Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Prom hors d'oeuvres

Senior prom was a big deal at my high school. I, along with the majority of girls at my school, began searching for the perfect prom dress weeks before the actual event. I'm actually slightly embarrassed to say how early I started looking for some of my formal/prom dresses. The morning of prom was spent primping and powdering every exposed inch of skin. Nails had to be done, hair had to be curled and pinned up, skin had to be tan, and make-up had to be more heavily applied than usual. Even back then, staggering in my four inch heels, I would put out trays and trays of chocolate covered strawberries and other various confections for our "prom group" while taking pictures in my backyard. The whole thing was a big deal to me. Even now I won't admit to being slightly silly and obsessive in my prom preparations. Sitting here, 15 pounds heavier, I look back on my memories of prom night very fondly.

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So when my brother decided to let me know the date of his senior prom one day before its occurrence, I immediately started making plans on what hor d'oeuvres I would make. Because everyone somehow failed to tell me beforehand, I now only had one morning to buy supplies and do all the prep work. I'm not sure why I felt compelled to make food...

I guess I wanted to relive the excitement of prom. Is that weird?

Here are just a few of the savory bites...

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Spanish Tortilla de Patatas
adapted from Cannelle et Vanille
makes one 8" tortilla

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 medium onion, diced
2 medium russet potatoes, medium dice
4 eggs
salt

1. in an 8" non-stick skillet, sweat onions with olive oil and salt until translucent

2. add potatoes and POACH, not fry for 2 minutes on medium and 15 minutes on medium low--you want the potatoes to be cooked through but not at all brown or crispy on the outside, therefore, don't turn the heat up too high! add some salt

3. drain the oil from the potatoes, and add to 4 mixture of 4 beaten eggs--it's okay if the eggs start to scramble

4. return to the skillet and stir the center with a wooden spoon until it starts to scramble

5. cook for 2 minutes on medium heat

6. flip with the help of a plate and finish cooking the other side

7. let cool completely if you want clean edges on your slices

8. garnish with parsley


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Olive Oil-Poached Coriander Shrimp with Cucumber-Cashew Relish

Cucumber Peanut Relish
2 tbsp rice wine vinegar
1 tbsp lime juice
1 tbsp honey
1 clove garlic
1 serrano pepper
1 seedless cucumber, diced
2 tbps chopped, roasted cashews
salt
cilantro

1. crush garlic and fresh pepper in a mortar and pestle until it makes a paste--add pepper to your liking (use some coarse salt as an abrasive)

2. combine rice wine vinegar, lime juice, honey, and garlic pepper paste to make dressing

3. mix with finely diced cucumber, chopped cilantro, and roasted cashews


Olive-Oil Poached Shrimp
1 lb (21-15 count) shrimp, peeled, deveined
olive oil
1 tbsp whole coriander
1 tsp red pepper flakes

1. heat coriander and red chili flakes in pan until they become fragrant

2. crush in mortar and pestle and add to enough olive oil to cover shrimp

3. heat olive oil just until the spices start to sizzle

4. let the spices infuse in the oil for ten minutes, cool, and pour oil through a sieve

5. reheat the infused oil to between 165F-180F

6. add the shrimp in a single layer and cooked for about 8 minutes

7. transfer to a paper towel to drain oil--repeat until all the shrimp are done

8. top with cucumber-cashew relish


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Snacks for the cook after sending the kids off to prom ;)

9 comments:

  1. You are so amazing! Very impressive. I want to eat my screen.

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  2. @weezermonkey aawh thank you :) hope your screen survived lol

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  3. Reliving prom seems to be a common wish. We have a medical school "prom" every year even though most of the students are in their mid-20s, some in their 30s.

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  4. By the way, you have the best dress out of the group! =P

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  5. @Protocol Snow haha thank you...that's one of the only dresses from my prom/formal days that I can still fit into :)

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  6. Well this makes me feel old. Just had my 10-year HS reunion not too long ago. :p

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  7. @kevin seriously, you're not THAT old yet ;)

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  8. yum! snacks for prom! lucky lil brother. and yes, this is making me feel old too!! LOL

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