Dinner and a ShotBox

Somewhere in 2005 I was asked to join a “Cooking Club” by some of my friend in Virginia, where I was living at the time.  “I would love to!” I said, not knowing that the members would soon become some of my great friends and photography clients.  Being invited into a Cooking Club is not a gesture to be taken lightly.  These ladies are trusting you to bring part of their dinner to the expertly planned event.  Don’t miss it.

How it Works:  One lovely lady hosts the event at her home each month, most often a weeknight dinner.  She chooses the themed menu and usually cooks the main course.  Each of the guests brings her prepared menu item and we eat together.  So we don’t really cook together, just eat together, but it’s awesome.  I tried and prepared many foods that would not normally make their way onto a weeknight menu.  Yum!

Last weekend, we had a reunion at Krissy’s house.  Only 3 of the 8 ladies still live in the DC/Northern Virginia area, so once a year we reunite.  This time, in ShotBox.

With cooking utensils….

And an electric mixer

And this one since it was so close to Valentine’s Day

I gave a suggestion for “Air Guitar,” one of my favorites, but instead got “Air Violin.”

And juggling by Johanna!  Awesome!!!!

Doesn’t my left eye look unusually large?

Catriona bathing in the Valentines Day centerpieces

Krissy in her boxing gear

Playing invisible tambourine and using this strange piece of fitness equipment as a tambourine.

Sara, the birthday girl!

Catriona, the bull.  Randi, the Matador.

Um, this is awesome.

And you can’t get away from this group without a circle-high-five.  Would you avoid it?  See two more photos of the circle-high-five from Sara’s Bachelorette Party and Sara and Nigel’s Wedding.

The menu?  The theme was recipes from Smitten Kitchen, since we are all smitten with our kitchens, its close to Valentine’s Day (our dinner was on 2/13), and the blog features great photography.  Well here it is, with credit to the cooks.

Cubes, Hacked Caprese made by Janet (probably my favorite as my favorite foods are tomatoes, cheese, and bread).
Stuffed Mushrooms by Randi (and Sara).  I made them without bacon, so I could have them.

Fork-Crushed Purple Potatoes by Catriona. She couldn’t find purple potatoes, but used redskin potatoes, and yum.
Bretzel Rolls by Jamie.  Jamie also brought heart-shaped pretzels for everyone because she is so sweet.
Haricot Vert with Shallots by Johanna the juggler.
Chicken with Almonds and Green Olives by our lovely hostess, Krissy.

Chocolate, Whiskey, and Beer Cupcakes by Sara (and Randi)  These babies took about 4-5 hours to make with cooking, cooling, cleaning up the mess, and the many, many steps.  We probably could have finished faster, but why the rush?
Pear and Almond Tart by Kelly.  This was good and the crust was fantastic.