Recipe Googling isn’t necessarily sophisticated inspired.
Google’s Zeitgeist (a yearly report of the most searched items), inspired Bon Appetit to research the most-Googled recipes in the US for 2011. According to their article, Americans are pretty dull in the kitchen.
- Chicken
- Meatloaf
- Banana Bread
- Chili
- Pancake
- Lasagna
- Pork Chop
- Guacamole
- Cupcakes
- Cream Cheese Frosting
I’ll give you the cupcakes because they are awesome, but meatloaf?! Gross.
How is pizza not on the list? It appears people prefer to have theirs made for them. In the most searched restaurants category the top 3 restaurant searches were: Pizza Hut, Dominos, and Papa John’s. In that order.
Maybe the next party I cater will be a pizza theme… People need to know there are better options than Pizza Hut!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of the well-wishes for my first catering job. I am proud to announce that I survived the party!
There will be more to come on the whole experience. Today I’m still recovering and swamped at work, so this is a short one to report that everything went swimmingly despite me waking up at 5am multiple days in a row having mild panic attacks.
What I didn’t expect was how gratifying it would be to watch people enjoy food I made. Listening to their comments/conversations about each dish was so much fun! Thank god they were positive comments.
Over the next week or so I’ll be sharing recipes from the event. Today I’ll start at the beginning – the cheeses!
Often the most-eaten items at a party, I planned 2 different cheese dishes.
The first was inspired by my friend Jenn @ Peas & Crayons. She made this Pumpkin Basil Cheesecake Spread a couple of months ago and I’ve made it 3 times since she posted the recipe! For this party, I made a Pumpkin Rosemary-Basil version of this spread.
My modifications:
- Add 1T of fresh rosemary
- Increased the basil to 10 huge leaves
- Used 1/2 tsp of palm sugar
- Didn’t make the Ritz crust
Like every other time I’ve made it, this spread was a hit. It’s a great, savory cheesecake–like spread that is wonderful with some salty crackers. The addition of rosemary was a good one – I may try it again with just rosemary and sage!
The second was a simple sugar-nut-whiskey baked brie. Yes, its old school. Be honest though – who doesn’t love warm, gooey, decadent brie?
What I love about the whiskey is the melted caramel-like texture (think ice cream topping caramel) is takes on when heated with the brown sugar. No need to use fancier spirits here (not that there’s anything wrong with Jack) – the sugar takes the edge of the alcohol taste and leaves you with the underlying sweet-smokiness.
Recipe after the Monday fitness re-cap. Much-needed fitness after that brie. 😉
Google’s Zeitgeist also looked at how people worked on their fitness. The most popular workout search was the Thor Workout and the top diet was the Dukan Diet. I must be out of touch – I don’t know what either of those are!
My hectic week forced me to take 2 “rest” days… but I have absolutely no regrets about it! Here’s what my week looked like:
Workout Recap (12/12 – 12/18)
- Monday – This BodyRock, Ab Ripper X, 100 push-ups
- Tuesday – This BodyRock (again), Kickboxing, Legs
- Wednesday – 100 push-ups
- Thursday – Bis/Back with 1.5 miles in intervals, 100 push-ups
- Friday – Kickboxing, 100 push-ups
- Saturday – 100 push-ups
- Sunday – Elliptical intervals (60 mins), Shoulders, 6 min planks
Jacked Up Brie
- 1 round (14 oz) brie
- 1/4 C brown sugar
- 1/4 C pecans, chopped
- 1 T (heaping) Jack Daniels (or other whiskey)
Combine sugar, nuts, and whiskey in a small bowl. Cover and place in fridge, allowing flavors to combine overnight.
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
Place brie in an oven-proof dish and bake 7-8 mins, until softened. Remove from oven and pour topping over the brie. Return to oven for 3-4 mins.
Serve with bread, crackers, and apples.
***
After being so focused on this party, it felt weird to be sitting on the couch without any food prepping to do last night!
What is your favorite cheese or cheese dish?
What has been the best food/dish you’ve had at a holiday party this season?
I’m glad everyone liked the food 🙂
Ok wtheck is the Thor Workout and the Dukan Diet… lol! I thought I had hear it all =)
Your food is amazing! I can’t wait to read more about the catering event… hopefully no more panic attacks though — those are not fun! Deep breathing right =)
I knew it would all be a success! That’s so exciting. I have a feeling more catering gigs are on their way!
I love all kinds of cheese – the stronger the flavor the better 🙂
Thank you! I hope so. 🙂
Are you in town?!
I am a big fan of hard cheeses, like parm, but I also really like smoked gouda. (It goes well with ales.)
As for meatloaf, I must say that I absolutely love it. haha. Mine has cheeeeese, and my lentil loaf does too, so both are delicious!
