Jini's Ethnic Gourmet Newsletter December 2007

Celebrating Christmas - International style!
Christmas Appetizers
Cooking Classes
Upcoming Events
Gift Certificates

Visit my website at
www.jinisethnicgourmet.com
You will find more wonderful recipes there to try out tonight!

Cooking Classes

Winter Cooking series - starts January 2008.
"Around the culinary world" series starts Jan. 21

Mediterranean, Mexican, Indonesian,
Sri Lankan, Thai

Enroll for 1 or all.

Indian Cooking starts Mar.3/08

These classes are in great demand so please book early to avoid disappointment.

For registration for the Winter series starting January , please call 604/940-5550. www.Deltasd.bc.ca

Upcoming Events

Attend a presentation on easy tips for holiday Entertaining followed by a quick demonstration and food sampling.
Valley Woman's Network
Surrey Delta Chapter
December 19; 11:30am
Surrey Golf Course

Please visit here for course descriptions on Jini's private classes offered.

Looking for a unique Christmas gift?

Gift Certificates from Jini's Ethnic Gourmet are always a welcome treat!

They can be used in a Gift Basket with spices and goodies, or cashed for a cooking class or catering for a special event such as birthday, anniversary, romantic evening or just a fun girls' night out!

Bits & Bites from Jini

A Christmas wish...

Dear friend,

holly The Christmas season is one of my happiest times of the year; I love the glow of the Christmas lights as they breathe life into the dark and quiet streets. Often as we sit down to a warm and tasty meal, I think of the poor and hungry and homeless people on the street ...and wonder if Christmas brings some cheer into their lives? Christmas is not just about the glitter, the gifts under the tinsel-clad tree, and not even the Christmas songs that cheer us. It is also time for families and friends to come together and count our blessings; to reach out to loved ones far and wide ...spreading good wishes for Peace and Loving kindness all throughout the world. May you all be happy and well throughout this wonderful season!

Jini's Annual Holiday Open House or girl's Night!-November 23

A big 'Thank You' to all of you who dropped by to meet and greet old friends who have been coming to honour the tradition for over 10 years! One of the surprises of the evening was when an old friend who I had not seen in many years decided to stop by... well, it is an open house, after all! We had lots of girl-talk and giggles to last us till mid-night! Thanks to all of you who brought along donations to our local food bank as well.

We had luscious baked sweets and treats from two talented ladies -- Heather who bakes and packages the most delectable biscotti and Christmas cookies, and Fatma (from my cooking class), who treated us to her middle-eastern delights - her famous Baklava and light-as-a-feather specialty Raspberry Cheesecake! Joanita and I made all the savoury dishes and dips - all using our quick-as-wink Victorian Epicure Dips and spices. it was all washed down with a glass of my popular warm mulled cranberry (with or without red wine). This is one of my most cherished events of the year...and to all those missed... I hope to see you next year!

Cooking Classes: becoming more like episodes from survivor!

Jini at a cooking class Greetings to all of you who attended my Fall Cooking classes and hope you continue to indulge in your culinary pleasures! Congratulations to the couples who came to cook together! One of the many highlights was when through one of those recent stormy nights the power failed at Delta Secondary and I brought the entire class of 15 people home to cook in my kitchen! We also had an incident where I was missing a can opener and one of the students came to my rescue with a fishing knife and voila... all the cans were opened with no time wasted! In my Thai class, I had to crack open a coconut using my cleaver when everyone stood back holding their breath – and it was like Survivor- Sri Lanka!

Teach someone to cook, and he or she will be fed forever!

Looking for a useful Christmas Gift for a family member?
Give the gift of cooking to a spouse- he will help in the kitchen!
Teach kids to cook – they will be grateful when they move out!

I teach private lessons for couples or teens in the comfort of your home or mine, and lately I have had many hits on my website with requests for gift certificates. Just click on my website; www.jinisethncgourmet.com.

