Dinner Party Menu #2

Below are three recipes I cooked for a dinner party. See Dinner Party Philosophy for some thoughts on the design of the menu along with other menus I’ve designed and cooked in the past.

Appetizers

Hummus

From Inspired Taste

Serves 4 as a side, 2 as a main

Ingredients:

• 1 can chickpeas
• 1/4 cup lemon juice (1 lemon)
• 1/4 cup tahini
• 1 clove of garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 2-3 tbsp aquafaba (chickpea liquid)

Directions:

1. In a food processor, process lemon juice and tahini for 60s, scrape the sides, then process an additional 30s.
2. Add garlic, olive oil, cumin, and a pinch of salt, and process an additional 60s.
3. Add half of the drained chickpeas, process for 60s, then scrape the sides.
4. Add the remaining chickpeas, process for an additional 60s.
5. Add aquafaba as required and continue processing until smooth.

Main

Tom Yum soup

From recipeTinEats

12 small servings, 8 very large servings.

Ingredients:

• 3.5L of chicken stock and water, at least 1/3 chicken stock, or a higher ratio for a richer broth.
• 8 stacks of lemongrass
• 6cm ginger (use galangal if available)
• 4-8 thai chilies
• 12 garlic cloves
• 480g oyster mushrooms
• 4 roma tomatoes, diced
• 2 onions, diced
• 4 tsp sugar
• 12 tbsp fish sauce
• 12 tbsp lime juice (6 limes)
• 1200g cooked chicken or shrimp
• cilantro to garnish

Directions:

1. Add lemongrass, ginger, chilis, and garlic to broth, and simmer at least 10 mins, before straining out.
2. Add mushrooms, tomatoes, and onions, and simmer for about 3 mins.
3. Stir in sugar and fish sauce, simmering for an additional 1-2 mins.
4. Stir in lime juice and protein of choice, and serve garnished with cilantro.

Dessert

Cream puffs with chocolate ganache

From Preppy Kitchen

Serves 8

Pastry Cream

Ingredients:

• 180g whole milk
• 180g heavy cream
• 1/2 tbsp vanilla extract
• 67g sugar
• 15g cornstarch
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 3 egg yolks
• 1/2 tbsp cold butter

Directions:

1. Combine milk, cream, and vanilla in a heavy saucepan and bring to a boil, then immediately remove from the heat.
2. Whisk dry ingredients together, then whisk in egg yolks.
3. Temper with the milk + cream mixture slowly before fully mixing together.
4. Cook the remaining mixture until thickened, stirring constantly.
5. Cover and chill for at least 2 hrs.

Choux Pastry

Ingredients

• 120g water
• 1/2 stick butter
• 3/4 tbsp sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425 °F, and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Bring water, butter, sugar, and salt to boil in a saucepan over medium-high heat.
3. When the mixture boils, take the pan off the heat, and immediately add flour, stirring with a wooden spoon until fully incorporated.
4. Once incorporated, cook an additional 60s, continuing to stir.
5. Beat in a stand mixer for 2 mins.
6. Slowly add eggs while beating.
7. Pipe into cream puff shapes, then egg wash and bake 10 mins at 425 °F before dropping the temperature to 375 °F for an additional 15-20 mins.

Chocolate ganache and assembly

Ingredients

• 100g dark chocolate, cut into small pieces
• 100g heavy cream

Directions:

1. Bring the heavy cream to a simmer, then pour over the chocolate and cover.
2. Wait 2-3 mins, then stir the cream and chocolate together until it reaches a smooth and even consistency.
3. Cut the top off the cream puff, then pipe in a healthy filling of pastry cream before setting the top back on, and drizzling with a large tablespoon of chocolate ganache. Garnish with mint if desired.