First Communion a Mexican Fiesta with Emma Pearl Wine

A lot of you know that Saturday was a very special day in my family. Miss J had her first Holy Communion and after the ceremony at the church; we celebrated this special Day with a Mexican Fiesta. What a fabulous way to celebrate with Family and Friends.

A Mexican Fiesta is the way to go when it comes to cooking for a Large crowd, we had 40 for lunch. We had a taco bar with all of the fixings.

plus we served 7 Layer bean dip.

Margarita's both Grapefruit and Traditional

 and Emma Pearl wine which is a fabulous light and refreshing chardonay wine with a bouquet of poached pears, caramel, butter-cream and brown baking spices this debut vintage of Emma Pearl Chardonnay features the preferred characteristics of its Central Coast origin. It has a delicious flavor with a full creamy body and crisp finish with lingering notes of Meyer lemons, toasted cinnamon and sweet cloves.

TIP of The Day : The easiest way to do a Taco Bar for a large crowd is let your Market do the work for you with a rotisserie Chicken Remove all Skin and bones. Next chop into bite size pieces.

Next Cook ground beef in large pan adding Taco Seasoning when almost completely cooked.

Serve as the base for Tacos

Serve as Tostadas

Salud and Have a glass of Emma Pearl wine with me and OneFabulousMom

and like Emma Pearl on facebook here

Enjoy

Sheila Fretz

Thanksgiving Canadian Style

 So October 11, 2010 was Canadian Thanksgiving and I had my Thanksgiving Holiday Party, 10.10.10, with my fabulous friends and extended family. Look at my Fabulous table scape I love to put all of my Pilgrims out with my Pumpkins, Corn and leaves out too.


In this Picture from Right to left Turkey, Mr. Fix It’s Mashed Potatoes,  Cranberry Relish, Or Beet Berry Relish,  Acorn Squash Florets with Apple Sage Sausage Stuffing, Mr. Fix It's Famous Home Made Stuffing and my sweet neighbor Annie brought these fabulous sweet potatoes. Annie will be sending me her recipe and I will post as soon as I receive.

In this picture from Front to back German Cabbage, Ham., Gravy Turkey, Cranberry Relish.  In addition to Harvest Time Creamed Corn ( not in photo).

We also had 5 kinds of Pies and Tarts, Butter tarts and  Pecan Tarts, Dutch Apple Pie, Pumpkin Pie and Easy (Cherry) Pie.  I will share those recipes Wednesday and Friday.


Thanks for stopping by and Happy Thanksgiving to all and if you are in the United States Happy Columbus Day.


Bon Appetite!

Enjoy,

Sheila Fretz

Tailgating such a fun activity in the fall to do with Friends and Family

About a month ago or so I was contacted by Gimlet Mommy of the Entertaining House asking me about what reminds me of fall most My First Answer was Thanksgiving and my second answer was having a Tailgating Party. So Gimlet Mommy asked that I do a post on Tailgating and all of the fabulous food that I would serve at a event like this. We served some familiar dishes that a lot of you have made from "Cooking Underwriter" in the past, plus some new appetizers, salads and side dishes. The Mrs. of One Fabulous Mom and her husband were in attendance too and we had a blast together as usual. Come with us on our journey of tailgating with fabulous friends and don't forget to visit their fabulous blogs too.

This was are menu for our tailgating event. We had a fabulous time at the football game after our tailgating adventure and fun was had by all.  By the way University of Southern California,  Trojans won and walked away with a victory. The score was 17 University of Southern California, and 14 Virgina.

Summer In a Bowl

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates Wrapped in Bacon

Grilled Peppers and Onions

The Grilled Peppers and Onions we heated up on the grill after we had  pre-cooked at home for the tailgate party

OneFabulousMom’s Famous Brats made from her husband's special spices, are to the left.

I made the Sweet Italian Sausage wrapped in bacon, this is a fun and yummy way to eat sausage! We rolled the Sweet Italian Sausage in Bacon then put one wooden tooth pick in to keep bacon on until crispy. Remove before serving, and are to the right

TIP OF THE DAY: Don't forget your spray bottle of water because the bacon grease will flame up the fire on your barbecue.

Brownies made from Pams Gluten Free Cake Mix with Gluten Free Sprinkles
Made as directed from box except I made substituting the butter for apple sauce  equal parts. Then I frosted and Put the Gluten Free Sprinkles as a topping.  Plus I made in Cupcake lined tins for easy transport and display.


So all of the recipes have links to them! I hope you enjoy the fresh quick and easy food recipes as much as we did. We made the Summer in a bowl,  The Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad the night before. Then that Morning of the tailgate we assembled the Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates Wrapped in Bacon  and The Grilled Peppers and Onions; we then  cooked at home then heated up on the grill before serving.  We also Grilled the Brats and Sausage at the sight but assembled the Sweet Italian wrapped in Bacon and the Alfredo Corn  on the Cob at home the night before.A lot of these foods can be done ahead of time and are fabulous on the grill.  Happy Tailgating!                                                                

Bon Appetite and Happy Tailgating!!

Enjoy!

 Sheila Fretz