Moiselle Catering-Fair Housing Elegant Luncheon

Moiselle Catering catered a sit down elegant luncheon for the Fair Housing Council in Santa Ana.

On the Menu

Artisan Bread with fresh herbed balsamic vinegar and oil

Arugula and mixed green salad served with a peach mint basil slaw drizzled with Passion fruit Vinaigrette

Rosemary & Garlic crusted Filet Mignon served with a special mustard barbeque sauce

Asparagus and Hollandaise sauce

Garlic mashed potatoes

Special Thanks to: Svenje, Adolfo and Ingrid and all the Fair Housing Council committee

Star Chef Event- Pasadena, Ca

Wow.... can't believe its been a full year since I started the blog full-time. Last year was the start of me documenting my favorite restaurants, favorite dishes, wines and much much more. The Star Chef Event was the first blogged event on food from Jasmine's Kitchen.
This Year it was the 90th Anniversary for Rosemary's Child Non-Profit organization. If you'd like to know more about Rosemary's Child please google it. There is so much to give to these youth and young ladies growing up in todays world.
Yesterday was a full packed day. After catering an event across town I took a quick nap, raced to pasadena to enjoy all of my favorite vendors of Pasadena, my friends, the music and raffles. Of course I didn't win the trip to New York but I was very appreciative to be around adults and just relax for a good cause.

Cornish Hen Marinated in Balsamic Vinegar

Cornish Hen Marinated in Balsamic Vinegar. I used to use this recipe 10 years ago when I owned a clay pot. Since then, I have misplaced my clay pot and use a turkey bag for this recipe which works just as good.
The Balsamic carmelizes and gives the cornish hen a sweet flavor. The turkey bag allows the for the cornish hen to stay moist and succulent. Once the fresh ingredients are added to this recipe its a keeper!!

Ingredients
1 cornish hen
3 cups balsamic vinegar
1 white onion julienned
1 whole garlic chopped in half
4 sprigs of fresh rosemary
1 cup olive oil
salt and pepper

Directions
1.Place all ingredients in a ziplock bag over night and refrigerate.
2. preheat over 375f
3. place all ingredients in the turkey bag and lay in casserole dish, twist and tie, poke six wholes on top and tuck in excess bag into the dish.
4. Place in oven

Cook for 45 minutes.

The pictures aren't the greatest (taken from camera phone)

Minnesota Graduation Weekend

I flew to Minnesota last week for my sisters HS graduation. My family decided to have a family dinner at a party hall where we could all sit and enjoy dinner together. With the help of my sister-in-law Serika we prepared Bolognese meat sauce with Orchiette noodles and baby brocolli, shrimp alfredo, caprese salad, bruschetta and desserts from my Big sister Kenya. For my ingredients I went to Cosetta's (located downtown St. Paul), Wholefoods and Kowalski's both located on Grand. I went to Party City in Roseville for my designer plastic ware.
Here are some of the pictures from that day. I also took a picture of my favorite house on Grand just in case someone wins the lotto and buys this house for me. LOL

Sex and The City Party

I guess you can call me the Carrie Bradshaw of the food world from Sex and the City. My friend Miko Farr and I hosted a Sex and the City Party where we got dressed up and rented a limo, took pictures, served cosmos and had fabulous food. On the Menu we had Strawberry Lemonade, Citrus water, Cosmos, Sangria, crab cakes, macaroni and cheese, shrimp cocktail, fruit salad with mint and orange zest, chicken satay, and cupcakes from Dots.
Here is a link to all the fun!! Cut and Paste to your browser

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14849402@N04/sets/72157624055230219/show/

Best Day to Grocery Shop

Best day to grcoery shop in Los Angeles is Tuesday. Tuesday is the day when all fresh meats and produce arrive. You will also find great deals such as 2 for 1 specials. Not only will you save money but you also have a fresher selection to choose from.

Mario Batali Book signing

Several months ago I added myself to mailing list for Mozza. Normally I don't like to be bombarded with Spam mail but I am so happy that I did. Two weeks ago I received an email that Mario Batali would be at the restaurant in person signing his book. I was so excited with anticipation to meet one of my favorite chefs. After eating at his restaurant several times and writing numerous blogs on my favorite pizza I knew I'd have lots of questions.
Of course I thought I'd be a chatter box but when I met him I couldn't even get two words out of my mouth. I guess my shyness overcame me. :-)
It was a honor to meet him.
The sad thing was Mozza was closed for a private party. I was sooooo hoping that it would be open so I could eat my meat lovers pizza.

