TapasSaturday, August 16, 2008
6:30pm
Tapa (the plural is tapas) is the name for a wide variety of appetizer in Spanish cuisine. They may be cold, such as mixed olives and cheese, or warm, such as puntillitas, or fried baby squid.
According to legend, the tapa tradition began when
The Joy of Cooking points out that tapas were originally the slices of bread which sherry drinkers in Andalusian taverns used to cover their glasses between sips. This was a practical measure meant to prevent fruit flies from hovering over the sweet sherry. But soon, enterprising bartenders were putting small snacks on the bread, and the lowly tapa (from tapa derived the verb tapar, "to cover") became as important as the sherry.
Since tapas is meant to be varied, we are going to do something a little different this month: plan on making 1 type of tapa per person (that means if you’re a couple, make two different dishes) Each of our Gatherings is 12-14 people, so plan on making about 25 pieces of each tapa.
So join us on Saturday, August 16 as we celebrate the Spanish tapas tradition. If you’re having trouble coming up with ideas for your tapas, then click here, and take some help from the Food Network recipe database.
Gathering #1 (14 Gourmets)
Hosts: Rosanne Knorr (Nokomis)
Name Tapas Dishes #
Rosanne Knorr & Guest TBD 2
Carol Forrey TBD 1
Scott Duncan & Don Rentfrow TBD 2
Carrie & Richard Bond Marinated Shrimp 2
Susan & George Strickland TBD 2
Mark & Eleonore Sulloway Serrano Ham & Melon 2
Cherry Tomatoes Stuffed w/Tapeanade
There are 11 Gourmets registered for this Gathering.
There are still 3 seats left.
Gathering #2 (12 Gourmets)
Hosts: Cynthia Olcott & Alan Blair (Ellenton)
Name Tapas Dishes #
Cynthia Olcott &
Alan Blair TBD 2
Bonni Brown Patata de Tortilla 1
Gerry & Kristin Tirolo TBD 2
Steve & Debbie Magner TBD 2
Roxanne Fox & Richard Zack TBD 2
Jamie & Ray Aymerich TBD 2
There are 11 Gourmets registered for this Gathering.
There is still 1 seat left.
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UPCOMING GATHERINGS for 2008
September, 2008 Special EventCooking School
(date TBA)
October, 2008Death by Dinner - A Murder Mystery
Saturday, October 18, 2008
6:30pm
Hosting Volunteers:
1. Paige & David DeJarnatt
2.
3.
4.
November, 2008Brunch for Dinner
Saturday, November 15, 2008
6:30pm
Hosting Volunteers:
1.
2.
3.
4.
December, 2008 Special EventHoliday Party
(date TBA)
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Our Past Gatherings
Warm Nights, Cool BitesJuly 19, 2008
If you can't stand the heat,
get out of the kitchen. - Harry S. Truman
While that's true in most cases, this month we're changing the rules - avoid the heat and stay in the kitchen. Join us for our July Gathering where we take a break from the summer swelter and enjoy dinner with Get Together Gourmets without breaking a sweat.
This month, we are celebrating great dishes that are served chilled or room temperature. What better way to pass a Florida summer evening than a group of friends, cool food, and a bottle of wine?
June 5-8, 2008 - Special EventForks & Corks
Prepare to raise your fork, pop a cork and revel in the Sun Coast's premier food wine festival - Forks & Corks.
Showcasing deliciously diverse cuisine from the independent restaurants known as The Sarasota-Manatee Originals, this new epicurean event will be set amidst event partner the University of South Florida, and The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art - featuring the spectacular Cà d’Zan historic mansion and magnificent courtyard, gardens and grounds overlooking Sarasota Bay.
Forks & Corks world-class weekend of food & wine invites participants to dine, drink and delight at vintner dinners, a late night soiree, interactive seminars and The Grand Tasting with food demonstrations, scrumptious samples, live entertainment and charity auction to benefit Meals On Wheels in Sarasota and Manatee Counties. Events at the Ringling grounds will benefit the Museum of Art.
A Citrus CelebrationSaturday, May 17, 2008
Hosts: Carrie & Richard Bond; Mark & Eleonore Sulloway; John & Glenda Tietjen
Look around, most of us have citrus trees growing in our backyards. But how often do you think of citrus from a gourmet standpoint? Well, this is the month for you.
