Cooking Class, Dinner Party, and Networking

Over the weekend we hosted a Cooking Class / Dinner Party / Networking event in one. It was organized by one of our business school friends and resulted in new connections and food that was simple to prepare and absolutely satisfying. I didn't catch all the step-by-steps, but was blown away by what 16 chatty, networking b-school students could create in less than 3 hours (and how well they cleaned up).

On the menu:

• Local mixed greens with roasted figs, toasted pecans, dried cranberries, and homemade honey vinaigrette
• Tuscan kale and bean soup
• Mushroom risotto
• Cabernet-braised short ribs
• Braised turkey breast
  
• Zinfandel-poached pears over ice cream

Local mixed greens with roasted figs, toasted pecans, dried cranberries, and homemade honey vinaigrette (hand-tossed)

Tuscan kale and bean soup

Mushroom risotto

Cabernet-braised short ribs

Braised turkey breast 

Zinfandel-poached pears over ice cream

Carne Asada Burritos

Carne Asada burritos: Special Baseball Playoff edition. Burrito components cooked and blog entry written between innings of Game 1 of Dodger/Phillies series.

Marinated carne asada
Purchased at Don Felix Meat Market between top and bottom of 2nd inning.

Spicy veggies
Saute half a dozen shiitake mushrooms. Once they're slightly browned, add two chopped tomatoes. Cook until tomatoes have broken down a bit and add one bunch of washed spinach (cut the bunch into thirds, lengthwise). Cover and steam. This released too much liquid, and the result wasn't very flavorful. I tossed in some cayenne and cumin, then cooked uncovered over high heat until most of the liquid had evaporated. Salt and pepper to taste.

Roasted peppers
Heat a comal or dry skillet until hot. Char the peppers evenly. Slice crosswise.

Carne asada
Heat dry skillet over high heat. Once drops of water skitter around, add a piece of carne asada. Cook for a few minutes on each side. Chop the cooked meat.

Assembly
Heat a flour tortilla (I used whole wheat -- not bad) on a comal until warmed through. Layer with meat, spicy veggies, roasted peppers, and a few slices of avocado. Delicious!