TAG | pot-luck dinners
Dogs
Besides discussing family, life, and technology, we challenged each other to name as many Asian breeds as possible. We came up with…
Shiba Inu, Shih Tzu, Low Chin, Chinese Crested, Akita, Chow. Correct us if we’re wrong and add the breeds we forgot!
Food
Lettuce Wraps, Stir Fry vegetables, (recipes follow) Vegetable Steamed Dumplings, and Bao Steamed Buns (Okami brand Bao Asian-Style pork and b.b.q. sauce steamed buns). Dinner was followed by an Asian Spice Friendship Cake – we took an existing starter bread and gave it an Asian flare, adding cinnamon.
Next week we are trying Greek.
Try our recipes by clicking on (more…)
This week’s theme was community fajita. Each of us brought different ingredients to the table. Eating our fajitas with the dogs drooling around the table eventually led to a conversation about Mexican Dogs.
The Dogs…
The Mexican Hairless dogs official name is “Xoloitzcuintli” and the common misconception that they require little grooming. Nothing could be further from the truth! Because their skin is exposed to the elements, they require bathing, lotions, and daily applications of sun block. According to the Xolo Club of America, they are “built for speed, agility and endurance and therefore a variety of exercise regiments will be most beneficial….This not only prevents the dog from getting bored, it will utilize a variety of muscle groups and create balanced muscle definition.”
Chihuahuas are another active dog commonly associated with Mexico. According to AKC’s breed information, they are “highly intelligent and should not be underestimated even though small in size” with “terrier-like qualities” – aka energetic and benefits from exercise and training!
Exercise your dog by taking dog and puppy training classes and get training advice in the dog training library.
The Dinner…
Fajitas and Mexican Salad
The fajitas featured grilled flank steak marinated in Annie’s Roasted Red Pepper marinade and chicken seasoned with McCormick’s Taco Seasoning. To complete the fajitas, friends contributed grilled peppers and onions, homemade guacamole, shredded cheese, tortillas, lettuce and tomatoes. We also had a green salad with avacados, tomatos, sauteed pablano pepper strips and Litehouse salsa ranch dressing.
Chips, salsas, and frozen margaritas kept the party atmosphere in play and we finished off with a custardy flan.
- Potcake dog pal of The Kohn Foundation
Dinner With Caribbean Potcake Dogs
The majority of the dogs in Grand Bahama are of mixed breed, named “Potcakes” after the popular peas and rice dish that sticks to the bottom of the pot. The leftover peas and rice is often fed to the dogs; hence the name they have been given. These dogs are extremely intelligent and easily-trained, and they make the most grateful and loyal companions.
Some nice flavors here tonight.
Mango Chutney with Crackers – as it was being prepared, the cook took a quick taste and her toenails fell off, but it mellowed after sitting for four hours. From 2002 Best of Weight Watchers cookbook.
Bulgur Wheat with Dried Cranberries – good and healthy. Most of us had seconds.
Caribbean Inspired Salad – we made it table side! Mixed greens, pecans, black beans, red onions, orange wedges, and avocados sprinkled with fresh squeezed oranges.
Caribbean Dinner with Online Dog Coach
Jerk Chicken Pasta – this is spicy. From Allrecipes.com one of our favorite recipe sites. We added more jerk seasoning to spice it up. Used half and half instead of whole cream.
Caribbean crusted Cod with pineapple spears – Costco was good enough to have the whole bag frozen for us, along with pineapple, dried berries, and peach mango salsa so we picked it up and served it.
Rum Mojitos – these are strong! Never made them before but we put together mint leaves, fresh lime, bottled lime juice, simple syrup, club soda, and whole lotta rum.
More about The Kohn Foundation:
The Bahamian Animal Rescue Committee (B.A.R.C.) was formed in April, 2005 to assist the Humane Society of Grand Bahama in their ongoing efforts in West End concerning animal population control, spay and neuter programs, and disease mitigation. The situation with wild dogs and cats has worsened since the hurricanes devastated the village in 2004. There are many more puppies and kittens in the village, resulting in a large homeless population. B.A.R.C. is part of The Kohn Foundation.
The Kohn Foundation (TKF) is a non-profit (501c3) organization based in Evergreen, Colorado, U.S. TKF received its non-profit status in April, 2004, prior to the hurricanes which devastated West End, Grand Bahama Island. As a result of the destruction to the village, fund raising efforts to assist in the rebuilding of homes, schools, and businesses are more critical than ever. To date, the majority of the funds donated to TKF have come from private individuals. Fundraising will continue to be a TKF priority as more programs are developed.
Join us next week for Mexican Fajitas.
Click “more” for the Mango chutney recipe… (more…)
Have dinner with us!
Spring means the outdoor training facility at Hoppin’ in the Hills is open for agility training, after which we get together for a themed pot-luck dinner. Join the blog conversation on Tuesday evenings for updates and recipes.
Try them out and let us know what you think!
Tonight – Spanish food!
Spanish themed dinner with tapas, beans, and gazpacho
Eggplant Tapas and Shrimp Tapas - These two items disappeared during dinner, and there was competition for the last bites of shrimp. Eggplant sauteed in olive oil. Add sauteed green onion and garlic blended with vinegar and parsley. For the shrimp, saute garlic and red pepper. Add shrimp, lemon, cognac, and paprika. Sprinkle with parsley. Serve over bread.
Roasted Cauliflower – The toddler loved it too! Green olives (we used garlic stuffed), garlic, and chickpeas, and enough crushed red pepper to make it interesting. From Cooking Light.
Black Beans and Brown Rice – A bag of beans, soaked overnight. Olive oil, garlic, onions and green bell peppers sauteed with thyme, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Add to the beans and add lemon juice. Cook for several hours on low heat. At the very end add red wine vinegar. From Diane’s memory.
Australian Shepherd lineage traveled through Spain. Yazzi here is a red merle.
“the Little Penguin” Australian Merlot who wanted to visit Spain. Australian shepherds lineage traveled through Spain. They ran their tails off on their way to America.
Gazpacho – Quick, easy, no cook, 30 minutes to put together. Modified from a Weight Watchers cookbook. Real tomatoes blanched, seeded, and skinned, red and yellow bell peppers, onion, garlic, lime juice, vegetable broth, and one little jalapeno pepper in the food processor. 1 point per serving. A nice spice.
Roti Land flat bread heated on the grill.
Spanish Natillas (Custard Cream) for dessert – A basic custard. Tasty! The biggest deal was converting metric and finding corn flour. We used corn starch. From Euroresidentes.
Since the toddler likes to dip things in water, maybe he can do the dishes!
Next week, join us for Caribbean.
