Very nice, complete with "snow" on the trees and rooftops.
His house was festive as he proved to be the "Host with the Most!" this year...
Snacks included a variety of popcorn (cheese, kettle and caramel):
This was the brand, Popcornopolis. Costco, I believe this is from.
Salad that we brought - spring mix with golden raisins (from Trader Joe's) because I ran out of dried cranberries. I felt lazy and didn't feel like bringing nuts, fruit and cheese. This was served with balsamic vinagrette. Easy. Simple.
Beers included Longboard and a few other Hawaiian beers brought by Tatonka, ranging from Pale Ale to Porters. Thor also had Sangria and we brought the apple pear cider for the kids.
The drink that Thor made me. He also put in a splash of Malibi in there. Russian Standard is the way to go for Vodka!
My savory mushroom and caramelized onion puff pastries. Instead of Gruyere cheese, I used Swiss. I also added a cilantro leaf as garnish before brushing it with egg wash. Smelled so good coming out of the oven! I got all fussy and Martha Stewart-like with that cilantro leaf.
Potato salad and crab louie brought by Tatonka (from Ralph's). He had the nerve to ask Thor if he could put the salad in a "more presentable" vessel. Ha ha. I helped out Thor with that. These are in Korean bowls.
Quinoa and bean salad made by Mulysa. There's bulgur wheat, lentils, mung beans, and quinoa in there! She patterned it after the kind that Costco sells. The dressing is made with apple cider vinegar, honey, and lime juice. She sprouted the mung beans herself. This was so delicious. I need to made this one day!
And this dish was THE ONE that we'd all been dreaming about for years and years (at least since it made it's last appearance)...
It was the RETURN OF THE GUMBO made by HOTFUDGE!
This was like the Holy Grail! Tatonka said it was like the Olympics...it shows up once every four years!
Unfortunately HotFudge couldn't be there last night, but her husband, Scregman dutifully brought this humongous stock pot filled with his wife's specialty dish. No other gumbo can compare to hers! The was literally cleaned out by night's end! And that thing was FULL when arrived too!
Just look at all of that sausage, crab, crab legs and skrimps!
My bowl....one of many that night!
Carnitas, rice and beans from Thor:
I don't know what this was called, but it was from a Chinese place, brought by one of our friends who doesn't have a blog name yet:
A variety of wings from Wing Stop, brought by Mr. Saliva. Not shown were the salt and pepper chicken wings brought by Superman.
Red velvet chocolate chip cookies which have been my latest "go to" dessert (Thanks Kirbie!):
My lemon cream cheese bars - notice most of the edges and corners are gone? I set aside a separate box just for Tatonka because he's
Nut brittle from retired math teacher:
Zaya Imperial Rum from Trinidad. This is a new product that Thor is repping; it's being sold at the Navy Exchange. This went down quite smoothly! Everyone enjoyed this in Thor's "free" Russian Standard shot glasses, which everyone got to take home a pair! Nice!
Cheers!
Folks present: Thor, Us & TC, Mr. Taquito and his kids (which made TC really happy to not be the only kid there), Superman, Mr. Saliva, nameless friend, Tatonka, Mulysa and her s/o and three of their kids, and of course, the bringer of the gumbo, Scregman. Most of us have been friends for the past 30, count 'em, 30 years. Yes, since junior high.
It was awesome seeing everyone again. We missed Mrs. Taquito, HotFudge, and Thane of the Universe. Until the next gathering, which will hopefully be New Year's Eve!
2 comments:
Thanks Canine...Glad you enjoyed it!
Hi HF!!!!! No, Thank YOU!!!!!
We missed seeing you there but were so happy that you made that humongous pot of gumbo. I swear Tatonka was going apeshit and even resorted to "hiding" some of the crab pieces and sausages at the bottom for himself, ha ha!
Thanks so much! Your gumbo is THE BEST!
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