Category Archives: Party Time

No budget to hire a caterer? Not able to spend days in the kitchen preparing? Put your family and friends to work and make some simple and easy party recipes.

French Onion Soup

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The Onion Soup at Au Pied du Cochon, Paris

The Onion Soup at Au Pied du Cochon, Paris

When my husband and I were on our honeymoon in Paris, he was dying for a great onion soup, so I told our taxi driver (in my best French), “Il veut soupe a l’oignon”. He immediately drove us to a restaurant called , “Au Pied du Cochon”, which stands for “The foot of the pig” , which is one of their specialties. Their onion soup was simple, traditional and divine. They also served this amazing tower of “Fruits de Mer”, consisting of multiple types of seafood (Oysters, Langoustines, etc…) We noticed a man, alone and really drunk eating it. He continued to shout obscenities and insults at the waiters. As he staggered out, two of the waiters took off their aprons and followed after him. We still wonder why. Did they rough him up? We do not know. But the waiters did walk back in with smiles on their faces. What a great night and I cannot wait to make it back there some day.  For now, I make the onion soup which is surprisingly easy. You really cannot mess it up by adjusting the measurements of the ingredients.

 

  • 2 Tablespoons Butter and/or Regular Olive Oil
  • 4-6 Yellow Onions, Peeled and Sliced
  • 1 Tablespoon Sugar (optional).
  • 4-6 Cups Broth (traditional recipe calls for Beef, I use whatever I have on hand).
  • 1/2 – 1 Cup Red or White Wine (great way to use up leftover wine).
  • 1 Sprig Fresh Thyme
  • 1 Bay Leaf
  • 2 Tablespoons Brandy or Cognac(optional)
  • Sourdough Bread slices, toasted
  • 1 Cup Shredded Swiss Cheese
  • 1 Cup Shredded Gruyere (I buy already shredded Swiss/Gruyere mix from Trader Joe’s).
  • 2 Tablespoons Grated Parmesan (optional)

 

In a large pot, heat butter and add onions. Stir on a low to medium flame until onions are carmelized. If you need to, you can add a little sugar to help speed up the process. 

 

Add wine and scrape the brown bits off of the bottom of the pot. Add broth and herbs. Reduce the flame and let cook for about 20 minutes (or more). Add the cognac or brandy.

 

Divide into individual, oven proof dishes. Place a piece of Sourdough toast (or your favorite Gluten Free option such as Udi’s bread) on top. Sprinkle parmesan cheese on top of the bread (optional). Then, cover the top with the Swiss and Gruyere. 

 

Can you see my puppy photobombing the picture?

Cheese on the Onion Soup before melting it on top. Can you see my puppy photobombing the picture on the top left?

Put into a 400 degree F oven , or toaster oven or broiler until the cheese melts on top.

 

I am so happy I can make this for my husband. Some day, we'll go back to Paris!

I am so happy I can make this for my husband. Some day, we’ll go back to Paris!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spicy Japanese Edamame

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My daughter is obsessed with anything Japanese. She adores Anime Cartoons and lucky for her, she inherited her Great Uncles’ ( Tom and Charlie Byrne ) animation skills and wants to be an animator and game designer one day. Hence, I can convince her to eat anything Japanese (Sushi and even Sashimi).In the South Bay of Los Angeles where we live, we frequent Sushi restaurants in the area and most serve Edamame (whole soy beans) either just with coarse salt or in a spicy, simple broth that is such an easy recipe to recreate at home. It’s also a great after-school snack. Many soybean products now have GMOs but you can find non-GMO soybeans in markets like Whole Foods.

Spicy Edamame - One of my daughter's favorites. So easy to recreate at home!

Spicy Edamame – One of my daughter’s favorites. So easy to recreate at home!

  • 1 package Fresh or frozen Edamame (non-GMO brand Wildwood at Whole Foods).
  • 1-2 Tablespoons Soy Sauce (or Tamari which is gluten free).
  • 1 Tablespoon Sesame Oil
  • Pinch to 1 teaspoon Chili Flakes
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Garlic Salt (or fresh, chopped Garlic).

 

If frozen, rinse Edamame in cool water in a colander until defrosted.

 

Place Edamame in a tossing bowl, add the additional ingredients and toss.

 

Serve chilled or if you’d like, heat the ingredients in the microwave for 10 seconds, toss and serve a little warm.

 easy edamame restaurant style spicy recipe Japanese side dish kids snack

Cookie Dough Truffles

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Truffles are easy. But these are easier. Love cookie dough? Who doesn’t? But, because most cookie dough contains raw egg, it’s not a good idea to eat raw cookie dough. Enter “pasteurized eggs”. Pasteurization heats the eggs up to a temperature that kills whatever bacteria might be on the egg or inside (like salmonella which is unfortunately somewhat common on eggs). I’ve read that one can pasteurize eggs at home by merely heating water up to 140 degrees Fahreinheit and leaving the eggs in the water for 5 minutes. I have not tried this myself because it’s much easier to just buy pasteurized egg product at the store. Plus, I don’t have to break any eggs. Bonus!

Make cookie dough with pasteurized eggs to eat it safely before baking!

Make cookie dough with pasteurized eggs to eat it safely before rolling in cocoa powder, or other topping to make party  “truffles”. So easy….

Your kids will LOVE making these!

 

Make your favorite cookie recipe with pasteurized eggs. 

 

With clean hands, roll “truffles” in your hand to form little circles (any size you like).

 

Then, roll your “truffles” in sweetened cocoa powder, or confectioner’s sugar, chocolate jimmies, mini white chocolate chips, nuts, coconut or even chili powder! Super fun. Super easy. A great party dessert recipe!

truffle recipe easy cookie dough dessert desserts sweet catering party

 

Thai Cashew and Coconut Snack

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This is a classic snack served on the streets of Thailand. You can also put it on a salad for an International Flair. If you like spicy and sweet food, it is addicting.

 

  • 1 Tablespoon Peanut Oil
  • 1 Tablespoon Honey
  • 2 Cups Cashews
  • 1 Cup Unsweetened Coconut Flakes
  • 1 Thai Red Chili or alternatively Pinch (or more if you want serious heat) Chili Flakes

 

Melt honey in the heated oil.  Add nuts and toss. Add coconut and chili flakes and toss. Serve in paper cups or cones.