More Holiday Menus...

Holiday Party 2009

Tasty Italian

Stationary Hors d’ Oeuvres

Assorted French Bread Pizzas

Cheese, Sausage and Mushroom

Sliced Italian Meats with Ciabatta Rolls and Garlic Oil

Classic Bruschetta with Crostini

Dinner Buffet

Traditional Caesar Salad

White Lasagna with Butternut Squash, Ricotta, Spinach and Mozzarella

Classic Cheese Lasagna

Sausage and Meatballs in Marinara

Cheese Biscuits with Whipped Butter

Desserts

Assorted Biscotti and Italian Cookies

$30 per person

Mexican Fiesta

Stationary Hors d’ Oeuvres

Southwest Layered Dip with Tortilla Chips

Spiced Beef Empanadas

Cheese Quesadilla with Salsa

Dinner Buffet

Mixed Greens with Chick Peas, Tomatoes, Jack Cheese, Crispy Tortilla Strips and Creamy Garlic Dressing

Cumin Roasted Pork Loin with Broiled Pineapple

Spicy Mexican Tortilla Pie with Shredded Chicken

Sweet Potato Salad with Cilantro, Peppers, Black Beans, Corn and Lime Vinaigrette

Corn Bread

Dessert

Mexican Chocolate Bundt Cake with Chocolate Ganache

$35 per person

Festive Winter Gathering

Stationary Hors d’ Oeuvres

Baked Brie with Seasonal Preserves and Table Water Crackers

Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms

Citrus Marinated Olives and Spiced Nuts

Dinner Buffet

Mixed Greens with Shredded Carrots,

Toasted Almonds and Raspberry Vinaigrette

Rolled Chicken Breast with Sundried Tomatoes, Spinach and Fontina

Braised Beef Short Ribs

Baked Mac and Cheese with Sharp Cheddar

Oven Roasted Root Vegetables with Herbs and Citrus Dressing

Dessert

Pumpkin Cheese Cake Bars, Raspberry Oat Bars, Lemon Bars and Pecan Brownies

$45 per person

Winter’s Bounty

Harvest Table

Marinated Goat Cheese with Spiced Walnuts and Crostini

Vegetable Crudités with Seasonal Dip

Baked Artichoke Dip with Crostini

Citrus Marinated Olives and Spiced Nuts

Dinner Buffet

Mixed Local Greens with Pecans, Cranberries, Apple, Gorgonzola and Balsamic Vinaigrette

Broiled Pacific Halibut with Spicy Mango Chutney

Whole Roasted Beef Tenderloin Sliced with Horseradish Sauce

Vegetarian White Bean Gratin

Wild  Rice Salad

Dessert

Individual Pumpkin Pecan Tarts

$65 per person

I was having so much fun tonight putting these menus together for a good friend and customer that I wanted to make them available for all. It's not too late to plan your holiday party. These menus are designed for easy entertaining and are priced to include delivery. Service is available if needed at an additional charge.

Email me now for availablity!!!

alexacdrc@aol.com

2009 Winter Special

2009 Winter Special

Please pick between the two listed:

Hors d’oeuvres
Baked Brie with Seasonal Preserves and Crackers -or- Marinated Goat Cheese with Sun-dried Tomatoes, Spiced Walnuts and Crostini

First Course
Butternut Squash and Shrimp Bisque with Mini Corn Muffins -or- Sausage and Parmesan Stuffed Mushrooms

Second Course
Endive Salad with Spicy Butter Toasted Walnuts -or- Arugula and Serrano Ham Salad with Apples, Pears and Smoked Paprika Dressing

Third Course
Split Roasted Duck with Potato Gratin and Sautéed Artichokes, Red Pearl Onions and Garlic -or- Beef Tenderloin with Haricots Verts and Truffle Mashed Potatoes

Fourth Course
Cardamom and Pistachio Cake with Fresh Whipped Cream -or-
Chocolate Pot de Crème with Whipped Cream and Chocolate Shavings

$90.00 per person

________________________________________________________

Create your own menu.

Formal Affairs and Intimate Gatherings

Stationary Hors d’ Oeuvres
Baked Artichoke and Lemon Dip with Crostini
Baked Brie with Seasonal Preserves and Crackers
Marinated Goat Cheese with Sun-dried Tomatoes, Spiced Walnuts and Crostini
Lamb and Currant Phyllo Triangles
Endive with Crab Salad
Vegetable Spring Rolls with Sweet Soy Dipping Sauce

First Course
Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms
Crab Cakes with Avocado and Cilantro Aioli
Foie Gras Pâté with Grilled Brioche and Fig Preserves
Butternut Squash and Shrimp Bisque with Mini Corn Muffins

Second Course
Parsley with Shaved Fennel and Celery Root with Truffle Oil
Arugula and Serrano Ham Salad with Apples, Pears and Smoked Paprika Dressing
Fennel and Blue Stilton Salad with Baby Spinach
Endive Salad with Spicy Butter Toasted Walnuts

Third Course
Split Roasted Duck
Beef Tenderloin
Pistachio Crusted Rack of Lamb
Prosciutto Wrapped Salmon

