Theme Idea

[PinBug]

Our group here in San Deigo, CA had an idea.

IRON CHEF
Each member writes down a "main" ingredient and puts it in a hat. We also have a hat that has all the courses of a meal. The group picks one main ingredient from the hat and then we all pick a course and have to use that ingredient in the dish. Spouses can be the judges panel and which ever dish is the best gets to host the next meeting and have bragging rights until the next meeting. :)

[JRM24]

My supper club did this theme too! It turned out really great. In the fall we decided to use pumpkin in each course. I was not a huge fan of pumpkin - but loved the idea and I am always up for trying new things. The meal was fantastic. I would never have guessed we oculd use pumpkin in so many different ways without being overwhelmed! We started with CL Pumpkin Dip with Apples - so delicious and veyr easy to make! For the main couse we had Chicken with Pumpkin seed sauce and pumpkin gnocchi. For dessert we had CL Pumpkin Cheesecake. We paired the meal with some Virginia wines. This was one of my favorite themes and such a great meal.

This month we are trying another fun topic - all red! It might be a little tricky but worth the effort.

[PinBug]

I look forward to trying the iron chef theme.. it sounds like your group had a alot of fun with it... Our next dinner is going to be "island" themed.... it should be a lot of fun also.. I like the idea of doing a color theme.... we'll have to try that also.

Nancy

[Barrie]

Jennifer - I had to laugh when I read your post. Our supper club did a pumpkin theme a few months ago, and last night our theme was "red." I guess great minds think alike! :)

[JRM24]

How funny! What did your group make for the red theme? I am still debating on dishes.

[Barrie]

We made baked feta w/ marinara sauce, a tomato-based soup w/ chickpeas and pasta (I don't know the exact name), roasted red potatoes w/ onion and bacon, a pork tenderloin w/ cherry sauce, and I made the red velvet raspberry cake from the December issue. Everything was excellent! When is your group's dinner?

[JRM24]

Our dinner is on the 20th of Feb. It is so weird b/c I never thought about tomatoes! I made the Red Velvet Cake for Christmas and loved it! It came out great. Your menu sounds so good - the meal must have been delicious. Lately, I am addicted to pork. I made the Epicurious's Pork Loin with Cranberry and Port Sauce - that was amazing. I now have a pork loin in the freezer and need to decide what to make!