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Run Eat Repeat

Oh You Fancy Huh – RER’s Dinner Party

Dinner

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3 Oct

The third challenge for the Project Food Blog contest is to host a luxurious dinner party for at least four people (yourself included). In addition, you are to share your party hosting tips/secrets with readers.

Well, I brainstormed a lot of new tastes and flavors I wanted to impress my dinner guests with. I made a list of “fancy” recipes and dishes I wanted to research for my dinner party. I heard about how you can hire the right sound for your night with Alive Network.

Then, I realized two things:

1. This challenge is due on Sunday and I really only have 24 hours to plan, shop, prepare, cook and host. I am super crazy busy right now and didn’t have a chance to even review the challenge before the last round winners were announced!

2. I am not fancy.

Don’t get me wrong, I want to be fancy. Especially when I hear Drake ask if I am…

But, I refuse to pretend to be anything but myself on Run, Eat, Repeat. I am fully open and honest with my flaws (probably a little too much, but I digress).

If I am being real – this is how I do dinner parties.

You can take the girl out of Pico Rivera, but you can’t take the Pico Rivera out of the girl…IMG_1872

For my dinner party menu I started at my local market. Their carneceria has the best carne asada around. They don’t have “Specials” here they have “Especials” IMG_1873

You know it’s authentic when the Spanish names are first and English is second. And when you take a number at the carneceria they call them out in Spanish.

Sure, we all learned 1 through 10 in Spanish from Sesame Street, but you better know “67” or no carne for you!IMG_1874

They also have a bull’s head up in the store. I’m not sure how I feel about that, but I’m just here to get some comida and be on my way.IMG_1876 I kept yelling “Toro!” When I passed by the bull and getting weird looks. They should just be happy I didn’t bust out my red cape. IMG_1875

Even though trying fancy new dishes is fun, you really can’t beat good, homemade Mexican food. I stuck with the basics – IMG_1964

My mom has two avocado trees in her backyard and I went in search of some fresh, organic ones for guacamole.

They’re organic because we don’t spray them with pesticides and we overcharge middle / upper-class Americans for the privilege of not eating poison. Well, we would if we sold them.IMG_1898   My cat was climbing around the tree trying to help. Or catch birds – I’m not sure, but he’s got to eat too so I’m not judging.IMG_1903

I pride myself on making some of the best guacamole this side of the border.

In the mix: avocados, squeeze of lime, salt, pepper, garlic powder, pico de gallo, cilantro. IMG_1879

Served with chips and beerIMG_1877Irony = Me wearing my “Vegetarian” shirt while cooking carne asada. IMG_1890  Life is complicated. Food and my shirts are not. Don’t read too much into it. IMG_1889

  And what kind of luxurious dinner party would this be if I didn’t offer a wine beer pairing to go with each course?IMG_1883Fact: Coronas require limes. IMG_1885

The main course was carne asada, pinto beans, salad and corn tortillas. My family only makes pinto beans for some reason. Sure, we’ll get black beans from a can, but pintos are cooked fresh 🙂 IMG_1906

Random Fact: I used to be 99% vegetarian, but ate carne asada on Fourth of July most years. It was like my Thanksgiving or something. The smell was so amazing I wouldn’t be able to resist. I wasn’t all about it today though. Hmmm.

IMG_1916

My Nino and Nina were two of my guests for this fiesta. IMG_1895

You can eat outside in SoCal basically year ‘round. And there was maybe one or two flies that bothered us over the course of the night. Ben, (who is from Florida) always says – “There are no bugs in California and it never rains.” I guess compared to FL that’s true 🙂 IMG_1927

My dad showed up right after dinner. He was at a funeral and running late. Hi dad 🙂  IMG_1934

Since I wanted to make sure my personal touch was on this meal I made my signature Pico Pineapple Bundt Cake for dessert. IMG_1896 Served it with whipped cream and more beer. IMG_1945

My Dinner Party Tips:

1. Trying new recipes with no cushion time in case it doesn’t come out the way you want is not a good idea. If you have a limited amount of time, like I did – Do what you know and do it well.

