Food Pairing Ideas

I happened upon this website called FoodPairing, and it’s pretty cool. Check out the tree they gave me for “American Bourbon Whiskey“:

FoodChart.ashx

It’s a little odd – olive oil?! – but still fun to get ideas. I kind of want to serve bourbon and caviar together now.

The closer to the middle the flavors are, the closer the flavor profiles are. Could be useful if you’re trying to figure out what you’re making – say, you feel like salmon but can’t think what kind of marinade/sauce you would like. I hope they have more wine pairing ideas in the future.

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Oscars Party

What are the Oscars without friends to shout at the screen with you when someone wears rosettes that look like they’re copping a feel? No fun at all, obviously. Lucky for me some friends got decked out in jeans and jewels (it was a casual gathering, yet with a nod to Oscar) and came to yell at Charlize Theron with me. I mean really? (with Seth and Amy). REALLY?

By Jason Merritt, Getty Images

By Jason Merritt, Getty Images

So it was a fun time.

By the way, I love love love the Fug Girls for the red carpet rundown. Check them out, if you haven’t already.

Anyway, back to the shindig: I made two kinds of tea sandwiches, lemon cookiesmy skinny margaritas and a grapefruit champagne cocktail that knocked me on the floor because it was SO tasty that I couldn’t stop myself. So tasty that I forgot to take a photo of it, even as I announced to everyone in earshot how good it was and how it was definitely going on BB&B in the morning. So tasty that I didn’t wake up in time to write this post before morning class and am now posting it well into the afternoon and frankly Ithinkwe’veallbeentheresothere. OKAY?

Raspberries on lemon cookies

Raspberries on lemon cookies

photo-18

The spread

Please continue for the recipes . . .

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Payback Time: Two Themes That Are a Little Too Literal

And for the last Payback Time post, I have two themes. Both put the principles of Rule #1 and Payback Time literally into action – with food, instead of stocks.

marthastewart.com

marthastewart.com

1. Do-it-yourself dishes. Because you know what’s right for you better than anyone else does. Just as you take care of your own money, put your meal together yourself exactly as you like it!

  • Lettuce wraps
  • Hot dogs
  • Tacos
  • Burgers
  • Salad

2. Use ingredients from companies that you have bought or would buy. Once you’ve been investing for a while, you will be aware of the quality companies in the food industry. Buy food from them. Make any dishes you prefer, as long as it is from companies you think are worthy of owning.

This is more of an advanced theme, as you’ll have to have done the legwork to find companies you support, but for a Rule #1 investing club it would be a great way to discuss food industry companies. Have fun with it!

Payback Time: Green

OK, so maybe you’re not feeling going with super-inexpensive simple food or spending tons of time and money on gourmet ingredients. Fair enough. My third Payback Time theme is the most incredibly obvious one, but also pretty fun: Green. For money.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/43884

http://www.newsweek.com/id/43884

I know.

But come on – a money theme is awesome! It’s like St. Patty’s Day without the shamrocks or the hangover! (Though green beer would be really kitschy and theme-appropriate, so I’m not against it.)

green_beer_400

Throw yourself into the obviousness and use green tableware, string some Monopoly money as a welcome banner, and  slip a dollar sign ring on your lovely hand.

dollar-sign-ring

It will let the universe know that you’re ready for true wealth.

How do you make green beer? I thought you might ask that.

Payback Time: Splurging Theme

On Tuesday, I suggested providing inexpensive yummy food for your Payback Time investing club. Today I’m going for the full opposite, 180 degrees, diametrically opposed idea of creating a gourmet spread filled with specialty ingredients and using careful preparation.

http://www.atwoodlakeresort.com/atwoodlakeresortimages/index-1.htm

http://www.atwoodlakeresort.com/atwoodlakeresortimages/index-1.htm

Here’s why: the entire point of Rule #1/Payback Time investing is to become independently wealthy. Ssometimes we need to remind ourselves what we’re working towards.

louboutin-1

Christian Louboutins: LOVE.

An evening of only the finest will give everyone a taste of what their goal. Furthermore, if you are someone who likes to cook and serve special dishes, wealth means being able to do so because it will give you options – so you’ll enjoy this even more.

Some of the following ideas are from my decadent Casino Inspiration menu, and the rest are new. Remember, this is about what is meaningful to you. If wealth means fine chocolate to you, buy some. If it means pretty plates and lots of flowers, focus on that. And if it means saving, use yesterday’s ideas ;)

Payback Time: Saving Theme

With Payback Time coming out today, lots of investing clubs are going to want to discuss the book (already the number one bestseller on amazon.com from presales alone!). Having people to talk to about your ideas, to check your numbers with when you’re analyzing a company, to talk to out loud about why you think a company is a good or bad bet can not only ensure you’re investing in Rule #1-worthy companies, but also force you to stay vigilant with your math and articulate your reasons for investing. Nothing like peer pressure to force you to get something done. (And I am a master procrastinator, so I know.)

procrastination

Ha! I couldn’t resist.

What do you need at a meeting like that? Food. And themed food is always better than non-themed food, in my opinion. Every day I’m going to post a new theme idea for investing clubs and book clubs to throw fantastic Payback Time meetings.

The first idea: This book is about saving money and then making money with the money you’ve saved. Continue the theme of the book by saving your money on food. Don’t buy expensive ingredients, don’t put out the caviar for your investing club, and don’t spend time (remember, wealth = time) elaborately cooking. Save by buying inexpensive ingredients and put out yummy classic food that’s beautifully presented.

www.smacnyc.com/home.html

www.smacnyc.com/home.html

It’s a gathering, not a dinner, but you don’t have to be limited to finger food. A nice mix of appetizers and easy-to-eat food with a fork works when your guests are settled into the couch.

  • Mac and cheese. Everyone loves it, and it’s cheap cheap cheap and tasty tasty tasty. Buy the old fashioned bad-for-you kind and give everyone a guilty pleasure they don’t get enough of.
  • Spinach Salad with Slumped Mushrooms. Rachael Ray recipe for under $10.
  • Nachos. Chips and cheese melted in the microwave, salsa for dipping on the side. Done.
  • Spinach-Artichoke Dip – either make your own or buy from Trader Joe’s (if you have one near you). Party classic, and it can also go with the nachos.
  • Chex Mix. Obviously.
  • My dip and veggies.
  • Potato chips with toppings
  • Deviled eggs.
  • Chocolate French Toast. For dessert.
  • Brownies from a box. Which are the best kind anyway.

Of course, there are tons more ideas for yummy inexpensive easy party food for a Payback Time party – these are a few to get you started. Now go play!

    Rosemary and Thyme, Garlic and Lemon

    http://www.domestifluff.com/2009/07/rosemary-thyme-oven-fries/

    http://www.domestifluff.com/2009/07/rosemary-thyme-oven-fries/

    I keep thinking about the garlic-lemon aioli that I made for Christmas Eve dinner. It was SO yummy that I desperately want an excuse to make it again for another dinner party, and I found one in these heavenly rosemary-thyme oven fries. Wouldn’t they be tasty dipped into garlic-lemon aioli? I love all those herbs and spices together.

    The flavors in both components are strong, so serve them with salmon cooked simply with salt and pepper, your favorite vegetable and a nice bread. Or, to make the menu gluten-free, just leave the bread out. It’s a casual family-style dinner, but you won’t be able to make it ahead. To make up for that, prepare dessert earlier with something easy, like cookies.

    Rosemary and Thyme, Garlic and Lemon Menu

    Main Courses:

    Dessert:

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