Summer Days Are For Soirees!

Summer days are for soirees in so many ways!  As a caterer and private chef to the stars for more than a decade now, I've learned that keeping party making simple, sexy and distinctly creative is the key that kept my clients coming back for more.  So get your creative juices flowing and become more than just the hostess with the mostest when planning your next gathering with friends.  From table design, to mixing the perfect summer libation and centerpiece creation, keep it simple, colorful and most of all have fun while doing it.  Below are a few of my casual outdoor catering tips for having a summer soiree that's sure to be memorable everytime.   

Summer Soiree Cocktails

Cocktails - A luscious blend of natural organic juices such as cranberry, pomegranite and fresh fruit purees are wonderful when making martini's, margaritas and mojitos.  Mix with vodka, tequila or rum, an infused simple syrup, agave, ice, lime and mint garnish.  Float a seltzer water or sparkling citrus soda atop of the cocktail for a fizz sensation.  Small cocktail glasses are great for leisure sipping and allows your guests to lounge, converse and enjoy in the soiree you've created.  Remember to always make your beverages colorful and festive.  Color and style catch the eye and presentation is everything.  Your guests will "toast" to you and your party. 

 Floral Napkin Holders

Table Cutlery - The beauty and scent of fresh cut flowers is always a sight to see on any table arrangement, but the everlasting floral bloom of flowers is short lived when they begin to fade. So I like to purchase beautiful and colorful floral napkin rings that way I can interchange all year long.  They bring out the true spirit of summer and look radiantly beautiful when adding to any outdoor table arrangement.

Flowers in Pipin Green Apple Vases

Centerpieces - When decorating an outdoor dining table incorporate floral centerpieces with fresh fruit used as vases or opt for fresh herbs such as watercress and place them in watered glass vases for a more relaxed and casual feel to your overall dining soiree experience.  After your soiree place the centerpieces in small wooden boxes tied with raffi and give them to your guests as take-home gifts.  They will appreciate a piece of the party as a parting "keep sake."

Heirloom Tomato, Avocado and Boccancini Mozzarella Pesto Skewers

Grilled Halibut Skewers with Tomatillo and Maui Onion Relish

Skewers - I am a favorite of all foods that I can "Nibble" on. Small portions and small bites that are packed with full flavor has always been my philosophy when creating my extraordinary soiree menus for celebrity clients across the globe. So when creating your summer festive soiree menu incorporate cold items that are light, cool and refreshing and a few hot items right off the grill to have a filling, yet satisfying mix of tastes and textures in one simple "Nibble."

Celebrity Chef Kai Chase's signature "Rock-A-Mole"

Skinny Dipping - During the summer we all want to look our best and show it off!  So when creating a dish and showing off "it's" true flavor I believe in the concept that "less is more."  Add a veggie dip to your summer soiree menu that's full of flavor and healthy for you to eat.  My signature "Rock-A-Mole" is just the perfect accompaniment and celebrity dish for any summer soiree menu.

Healthy Tip of the Week...How To Cut An Avocado

Have you ever wanted to know how to easily cut an avocado?

Haas Avocado

Slice it lengthwise

Lightly whack the avocado pit with a chef knife, gently twist and pull it out

Using the knife, make cross marks in the avocado, take a spoon and remove the chunks

...And there you have it!

Chilled Creamy Avocado-Cucumber Soup

I just came back from the open Farmers Market in Santa Monica, CA. and loaded up on some really beautiful seasonal produce. I bought some luscious Haas avocados, crisp Hothouse cucumbers and some summer fruits of white peaches, juicy nectarines and sweet black plums. Now the fruits are great in-between meal snack foods, but for lunch today I'm going to work with the buttery Haas avocados and refreshing Hothouse cucumbers to create a cool summer soup. Yes, I know, soup is generally considered a winter dish, but the preparation of this amazingly delicious recipe is something you will truly enjoy during the hot months to come.

Chilled Creamy Avocado-Cucumber Soup

The smooth texture of the avocado gives the chilled soup a thick creamy consistency, making heavy creams unnecessary. I like to enjoy this creamy soup with a crisp leafy-green salad for a "light" meal for hot summer day's and balmy summer nights.

Ingredients:

1 large Hothouse cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped

1 large Haas avocado

1 serrano chile, seeded and chopped

1 c. chicken broth

1/2 c. creme fraiche

1/4 tsp. ground cumin

2 tsp. fresh lemon juice

1/4 tsp. sea salt

cracked black pepper (optional)

chives (garnish)

avocado-orange infused olive oil (garnish-drizzle)

Method:

In a food processor, add the cucumber, avocado, cumin and serrano chili. Pulse until the ingredients are blended. Add the creme fraiche, broth and lemon juice and continue to blend until smooth. Season with salt to taste and regrigerate for 3-4 hours.   Once chilled garnish with chive sprigs and drizzle with avocado-orange infused olive oil and cracked black pepper (optional).  Enjoy!

Healthy Tip of the Week

Cut Out The Fast Food Drive By's
Do you ever get those hunger cravings during the middle of the day, the urge to grab a quick bite on the run and all of a sudden begin to notice there's a fast food establishment on every corner. Temptation!! It's so easy to do a quick drive by into a McDonalds, Jack in the Box or Wendy's to grab a high calorie burger, sandwich or a bag of french fries. When I'm eating healthy and keeping my weight down it's difficult not to be a victim to fast food establishments, so what I do to stay focused and keep my energy up is keep packages of organic trail mix or almonds in my purse to snack on. Visit Jamba Juice stores or smoothie bars to keep that full feeling by incorporating liquid proteins throughout the day.


