June 25, 2016 Brunch – BLT Sandwich Dinner – Tapas at Cynthia and Ricardo’s a ham, asparagus, pimiento, artichoke heart and saffron Tapa

June 25, 2016 Brunch – BLT Sandwich  Dinner – Tapas at Cynthia and Ricardo’s   a ham, asparagus, pimiento, artichoke heart and saffron Tapa

We planted radishes and lettuce in the garden.  Suzette worked for several hours getting the garden ready for the big party next Sunday while I edited a brief due next Wednesday in the Court of Appeals.

When we both finished around noon Willy and Suzette made BLT sandwiches for which I went to the garden to pick lettuce.

Then I prepped the ham, asparagus, pimiento, artichoke heart and saffron Tapa we were taking.  Instead of Serrano ham, I diced two smoked pork cutlets.  Instead of frozen peas I used fresh asparagus diced finely.  Suzette chopped a canned pimiento and a can of artichoke hearts and we Sautéed the ham and then added the other ingredients in a large sauce pan.  It was a little dry so I added 2 or 3 T. of Amontillado Sherry and a bit more olive oil.  Finally I added about 1/2 T. of ground saffron pedals and flowers.  

We grabbed a bottle of La Granja a 50% Tempranillo and 50% Grenache blend from Rioja and the tapa and drove to Cynthia and Ricardo’s.  The band “the Lost Souls of Mardi Gras” were practicing so we took our tapa and wine into the kitchen and got a drink and went back outside to listen to the band.

In about an hour the band finished and food and wine was served.  Cynthia had made a kale salad and canapés of slices of smoked salmon on Bosque Bakery walnut bread garnished with dollops of Crema and black Danish lumpfish caviar.  Cynthia also made a lovely cool cucumber and yogurt soup garnished with julienned fresh green onion.  Others brought chicken and chow Mein noodle wraps in green flour tortillas that we cut into ¾ inch thick rounds and dressed with the sweet vinaigrette, there was an olive medley and a lovely store made salami and tortellini pasta salad.  We enjoyed the tapas and salads accompanied by chilled La Granja.  

Cynthia had sliced a watermelon into slices, but we did not eat any of it.

We left around 5:00 and went home.  We were so full we could not even think about dinner. 

Bon Appetit