Shoestring Gourmet:A Meal Yule Remember |
Our November meal, "A Little Trick with Nick," investigated the singular culinary vision of Nick Ligidakis of Café Nikos in Scottsdale (www.calling.org/cafenikos). Syd Golston acted as our host and guide through this world, formulating the menu and assigning recipes from one of Nick’s several cookbooks. Here’s what we had:
For the soup course, we were offered a creamy Potato Parmesan Soup, prepared by Joice and Chuck Braden.
Next, Marilyn McDonald presented Golden Calzone, a gigantic example of the Italian turnover, with a filling of avocado, ricotta, mozzarella, bacon, olives, tomatoes, and feta. Unfortunately for current restaurant-goers, this classic eye-popping favorite isn’t offered on Nick’s present menu. We hope it returns.
The entrée was prepared by Syd, Salonika Chicken, chicken breasts smothered in Italian sausage, mushrooms, pepperoncini, and pine nuts. This was accompanied by Jenny Ewing’s Vegetable Moussaka, with eggplant, potatoes, and tomatoes, and Jim Morgan’s rendition of Spanokorizo Balls, breaded rice balls with spinach, mozzarella, and parmesan, served with marinara sauce.
After dinner, we carpooled to Café Nikos, at Hayden and Osborn, for dessert. Although the place was jammed, they pushed two small tables together for us and we managed to squeeze in. A word about dessert: if you’ve never seen the cake case at one of Nick’s restaurants, you’re missing quite a spectacle. Shelf after shelf of stratified cream, cake, and icing, of all colors and textures, with memorable names like "Sweet Chocolate Death." Syd selected "Lady Killer," a confection of peanut butter, boysenberry, semisweet chocolate, and ladyfingers. Marilyn and I split a piece of "Symphony of Chocolate," with layers of chocolate cream, coconut, and devil’s food cake.
For December, we’ll have our traditional Sunday brunch, "Holidays around the World," wherein each contributor brings a festive selection from a different country or culture. If you have a family holiday favorite from your own heritage, or if you want a recipe suggestion from us, either way is fine!
In keeping with the holiday spirit of homecoming and hearth-sharing, we’d like to extend a special gathering-in welcome to Shoestring participants of years and Christmas past. Just as the song "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" puts it: "faithful friends who are dear to us, will be near to us once more." We’ll also be delighted to see new gourmets, whether novice or seasoned. Sharing the joy of savoring flavors together is certainly an unwritten motto of this SIG..
Brunch will be served at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 13. Contact Alan or Ursula at 863-9648, or agore@primenet.com, by Thursday, December 10, to make your reservation and coordinate your contribution.