Happy Holidays everyone! I'm all for the Cod recipe exchange. Here are mine...

Coconut Shrimp with Tamarind Sauce
For sauce (we didn't make this, but it sounds good!)
1 teaspoon tamarind concentrate*
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2/3 cup mayonnaise
1 1/2 tablespoons mild honey
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon finely grated peeled fresh ginger
1/4 teaspoon salt
For shrimp
4 cups sweetened flaked coconut (10 oz)
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup beer (not dark)
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cayenne
1 large egg
6 cups vegetable oil
48 medium shrimp (1 1/2 lb), peeled, leaving tail and first segment of shell intact, and, if desired, deveined

Make sauce:
Whisk tamarind concentrate into lime juice in a small bowl until dissolved. Stir in remaining sauce ingredients and chill, covered.

Prepare shrimp:
Coarsely chop coconut and transfer half to a shallow soup bowl or pie plate. Whisk together flour, beer, baking soda, salt, cayenne, and egg in a small bowl until smooth. Heat oil in a 4- to 6-quart deep heavy pot over moderately high heat until it registers 350°F on thermometer.

While oil is heating, coat shrimp: Hold 1 shrimp by tail and dip into batter, letting excess drip off, then dredge in coconut, coating completely and pressing gently to help adhere. Transfer to a plate and coat remaining shrimp in same manner, adding remaining coconut to bowl as needed. Fry shrimp in oil in batches of 8, turning once, until golden, about 1 minute. Transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain and season lightly with salt. Skim any coconut from oil and return oil to 350°F between batches.

Serve shrimp with sauce.

Smoked Pork Chops with Peneapple Rosemary Sauce
Recipe makes 2, but we must have tripled it... Matt was the chef for this one, all I remember that the pineapple was a pain in the a**.

1 pineapple (labeled "extra sweet"), peeled (reserving rind), quartered, and cored
1/4 cup olive oil
1 sprig fresh rosemary
1 large garlic clove, smashed
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 fully cooked smoked pork chops
1 rounded 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Put aside 1/4 of pineapple for another use. Cut enough of remaineder into 1/4-inch dice to measure 1/2 cup and reserve the rest. Squeeze juice form reserved rind with your hands into a blender. Cut reserved pinapple into 1 inch chunks and puree with juice in blender at high speed until very smooth, about 1 imute. Pure puree into a dampened-cheesecloth-lined sieve set over a bowl. drain until you have 1 cup juicee, about 30 minutes (or just drive over to Pick 'n Save and buy a can of pineapple juice!!!).

Boil juice in a small skillet over moderateely high heat until reduced to about 1/4 cup, 10-14 minutes. Meanwhile, cook oil, rosemary sprig, and garlic in a small heavy saucepan over moderately low heat, stirring, until garlic is golden, 2-3 minutes. Discard rosemary and garlic and transfer 1 tablespoon oil to a 10-inch heavy skillet. Whisk remaining oil into reduced juice and stir in diced pineapple, lemon juice, and salt.

Pat chops dry, sprinkle with pepper. Heat oil in skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then saute chops, turning once, until browned and heated through, about 5 minutes. Transfer toa platter and keep warm. Discard fat from skillet, then add pineapple sauce and bring to a boil over moderate heat, scraping up any brown bits. Pour sauce over chops. EAT!

The puff pastry is the crust...so just roll it out in a baking sheet and pile the ingredients on top. You can fold the edges of the pastry over on top of the potatoes if you have enough to reach. It turns out that Nick has parsnips just lying around in the fridge. I was surprised too. Don't worry, they are not necessary for the recipe to work out. In addition, any starchy root vegetable can be used.

I agree about the Cod. We have such great photos and we made the best food ever. I will start scrounging for recipes that I used. This could be a fun holiday project.

so, is the puff pastry wrapped around the potato mixture? who has parsnips just hanging out in the fridge? anyway, i think we should get some photos and recipes from the cod up. is there anyway to post all pictures as a table of contents in addition to where they are now (in the dinner/recipe section). damn, no f-bombs.

