the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake the bread for 1 hour and 10 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean.
Tropical Fruit Brochettes
SERVES 6
INGREDIENTS:
½ cup shredded coconut
12 pound cake cubes, cut into one-inch squares
1 banana
12 strawberries
6 mango chunks
6 fresh pineapple chunks
6 bamboo skewers
METHOD:
1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2 Toast the coconut and the pound cake cubes in the oven for 10-15 minutes. Let cool.
3 Peel the banana and cut it into 6 chunks.
4 Thread one strawberry onto each skewer followed by a cube of pound cake, a banana chunk, a mango chunk, a pineapple chunk, another pound cake cube, and finish with a strawberry.
5 Sprinkle toasted coconut on the fruit.
Fish Tacos
SERVES 6
INGREDIENTS:
12 corn tortillas
1½ cup diced tomato
¼ cup diced onion
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
¼ cup diced avocado
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1½ pounds firm white fish, such as halibut or snapper
½ cup cornmeal, seasoned with salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup shredded purple cabbage
¼ cup tartar sauce
6 lime wedges
METHOD:
1 Warm the tortillas wrapped in paper towels in the microwave for 15 seconds and then wrap them in foil to keep them warm.
2 In a bowl, combine the diced tomato, onion, cilantro, avocado, and lemon juice. Set aside.
3 Cut fish into strips, dredge them in the cornmeal mixture, and sear them in olive oil for about 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
4 Break the fish into bite-sized chunks. Fill the warm tortillas with the fish.
5 Top the fish with the shredded cabbage, then the tomato/avocado mixture.
6 Serve with tartar sauce and lime wedges.
New Year's Eve with The Thin Man
Nora Charles
Dashiell Hammett, former Pinkerton detective and author of The Maltese Falcon, created the characters of Nick and Nora Charles in his detective novel, The Thin Man. Nick is a retired private detective and Nora a wealthy socialite whose personality was allegedly modeled after Hammett's lover, playwright Lillian Hellman. Myrna Loy brings Nora Charles to life in the movie rendition of the story, starring opposite William Powell as Nick. The witty banter between the Charleses provides comic relief while the plot thickens. Intrigue and murder are interwoven with constant cocktails and a party scene hosted by the Charleses in their luxury hotel suite. With a festive backdrop of glittering holiday decorations and a shiny, silver Christmas tree, Nora graciously shakes her martinis and totes a tray of stemware around the suite, offering drinks to her guests. Her witty perception of situations led to her reputation that one could not pull a fast one over on the no-nonsense Mrs. Charles. Being clever in a graceful and politic manner and a blend of humor, style, and a touch of sarcasm were Nora's hallmarks. The following party is the way Nora would spend New Year's Eve.
A Sophisticated New Year's Eve Party
Plan a tasteful dinner party to ring in the New Year with style, and serve your guests an elegant meal of rich, decadent dishes. Encourage your guests to wear formal party attire, such as tuxedos and Art Deco gowns with bangles and bobbles adorning their ears, necks, and wrists. (These may be found at a vintage clothing store or costume shop at reasonable prices.) Provide party tiaras, hats, and noisemakers for your guests and have jazz music playing as they arrive. Start your sophisticated soiree with the simple and elegant Caviar Puffs and cocktails. After the cocktail hour call the guests to the dinner table for an appetizer of Cornmeal Blinis drizzled with clarified butter and surrounded with red grapes. Follow the opener with a luscious Brie Fondue served with dippers of shrimp, bread cubes, and blanched vegetables. Finish the meal with Chocolate Champagne Truffles and a glass of bubbly. The Cognac-flavored truffles are rolled in tan-colored raw sugar making them look like Champagne bubbles. Provide the entertainment of several Thin Man movies and spend the midnight hour and beyond with Nora Charles.
Caviar Puffs
SERVES 8
INGREDIENTS:
1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
1 egg, beaten with 2 tablespoons water
½ cup sour cream
1 ounce black caviar
2 tablespoons chopped chives
METHOD:
1 Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2 Cut shapes, such as stars or flowers, out of the puff pastry sheet with a cookie cutter and put them on a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet.
3 Brush the pastry with the beaten egg mixture.
4 Bake the pastry for 15 minutes, turn the oven down to 325 degrees F, and bake for 10 minutes more.
5 Cool the pastry before garnishing.
6 Garnish each pastry with a teaspoon of sour cream, a ¼ teaspoon of caviar, and a sprinkle of chives.
Cornmeal Blinis
SERVES 8
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup cornmeal
½ teaspoon salt
1½ cups boiling water
2 eggs
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