Throughout the United States Cinco de Mayo is celebrated by tossing back shots of tequilla and blended margaritas.  Many celebrate simply for the sake of having a party without really understanding what Cinco de Mayo is truly about.  Although many Americans believe otherwise, it is not Mexico's Independence Day (which is actually in September).  It is, however, a day to commemorate a victorious battle against the French army, who had invaded Mexico less than a year earlier.  So now that you know the true reason for this holiday, break out the blender and the tequila and throw a fiesta grande complete with homemade authentic taquitos.  Chef Felipe was hesitant, but kind enough to share a bit of family tradition with his grandmothers recipe. 

TAQUITOS DE POLLO

2 chicken breasts

2 tomatoes peeled and chopped

2 onion finely chopped

1 minced garlic clove

20 corn tortillas

oil for frying

Bake  chicken in oven.  Let cool and shred.  In pan saute garlic and onion for a couple of minutes until onion is soft, add chicken and cook for a few more minutes.  Place a small amount of the chicken mixture in the tortillas and roll. 

Add more oil to frying pan.  When the oil is hot enough (you can place a corner of a tortilla in to see if bubbles form right away) place the rolled tortilla in and fry until golden and crispy. 

Serve with sides of guacamole, salsa, and sour cream.  Top with cilantro. 

The staff members here at GP are undoubtedly foodies, incredibly enthusiastic about ingredients and always looking for excuses to throw parties that revolve around food.  This past weekend was my 3rd annual celebration of pork, a pig roast and all-day party known as Porkapalooza.  The GP crew showed up to play lawn games and  feast on a pig that had been cooking over a bed of coals for 11 hours, as well as sides, salads, and desserts--all donned with bacon or ham.  Among the items were Ham and Pea Salad, Bacon Wrapped Mushrooms,  Bacon Dip, and even Bacon Baklava. 

Need an excuse for a party?  Why not have your own celebration of food.  The opportunities are endless, and with Gourmet Productions just a phone call away, Seafoodfests, Pasta Parties, Tomato Extravaganzas, and Wine & Cheese Tastings can all be made simple. All you have to do is send out the invitations!

Admitingly, I watched repeated clips of the Royal Wedding last Friday, as did most of the world's population.  At the forefront of my mind were not nostalgic memories of being a young girl, imagining to someday marry a prince, like most women I have talked to.  Instead, I was curious as to what sort of elaborate fare would be served to the guests at the reception.  After a little bit of research I was able to find the full menu.  As expected, the guests dined on an extravagent feast, featuring only the finest ingredients of Brittain.   The menu was as it should be for any wedding, one-of-a-kind, reflecting the tastes of the two most important people at the party.   At Gourmet Productions, we pride ourselves in our ability to get a firm grasp on the unique vision of our client and turn it into a menu fit for royalty.

THE ROYAL MENU
• Cornish crab salad on lemon blini
• Pressed duck terrine with fruit chutney
• Roulade of goats cheese with caramelised walnuts
• Assortment of palmiers and cheese straws
• Scottish smoked salmon rose on beetroot blini
• Miniature watercress and asparagus tart
• Poached asparagus spears with hollandaise sauce for dipping
• Quails eggs with celery salt
• Scottish langoustines with lemon mayonnaise pressed confit of pork belly with crayfish and crackling
• Wild mushroom and celeriac chausson
• Bubble and squeak with confit shoulder of lamb
• Grain mustard and honey-glazed chipolatas
• Smoked haddock fishcake with pea guacamole
• Miniature Yorkshire pudding with roast fillet of beef and horseradish mousse
• Gateau Opera
• Blood orange pate de fruit
• Raspberry financier
• Rhubarb crème brulée tartlet
• Passion fruit praline
• White chocolate ganache truffle
• Milk chocolate praline with nuts
• Dark Chocolate Ganache Truffle

Earth Day is fast approaching and everyone here at Gourmet Productions is getting very excited about our week chock-full of  food from around the world.  Those of you who are able to make it into our market will discover an array of delicious entrées from other countries, including Chicken Bastilla, Shrimp on the Barbie, Jerked Salmon with Caribbean Salsa, Beef Stroganoff, and Bulgogi atop Cucumber Salad.  Our chefs refused to stop with Entrees, so each day they will be making a different soup to warm you up.  You will find  African Peanut Chicken, Chinese Hot and Sour, Mexican Pozole with Pork, Italian Wedding, and Middle Eastern Lentil.  In addition to our savory offerings, European Pastries will be coming out of our kitchen all week!

Please come in and partake in our week-long celebration of food from around the world, and rejoice in the fact that you are able to experience so many different tastes on this wonderful earth we live on.  Don't forget your non-perdishable food items, as we want to make sure everyone is able to eat on Earth Day.