So, I embraced my specialty, my hometown, my family and did a Mexican bar-b-que.

2. The real secret to a good dinner party is alcohol and lots of it 😉IMG_1882 3. “No stressing about impressing!” Dinner parties are supposed to be fun (for the host too!). The people you are inviting are friends or family – not food critics. Unless you invite food bloggers, who are kinda like critics, in which case you’ve got your work cut out for you. If you plan to host an outdoor party, you may need to rent luxury restroom trailers for your guests.

Hope you appreciated my real-but-not-necessarily-super-fancy-dinner party!

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    37 Comments

    Previous Post: « Half Way Point
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Christine @ Oatmeal in my Bowl says

      2012-02-26 at 6:09 pm

      Haha “The real secret to a good dinner party is alcohol and lots of it” So True. We just had a ‘dinner’ party last night. It was the Alcohol, Great hamburgers, and Motorcross on TV that made it.

      Now we are stuffing our face with leftovers and watching the Oscars. 😉

      Reply
    2. Erin says

      2012-01-21 at 3:00 pm

      Toro! Toro! 🙂 We would so be friends in real life 🙂

      Reply
    3. Mircea says

      2011-09-26 at 9:24 pm

      If I were a Tengeae Mutant Ninja Turtle, now I’d say “Kowabunga, dude!”

      Reply
    4. Jenni says

      2010-10-08 at 12:56 am

      I love your not-fancy fancy meal–and your cat:) Best of luck in making it to Round 4–you have my vote!

      Reply
    5. @lickmyspoon says

      2010-10-07 at 7:25 pm

      Carne asada is good enough to count as upscale in my book, your dinner looks fantastic. Good luck this week, voting for you!

      Lick My Spoon

      Reply
    6. Ed says

      2010-10-07 at 2:53 am

      You mentioned Drake, and you get extra brownie points. BTW, you get my vote too.

      Reply
      • runeatrepeat says

        2010-10-07 at 9:54 pm

        Thanks Ed 🙂

        Reply
    7. shaz says

      2010-10-06 at 12:45 pm

      Gotta love a dinner party where there’s lots of beer involved 🙂 Love your post’s title too. Sending a vote your way. Good luck.

      Reply
    8. Jessica says

      2010-10-06 at 4:40 am

      Looks like a great dinner party! Hope we both make it to the next round! 🙂 You have my vote!

      Reply
    9. Brandie @ Home Cooking Memories says

      2010-10-06 at 2:01 am

      Well, I clicked on your entry because I instantly recognized the title…made me smile. Your food looks fabulous, so from one non-fancy girl to another, you get my vote.

      Reply
    10. Emily G says

      2010-10-05 at 10:01 pm

      Love it – everything about it – the fabulous Mexican food, your being true to who you are and owning it, and your tips. It inspired me to sign into Foodbuzz just to vote for you. Cheers!

      Reply
    11. Whit @ Amuse Bouche says

      2010-10-05 at 4:47 pm

      BAHAHAH Toro! I just laughed out loud! Congrats on a very fun looking dinner party!

      http://whitneysamusebouche.blogspot.com/

      Whit

      Reply
    12. Susan says

      2010-10-05 at 2:29 pm

      “The real secret to a good dinner party is alcohol and lots of it”

      I couldn’t agree more 😉 I mean, a dinner party is still a party! Awesome post Monica!

      Reply
    13. Mariko says

      2010-10-05 at 9:42 am

      Yum yum. Love the ironic shirt. YES. This post had me in giggles.

      Reply
    14. Amanda @ bakingwithoutabox says

      2010-10-04 at 6:31 pm

      What a fun post! From the shopping to the cat to the actual party. Got to vote for this. Keep up the good times!

      Reply
    15. Michael / South Bay Foodies says

      2010-10-04 at 4:03 pm

      Loved your story and dinner! My vote is on deck! 😀

      Reply
    16. Jesse says

      2010-10-04 at 3:34 am

      Monica, honey, your concept of a “luxurious” dinner party is just priceless, and I mean that from the bottom of my heart! “Alcohol and lots of it” and “No stressing about impressing” say it all, you should win this doll! 🙂

      Reply
    17. Amber K says

      2010-10-04 at 3:20 am

      That looks like a ton of fun! I love how you stayed true to yourself. 🙂

      Reply
    18. Bobbi says

      2010-10-04 at 2:37 am

      FUN PARTY!!!! I was sad to hear I didn’t advance but love cheering for my friends!!!

