Zuppa Inglese

June 17, 2012 by Monica in Baking, Desserts, Events, Family, Family Cookbook, Sweets

This past Monday was Tom’s birthday. And a couple of weeks ago as we were sitting planning “Tomfest” (as he likes to call it) I asked the question that I was dreading: “So, what do you want me to bake for your birthday?”

Notice that I did not say, “What type of CAKE you want for your birthday?”

See the cake crazy person in the relationship is me – Tom is all about pies and cooked fruit desserts.

Remember this one?

I was hoping that he did not… Because ever since I made that thing, he has been sending hints left and right for a do over.

I have been busy ignoring him.

Monica’s World Famous Chicken Salad

May 27, 2012 by Monica in Bread, Chicken, Entertaining, Events, Salad, Sandwiches, Savory

This chicken salad has been in the making for quite a few years now. When I worked in downtown Miami, many years ago, our offices use to order most of our catering with Perricone’s Marketplace & Café.

And my favorite sandwich in the menu was their World famous Chicken Salad. Their version is prepared with golden raisins, roasted pine nuts, granny smith apples, basil, poached chicken breast and a touch of mayo.

When I moved away, I always missed the sandwich and so, there was nothing to do but try to duplicate it.

And as cooks we know that unless you know the actual recipe, duplications may work against you or for you.

In this case, Perricone’s recipe was a jumping point for my own world famous chicken salad.

Salmon and Asparagus party Sandwiches

May 19, 2012 by Monica in Bread, Entertaining, Events, Quick Meal, Sandwiches, Seafood

The last couple of weeks I have been dealing with some health issues and while everything turned out better than expected, there have been some adjustments, and cooking has been very low in the priority list.

That is why Sweetbites has been a bit “dark”, as they say in the theater.

Then I took a quick little weekend trip to NYC, to meet up with “my people” to do some major wedding planning.

Happy to say, that we accomplished tons in 4 days. Colors are down, flow of event, flowers, décor, wedding dress! Hair, makeup and all the stuff that you think do not take time, until you actually start to talk about it. We had a conversation about cake for hours. Especially when I announced that I did not want one.

I had a major revolt from everyone in the room. Which then erupted in cries that I was crazy and “how I could possibly NOT HAVE CAKE at the wedding”. My MOH even went has far as telling me that she would not attend unless I had cake.

I had no choice guys.

I gave in.