Life of aspiring Social Worker/Baker/Chef

Social Causes Meets Food Obsession

Friday, June 11, 2010

LOST: the final party....




I love Lost. LOVE it. We were all on edge when finale rolled around. And WHAT a finale. 2 hour build up before the show, 2.5 hour show and interviews after that. So, I invited my nearest and dearest to celebrate at my new apartment (fondly called the "man cave").
So, what do you make to feed six people for at least 5-6 hours? And how do you make it seem lost-ish and make enough to last?




I started with some fun decorations to get in the spirit. Then, I thought Mangoes...what could I do with Mangoes? I found a simple salsa with onions, mango, cucumber, spicy peppers (which I left out) and I added fresh corn to thicken it up to serve the number of people. Needless to say it was the simplest dish and I literally had none left over! I also wanted to do something substantial for such a long sitting of TV. I made Mr.Cluck Cluck's chicken nuggets (home made nuggets) served with carrot sticks and Hugo ranch.




I also bought peanut butter filled pretzels for Charlie and Claire PB pretzels (I ran out of time or I would have made PB cookies). Which leads us to my favorite part of any meal - dessert! Really, you can't watch your favorite TV show without sweets. At least that is how we operate in the "Man Cave". It's a rule. So, for our Island theme I made coconut truffles also named "brigadeiros" in Brazilian and Latin American cultures. This slice of heaven is fudge like and rolled in sprinkles, coconut and whatever your little heart desires. I confess for my second dessert dish I have just wanted to make an apple cake. So, I christened it the Adam and Eve Apple cake. It is all kind of moist, cinnamon apple goodness.



Recipes:

Mango Salsa
- 2 mangoes
- 1 ear of corn or one can of corn
- 1 cucumber
- 1 quarter or half a onion
- 2 tablespoons of lime juice
- Handful of chopped cilantro to taste

Add all ingredients and stir. Serve with tortilla chips.

Brigadeiros
*Adapted from Smitten Kitchen and Tribeca Yummy Mummy
- 4 tablespoons of good quality cocoa powder
- 1 cup of sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cup coconut milk
- Shredded coconut,sprinkles and any other toppings

In a medium sauce pan combine the milks and the cocoa powder over medium heat. Stir until it thickens (about 10 minutes). Let come to room temperature and sit the mixture into the fridge for 20 minutes. Line a plate or pan with parchment paper. Slightly wet your hands and, using a spoon, scoop out segments of chocolate. Roll it into a ball with your moisten hands. Then, in a shallow dish, roll the chocolate into your desired toppings. To make Carmel flavored instead of chocolate, add 2 teaspoons of light corn syrup.



I promise the Apple cake recipe will make an appearance soon. ;)

6 comments:

  1. ****Side note*****

    On the Brigadeiros, let them chill in the fridge for 30 minutes to an hour so they can get nice and formed. You can skip this step, but they are gooey (good but gooey).

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  2. I Love it.. I hope you make it for me when I get home...

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  3. good times! can we do it again? i'll even cut the mangos for you. :)

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  4. YES! Whit you can come stay on my "man cave" couch and cut my mangoes :)

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