Monday, November 21, 2011

CuteChicksCook Events!!

I hope everyone had a great weekend...I know I did!!! I had the pleasure of catering 2 separate events this weekend. I did Pink Friday for The Pink Zebra Boutique in Little 5 Points on 11/18/11 & on Saturday I catered the Grand Opening for The Urban Edge, a unisex salon in Alpharetta. I had a ball at both events & everyone LOVED the food :-)  Here are a few pictures from both events!
Here's my area at Pink Friday!!!

My yummy red velvet cupcakes!
Spring mix salad w/ mandarin oranges, toasted walnuts & gorganzola cheese w/ creamy raspberry vinaigrette (homemade)

Ceasar salad w/  parmesan & butter garlic croutons (homemade of course)

BBQ turkey meatballs

Bacon wrapped Asparagus spears


Mac & Cheese muffins

Deviled eggs

Spicy Chicken & waffle skewers w/ honey syrup

The whole spread!

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

CuteChicksCook Launch Dinner Party!!

Since a few friends of mine always talk about how they've never tasted my cooking, I decided to throw a little launch dinner for CuteChicksCook. I invited most of my close friends & associates to sample & give me feedback on some selections from my menu. The response was wonderful! None of my friends are "yes men" type of folks, so I knew they would let me know if something was sub par. Everyone had a great time (as evident from the video,lol) as well ! Here are some pictures & a little video one of my best friends put together for me. Love them!!






Jambalaya


Confetti Rice


Spicy BBQ Short Ribs

Herb Baked Chicken

Baked Macaroni & Cheese

Collard Greens cooked in Smoked Turkey

Me & some of my wonderful friends!

Me
my girlies!

Monday, November 7, 2011

CuteChick Recipe #4- Shrimp & Bacon w/ Smoked Gruyere Cheese Grits

Want to impress someone for breakfast or just want to jazz up your brunch? Then this dish is perfect!  The smokiness from the bacon along with the smoked gruyere complimented each other really well. This is definitely a stick to your ribs type of meal as well, I swear I didn't get hungry again to well after lunch time! This is also a recipe where the sky is the limit in regards to ingredients, if you u don't have bacon, crumbled breakfast sausage would also work or if you don't like shrimp, crawfish or scallops would also be delish! Enjoy!!!

Here is the finished product :-)

Ingredients
5-6 ounces of raw, peeled & de-veined shrimp ( about 6-7 shrimp per serving)
1/4 cup each of diced onion & green pepper
3 strips of bacon (beef or pork....this ain't a turkey bacon type meal :-)) roughly chopped
about a teaspoon of minced garlic
4 oz. grated Smoked Gruyere cheese (or any other smoked or non-smoked cheese you prefer)
teaspoon of grated parmesan cheese (the kind in the green can will do)
6 tablespoons of unsalted butter
Seasonings (salt,pepper,garlic & onion powder,red pepper flakes,parsley flakes)
Quick grits (prepared according to package) about 4 servings will do, you may certainly increase all of the above ingredients if cooking for more than 3-4 people

To get started, season you shrimp w/ all of the above seasonings (about half of a teaspoon for each one) and the parmesan cheese & set to the side. Saute` the onions & peppers in 2 tablespoons of  butter over medium high heat for about 5-7 minutes. While they are cooking, you may certainly begin to prepare the grits. Once the onions & peppers are soft, add the minced garlic and cook for about another minute. Add the bacon to the pan & cook until it starts to brown & crisp a bit.

As the bacon browns, add the shrimp & cook until pink and firm.

 Once your grits have absorbed all of the water, season w/ salt, pepper & the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter. As the butter melts, thoroughly stir in the grated cheese.

 Spoon your grits into a bowl & top w/ the shrimp and bacon mixture. Now how easy was that?