Sunday, July 29, 2007

FIESTA!

Last night we had a few friends over for a Mexican Extravaganza. Joining us were Gary and JoAnn F-, and John and Jackie T-.

John and Jackie, like us, have lived in New England, so we could’ve had a clambake or fixed a Yankee Pot-Roast, and everyone would have had a grand evening. But since we had no pot (and therefore could not get baked), we chose a different part of the country’s geography as inspiration.

Or I should say, She Who Must Be Obeyed chose, for this was her show. And she chose Tex-Mex. It was a felicitous choice.

We began the evening with Margaritas. Everyone except me, that is. I elected to avoid the Ta-Kill-Ya-based beverage in favor of a few stout Blueberry Pomegranate Martinis.

By way of appetizers, SWMBO had run up a batch of her famous guacamole, using fresh Hass avocados, cilantro, lemon and lime juices, with touches of garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and Pace’s picante sauce. I will put her guac up against anybody else’s on the planet. It is superb, with the perfect amount of chunkiness, tart citrus, and suave avocado flavor.

She also prepared a treat that hearkened back to our early married days in Texas: Ro-Tel Dip. It’s simplicity itself: You melt a one-pound block of Velveeta processed “Cheese Food” and stir in a 10-ounce can of Ro-Tel Diced Tomatoes and Green Chilies. Used to be you could only get Ro-Tel products in Texas, but now they’re distributed throughout the country. No doubt that’s because Ro-Tel was bought out by ConAgra, the giant Food Products conglomerate, several years back.

Are you shocked to find out that Elisson loves Ro-Tel dip, with its base of Velveeta Pseudo-Cheez? Hey, I like yer Artisanal Hand-Made Sheep’s Milk Fancy-Pants Fromage as much as the next foodie...but I also know what good is. Don’t be a snob. This is what God created Velveeta for. Ro-Tel Dip kicks ass.

The main courses? Chicken enchilada casserole, of which the Missus made enough to feed a battalion, and skirt steak fajitas. Saffron rice and refried black beans completed the picture.

For dessert, we combined Mexican Chocolate Icebox Cookies with homemade Blackberry Sage Tea ice cream and washed the whole mess down with lashings of steaming hot coffee.

It was a great evening. Not only because of the food (which was superb), but because of the excellent company with which we enjoyed it. John and Jackie are friends of relatively recent vintage, which means they still laugh at my Stupid Shit. And we’ve known Gary and JoAnn for dog’s years: Their continued willingness to put up with my Stupid Shit is the mark of true friendship.

I hope your Saturday evening was as much fun.

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