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This past weekend was my best friends baby shower. I hosted it along with other family and friends. It was held in Hillcrest on a beautiful sunny Saturday afternoon. It was a fabulous day filled with lots of excitement for the baby boy who will be arriving mid October. The mommy-to-be wanted a fun, not-so-baby-baby-shower filled with good food and her closest friends and family. So that is just want we provided. Happy not to plan cheesy baby shower games that no one really likes to play anyway, I jumped into the planning of a bad ass baby sprinkle.
We had it catered by one of our friends, Alison Tobey. Ali specializes in gluten free baking and cooking, she is a personal chef and caters on the side. She just graduated from the culinary arts program at The Art Institute in San Diego. She always goes above and beyond and her food is so delicious. What an amazing job she did as I will share with you below.
We wanted a casual summer theme barbecue with a gourmet twist and the menu she created exceeded our expectations.
Appetizers included the following:
Jerk Chicken Wings
Grilled to perfection and such a huge hit. I had to pull myself away from spoiling my appetite for the main course. They were Juicy and had little kick to them.
Grilled Peaches wrapped in Pancetta with Honey Glaze
Another appetizer I could not stop eating. Peaches are so good right now and these guys were ripe, sweet, and salty. A favorite among guest and myself.
Grilled Veggies with White Balsamic Glaze
For the the main course Sandwiches were served with a toppings bar.
Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Mango Habanero Barbecue Sauce
The pork was tender, moist and so flavorful.
The toppings for this sandwich included: Mango, Granny Smith and Red Cabbage Slaw and extra Mango Habanero Barbecue Sauce.
Wow, this slaw was so different, sweet and went perfect with the pork.
Hoisin Marinated Tri-Tip Sandwiches
The meat was cooked medium and was so also so tender and flavorful. I loved the hoisin sweet sauce it was marinated in that gave this sandwich an Asian flavor. The toppings included: Rice Wine, Sesame, and Mint Slaw and extra Hoisin Barbecue Sauce.
I cant decide which one I liked better. I loved them both.
As if this wasn't enough food Ali made some summer salads too.
Butter Lettuce Salad, Fennel, Peaches, & Pine Nuts
Tossed in a light vinaigrette, this salad was so refreshing.
Roasted Fingerling Potato Salad
I love a good potato salad and this one was not good. It was excellent. Roasted potatoes tossed with dill, mayo, and celery. It was not too heavy but was rustic, creamy and earthy.
Fruit Skewers
This is such a great idea. So much better then the typical fruit salad.
Last but definitely not least was the drink Ali came up with.
Blueberry Tarragon Lemonade
Ali squeezed fresh lemons for this this lemonade. It was actually the best lemonade I ever had. The taste of fresh tarragon and sweet blueberries that lightly flavored it was like nothing I have ever had before.
How gorgeous is this drink? Almost to pretty to drink, with the pink edible flowers. And it tasted as pretty as it looked.
Oh and I can't forget dessert! It was left up to the hosts and we planned a Milk & Cookie Bar.
All the desserts were homemade by the mama-to-be's mother, mother inlaw and aunt.
I loved the rice crispy treat pops dipped in chocolate.
These ladies need to open up a bakery.
We served soy milk, skim milk and chocolate milk out of mason jars.
The centerpieces and decor was done by one of the hosts, Laura with Green With Envy Events.
All together it was a stunning baby sprinkle for one stunning mama-to-be. I can't wait for the little monkey to get here already. Auntie Marci is going to spoil you rotten.
We wanted a casual summer theme barbecue with a gourmet twist and the menu she created exceeded our expectations.
Appetizers included the following:
Jerk Chicken Wings
Grilled to perfection and such a huge hit. I had to pull myself away from spoiling my appetite for the main course. They were Juicy and had little kick to them.
Grilled Peaches wrapped in Pancetta with Honey Glaze
Another appetizer I could not stop eating. Peaches are so good right now and these guys were ripe, sweet, and salty. A favorite among guest and myself.
Grilled Veggies with White Balsamic Glaze
For the the main course Sandwiches were served with a toppings bar.
Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Mango Habanero Barbecue Sauce
The pork was tender, moist and so flavorful.
The toppings for this sandwich included: Mango, Granny Smith and Red Cabbage Slaw and extra Mango Habanero Barbecue Sauce.
Wow, this slaw was so different, sweet and went perfect with the pork.
Hoisin Marinated Tri-Tip Sandwiches
The meat was cooked medium and was so also so tender and flavorful. I loved the hoisin sweet sauce it was marinated in that gave this sandwich an Asian flavor. The toppings included: Rice Wine, Sesame, and Mint Slaw and extra Hoisin Barbecue Sauce.
I cant decide which one I liked better. I loved them both.
As if this wasn't enough food Ali made some summer salads too.
Butter Lettuce Salad, Fennel, Peaches, & Pine Nuts
Tossed in a light vinaigrette, this salad was so refreshing.
Roasted Fingerling Potato Salad
I love a good potato salad and this one was not good. It was excellent. Roasted potatoes tossed with dill, mayo, and celery. It was not too heavy but was rustic, creamy and earthy.
Fruit Skewers
This is such a great idea. So much better then the typical fruit salad.
Last but definitely not least was the drink Ali came up with.
Blueberry Tarragon Lemonade
Ali squeezed fresh lemons for this this lemonade. It was actually the best lemonade I ever had. The taste of fresh tarragon and sweet blueberries that lightly flavored it was like nothing I have ever had before.
How gorgeous is this drink? Almost to pretty to drink, with the pink edible flowers. And it tasted as pretty as it looked.
Oh and I can't forget dessert! It was left up to the hosts and we planned a Milk & Cookie Bar.
All the desserts were homemade by the mama-to-be's mother, mother inlaw and aunt.
I loved the rice crispy treat pops dipped in chocolate.
These ladies need to open up a bakery.
We served soy milk, skim milk and chocolate milk out of mason jars.
The centerpieces and decor was done by one of the hosts, Laura with Green With Envy Events.
All together it was a stunning baby sprinkle for one stunning mama-to-be. I can't wait for the little monkey to get here already. Auntie Marci is going to spoil you rotten.
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