This is our first attempt at using an ingredient as the central theme for a Gathering - the rule is: cirtus fruit must be one of the primary ingredients in the dish (you know, like duck a l'orange). So get those cookbooks out and start creating great dishes!
TexMex
April 19, 2008
Hosts: Warren & Jan Witte, Bonni Brown
Get ready for a hot time with Get Together Gourmets! This month we celebrate all things spicy with our TexMex theme - just in time for Cinco de Mayo. Dust off your favorite recipes from south of the border and plan on attending this monthly Gathering. Sign up for your favorite dish and grab your favorite bottle of wine, Mexican beer, or other thirst-quenching libation. With this four-alarm menu, something tells me you're going to need it this month!
This month you also have an additional option:
The Witte's are hosting a traditional dinner gathering: You'll bring your finished dish, just like always. Dinner will be at 6:30, and you'll have lots of time to socialize after dinner.
Bonni Brown is organizing a hands-on cooking evening. At Bonni's, you'll bring the ingredients for your dish and cook dinner as a group. Dinner may be a little later, but you'll have a chance to socialize while you prepare your meal.
Siesta Key Beach Party
Saturday, March 8, 2008
We're having an old-fashioned beach barbeque at the Siesta Key Beach Pavilion. Bring your grills, your favorite dishes and your appetite! This is our quarterly Gathering with everyone at one location, so make sure you are there. It's a casual evening of beach food and beach fun. Come, join the Gourmets you don't get a chance to see every month.
There will be a $5 charge per person to cover the rental of the pavilion.
Also, bring your favorite libation, but remember - the Parks Department doesn't allow glass bottles.
A Rachael Ray Dinner
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Hosts: John & Robin Wentz; David & Cheryl Rindfleisch
You know her, and you love her. Rachael Ray has become as ubiquitous as hamburgers. Her personal lingo has worked it's way into everyday English - we all know what EVOO means. Whether it's 30 Minute Meals, $40 a Day, Tasty Travels, or The Rachael Ray Show - she makes gourmet food accessible for everyone.
We pay homage to this "Everyday Julia Child" with our February Gathering. You get the chance to whip up your favorite Rachael Ray recipe and make everyone else say, "Oh, my gravy!"
Just in case you've been living under a rock and don't know any Rachael Ray recipes, you can find quite a few at this Food Network link .
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Hosts: Cynthia Olcott & Alan Blair; Scott Duncan & Don Rentfrow
We thought we'd try something a little different this month - our only volunteer host, Cynthia Olcott, has found a wonderful menu perfect for the Gourmet Tailgater: a Polo Picnic.
This time, we've got the menu and you get to decide which dish you'll prepare. We'll give you the recipe, you just have to prepare it. Choose from: Pickled Shrimp; Stilton and Hazelnut Spread; Stuffed Eggs and Caviar; Saffron Vichyssoise; Orange Caraway Seed Cakes; Port and Honey Poached pears with lemon Curd Mousse; Cold Roast Fillet of Beef with 2 sauces - Cucumber Horseradish Sauce and Curried Yogurt Sauce. Gimlets and Pimm's cups are also on the menu.
Holiday Open House
December 30, 2007
Hosts: John & Glenda Tietjen
The Tietjen's graciously opened their home to our group and volunteered to prepare the food. All we had to do was bring a bottle of wine or other libation and join the festivities.
Family Traditions
November 17, 2007
Hosts: Cindy Marrazzo, David & Paige DeJarnatt, Paul & Carol Forrey, Scott Duncan & Don Rentfrow
Family traditions aren’t only centered around the holidays. Traditions are as varied as the families who observe them. What culinary customs does your family have? Do you want to start a new dinner tradition?
Saturday, October 20, 2007
We were overwhelmed by the number of people interested in good food, good company, and good cooking! We've taken your suggestions and come up with a recipe to keep this cooking club fun, entertaining, and educational.
Bring your favorite finger food for Hors d’oeuvres and wine. Duncan’s Creative Kitchens will again supply the wine for this gathering.
Organizational Meeting(s)
September 15 & October 13, 2007
Hors d'oeuvres & Wine Party
We'll kick off our new cooking club by sampling a selection of hors d'oeuvres and wines.
