“An Affair to Remember” Menu

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“An Affair to Remember” menu shopping list

BEGIN: “Shhh, It’s a Secret” Gourmet Poutine

• 8 large Yukon gold potatoes
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil (it’s really good for you, refined coconut oil is without flavourless if you don’t want the flavour)
• 1 large shallot, minced
• 1 small garlic clove, minced
• 4 cups organic chicken or veal stock
• 1 tablespoon ketchup (or omit of you prefer)
• ½ tablespoon cider vinegar
• ½ tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons whole green peppercorns
• ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 tablespoons flour
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 cups cheddar cheese curds (or grated cheddar if you don’t have curds)
• Coconut oil for frying

FOLLOW: “Pandora’s Box” Fully Loaded Gourmet Nachos

• 4 6-inch fresh corn flour tortillas
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon sea salt
• Hand-made toasted tortilla chips (or a bag if you don’t have the time)
• Medium salsa
• 2 large tomatoes, diced
• 1 red or green pepper, finely diced
• 2 spring onions, finely chopped
• Sliced olives
• 2/3 cup crumbled feta cheese (traditionally a crumbled mild white fresh Mexican cheese is used) or shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Jalapeno peppers fresh and thinly sliced (or from a jar and sliced)
• Sour cream
• Guacamole (recipe follows)
• 1/2 pound crumbled, shredded or finely diced meat, such as ground beef, chorizo sausage, pulled pork, shredded chicken (or a combination)
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons cayenne powder (or chili powder for less heat)
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin

ESCORT: Chunky Avocado Guacamole

• 3 ripe plum tomatoes, diced
• Minced pickled jalapeno or Serrano chiles to taste (remove seeds for less heat)
• Minced garlic (optional)
• ½ medium red onion, diced
• ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 3 large, ripe Haas avocados
• Freshly squeezed lime juice to taste
• Kosher salt to taste
• Pinch freshly ground pepper & ground cumin

ESCORT: Pico de Gallo/Salsa

• 3 cups diced plum tomatoes
• ¾ cup finely diced white onion
• ¼ cup chopped fresh coriander
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• dash white vinegar
• 1 tablespoon minced pickled serrano chilies or jalapeño peppers (remove seeds for less heat)
• 1/8 teaspoon sea salt

FOLLOW: “Twist Myself Into a Pretzel To Make You Happy” Warm Soft Pretzels with Cheese Mustard Dipping Sauce

• 1 ½ cups water
• 2 ¼ teaspoons dry active yeast
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 4 cups bread flour
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon molasses
• 2 teaspoons sea salt
• 1 large egg white
• ¼ cup baking soda
• 2 tablespoons coarse salt
• ¼ cup beer, dark if you have it (such as stout or porter)
• ¼ cup Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 ½ cups Cheddar cheese, grated

FOLLOW: “Stop Sitting on the Fence” Deep Fried Asian Spring Rolls

• 2 cups of ground pork or ground beef (select the meat you prefer)
• 1 cup firm tofu
• 1 cup white mushrooms, finely chopped
• 4 spring onions, thinly sliced
• 1 cup Napa green cabbage, finely shredded (soft leafy part)
• ¼ cup carrot, finely shredded
• 2 tablespoons cilantro leaves, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons grated gingerroot
• ½ tablespoon sesame oil
• ½ tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 teaspoon Chinese chili sauce
• ½ teaspoon fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
• 1 egg (slightly beaten)
• Package frozen spring roll pastry wrappers made with wheat flour, thawed
• 1 egg yolk (slightly beaten)
• About 2 cups vegetable oil (canola or coconut oil) for deep frying
• 2 tablespoons low sodium soya sauce
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
• 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• Pinch sea salt/freshly ground black pepper

FOLLOW: “Quid Pro Quo Butter Your Bread on Both Sides” Grilled Garlic Bread

• 1 head of garlic
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• Kosher salt, to taste, freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
• 6 cloves roasted garlic
• 1 stick butter, softened
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• ½ teaspoon Tuscan Spice Blend
• 8 slices Italian bread, sliced 1/4-inch thick
• ¼ teaspoon dried parsley

FINISH: “Playing Against Bad Odds Russian Roulette With the Heart” Frozen Grapes, Red Wine and Chocolate

• 1 cup seedless green grapes
• 1 cup seedless red grapes
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• Extra Dark 80% chocolate, chilled
• ‘A bottle of the best’ red wine (or a nice Chablis if you prefer)