Village Assist Project

I have been supporting this project through my Cook Book sales, and other donations to build homes for the homeless Tsunami victims in Sri Lanka. The families to receive this wonderful gift have now been selected, an we are now also supporting an orphanage for their children. This is a registered charity in Canada, and your donations will be gratefully accepted, and also receive a tax deduction.

Please contact me for further details, or go to www.villageassist.org.

Celebrating Christmas - International style!

LIFE IS TOO SHORT FOR BORING FOOD so we are searching the world for new flavours to tickle our taste buds!

Judging from the recent requests for catering, it seems the traditional turkeys are taking a rest, while we are searching the world for new tastes in ETHNIC style foods for Christmas parties!

The members of the Delta Hospital Board enjoyed their recent Christmas dinner with a full-blown Indian menu catered by me. VGH hospital has also ordered my international platters for their upcoming party, and so are some local businesses treating their multi-ethnic workers to a variety of Mediterranean, Indian and Asian dishes to suit every palette.

Recipes to fill your noses and tummies with Christmas cheer

Tips for EASY Holiday Entertaining

Tip 1: First decide who you want to invite and when. Pick the best time and day for you, so that you have enough time to plan and prepare everything Once you decide on the time and day, the next thing is to decide whether you are serving a brunch, lunch, afternoon tea, appetizers and wine, or dinner.

Tip 2: The next step is to decide on what items you are going to serve. Depending on your time and skill level, you can decide to make these yourself from your favorite recipes, or cheat a little and purchase them readymade from the supermarket. If you have a choice, home-made is the best for freshness and quality, and costs way less! If you have freezer space, some dishes can be made weeks earlier. If you don't, try to prepare them two or three days earlier, and cook or bake them on the day of the party for best results.

Next make a list of what items you want to purchase and from which stores or markets. Remember grocery items that are needed to stock your pantry can be purchased way ahead of time. Frozen items can also be purchased earlier, if you have freezer space. If you are planning to serve appetizers and wine, here are some items you can have on hand:

A good choice of both red and white wines, cranberry juice, cream cheese, sour cream, Brie cheese, sharp cheddar cheese, roasted red peppers, Sundried tomato in oil, pesto, canned artichoke, pickled asparagus, canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, olive oil, olives, crackers, bread sticks, Sour dough bread, flour tortillas, cooked shrimp, smoked salmon, sausage or deli meats, assorted veggies (for a veggie platter), strawberries, mandarins and also some good coffee and assorted teas.

Tip 3: If your place is clean and tidy, then you have won half the battle! This is something that can be done way ahead of the day of the party. All you have to do is add some sparkle with fresh flowers, poinsettias, candles and some table décor to make your place look warm and inviting.

Tip 4: Wrap oranges with a cross of red ribbon and stud the flesh with cloves. Scatter them on the table or pop them into a glass bowl. They smell better each day. After Christmas, once the oranges are completely dry, pop some into the back of your wardrobe to freshen your clothes

Here's are some easy appetizers for your holiday entertaining. Your guests will be begging you for the recipes! If yo need other recipe or men planning ideas, feel free to email me.

Cranberry Mulled wine

Here's a nice non-alcoholic drink that is sure to warm your friends as they come in from the cold. Serve with a dash of red wine, if they prefer.

1 bottle Cranberry juice
1 bottle apple juice
2 Tablespoons mulling spice from Victorian Epicure

Pour juice and spices into a crock pot and keep it simmering for 1 or 2 hours before your guests arrive. Your house will be filled with the inviting aroma of Christmas spices.

Gorgeous Table Décor

Wrap oranges with a cross of red ribbon and stud the flesh with cloves. Scatter them on the table or pop them into a glass bowl. They smell better each day.

After Christmas, once the oranges are completely dry, pop some into the back of your wardrobe to freshen your clothes.

