It's on.

I won't post kitchen update pics until after the party...but things are moving fast. Functional is going to happen! The upside of that: we won't be serving Pizza Luce, which was my Plan B. Instead, I want to take you all on a little trip over the river, and through the woods, to my Grandmother's house. With a slightly non-traditional, but super supper-club-friendly twist: we're eating the Moroccan food she liked to make. I'll be making Moroccan chicken three ways, and I'll have a couple quick side dishes. Please feel free to jump in with couscous dishes, veggies, and desserts that sound appealing. And if this is too late of notice -- just bring yourself, and enjoy.

Can't wait!

Minutes - Antipasto

(Doesn't this look amazing! Brussels Sprouts salad and... the star of the night... NOG! Thanks for the picture, Em. Stunning!)

Thanks everyone for another amazing "meal." The night was heavy on antipasto and light on cookie baking. We did get one batch of spice cookies baked, and JAM brought some vegan almond cookies that were - yes I'm going to say it - really good despite being butter-less. I'm looking forward to trying Jules' Splendid Table cookies next week (in the yellow kitchen!). Can I request the world-famous Dickoff sea salt/honey caramels too?

Among the highlights of my life, er, night...

• Aforementioned Brussels salad:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/brussels-sprout-leaf-salad-recipe/index.html

• Jules' Prosciutto wrapped quince paste - whoa!
• Tuna-sauced eggs and cannellini bean pate
• Randy and Caro's cheese/tapenade/peperoncini trio wrapped in delicious salami(?)
• Kris and Carol's toast w/cheese and something else delicious : ) (PLUS... You guys take the cake! Cross country skiing through the mean blizzard streets of E. Lake!)

I know I'm missing stuff! Must have nogged too hard!

In conclusion: Antipasto and eggnog feast = a smashing success! See you all next week!

A Preview

John and I are hosting on Sunday...and right now, our kitchen looks very similar to this photo. It's a soon-to-be-gorgeous, evolving, chaotic zone, and it is not yet functional. And we are so excited to have you all in it!

That said, our theme will be announced shortly. When I have a slightly better grasp of exactly how functional it will be.

I did want to forewarn you though. If you are interested, there will be a gift exchange. The $ limit is $20 and the theme is amazing food. We want you to bring the food item you love most that costs less than $20. Maybe it's an amazing curry spice. Or something you canned yourself. Or a bottle of wine. Or a lemon zester that gets you perfect tang without any of the bitter white stuff. Whatever -- but bring a gift and we'll trade favorites.

Cookies in Italy

Welcome to Holiday Cookie Baking Extravaganza + Italian Antipasto Festival (so we can focus on baking cookies!). Promises to be epic...

Wilders will host beginning at 6 p.m. Menu so far:

Marinated Baby Aubergines with Raisins and Pine Nuts
Cannellini Bean Pate
Prosciutto with Melon
Hard-boiled Eggs with Tuna Sauce

If you need ideas, let us know. We have a cookbook with assorted marinades, terrines, crostini, fritters, etc. As always, assorted cured meats and cheeses are always an option.

We might do a dessert as well depending on what other people are bringing. For cookies, we might do a Biscotti or other tea biscuit-type cookie plus some toffee, fudge, etc. Affogato anyone?

And if you're in the 'hood early for Gingerbreading, feel free to come whenever that wraps up.

See you soon!

Minnesota/Wild Game Dinner

(Even though this photo has nothing to do with SNSC, it was a cute photo of one of our most cherished guests, so I stuck it in.)

Well, it is that time of week again, time to get prepared for another supper club event! This week our hosts (Ann Marie and Josh) have decided on a Minnesota/Wild Game themed dinner. We already have two dishes semi-planned, and the rest are up to our distinguished guests.

-Main Course: Venison Stew
-Side 1: Wild Rice w/ pecans
-Side 2-3: ???
-Salad: ???
-Dessert: ???
-Appetizer: ???

Let us know if you have inputs, ideas, etc.
We also will have the Pale Ale we brewed at the brew extravaganza on tap by then.

We should plan to start around 6:00 with drinks and apps, and then we'll see from there. For those who don't know, our abode is located at:

3904 40th Ave S Minneapolis, MN

Hope to see everyone there!

Minutes (kinda) and Menu for Not-Thanksgiving on November 24th

Sherpa Lungs did a pretty bang-up job of presenting the minutes, I would say.
I would add that the Peppermint Pig met it's demise at the hands of a sledgehammer, as did Grandma's bowl.
And Helena received the next of the code names- Bam Bam- thanks to her skill at wielding a chicken leg. OH! And Kelly is Java. Because it's a sassy name, among other things.
I would also point out that the need for code names is becoming more and more apparent as our SNSC members are apparently now being PROFILED in Iowa. Our name and lore is spreading and we must find the balance of protecting our community whilst following rule number one - everyone is included. Maybe William should have invited the cop to dinner!

SO. SNSC this week is at my house on WEDNESDAY.
1916 Laurel Ave, Minneapolis 55405
Murphy and I will welcome anyone after 6:30pm or so; we'll aim to eat around 7-7:30. Dogs are welcome as long as they aren't aggressive towards little dogs :-)

The theme is Not-Thanksgiving.

Meaning, the things that would grace your table on Thursday are Not welcome on Wednesday (although, yes, Sherpa, I do know we can all refer back to rule number one).

I am going to make:
Not-turkey. Which will be lamb.
And Not-cranberries which will be mint jelly.

We will need:
Not-stuffing
Not-green beans
Not-dinner rolls
Not-yams

Not-hot apple cider
Not-any kind of "fall theme brew"

Not-pumpkin pie
Not-pecan pie

You get the idea.
Post in the comments what you can bring- the only exception to the "not" rule is that friends and family are all welcome, whether I know them or not! :-)

See you soon!
Em

Is This Love that I'm Feeling? Yes!

So, what did we learn last night? Personally, I think my biggest life lesson was that Jack Daniels from the freezer is a lot more tolerable than at room temperature. I also learned that Lisa is choosing to join in on the decadent lifestyle choice that is Kiteboarding and that when Dickoff goes to play soccer he's going to make damn sure that he wins the game. Oh yeah, I also learned that Jamaican food is very tolerable itself if not downright fantastic.

Last night we managed to pack everyone around the same table. I felt there was a nice warmth to the group as we dug into the La Bamba Rice. As we devoured our Home-Style Jamaican Chicken a topic of conversation included a possible yearly Supper Club field trip abroad. Great Idea! I think both Belgium and Mexico were discussed. We could start off a little closer to home with a trip up north, but I like the enthusiasm. It was nice to see both new faces and vetted Supper Club alums all chowing down together in perfect Epicurean harmony. I feel that we are creating something that is very special - community! Something that I personally feel is missing from the lives of far too many people...

This week's Supper Club will be taking place on Wednesday because of the holiday. It will be held at Emilie's house where we will be taking part in a Pre-Thanksgiving Giving (of food into our bellies). Think of it as a stomach stretching exercise before the main event. I'm sure more details will be up on the blog shortly. Thanks again for coming last night, I know Helena enjoyed all the attention.

Peace,

Sherpa Lungs

P.S. Most recipes last night came from Sheila Lukins' All Around the World Cookbook. Thanks Julianna!