August Welcome; Fresh Figs, “Cook In Your Nook”
Summer Suppers…And Celebration for Croatian Friends
Every August, I am in search of fresh figs off the
tree. This week we made fig/peach chutney, a glazed pork loin with apple and
fig garnish. Also created, was a appetizer of balsamic vinegar doused figs stuffed with gorgonzola cheese and a lovely fresh basil fig salad finished with my “Ancient Pomegranate Dressing”
Stuffed Fig
This week we are booking "Cook In Your Nook" Suppers where we offer two options: I can
travel to your home and either make a meal for you or give you a
lesson while we cook together. The
Cocktails and Nippers are fun for participation. Here is a sampling of some of
our offerings:
Kebob
Grill - Lamb/Pork or Beef Shish-Kebobs over multi grain rice with lemon/yogurt
dressing, fresh veggie and garden green salad w/blue cheese dressing, toasted
baguettes and Lime Chess Pie
"Ancient
Mediterranean Feast; Foods from the Time of Jesus" - Delicious garlicky
humus with toasted pita, citrus/rosemary grilled chicken with veggies over
bulgur wheat, salad of “bitter herbs” and garden lettuces with
grapes/almonds/sunflower kernels and pomegranate dressing, sliced melons,
grapes, seasonal fruits and savory sweets of that time
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Ancient Mediterranean Fruit Platter
"French
Connection" - Jacque Pepin’s Instant Gravlax, Coq au Vin, assorted fresh
salad with French vinaigrette, garlicky baguette, and delicious apple
tartan
Jacque Pepin's Salmon Gravlax
Endless
Summer - A peach champagne cocktail, also known at the
Bellini, served with three nippers: fresh figs stuffed with bleu cheese,
asparagus with prosciutto and hollandaise and zucchini fries with buttermilk
ranch dressing
South of
the Border - Your choice of the NC Tequila Moonrise, Rosa
Mexicano’s Pomegranate Margarita, or the Grapefruit Margarita served with your
choice of two nippers: avocado-corn relish, chicken and cheese quesadillas, jicama
and cilantro dip, black bean phyllo cups, or shrimp ceviche
I have
written before of my close friends, Zora and Zivko who immigrated only 12 years
ago from a war torn Croatia. Their zest for life and gratitude of being here is
often expressed in open door hospitality. I am happily part of the “Z-family”
and continue to share the experience of their friendship with others. One such
occasion was last week where we toured their chicken coop, now complete with wild turkeys and one lone duck and their rather amazing garden. Then, we sat down to a feast of Croatian food and red wine.
Tastefully yours,
Zacki and Staff
