Host An Unforgettable Book Club Party

Annie and I had the most delicious evening Monday night.  We attended the “11 E-Z Meals for the Year 2011″ hosted by acclaimed San Antonio Chef Michael Flores and Tanji Patton, Emmy award winning  journalist and author of GoodTastewithTanji.com.   Chef Flores demonstrated some fabulous dishes including:  Cacio E Peppe (pasta with black pepper and Parmesan cheese), Beer Boiled Shrimp with Raspberry Cocktail Sauce, Potato Gratin with Three Cheeses and Ground Bison and my favorite of the night, Pretzel Coated Chicken with a Sweet’n Smoky Mustard Sauce.

He also shared some tips along the way that I would like to share with you.

• Saffron is the world’s most expensive spice by weight.  If your recipe calls for saffron you can substitute equal parts turmeric and paprika.
• To “lock on” the spices to your meat, lay meat on parchment paper, spray with a non-fat cooking spray, sprinkle with seasoning and spray again.
• Oftentimes, recipes call for less than the amount of tomato paste in a 6 ounce can.   A great way to store tomato paste and minimize waste is to open both ends of the can, gently push out the tomato paste (keeping the shape of the can) onto parchment paper, roll tomato paste in parchment paper, tightly seal and freeze.  Whenever you need some for a recipe a 1/2 inch slice is equal to 1 tablespoon of tomato paste.

Chef Flores attended the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY, before returning back to San Antonio to begin his career, ”infusing every dish he creates with his love of the multicultural richness that has so influenced his life.”  He offers private cooking classes for any occasion at any location.  He also offers cooking classes on a Rio San Antonio Cruiser on our beautiful San Antonio River – I feel a book club party on the San Antonio River comin’ on!

Photo from CookWithMichael.com

My Family • My Friends • My Food is Chef Michael Flores’ cookbook with recipes “celebrating people and life”.  If the meals we tasted Monday night are a testament to what is in store in this cookbook, I recommend adding this to your cookbook library.  My Family • My Friends • My Food can be found on page 2 of Chef Flores’ products page.

And, of course, Chef Flores wasn’t going to get away without signing our copies of his cookbook.

Chef Flores offers some fabulous products that are his own.   Those Sweet and Sassy Pickles and his flavored Avocado Oils are to die for.