With your choice of two of the following accompaniments:
Haricots Verts with Caramelized Shallots
Maple Glazed Carrots
Roasted Seasonal Vegetables
Sautéed Artichokes, Red Pearl Onions and Garlic
Parmesan and Sage Polenta
Potato and Sweet Potato Gratin
Roasted Fingering Potatoes
Truffle Mashed Potatoes

Fourth Course
Blue Stilton, Fig Preserves, Crackers and Assorted Chocolates
Individual Apple Cranberry Croustade
Cardamom and Pistachio Cake with Fresh Whipped Cream
Chocolate Pot de Crème with Whipped Cream and Chocolate Shavings

Pricing Packages
$135.00 per person
Package includes your choice:
2 Hors d’oeuvres

4 Course Seated Meal

$100.00 per person
Package includes one chef’s choice hors d’oeuvre:
Baked Brie with Seasonal Preserves and Crackers
And your choice:
4 Course Seated Meal

$80.00 per person
Package includes chef’s choice hors d’oeuvres:
Baked Brie with Seasonal Preserves and Crackers
And your choice:
3 Course Seated Meal

Menus are designed and priced for parties ranging from 6 to 18 guests and includes seated service. Custom pricing and menus available beyond these parameters. These prices and specials are effective through February 1, 2010.

Alexa Carlson Catering strives to supply the freshest of local ingredients in both produce and meats and also insure the sustainability of the fish served.

Custom Cakes

Much to my surprise there is still a need for bakers in the area. I never thought of myself as a baker, just one who enjoyed simple confections. I often do my own baking for catered events focusing on simple tasty treats. Goodies and cakes that you might remeber your mom or grandmother making. I love using quality ingredients; organic flours, local eggs, organic butter, evaporated cane sugar... Recently I have been comitioned to bake birthday cakes, some even gluten free! So next birthday, shower, graduation...think of Alexa Carlson Catering!

My prices are as follows (all cakes are at least two layers):

6"round...$26 and up

9" round...$52 and up

9x13"...$80 and up

Pictured is a tasty chocolate gluten free cake with toffee bites and chocolate mocha butter cream!

Please look at the Afternoon Tea heading for other baked treats.

Time Flies!!

I know I don't need to tell you all, but time flies. What happened to August!!
I have to say I had a great and busy month. I had two awesome jobs with fun and tasty menus. The hosts wanted local, natural and organic; right up my alley! So for this post I will share with you the menus.

Nicole and Will's Wedding

Hors d’oeurves
Tomato Bruschetta with Feta and Oregano
Watermelon Gazpacho Shooters
Spice-Crusted Baby Potatoes with Tamarind Cream
Crab Salad on Cucumber Slices
Quiche Squares with Caramelized Leeks, Sage and Blue Cheese
Tapas Table
Crudités
Grilled Zucchini with Fennel Seeds, Lemon and Marinated Goat Cheese
Toasted Pitas and Assorted Crackers
Hummus
Classic Olive Tapanade
Buffet

Mixed Greens with Aged Cheddar, Apples, Toasted Pecans and Honey Vinaigrette
Corn and Cilantro Salad with Shallots and Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Broccoli and Lemon Orzo with Roasted Tomatoes and Pumpkin Seeds
Cheese Tortellini, Roasted Tomatoes, Artichoke Hearts and Pine Nuts with a Basil Cream Sauce
Wilted Greens with Garlic, Red Pepper Flakes and Olive Oil
Savory Ricotta Cheesecake with Sweet Onions, Grape Tomatoes and Sage

Broiled Organic Salmon with Spicy Mango Chutney
Roasted Chicken Breast with Cumin-Chili Butter
Assorted Breads and Artichoke and Herb Infused Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar

Shannon and Peter's Summer BBQ
On the Tables

Chips and Salsa
Watermelon
Salads
Classic Cole Slaw
Orzo Salad with Broccoli, and Roasted Tomatoes
Grilled Items
Burgers, Cheese Burgers and Hot Dogs (Four Mile River Farm)
Lamb Sausage (Sankow’s Beaver Brook Farm)
Spicy Black Bean Cakes (house-made vegan)
Fixings: lettuce, tomatoes, relish (house-made), ketchup (house-made),

mustard (house-made), hot dog rolls and hard rolls (Flander's)
Side Dishes
Sauerkraut
Baked Beans (vegan)
Corn-on-the-Cob
Mac-and-Cheese
PB & J’s

Desserts
Blueberry Lemon Bars
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Chocolate Shortbread

Now, I hope your mouths are watering and your planning your next party!!!

My Panzanella

I just love this salad, I first had this dish made by Pat Medwar and it was delicious!!!

Since then I have recreated this dish on many occasions. I love using leftovers and anything I have in the pantry, these simple tasty dishes are my favorite. I love rummaging through the fridge and pantry, taking forgotten olives, cheese and herbs and making something grand! So with leftovers in mind and veggies ripening in the garden just remember these few rules:

-A very good extra virgin olive oil, Zoe organic (my personal favorite)

-Very good crust bread, Howard's (another fav and available every Sunday morning at Chester's Summer Market)

-A very good vinegar, my own infused balsamic!!!