Why Should YOU Cook?
News From Provisions Comfort Food and Catering
It's Lisa from Provisions back online and at your service. If you've been wondering where I've been, I've got one word for you: parties, parties and more parties (okay, that's really five words, but who's counting?). 'Twas the season, of course – both election and holiday – but Provisions was honored and delighted to have participated in even more celebrations than we could have dreamed possible. Thanks to the hosts who asked for our help and to all of you for making 2008 a banner year in the kitchen and out. For details on a few swanky soirées, a heads-up on cooking classes for kids and an easy/elegant appetizer/snack recipe, scroll away ...
In September Provisions catered a fundraiser, spearheaded by Democratic darlings Julie Hermelin and Andrea Nevins, for the Columbus Day Weekend event called The Great Schlep, a mass pilgrimage of young Jews to Florida and other swing states, where said Semites endeavored to convince their elders to vote for Obama. VeryHotJews.com (no, it's not a porn site) contributor (and bacon enthusiast) Simon Glickman gave us a rave review: "The food, provided by the reliably brilliant Provisions (aka very haute Jew Lisa Feinstein and crew), was a gourmandish series of twists on classic bubbie nosh: brisket on toast, borscht shots (with crème fraîche and orange zest), mini-kugels, paté (chopped liver), succulent smoked salmon. The wine [courtesy of The Accidental Wine Company] flowed freely. Handsomely attired Hebrews strolled the lush environs." Can we claim credit for Obama's victory? No, but let's face it, a little lox never hurts. And yes, those are the aforementioned smoked-salmon hors d'oeuvres and borscht shots performing their civic duty at the top of the page.
Patriots Leslie Dixon and Tom Ropelewski, meanwhile, asked us to feed the faithful on election night at a fingers-crossed fête they called Feeling the Hope. Our state-of-the-art polling technology indicated that a soul food menu of fried chicken, BBQ ribs, collard greens and mac 'n' cheese would be just the ticket. By the time the last holdout had tucked into his piece of banana cream pie – which, if we do say so ourselves, was to die for – it had become clear that the evening's repast was indeed the perfect choice.
We've all gone mad for the AMC period piece "Mad Men" (which just won its second Golden Globe for Best TV Drama), but some retro revelers took it a step further by wearing their hearts on their sleeves (or their opera-length white satin gloves) at a "Mad Men"-inspired dinner party, hosted by the impeccably dressed Deanna Fuller and Harley Peyton (left), where Provisions provided stylish sustenance.
Sipping Manhattans on the lawn, tipping back martinis by the tiki torch-illuminated pool, the beautiful people tripped the Camelot fantastic with sweet-and-savory Coca-Cola-glazed ham, creamy potatoes au gratin, green beans with mushrooms and fried onions – in keeping with an era in which no green vegetable went unadorned – and oh-so-white-and-pillowy Parker House rolls. Eat your heart out, Betty Draper.
As some of you know, I put my nephew, Jonah, and niece, Evelyn (left), to work in the kitchen as soon as they were old enough to wield a wooden spoon, and they've continually impressed me with their skills de cuisine. Some kids just love to cook. If you think you've got a budding Rachel Ray or Mario Batali on your hands, tune into our next issue for info about upcoming weekend and school-holiday cooking classes. A culinarily cultured child is handy around the house, because, well, why should YOU cook? If you do find yourself fetching in a chef's apron, however, collaborating in the kitchen with your child (or grandchild or babysitting charge) can foster a spirit of togetherness infinitely more fun and constructive than sitting, even side-by-side, in front of the TV.
Some friends invited me over for a glass of wine last week and I brought these crowd-pleasing little lovelies along. They're a breeze to make, they travel well, and they reheat beautifully in the microwave – what's not to love? And loved they were. Not a single one remained on the platter at evening's end.Julie Delucia's Stuffed Mushrooms
1 dozen medium-sized portobello mushrooms
1 package chicken Italian sausages
6 oz. Asiago cheese, grated
2 oz. Parmesan cheese, grated
Squeeze sausages out of their casings.
Mix with cheeses.
Stuff mushroom caps and bake at 350 for 20 minutes.
After the year-end hubbub, mid-winter can feel a bit blah. Fear not – Groundhog Day (Feb. 2), Valentine's Day (Feb. 14, as if you didn't know) and Presidents' Day (Feb. 16) are right around the corner. More importantly, Oscar Night (akin to a religious observance in some quarters of Los Angeles) is mere weeks away, on Sunday, Feb. 22. If, in fact, the 81st Academy Awards are just the excuse you need to entertain, Provisions can orchestrate a full-blown affair to remember or simply drop off whatever you need to make the evening your own. You could also laissez les bon temps roulez on Mardi Gras, Feb. 24. So, how are you going to make the most of early 2009? Let us know: info@provisionsla.com. We're always happy to answer a question, tender an opinion or lend a hand. And our cooking's not bad either.Provisions Comfort Food and Catering
(323) 667-2565
www.provisionsla.com
