Electra Events

Mini caprese salad skewers are great as a snack, appetizer, or side dish. Simply skewer a mozzarella ball, basil leaf, and a cherry tomato. Drizzle with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste. Buon apetito!

Cooking for one can be a drag, so I find myself snacking quite a bit. To keep things interesting, I like to switch up my plates. Today's Front Porch Happy Hour is inspired by my travels in France.

Pâté and Brie with a sliced baguette, accompanied by caper berries and Dijon mustard, olives, and cornichons. Served with a crisp Rosé. C'est magnifique ! ♥️

@ Austin, Texas

I had a hankering for a BLT, but didn't have the L or T, so I scoured the fridge for other options. I had some jalapenos and cream cheese, so...bacon wrapped jalapeno poppers!

Pre-heat oven to 425. Slice the jalapenos in half, remove the seeds, and rinse. "Slice" the cream cheese and stuff into jalapeno halves, wrap with a slice of bacon, and secure with a toothpick. Bake for 30 minutes, remove and flip, then back in the oven for 5-10 minutes until brown. Delicious!

Trying to get a handle on that Quarantine Fifteen? A hearty salad is a good dinner choice! After my teaser Salade Niçoise the other day, I decided it was time for the real thing, albeit with canned Albacore Tuna instead of fresh. It's dressed with the same Dijon mustard vinaigrette as I demonstrated at that time. Paired with a 2015 Chateau Rouquette Bordeaux. French salad goes with French wine!
Mixed baby lettuce
1 hard boiled egg
1 can Albacore tuna
1 red potato boiled (peeled, if preferred)
Haricots verts, lightly steamed (3-4 min., still crisp)
1 tomato (or use grape tomatoes)
Top with capers and green onions
Dijon Vinaigrette

I've been learning new things about my neighbors from the past few weeks of front porch chit chats. ♥️ For example, Will is a baker. 👨‍🍳 Today I got a fresh sourdough treat on my wicker chair! I happened to be out of bread, so guess I don't need to brave the stores today. Now, lunch is served! ...
Toasted sourdough, with goat cheese, ham, fresh basil, red onion, and sliced tomato (and a little fresh ground salt and pepper)...

Anyone else suffering from the Quarantine Fifteen? Everything felt tight once the stretchy pants came off, now that I'm slowly getting out. 🙅‍♀️

Tonight I was inspired by what was available in my kitchen. The tuna made me think of a Salade Niçoise, so I modified it and whipped up a simple Dijon mustard dressing. Enjoy!

Big Ass Salad For One

Dijon Vinaigrette
2 tsp Grey Poupon Dijon mustard
2.5 tsp Red Wine Vinegar
Juice 1/2 lemon (~ 1.5 - 2 tsp)
1.5 - 2 tbs Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Dill W**d (fresh or dried)
Salt
Pepper

Salad
Italian Mix, Romaine or bib lettuce best with dressing
Can Albacore tuna
1/2 can Garbanzo beans (rinsed-replaces potatoes)
1 medium tomato
Hard boiled egg
Red Onion

(There are so many options! Lightly steamed green beans or broccoli are great, or just use your favorite veggies)

You can't go wrong with a fresh Margarita, especially in the Texas heat! I used a Reposado for a little more smokiness and a chili powder/sea salt mix on the rim of the glass to complement that smoky flavor. I also went with Paula's Texas Orange rather than Cointreau or Grand Marnier (or triple sec), for a little more orange flavor, and a little more kick (60 proof vs. 40 proof).

Margarita
1.5 oz Exotico Reposado Tequila75 oz Paula's Texas Orange
1.5 oz Fresh lime juice
Agave syrup to taste (I use ~1 tsp.)
Serve over ice with chili powder/salted rim

I enjoy a traditional Negroni (equal parts gin, Campari, Sweet Vermouth), but I like to mix it up once and a while with a Mezcal Negroni. The smokiness of the Mezcal is balanced by the sweetness of the vermouth (I used Dolin Chambéry Rouge), then the bitterness of the Campari brings it all forward. Delicious!..
Mezcal Negroni
1 oz Mezcal Joven
1 oz Campari
1 oz Dolin Chambéry Rouge
Put all ingredients into a rocks glass, add ice (I prefer a 2" x 2" cube for slower melting), and stir. Cut an orange peel about 1" wide, twist the zest over the drink and drop in. Enjoy!..

Another Purim in the books! The theme for the schpiel was Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, so my batched drink was "Lovely Rita", a wine based rita with red, white and sparkling wine, blood orange juice, triple sec, fresh lime juice and agave. Yum! Also, any excuse to dress up!

Hosting a backyard barbeque? Have a large group to feed? Electra Events can help transform your space to an al fresco delight with rentals to suit your needs (here a tent, tables, chairs, linens, and catering supplies). We can also coordinate your catering needs.

Electra Events can cater your event!