November 6, 2011

Remember, Remember...the 5th of Novemeber

Discovery a new holiday feels like winning the lottery, so I was quite thrilled when my new friends--British imports Mike & Bran--introduced me to Guy Fawkes Day, aka Bonfire Night. The day celebrates a failed attempt of the Gunpowder Plot to overthrow the House of Lords, usually with fireworks & bonfires. For their first year in the US, I helped M & B with the food for their 5th of November festivities. We started with British inspired finger foods, with a nod to the jacket potatoes usually associated with Bonfire night: mini fingerlings topped with sour cream, cheddar & chives. Warming soups & stews are typically served at bonfires, so we went with curry (one of Mike's favorites, as well as a sort of Passage to India reference to English food) and steaming parchment wrapped fish. Parchment wrapped fish is a fantastic way to serve fish to a large group. It's nearly impossible to mess up, packets can be wrapped in advance, they can be cooked all together in the oven and no fussy plating is necessary as the seasonings & garnish are already in the packets. Dessert was a mix of sweets from India Sweets & Spices in Atwater Village (an incredible source for Indian party food in LA) & British candies. Please keep me advised on any little-known holidays from afar coming up; I always want an excuse to make a party!
The Menu

sips

Bonfire Vesper
gin, vodka, lillet blanc, lemon peel

Gunpowder
serrano chili pepper infused tequila blanco, basil, mint, lime, gunpowder tea

Milky Chai Tea
cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, black pepper, black tea, milk, honey

snacks

pappadum

chana crackers

fingerling potato jackets with sharp cheddar and chive sour cream

english cheddar, tomato chutney & mint crostini

smashed english pea crostini with parmesan & basil

dinner

coconut, tumeric, ginger & coriander sole

3 bean curry with butternut squash & tomatoes

basmati rice

chutney 3 ways: mint, tamarind & tomato

cucumber raita

carrot, red cabbage & golden raisin slaw with cumin-buttermilk dressing

sweets

assorted indian petit-fours

assorted cadbury bars, wine gums & jelly babies

sesame snacks & sugar coated almonds

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