Gouda was practically made for ales! 🙂
I like meatloaf! 🙂 I actually make a mean lentil version, don’t knock it till you try it! I never did get the pork chop thing, was never a real fan of that.
Glad to hear the party was a success – looks like a lot of goodies on the table.
I would try the lentil… but I could never figure out what the big deal was about a loaf of ground meat and ketchup.
Oh wow!! Your spread looks amazing!! That is one hell of a tableful of delicious looking food!! 🙂 Sooo pleased it went well for you love!! Can’t wait to see all the different recipes and dishes in close up! 🙂
Dude… I make a hella good meatloaf! 😉 And the name “Jacked Up Brie” is totally badass. Everything looks stellar!!
I’ve been dying to hear how the catering gig went and am glad to hear it was a success. CONGRATS!!! Both of these cheesies sound awesome and can’t wait to hear about more of the dishes you made. Here’s to many more (raising a glass of wine to you)!
Thank you… and cheers!
Glad the catering went well! Brie is something I LOVE but never make. That looks like a good recipe to try out! 😉
I’m the same way – it’s a holiday treat for sure.
Great Job girl! I knew you would rock it! The spreads look good. I’m more of a hard cheese kinda girl – Parm is my favorite!
xoxo from Trinidad
Wow, I guess American DO have a pretty boring palate! LOL. Pork chops?! Boring!
Great job on your 100 push-ups! I need to try that some time 🙂
You should! I’m amazed at how much of a difference they make.
Pizza Hut?! Gross indeed.
Congrats on the catering success! I can’t wait to make your Jacked Up Brie. I have a friend who will just die for it.
I keep humming that “All Jacked Up” country song now… 🙂
So glad the party went well!! Congrats! Those cheese dishes look amazing. I can’t wait to see more of your creations later in the week!
So funny… I used “swimmingly” in my post today too. I like that word!
I love cheese spreads! And pumpkin rosemary cheese spread sounds amazing!! My favorite cheese has always been goat cheese. I can’t get enough of it!
It was fantastic. I actually just made another version tonight… to be posted later! 🙂
Agreed on the goat cheese – spreadable deliciousness.
The only thing I know about the Dukkan Diet is allegedly it was the one used by Kate Middleton pre-wedding… 🙂
Oh my gosh, I’ve seen recipes for brie like this and have always swooned, then realised that I don’t want to make it because I actually don’t like brie much, and would just end up eating all the toffee nuts from the top 😛 I wonder if this could be done with a goats cheese or blue though…
You don’t like brie?! *gasp*
I bet it would be good on top of a crostini with blue cheese!
I’m glad to hear that it was a success!! Looks like you made some really delicious food for everyone!
Not totally surprised by meatloaf, especially since people typically don’t know how to cook it, nor make it taste good. And who doesn’t like meatloaf? You? Please give this a try and it’ll change your mind: http://sports-glutton.com/2011/11/09/shiitake-mushroom-and-sun-dried-tomatoes-meatloaf-recipe/
I dunno… not that I don’t love shiitakes. If you made it, I would try a bite. 🙂
Glad to head it was success! I love brie! Pumpkin, rosemary and basil sounds divine together!
Laura- so glad the party awas a success! yay! And those dips……… can you come cater a party for me please? 🙂
Meatloaf- I’m with you. I still have nightmares about my mom’s meatloaf. Bleh.
Sure! I’d even make everything green for you. 🙂
You never fail me.
You will always find a tasty and creative way to incorporate alcohol.
I do have a question separate from the post. If you were to recommend a wine to someone who never drinks it…what would you recommend they start with? Now a little background I am not a huge beer drinker more a liquir kind of girl, I don’t know if that would play into what type of wine you would suggest or not.
Thanks Laura!
Looks like you knocked the catering gig out of the park (just like the Phillies might do to the Braves…yes I said it and I am a proud Phillies fan :)!
Haha – it’s a gift. 😉
As far as wine… do you generally like sweeter drinks or something heavier? Starting out most people have an easier time with whites. Try something like an Albarino or Vinho Verde. If you want to try a red with a holiday meal, checkout a Malbec (I like Catena or Uno) or a Beaujolias (I talked about these here: https://www.sprint2thetable.com/2011/12/holiday-wine-ing/). Let me know what you think!
Oh, and BOO PHILLIES!
That savory cheesecake spread sounds so amazing! I am such a cheese nut. I love anything strong and smelly. Brie is so good topped with just about anything, but whiskey and pecans sounds right up my alley!
Thanks! It’s the only time I use Jack. 🙂
Oh boy! Lord knows I am a sucker for a baked brie and cheese appetizers, and the Ritz crust sounds amazing! Very tasty!