United States by Chinese immigrants during the early 19th-century. It’s literal translation means “assorted pieces.” The traditional preparation includes a meat with chopped vegetables and aromatics, which are all cooked in a starch-thickened sauce and served over rice or noodles.
This dish was a definite winner – though the ingredient list seems substantial, most are pantry items you will have on-hand for the repeats you will guaranteed be making of this dish. Wanting a spicy kick, I decided gave it an extra dose of pepper flakes. Feel free to substitute any meat for the chicken, and any other vegetables for that matter (carrots and sugar snap peas would be excellent!) It can ultimately be an “assortment” to your liking – click HERE to see how to make this spicy dish. For the side, I just blanched the green beans, then pan-seared the heck out of them in a bit of olive before tossing in some cloves of garlic, sesame oil, (lots of) red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Delicious!
Unable to shake the “fire” theme, my musical pairing for this meal is Manuel de Falla’s “Danza ritual del fuego,” from El Amor Bruj0 (Love, the Magician) – 35 minutes in length, this Gitanería (gypsy ballet) was originally scored for an “assortment” of performers: cantaora voice, actors, ballet dancers, and chamber orchestra. It was adapted the following year for orchestra and mezzo-soprano. In the work, our heroine Candela is desperate to drive away the ghost of her dead lover, and appeals to the fire-god in hopes of vanishing his haunting spirit. The “Danza ritual del fuego” marks her attempt to do so, in which she seduces her lover and pushes his spirit into the flames. The work has a bohemian flair, yet maintains de Falla’s Spanish touch. The recording below is with the Chicago Symphony and Daniel Barenboim, enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auRUxPPqDcQ

Sources Cited:
“Chop Suey,” Wikipedia.com
“Ritual Fire Dance (Falla)” Wikipedia.com

(taken on my phone while walking with TJ)

March 13, 2012Chocolate, Cookies/Bars, Dairy, Entertaining, Quick/Easy, Vegetarian

Short and Sweet

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There is no lack of desserts when I host an event – tell me 20 people will show, and I’ll make enough for 50. My Oscars Party was no exception. It also gave my creative edge a challenge – as you read in my last post, each dish was paired with a nominated film. Some of the pairings were a bit of a stretch (cocktail wieners with Hugo?), though it was fun to do nonetheless! These were definitely two of the stars from the evening’s spread (as were the films with which they were paired): Mini Chocolate Pies and Black & White Cookies.
For those of you who read the book/saw the movie, it’s no mystery that I paired these Mini Chocolate Pies with The Help (definitely worth seeing if only to understand why this is the case, though it is a great movie). They’re quite simple to make – I purchased several packages of phyllo mini tarts, made a simple chocolate pudding to fill them with and topped each with a dollop of meringue. Your guests will think you put in WAY more effort. Click HERE to see how to make these adorable bite-sized treats.
Black & White cookies are classic, and I had always been curious to give them a try. They were paired with The Artist (a literal pairing, granted) which was hands downs my FAVORITE movie of the year – I practically leapt from my seat every time it won an Oscar. These are more cake-like than your average cookies (thanks to the use of cake flour), and are topped with a thick, glossy icing that takes seconds to make. They were a huge hit at the party, and I imagine they’ll be adored at your next event as well – click HERE to see how to make these sweet classics.
I wanted the musical pairing for these two desserts to acknowledge their “bite-sized” enjoyability – both also compelled my more creative edge. That led me to consider fulfilling works that can also be defined as “short and sweet”; musical novellas if you will. With this in mind what better pairing than Schumann’s Fantasiestücke, Op. 12! Inspired by a collection of novellas by E.T.A Hoffman, the eight pieces within the work capture different the moods and thoughts of Schumann’s dual identities, known as the characters “Florestan” and “Eusebius.” Seeing how both of these desserts brought out my more creative edge, I felt the dreamer in Eusebius would be the best fit and thus chose the first of the eight pieces: “Des Abends” in D-flat major. It’s gentle melody lulls the listener into an ephemeral state of serenity; refuge from the noise and chaos of reality (a similar experience to be had after trying one of the delicious treats in this post). Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNcavAwICR8

Sources Cited:
“Fantasiestücke,” Wikipedia.com

March 4, 2012Appetizers, Chicken, Entertaining, Special Occasion, Spicy, Vegetarian

A Star-Worthy Spread

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The Academy Awards: an evening of glamor where the “who’s who” of Hollywood gather to honor the year’s most celebrated films. For a hostess, it is the perfect excuse to throw a party – but this couldn’t be just any part, it had to be in true Hollywood form: red carpet entrance, formal attire, and of course classy hors d’oeuvres. For this post, I though I would share three of the dishes featured in the extensive spread: Coconut-Crusted Chicken Tenders, “Eggstremely Good” Deviled Eggs, and Fiery Jalapeño-Bacon Bites.
It’s worth mentioning that I created appetizers to pair with each of the various film nominees. These chicken tenders, for example, were grouped with The Descendants: a film starring George Clooney that takes place in Hawaii. Though simple in concept, the flavor of these was extraordinary (and a wonderful twist on the standard breaded variety). They can be served with any dipping sauce, though sweet chili sauce works quite beautifully – click HERE to see how to make these tasty chicken tenders!
I think deviled eggs have received a bad rep as the appetizers found at any and every gathering, devoid of flavor and character. In reality, they provide the perfect canvas for creativity: wasabi, curry, even smoked salmon are all flavors to try! On top of that, they are great for large parties (budget-friendly!) and such an elegant addition to any affair. I paired these with the film Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (as their title suggests).
While deviled eggs are a classic, a solid foundation is vital to their success which, of course, starts with boiling. Too often are we plagued by hard-boiled eggs with gray, chalky yolks. Yet there is a trick to guarantee a perfectly cooked center every time – removing the eggs from the heat once the water reaches a boil. I was apprehensive of this method at first glance, though it is utterly foolproof. Click HERE to see the recipe for these “eggstremely good” bites!
These aren’t just spicy…they are downright addictive. Who would have thought the simple trio of jalapeño, cream cheese and bacon could have so much moxie? Warning: you will NOT want to stop eating these once you’ve started…a fate many of my guests fell victim to. I paired these with the film Girl with a Dragon Tattoo given their dangerous, “fiery” appeal. I guarantee these WILL be the star at your next event – click HERE to see how to make these addictive bites.
Movies are an addictive diversion: the excitement, the passion, the humor – it compels us to buy tickets or press play time and time again. With that in mind, I wanted a piece that truly captured the energy of the “movie magic”; a piece that pulls you in, and has a palpable, compelling story. Funnily enough, I was only recently introduced to this work, yet it is the ideal match: Poulenc’s Sonata for Violin and Piano. Composed during the German occupation of Paris, the piece is replete with passionate energy. It is dedicated to Federico García Lorca – a Spanish poet assassinated during the Spanish Civil War. The first and third movements are driven by a dark, potent energy that bring listeners to the edge of their seats, while the second evokes a deeper emotion for which we have no words (though Lorca does, with Poulenc attaching the following quote by the poet to said movement: “The guitar makes dreams weep”). The following recording is with violinist Josef Suk – enjoy!