Chiles Rellenos

I never knew until this year that I love grilled peppers! I even eat green bell peppers now, including chiles. And making Chiles Rellenos on the grill is so much fun, especially when you have a Grill Master at the helm (not me, it's Ron!). This recipe will serve 2 hungry people!

CHILES RELLENOS

INGREDIENTS:

2 Anaheim Chiles, cut in half, seeded

2 Poblano Chiles, cut in half, seeded

4 Serrano Chiles, cut in half, seeded

1/2 cup Red Wine

4 cloves

Garlic, minced

1 medium Onion, chopped

2 large Tomatoes, chopped

1/2 teaspoon dried Oregano

Cayenne and Fresh Ground Pepper to taste

2-4 oz. Soy Monterey Jack "Cheese," shredded

METHOD:

Saute Garlic in Red Wine until fragrant and soft, about 3 minutes. Add Onion and saute until transparent, roughly 10-15 minutes, then add Tomatoes and saute until soft. Add Oregano, Cayenne and Pepper. Set aside to cool.

Prepare your grill. Cook the chiles, cut side down for a few minutes until they are heated and showing signs of char, but not burnt.

Remove chiles from heat onto a platter or cutting board.

Stuff each chile with the sauteed mixture.

Grill the chiles, shell side down, for about 5-7 minutes.

Add the Soy Cheese on top of each chile and grill until they are cooked thoroughly and charred to your liking (I like mine REALLY charred!).

Remove from grill and serve immediately!

Pompagne (Sparkling Pomegranate Martinis)

The "surprise" party for Kahle backfired when her flight to California was cancelled! The airlines inflicted a cruel twist of fate on those of us planning the Saturday Soiree.

But, sad that our Guestess of Honor would not attend her own party, we raged on! (Don't worry, Kahle, another party shall ensue).

Here's a photo of the guests who stayed until we shut down the kitchen and the bar!

The event started slowly, but that gave me plenty of time to keep working and shouting out orders to Tara, my temporary aide-de-cuisine.

Okay, I didn't yell at her!

She and Ron and I completed all of our main tasks just as the first guests were arriving.

First order up: POMPAGNE!

What is Pompagne, you ask? I found this recipe in my Cooking Pleasures magazine. It's like a sparkling Pomegranate Martini! Here's how to make one:

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add 2 oz. Pomegranate Juice, 3/4 oz. Vodka (we used Stoli), and 1/2 oz. Orange-flavored liqueur (we used Cointreau).
3. Shake for ten seconds. Strain into a Martini glass.
4. Top with 1 oz. Champagne or Sparkling Wine.
5. Drink responsibly, 'cause these babies go down eeeeeeasy!

Spring Soiree!

We're getting ready to host a special party for our friend and colleague, Kahle. As you may recall (see photos from Cheesecake posting below), Kahle was our first studio guest on the Gourmet Again! cooking show.

We will receive extra help from Tara, who'll be acting as my aide-de-cuisine throughout the festivities. Very exciting! I've never had an assistant in the kitchen. Well, Ron helps out plenty!

On the Menu (I'll post pix, recipes and stories after the soiree):

HORS D'OEUVRES:

Sun-Dried Tomato Spread (vegan for those who care)

Olive Mix

Cheeses

Breads and Little Toasties

Cheesy Spinach Mini Phyllo Cups

GRILLED DELIGHTS:

Chipotle BBQ Beef

Teriyaki Ahi Tuna

BBQ Shrimp

Chicken, both Teriyaki and BBQ

Lemon-Dill Salmon

Onions, Carrots, Broccoli, Zucchini, Cauliflower

Pineapple

DESSERTS:

Blueberry-Lemon Cheesecake Bars

Java-Spiked Pudding Cake (Ron's special request)

BEVERAGES:

Pompagne (sparkling Pomegranate Martinis!)

Wine

Beer

Wow, I've got my work cut out for me! Most of the preparations and cleaning will take place this evening after dinner, with Ron's help, of course. Then tomorrow, we can hit the farmer's market for incredible veggies from my favorite vendors, and last minute items from TJ's and Spencer's. Ron will light the grill when the guests arrive, and voila! A super soiree begins!

Oh, two more important notes. First, we will be taping the prep and party for another episode of Gourmet Again! Second, we're having live music by my guitar student and band mate, Dominick. He's 11 years old and he is going to rock the place and make everyone feel extra special and festive!

See you here after the party!