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hello!
Welcome to feast's July cuisine of the month newsletter.
We think the best cuisine for the beginning of summer is in our own back yard, as we explore the flavors of grilling, barbecue, and summer garden fresh cooking.
Americans have been barbecuing, legend has it, since it was referred to as barbacoa. Long before colonial settlers arrived, this traditional method of preparing meat was used by native inhabitants of the Americas, and was passed on to European settlers. From there, barbecuing, smoking, and grilling have all become synonymous with most culinary regions of American cuisine from the south and southwest to the northern pacific. Outdoor entertaining is at its prime during this summer solstice season of long afternoons that stretch into the evening. Seize your summer and celebrate with our barbecue and grill menus, creative resources, and the season's best fresh ingredients.
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season's best: fresh watercress
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buy
Seasonally, June is when watercress flourishes naturally in the streams and rivers of our local mountains. California is a major producer of watercress, grown hydroponically on watercress farms, making it available in California produce markets year round. Chinese markets especially feature many different varieties of watercress and similar leafy greens. Buy watercress when it is bright deep green with crisp dry stems. Avoid pale or yellowing leaves and slippery stems.
store
There are two good ways to store watercress - trim the very ends of the stems and stand upright in an inch of water, and cover loosely with a plastic bag; or store the whole bunch in a perforated bag. Stored either of these ways in the refrigerator, it keeps fresh for 2 days.
serve
On tea sandwiches, in soup, mixed into potato salad, rolled into sushi, sauteed with mushrooms and onions, wilted with gnocchi, watercress + lemon vinaigrette over fresh fish, mixed with Gorgonzola on grilled steak, watercress + smoked salmon crepes, watercress aioli, watercress pesto
cook
Fresh Watercress Raita Serves 6
2 cups nonfat plain yogurt
2 cups fresh watercress, dried and finely chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 pinch cayenne pepper
1/2 green pepper, minced
1/2 red pepper, chopped (for garnish, optional)
Stir together yogurt, watercress and garlic. Add spices and green bell pepper. Let chill for a few hours to develop flavor. Serve in a bowl with red pepper garnish and more loosely chopped watercress, if desired.
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what's cooking
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bbq + grill celebration
mojito marinated chicken barbacoa with fresh pineapple salsa
fresh coriander cheeseburgers, charred green chiles + onions
grilled summer vegetable burgers with smoked cheddar
fresh jicama + apple coleslaw, sweet + sour poppy seed dressing
grilled corn on the cob with chipotle butter
heirloom tomato, cucumber, fresh mint + feta salad
cherry + chocolate ice cream sandwiches on homemade chocolate chip cookies
summer solstice supper
griddle corn cakes with red pepper aioli + fresh chive
bibb lettuce salad with eggs, marinated mushrooms, cucumber roma tomato, thousand island vinaigrette
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hardwood grilled cowboy steaks
piri piri game hens
sweet vinegar mopped pork tenderloin with apple poblano chutney
dutch oven kettle baked beans
corn pudding + roasted tomato timbale
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peach + nectarine tart tatin
july luncheon
sweet chile glazed fish tacos with mango salsa
chipotle + peach glazed chicken breast
sweet potato fries
tomato + buffalo mozzarella salad, cilantro vinaigrette
caesar salad with red chili croutons + pepita dressing
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watermelon, blueberry + lemon ice pops
Our menus are created using the best, fresh seasonal ingredients. To ensure premium quality and availability, orders must be placed 24-hours in advance. Contact us for personalized menus reflecting your event theme, culinary tastes or budget. Special dietary requirements can also be creatively accommodated. |
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details...
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our favorite cocktail this month: lynchburg lemonade
1 part Jack Daniels whiskey
1 part Cointreau
1 part sweet + sour mix
4 parts 7-Up or another naturally flavored lemon lime soda
lemon slices for garnish
Make this as a punch in a large batch. Combine all liquid ingredients and chill ahead. At serving time, pour into a punch bowl or agua fresca jar along with a generous amount of the lemon slices; garnish will suspend in the punch adding extra fresh lemon flavor and visual depth. Add ice to punch just before serving.
great ideas
Mason jars are a great way to bring a classic American country feel to your summer table. They are available on line in a variety of sizes from half pint to gallon, making them a creative solution for beverage service and decor ideas. At a recent company picnic we used mason jar lemonade mugs along with half gallon mason jars full of fresh cut hydrangeas, wrapped in a simple band of ribbon.
feast loves...
Heath Ceramics is one of the few remaining mid-century American potteries still in existence today. They have been making pottery and tile for over a half-century right here in their Sausalito, California factory. We love the way our fresh creations, summer salads, and sauces look when served on their graceful and elegant pieces. For locations and more information go to www.heathceramics.com.
contact us
We build our business on referrals from our clients. We value our relationship with you, and appreciate the opportunity to stay in touch. Please think of us for the summer celebration, company picnic, or meeting retreat on your calendar. And if you have a friend or colleague whom may need a caterer please tell them about us. We can be contacted at 310-568-8600 or by email. And as always, feel free to visit our website. We look forward to hearing from you very soon. |
bon appetit!
Marcus Baird + your friends at feast
  
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