Since there really isn’t a bad day for a fiesta, we will honor our Cinco de Mayo special throughout the month of May.  Plan a lunch, dinner or happy hour with the following menu and we guarantee you will hear “MUCHAS GRACIAS!!” from all of your guests!

$11.95 per person, 10 person minimum.

Not-Yo’-Mama’s Nacho Bar!

• Homemade Picante Queso Sauce
• Crispy Salted Tortilla Chips
• Ancho and Chipotle Chili Marinated Carne Asada
• Slow Simmered Black Beans with Onions and Peppers
• Cilantro Sour Creme
• Lime Wedges
• Pico De Gallo
• Crispy Fried Jalapeno Rings
  • Add Baja Caesar Salad for an additional $1.95++ per person
  • Add Chunky Guacamole for and additional $2.50++ per person

  

Our Chef took Mallory’s favorite birthday meal (a juicy steak, potatoes, asparagus and a rich chocolate-y dessert) and put a fun, fresh spin on it.  And, much like Mallory likes to drag her birthday celebration out for the ENTIRE month, this special will be available all throughout April!  $12.95 per person, 10 person minimum:

Curried Sliced Steak Flatbread Sandwich

• With Caramelized Onions, Green Apple & Pecan Aioli, and Baby Arugula

Grilled Asparagus Salad

• with Marinated Cherry Tomatoes, Herbed Goat Cheese, Candied Shallots, Mixed Greens, and Lemon Vinaigrette

Chocolate Brownie Bites with Spiced Peanut Dust

I just want to thank you and your team again for the exceptional job you all did for our wedding! People are still talking about how incredible your staff and food were! Thanks again!

Best, Michelle

BUT you don’t have to take the bride’s word for it–watch the video here!

Michelle & Patrick • Scripps Seaside Forum • La Jolla, CA from XOXO Wedding Studio on Vimeo ]]> http://www.cateringspecialist.com/all-things-wedding/wedding-highlight-reel/feed/ 0 http://www.cateringspecialist.com/menu-concepts/march-monthly-special-your-neighbors-will-be-green-with-envy/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=march-monthly-special-your-neighbors-will-be-green-with-envy http://www.cateringspecialist.com/menu-concepts/march-monthly-special-your-neighbors-will-be-green-with-envy/#comments Thu, 01 Mar 2012 20:34:05 +0000 culinary http://www.cateringspecialist.com/?p=1525 Call today to place your order~~$12.95 per person, 10 guest minimum

The obvious answer when asked what to serve at a St. Patrick’s Day Party:  BEER!

But man cannot live on beer alone, and serving some delicious thematic menu items will take your party to the next level!  CALL US TO PLACE YOUR ORDERS NOW!

Some ideas:

• Mini Corned Beef Sandwiches on Rye
• Mini Guinness Braised Beef Short Rib Pies with Carrots, Parsnips and Potatoes
• Smashed Green Potato Salad (Colored with Basil Pesto)
• Irish Soda Bread Scones
• Fresh GREEN Vegetable Tray (Green Peppers, Cucumbers, Romaine Spears & Celery) and GREEN Dip (Cilantro Ranch or Basil-Scallion Hummus)
  • **Bonus–Serve your dip in Bell Pepper “Shamrocks”

• Bailey’s Irish Creme Double Fudge Brownies with Green Mint Accents

Whether you are celebrating the Oscar buzz surrounding the movie ‘The Help’, you want to recreate an authentic, southern-inspired Mardi Gras Menu, or you are just tired of mashed potatoes, Shrimp ‘n’ Grits are a great menu item to serve your guests this month!

West-coasters may not have experienced grits before, but trust us, after one bite, they’ll be hooked.  Similar to polenta, with a creamy, rich flavor (enhanced with bacon, of course!), it is a great comfort food for the warm months.

GARLIC HERB JUMBO SHRIMP WITH CHEDDAR CHEESE GRITS

1 cup stone-ground grits
Salt and pepper
1/4 cup butter
2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined, (whole if small or chopped if large)
6 slices chopped bacon
4 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 cup thinly sliced green onions, white and green parts
1 large garlic clove, minced

1. Bring 4 cups water to a boil, then add the grits and salt and pepper to taste. Stir well with a whisk. Reduce the heat to the lowest setting and cook until all water is absorbed, about 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in butter and cheese. Cover until ready to serve.

2. Rinse the shrimp and pat dry. Fry the bacon in large skillet until crisp, then drain on a paper towel. Add shrimp to bacon grease and saute over medium heat until they turn pink, about 3 minutes (Careful not to overcook!) Immediately add  lemon juice, parsley, green onions, and garlic, then remove from heat.

3. Pour the grits into a serving bowl or onto individual appetizer size plates (or we love to use a martini glass), and top with shrimp mixture.  Garnish with bacon bits and enjoy!

Also great when served with: WILTED GREENS
Swiss Chard, Spinach & Kale quickly sauteed with Shaved Garlic & Extra Virgin Olive Oil

And while you’re waiting for your grits to cook, enjoy this “grit”-y, CLASSIC movie clip!

From: Melissa
Sent: Thursday, January 19, 2012
To: Gina Eliason

Wanted to say thanks so much!!! Honestly the food and the service was awesome! Everyone couldn’t stop talking about how good the food was! Thanks so much for all your help….the day was fantastic!!!   Would not hesitate to recommend you to anyone!!! Thanks again!

Melissa
Sent from my iPhone=

Subject: RE: Success!

The event was a HUGE success!! Your staff was AWESOME, especially the young man that you had there running things – I know his name starts with an R (and for the life of me I can not remember it!) [Ed. Note:  It was RICARDO!]

Seriously though, Ms. Gina – the food was perfect, it was the perfect amount – the bartenders were great – everything was amazing!

Thank you so much for your patience in working with me and for really being one of the main reasons our event was a hit!!  If we ever do another event in San Diego I will definitely give you a call!

Most sincerely yours,  Ashley

• Bell peppers and squash hit hard during last week’s Florida freeze!

• Kale market tight due to the cooler weather in Yuma!

• Cantaloupes & Honeydew demand exceeds supplies!

• Asparagus?  Don’t even think about it!

Please extend our thanks to the Culinary Concepts team for helping us host a wonderful party last week.  The food was excellent, as was the service.  Everything went very smoothly. Kenny was terrific and appreciated by all.

Thanks again for working with us on the budget and still delivering an excellent product.

Happy Holidays!

Andrea