Little Next Door

Wow!!! One of the best French Breakfast places I have ever eaten at. After going to the Mario Batali Book signing we decided to find a place to eat since Mozza was closed for a private party. We decided to drive on 3rd street and noticed this place popped out. The blue colors were vibrant and electric. The restaurant has an outdoor patio for all the looky loos and the people that want to be seen. Indoor seating is available and is still a nice place to eat because there beautiful skylight coming through the roof. I adored the midnight electric blue they painted on the walls. It was such a comfortable place to sit and eat.
The French decor was beautiful. It wasn't pretentious or over done. It reminded me of being in the South of France in LA. For a moment I was in heaven. Even the waiters were French.... (lots of eye candy ladies) :-)
The restaurant makes their own pastries, jams, sauces, nicoise olives, and dipping sauce.
I am so happy we ate here because the food was perfect!
I ordered the Perrigold omelet. Phenomenal!!!The omelet was simple but elegant it had Black truffle and brie cheese. It was served with scalloped potatoes and a green salad. I wanted to eat the entire plate but decided that I will return instead.

Good times with Friends-bbq with Kurt and Svenje

This weekend we were invited over to Kurt and Svenje's for a bbq.
They smoked tri-tip, pork loin and salmon. There's definitely a technique to smoking meats. Boy was it yummy and now I want a smoker. hehehehheeee
Saturday Svenje taught me a sauce she learned in cooking school. It was served with the tri-tip and if I could drink this sauce I would.
Everything was so delicious that I could not stop eating. I woke up and ran 4 miles because I felt so guilty.
Love good times with friends!!

Crate and Barrel

Ten years ago was the first time I went to a Crate and Barrel. Ten years ago I didn't appreciate the full scope of what this store had to offer. Now, you can't keep me out of there without having buyers remorse. I'm definitely a kid in a candy store when I go in there. Since I have a spending problem when I go in there I make sure that they box all of my items so I can feel special. :-)
Crate & Barrel is a great store for finding cooking gadgets that save time. You can also find beautiful dishware, good knives, durable cookware, serving platters and much much more. There are so many great ideas in this store especially if you like entertaining.
I purchased a few pieces for my Sex and the City event coming up at the end of the month. I can't wait to showcase my new pieces.

Wholefoods gives out complimentary burgers and hotdogs

Saturday Wholefoods was giving out complimentary grilled veggie dogs and hamburgers. After shopping at Crate & Barrel I stopped by Wholefoods for a quick bite but noticed two ladies out there grilling food. I assumed that there was a cost. To my surprised when I asked, they replied that it was complimentary for "Customer Appreciation Day".
I thought that it was awesome because I have never tried a "Veggie Dog" before and what better way to try one.
Well, it wasn't too bad. I think if I hadn't known it was a veggie dog that I wouldn't of known the difference. However, there was a little after taste that threw me off.
The good thing is that I didn't feel guilty for eating a hot dog. It was all Veggie!!!

Mother's Day at Mel's Diner

Mel's has been around since 1947. It's a 24 hour joint that delivers all the time. There's a juke box where you can choose all the oldie but goodies. You can always get a great milk shake and breakfast anytime of the day. Since today was Mother's Day most of the popular places were busy. I was glad to run across Mel's after running four miles today. I also enjoyed watching some of the mothers there with their children.
Just know... no matter what... you can always get a solid fast meal at Mel's Diner.
P.S. if you're ever hung over, try their five alarm breakfast. :-)

Nino's First Communion Party

I was honored that Chef Nikita and her husband Chef Leone asked me to assist their son Nino's first communion party. It was a beautiful day in sunny California and I was looking forward to seeing my first, first communion party.
On the menu:
Caprese
Meatballs
Manicotti
cannoli
fruit salad
green salad with homemade terraza dressing
fried chicken
greens
cornbread muffins
macaroni and cheese
Red Sangria
White Sangria
Strawberry Lemonade

Chef John Leone's mom made the manicotti, meatballs and cannoli. There is nothing like mom's homemade cooking. I've never had manicotti taste so good in my life. Usually I won't eat it because the ricotta cheese seems too grainy. I am not sure what she did but it was light and flavorful. It was fluffy and so tasty. Her canolli was out of this world. She told me her secret ingredient and I know she could sale these off the shelves in a heartbeat. I know I claim I'm not a dessert eater but I could not help but eating three in a row. (Thank goodness for the gym). It was such a sin to help in the kitchen on Saturday.
Saturday did not feel like I was cooking but just a lovely day in the kitchen. I had a lot of fun and look forward to working with them.