Easy Appetizers

Sun Dried Tomatoes and VE Pesto on Baked Brie Cheese

3 TBSP of VE Pesto
1/2 cup of Sun Dried Tomatoes (in oil)
Mix Pesto with Sun-dried tomato, and let sit for 30 minutes.
Bake on a round of Brie Cheese 10 minutes before serving.
Serve with crackers or bread sticks.

Smoked Salmon Canapes

4-5 oz. smoked salmon
1/2 cup cream cheese
1 T. sour cream
1T. 3-onion dip mix
1 T. Lemon Dilly dip mix

Mix cream cheese and sour cream with Dip mixes until softened.
Spread on toasted rounds of French bread, toasted mini-bagels, crackers or cucumber slices. Top with thinly sliced smoked salmon.

Hot Tomato Artichoke Dip

798 ml can of diced tomatoes (well-drained)
398 ml can of artichoke hearts (drained and chopped fine)
1 cup mayonnaise (lite)
1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup shredded sharp cheese
2 Tbsp VE Sun-Dried Tomato and Herb Dip Mix
2 Tbsp VE 3 Onion Dip Mix
2 Tsp VE Poco Picante Salsa Mix
2 tbsp of VE Diced Green and Red Bell Peppers

Mix ingredients and pour into lightly greased glass casserole dish.
Do not over mix. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 - 40 minutes or microwave on high for 3-5 minutes. Please note: This recipe can be made ahead, divided into smaller portions for freezing!
Microwave 3-4 minutes on high.

Extra-Ordinary Cheese Dip

1 pkg. cream cheese
1/2 c. each sour cream & mayonnaise
1/2 cup each jack & sharp cheddar
Sourdough loaf
1 tsp. each VE Lemon Dilly, VE Cheese Chive & Bacon & VE 3 Onion Dip Mix

Mix all ingredients together, put into hollowed bread loaf. Save remaining bread and cut into cubes for dipping.
Bake at 250F for 20-30 minutes, or until heated through.

Bean Bites!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
1 can of bean(kidney, black, mixed)
2 TBSP VE Pueblo Bean Dip Mix
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese

Blend in a food processor until smooth. Let paste sit for 15 minutes.

On a tortilla shell, spread a thin layer of cream cheese, a thin layer of bean paste, and a thin layer of grated cheddar cheese. Roll and cut in 1" pieces. Bake for 8 minutes. Serve warm. Sprinkle.

Mild Curried Shrimp

1 package frozen cooked shrimp(31-33 count)
1 T. VE curry dip
1 T. 3-onion Dip
1 cup coconut milk or cream
A squeeze of lemon juice
Sprigs of cilantro

Thaw shrimps under cold water. Mix Curry dip with shrimp and allow to rest for 10-15 minutes. Meanwhile heat coconut milk or cream in a pan with 3-onion dip mix. Add shrimps and stir gently until sauce thickens. Do not overcook shrimps. Add a squeeze of lemon juice. Serve into a platter and garnish with cilantro.
Serve with rounds French bread.

Last but not least...no party is complete without a little chocolate indulgence! Here's a decadent fondue you can make in a minute or two.

Chocolate Fondue

Start with a good quality chocolate like VE Dark chocolate. Just melt 1/2 cup chocolate with 2 T. cream or milk (microwave for 20 seconds), stir to make a thick dipping sauce. Add a dash of Grand Marnier for extra pizzazz!

Serve in a fondue bowl, surrounded by fresh strawberries, sliced bananas, dried peaches, apricots or cubes of cut up pound cake.

Take advantage of the Holiday Season to create some warm and lasting memories for 2007....enjoy!

Jini's Gift Certificates

Don't wait for the last minute rush for Christmas and the holiday treats...

Gift Certificates from Jini's Ethnic Gourmet are always a welcome treat!

They can be used for a customized cooking class or special dinner for a birthday anniversary or just a romantic evening! Email me today to get one before Christmas

Don't forget that I am available for that special event you need catered or to have some friends over for a special cooking class!

Until next month... happy cooking!
Jini
jini@jinisethnicgourmet.com

www.jinisethnicgourmet.com