Yay, glad the MDC website is bug-free. Thanks Nick. I must say that the rosemary potato and parsnip galette whipped up from pantry items was very tasty. One correction to the recipe...use puff pastry instead of phyllo. It'll be much less time consuming that way.

Jess and I made a great dish without a game plan. It's a rosemary potato and parsnip galette. Just threw together what was in the fridge and it came out great... here's the 'cipe:

- two yukon gold potatos, peeled and medallioned
- one sweet potato, peeled and medallioned
- one large parsnip, peeled and medallioned
- two cloves fo garlic, smashed to near-annihilation
- a thing of phyllo dough
- rosemary, 3 sprigs
- olive oil
- coarse salt
- pepper

Boil the potatos and parsnips until barely firm. Cool slightly and transfer to a large-ass bowl. Add the garlic, about 1/4 cup of olive oil, some salt, some pepper and mix. Meanwhile, press the phyllo dough into a large baking sheet. Coat the dough with olive oil. Add the potato mixture. Add more salt, pepper and oil on top (to crispify in the oven). Cook at 425 degrees (F, not K) for like 15-20 minutes. Cut and eat.

A big shout out to my DC people. It's been awhile, I know. I had some time so I've been browsing through the site and reliving some of the great moments. Also, just printed off all the recipes (I only meant to print one, but they all came out, bonus). I am getting into fall cooking mode, so I may give a few of these a try. Do we need to submit recipes from our fantastic fieldtrip to the Cod? What do you guys think? I would be happy to compile them if people want to send them to me. Also, we have numerous photos that could accompany the recipes. If anybody is game to help with this task lemme know. Miss you all. Dinner Club Forever.

And click on Members for "Adventures with regard to Food"

Holy cow, my fellow bitkins, what's that sound? Why, it's the sound of each of you sighing in pure pleasure, for the dinner club pictures are up.

I have pictures for many of the 2002 dinner club meetings. Just follow the link in the menu. There are 2002 dinner club meetings that I do not have a photographic record of, alas, but I will happily post if any of you can produce a JPG or two. Also, I did not own a digital camera in 2001, so phooey.

The Grecian Formula Recipes are in da house. So good, I want to rub it on my head.

Jessie's recipes are up... check out that marscapone custard item. Killer.

All right people, Rima's French night recipes are up. Take a gander to relive the experience. Ooo la la.

In addition to what's in Rima's email, there's the mashed potato and asparagus item I'm sure you'll all remember with warm tummy-feelings.

Sorry I missed the actual graduation. Therefore, I'm granting a grace period for any Physical Therapist or PT Student who has not yet submitted recipes.

However, the grace period is now officially over! Where dem 'cipes? I'll post them as soon as you get them out.

Hey DCers,
We need to coordinate some plans for the big graduation weekend...such as where we are going to meet up tomorrow for pictures in our caps and gowns and aprons? The ceremony is at 5:30pm...should we pick a time to meet up beforehand? I'll make some phone calls to get this all organized. It should be a fun-filled weekend. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone!

Fantastic dinner, Rim Zim. Looking forward to reading through the recipes.

Count me in. In the meantime, I'll be calculating beret topography.

Hey, it's me again. I just wanted to add that my theme for saturday night is "French"... I want to make this more fun than the French actually are. So.... get into your closets and dust off and wear your best/creative french outfit. "If that means dressing as a french maid ,so be it," speaks Nick Orum.

Oh, yeah.... Anna, I would love your mom's recipe for that pork at annapalooza winter fest.

I am finally at a computer to write on this page. Very technologically behind. So, DC at my place this sat night. As of now, 8 people are coming. That's going to be difficult... I may need to borrow dishes and things. Anybody have extra ramikens (sp?)? I have 6 and need at least 2 more. How is 8 pm for all? I will keep you updated on the time.