      Reply
    19. Paula says

      2010-10-04 at 2:26 am

      MMMMM delicious and keeping it real. My kind of dinner party too! =)

      Reply
    20. Elizabeth says

      2010-10-04 at 1:05 am

      I love Mexican food and man does this look good. Que Rico! I’m going to keep voting for you girl!

      Reply
    21. Lee says

      2010-10-04 at 1:03 am

      Looks so yummy, and fuzzy warm family stuff is nice – nothing like a meal with family

      Reply
    22. Caronae says

      2010-10-04 at 12:54 am

      I’ve never hosted a dinner party but really want to! Step 1: get out of the dorms. 🙂

      I love your tips!

      Reply
    23. AR says

      2010-10-03 at 11:52 pm

      This all looks AWESOME. I’m not much of a guac fan but that looks so fresh I really really want to try it.

      Reply
    24. Mara @ What's For Dinner? says

      2010-10-03 at 11:24 pm

      Te amo chica 🙂 Your party looks fantastic, the food…well, i’m going to need the carne asada recipe ASAP. You’ve of course got my vote! I love exactly how “you” this was!

      Reply
    25. Olivia @ Blissful Runner says

      2010-10-03 at 9:56 pm

      I love that you kept this real — and made no apologies. Looks deliscious!

      Reply
    26. Louisa says

      2010-10-03 at 9:54 pm

      De-lurking here to say that the food looks absolutely incredible! Also, you look especially gorgeous in these photos! (I don’t mean to sound creepy, but you look very happy and radiant, and who doesn’t love a random compliment?!)

      Reply
    27. Lisa says

      2010-10-03 at 9:35 pm

      Dinner parties are fun! And even better with yummy Mexican food. If it’s spicy and I can put guac and sour cream on it –I’ll eat it!! 🙂

      Reply
    28. ida says

      2010-10-03 at 9:15 pm

      I love that you used home-grown avocados! And that cake looks really good- I think i might like whipped cream more than ice cream. Love the title of the post too:)

      Reply
    29. Susan (Mom Swim Bike Run) says

      2010-10-03 at 9:05 pm

      I licked the computer screen when I saw your guac! Just Sayin’. Glad you stayed true to yourself, your readers wouldn’t want it any other way.

      Reply
    30. Vanessa says

      2010-10-03 at 8:18 pm

      Que rico! This is definitely my type of dinner party. 🙂

      Reply
    31. ashleigh says

      2010-10-03 at 7:56 pm

      All of these entries make me want to have a dinner party!! I love tip number 2 🙂 So true!

      Reply
    32. Becky says

      2010-10-03 at 7:47 pm

      That’s the kind of dinner party I want to go to! It was so real, not stuffy at all. Way to have a good time 🙂

      Reply
    33. alison says

      2010-10-03 at 7:35 pm

      Great job. I appreciate how you stayed true to yourself and I’m sure your dinner party guests did as well.

      Reply
    34. Liz says

      2010-10-03 at 7:33 pm

      Muy deliciosa! Buenos suerte!

      Reply
    35. Nicole @ running around the rock says

      2010-10-03 at 7:31 pm

      I love your dinner party! The food looks a lot better than a lot of food I have served to guests at “fancy” parties 🙂

      Reply
    36. Evan Thomas says

      2010-10-03 at 7:04 pm

      “Life is complicated. Food and my shirts are not. ”
      Hahaha. I love how you stuck true to yourself for this.

      Reply

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      Disclaimer: Please speak with a medical professional before making any changes to your diet or exercise. I am not a doctor or registered dietitian. The views expressed are based on my own experiences, and should not be taken as medical, nutrition or training advice. Please note that affiliate links and sponsored posts may pop up from time to time. I truly appreciate your support. More »

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