Incorporate Friendly Fat Into Your Diet
Ahh...avocados, the friendly fat. Known for its 20 essential nutrients, including fiber, potassium, Vitamin E, B-Vitamins and Folic Acid. They also act as a "nutrient booster" by enabling the body to absorb more fat-soluble nutrients.

Growing up a California kid, I was raised on the luscious, creamy goodness of California avocados and use their nutritional properties for various benefits. This delicious fruit also known by the Aztec's as the "fertility fruit" can be used in many body beneficial forms as an ingredient in many recipes to being used as an invigorating face and body masque.


In recipes, it is used as the base for the Mexican dip known as guacamole, as well as a spread on corn tortillas or toast, served with spices. In the Philippines, Brazil, Indonesia, Vietnam, and southern India , avocados are frequently used for milkshakes and occasionally added to ice cream and other desserts. In Brazil, Vietnam, the Philippines and Indonesia, a dessert drink is made with sugar, milk or water, and pureed avocado. Chocolate syrup is sometimes added. In Morocco, there is a similar chilled avocado and milk drink, that is sweetened with confectioner's sugar and hinted with orange flower water. In Australia and New Zealand, it is commonly served in sushi, on toast, or with chicken. In Ethiopia, avocados are made into juice by mixing them with sugar and milk or water, usually served with Vitmo and a slice of lemon. It is also very common to serve layered multiple fruit juices in a glass (locally called spreece) made of avocados, mangoes, bananas, guavas and papayas. Suprisingly, In Iran, it is used as a rejuvenating facial cream. Avocados are also great in salads used to make salads, used in sandwiches and as a quick and satisfying appetizer.

Here is one of my favorite avocado snacks called "Avocado Toast." It's quick and simple to prepare, and you only need 5 ingredients.

Ingredients:
2 Pcs. whole wheat toast, cut in half
1 sm. avocado, mashed
1 pinch, crushed red chili flakes
1/2 lemon, juiced
1 pinch, sea salt

Avocado Toast

Method:
In a small mixing bowl add the advocado and mash with a fork until chunky and creamy. Spread the avocado mixture on the toast, sprinkle with lemon juice, sea salt and crushed red chili flakes. Enjoy!

Best Ways To Spruce Up Your Salads For Summer

It's summertime and summer salads have teamed up with their light and tasty counterparts such as sweet summer fruits, lightly grilled proteins, earthy, crunchy toasted nuts, herbal vinaigrettes and low-calorie creamy dressings. By adding these ingredients to your salads you can spruce up a well known side dish or starter and make an entree meal that's full-filling, satisfying and delicious.

Consider adding fresh fruits like strawberries, blueberries, apples and grapes. Or toss in some dried fruits like cranberries, apricots, and golden raisins to make your salads come alive with the vibrant tastes of sweet and refreshing ingredients.

Hot off the grill proteins easily turn any salad into a main meal with the addition of succulent shrimp, juicy chicken, savory salmon, sliced steak and marinated tofu. You can also add the protein of cheese. Cheese such as blue, feta, goat and mozzarella often goes well with fruit and adds tons of flavor.

Avocados, olives, and toasted nuts add a whole new taste dimension, not to mention some heart-healthy oils. Cooked whole grains such as hard wheat berries, quinoa, and bulgur add fiber. Beans or chickpeas add protein and fiber. A variety of great greens like the sweet tastes of Boston, red and green leaf and romaine are great and have nutritious value. While others have a nutty or bitter taste, like endive, radicchio, arugula, watercress and spinach. Mix and match the tastes and textures for an explosion of mother nature's gardeny green goodness. You can also throw in herbs like basil, dill or cilantro so that each bite surprises your taste buds.
To top it all off go with a vinaigrette and low-calorie creamy dressings. Choose a vegan-ranch made with tofu and veganese mayo for a Grilled Chicken California Cobb Salad over a mix of crisp romaine and spinach. Try a sesame-soy vinaigrette with grilled shrimp, avocado, toasted almonds and mandarin oranges over a mix of romaine, raddichio and watercress. Or how about a lime-cilantro vinaigrette for that steak, chick pea, corn and avocado salad. You can make your own healthy vinaigrettes by infusing vinegars with some of your favorite herbs…and you can turn high-fat creamy dressings into healthier vinaigrettes. You're guests will surely enjoy every lasting bite!

Rock Shrimp Ceviche "Shooters"

Recipe Courtesy of: Kai Chase

A perfect accompaniment for my signature “Rock-A-Mole” are my “Rock Shrimp Ceviche “Shooters.” These refreshing and light small bites are just the answer for your Cinco De Mayo celebration. Just fill tequila shot glasses to the rim, garnish with cilantro sprigs and serve chilled with small demitasse spoons.

Ingredients:

1 Lb. Fresh Rock Shrimp
1 Large Haas Avocado, Firm and Small Diced
1 Jalapeno Chile, Small Diced
½ Medium Red Onion, Small Diced
½ c Cilantro, Chopped
3 Limes, Fresh Squeezed
2 Oranges, Small, Fresh Squeezed
½ Hothouse Cucumber, Skin-On, Small Diced
2 Vine-Ripened Tomato, Small Diced
2 Grilled Corn-on-the-Cobb, Kernels Shaved from the Cobb
Orange-Infused Olive Oil (Drizzle)
Sea Salt & Fresh Ground Pepper (to taste)
Cilantro Sprigs (Garnish)


Method:

In a large pot add 4 quarts boiling water. Remove from the heat and add the shrimp to lightly cook. Drain the shrimp from the boiling water and refrigerate for about and hour. In a large mixing bowl add the shrimp, cucumber, tomato, corn, cilantro, jalapeno and red onion. Add the fresh lime and orange juice and gently fold in the avocado. Season the ceviche with sea salt and fresh cracked black pepper to taste and lightly drizzle with the orange infused olive oil. Garnish with cilantro sprigs.