Who's in charge of this thing, anyway?

So, I've been utterly delinquent in posting the Spanish menu. Marcy, Freddy, Cooper, Ted and I had a great time a couple weeks ago sitting on our deck talking about Spanish food and sampling delicious Spanish wine (Cooper preferred the tempranillo). After much discussion, and even more wine we thought splitting the menu between tapas and main dishes seemed the most reasonable.

Therefore, Marcy and Freddy will bring one tapas and one main dish and their accompanying wines. The same goes for Ted and I - one tapas and one main dish . . . with wine. That leaves Mela (Yogesh is gone - bummer), Nici & Andy, Megan & Peter, Jason & Gita, Jen & Jeff, and Keila (newly invited, whose hubby Brock will join us after he finishes school in Vancouver in December. Yay, Brock!). We need one dish and one bottle of wine per person. Coming as a couple? Two dishes and two bottles of wine or the most appropriate accompanying beverage. We will also need a dessert or two. So, if you feel inspired in that arena, by all means . . . claim it!

This leads me to make suggestions on dishes and/or ingredients that Marcy, Freddy, Cooper, Ted and I thought seemed the most appropriate (Cooper was especially opinionated during our spirited discussion) in terms of availability and taste. We thought the following things sounded particularly luscious:

• fried manchego - or anything with manchego in it;
• gazpacho;
• salt cod fritters with spinach;
• sizzling chili shrimp;
  
• tuna stuffed peppers;
• empanadas;
• sweet peppers stuffed with crab salad;
• scallops with serrano ham;
• bleu cheese and bean salad;
• chorizo bread pockets;
• sangria;
• salt cod on garlic toasts;
  
• baby leek and asparagus salad;
• tomato bread;
• tiger shrimp with romesco sauce;
• coca - flat bread with yummy stuff on top;
• roast suckling lamb;
• and, good lord, so much more!

These are just recipes that jumped out at us. If you want a copy of any one of them, I've got the books. Just ask. There is so much more out there. Food & Wine magazine this month has some great recipes, too. Just pick something that excites you and makes you want to cook!

I think Ted and I are going to take on a tapas that will pair well with a cava (Spanish sparkling white). Please post your comments on here and let us know what you plan on making so we can get the menu set and not have any repeats!

Also, log in and post on any food or wine that you feel especially opinionated about. Like this photo that I took in France that shows a line up of some of the most delectable wines ever. Wines I'm not likely going to find or afford in Missoula. Damnit. That sucks.


Just remember we want it to be authentic!
Ted and I are hosting this sucker on Saturday, August 23rd at 5:30. It'll be fun!

Salut, fabulous Missoula eaters!