June - The Letter R

May - English Pub Food

April - Mexican

Hosted by Irene - Inspiration for Mexican night came from my distinct lack of experience cooking this cuisine.  Having always appreciated nights out at Flying Burrito Brothers or Las Margharitas I thought we had to give it a go.  Plus when I think mexican, I think fun with friends and fresh food.

A desire to have as little in the way of messy hand held food and a curiosity about a savoury chocolate / meat dish led me to choosing chicken mole as the main.  Luxurious guacamole, tasty mexican rice, followed by crispy churros and accompanied by frozen margaritas and limed corona.  Perfect!

To help create some ambience, sadly the giant sombrero from Trademe was foregone, but we still had mariachi music courtesy of Grooveshark (Make your own playlists for free or let the programme learn what you like and pick the next tune).  All in all a successful and tasty evening!

Mexican Menu

Entree: Guacamole with Corn Chips

Main: Chicken Mole

Sides: Mexican Rice, Guacamole and Salsa

Pudding: Churros with Chocolate Sauce and Ice Cream

Drinks: Margaritas

March - Fire

Hosted by Lis - the inspiration for this theme was a new fireplace, which was christened that evening (and also Scott - who actually came up with it...sorry for stealing the idea). The theme left it open for people to be inspired by taste or cooking method - and also didn't intimidate anyone!

It was also an apt theme for the inaugural dinner...

Fire Menu: 
Entree: Roasted Pepper Pesto
Main: BBQ Pork Eye Fillet with Avocado and Manga Salsa
Side: Stuffed Roasted Peppers
Pudding: Rich Chilli Chocolate Cake
Drinks: Ryburn's Flaming Marvel