I'm missing the following dinners' recipes, in case you're inspired enough to dig them up and send them my way:

October 12, 2001
"The Second Iteration Begins"
-or-
"H to the Hizzhighness"
Matt


____________________


October 26, 2001
"Girls' Night Out"
Anna


____________________


January 19, 2002
"Annapolooza Winter Fun Extravaganza"
Anna


____________________


January 24, 2002
"The Most Colorful Dinner"
Jessie


____________________

I'm not sure getting the recipes from Annapolooza Winter Fun is feasible, since that was a decentralized/collaborative effort.

Rima's recipes from November 2001 are up, links and all.

In other news, there are reports that Amarula is now available in the United States. Glorious day.

Fantastic dinner, Jessie. The clams and pasta were crazy-yums, but I think the marscapone custard took the cake, so to speak. Definitely a recipe worth repeating.

I added the transcript of our chat with Pete from the April 12 dinner club meeting at my place.

Click here or find it in the quotes section.

Hey Everyone - Dinner Club at my place this Friday. We'll plan on a late start for the meal (8:30-9pm) so everyone can make it. Please come on over anytime after 7pm for appetizers and wine if you're available. Possible guests: Ben and Katie. See you there.

I'm up for something on Friday. Who'd cook? If no DC, an evening out sounds grand.

Hey all - what's up with this weekend? I remember talking about maybe having a DC meeting on Friday, or did that fall apart? If no DC, are you all up for going out?

My bad. All better.

Awesome job here Nick! I have a little correction to make in regards to the aversions page... I have nothing against peas. In fact, I love peas. I have a pea-shrine in my sun room. I had some pea soup once (NOT made by a dinner club member) that was pretty nasty, but unadulterated peas are a thing of beauty (especially those early season pea pods.... yum).

OK, the menu --> recipe links are up.

If there's no link for an item, or if it links to the wrong place, then it probably means that I don't have the recipes.

So, email them to me again (sorry...) if you want it up.

I added a new feature -- menus from each of the dinner clubs since August 2001. Coming soon, links directly to the recipes from the menus.

Hey DC,
Nick, thanks for the invite. Thanks to whoever came up with this idea... sweet! I am sitting at an internet cafe in Bodrum, Turkey. Supposed to be a huge party town, but so far we ain't found no party. Josh was really excited about finding "hotties" and I'm afraid he's been disappointed thus far. Cool castle and marina with lots of large, little-used boats. The weather has been nice lately, but now that we're looking for some serious beach time it has rained the last two days. Postcards are en route for all. I will probably be home around May 7th due to the Israeli/palestinian thing so count me in (and Nikki) for May 11th! See you all soon. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone at the graduation/post graduation events.
Sincerely
"Good" Lister

Thanks Rim Zim.

I'll work on building up the site a bit:
- adding in the actual menus
- links from the menus to the recipes (which requires that I sort the recipes)
- wine list
- quotes
- food aversions
- other comments from The Book

cheers.

Nick- you have completely outdone the dinner clubbers. beef tenderloin was delicious... dessert was extremely sinful. Next DC at my place... may 11th. Will need all this time to plan a most fantabulous dinner. be aware of the torch (my new toy).

I was watching Oprah (it was a show about severely overweight women who were totally happy with their bodies - I didn't know if it should make me feel good or bad when I think about being a gluton tonight at Nick's DC) when I suddenly realized that the reason the lady being interviewed looked familiar was that I'd actually seen the show before. I'll see y'all soon!

got the currants from mifflin. success!

the guy at the register looked familiar, and sure enough he said "you look familiar" when I paid. what followed was an uncomfortable 3 minutes of chit-chat with no results. learned nothing except that his name is john.

COOL! I forwarded those recipes to your e-mail. I'm hungry already...

hmm. maybe "contra-vegan." there's nothing in the menu that a vegan can eat. it's not going to be the lightest dinner, either.

jessie tells me that you think mifflin st. co-op has dried currants. thanks for the tip ... i'll check it out.

Is there a theme to Friday's gathering, Nick?

Hey gang. Look what I found. A web site all for us.

The links don't work yet, but I'll fix that soon enough.

In the meantime...

Dinner Club at my place this Friday at 7:30. Jaime, bring the Book so I can fill out some of this web site and keep the hope alive.