Coronado Concert in the Park: It Never Rains at Hotel California

Thankfully, it didn't pour and the drizzle didn't keep us away from Concert in the Park with Desperado, an Eagles tribute band, and a fabulous spread of food inspired by Eagles' songs. Hotel California was a popular song choice and we even had Alec's custom sign to set the stage. I've seen the sign hanging on the wall in his home and it seems when you live in Southern California, especially in a home on or near the beach, your home becomes a hotel for visiting friends. The sign was a gift from friends who visited often.

Hotel California

Mirrors on the ceiling,

The pink champagne on ice

And she said "We are all just prisoners here, of our own device"

And in the master's chambers,

They gathered for the feast

They stab it with their steely knives,

But they just can't kill the beast

We welcomed Alec, Nina and Sonoma back in town after their annual trip to the East Coast to visit family and friends. They shared a big platter of Alec's signature Smoked Paprika Shrimp, which are enjoyed often at Hotel ALifornia, and a bottle of Pink Champagne on Ice.

Alec arriving with his Hotel ALifornia Smoked Paprika Shrimp

Pink Champagne on Ice

Michelle and Becky went in together on a Honey-Baked Ham, disguised as a beast. It appears they were successful killing the beast with their steely knives.

Honey-Baked Ham Beast

Peaceful Easy Feeling

I like the way your sparkling earrings lay,

Against your skin, it's so brown.

And I wanna sleep with you in the desert tonight

With a billion stars all around.

'Cause I got a peaceful easy feeling,

And I know you won't let me down

'cause I'm already standing on the ground.

Holli tore up the kitchen with two dishes for Concert in the Park, and a third (Summer Peach Crostini) for a second party later in the evening. It was quite PEAS-ful standing in the light rain, nibbling on her Peas-ful Easy Feeling Sweet Pea Crostini. There was a nice kick from the red pepper flakes and a bit of salt and crunch from crispy prosciutto.  As you'll see a bit later down this post, we also sucked and slurped on Holli's Tequila Sunrise Popsicles.

Holli's PEAS-ful Easy Feeling Crostini

The Greeks Don't Want No Freaks

So put a great big smile on them rosy cheeks, 

'Cause the Greeks don't want no freaks 

No, the Greeks don't want no freaks 

Said, the Greeks don't want no freaks 

Pammy went Greek with her Lamb Souvlaki Sandwiches with Greek Salad and Tsatsiki Sauce. 

Michelle and Pam

Good Day In Hell

Move in, 

Can't you see she wants you 

She has you deep in her eyes 

You been wond'rin' why she haunts you 

Beauty in the devil's disguise 

She can tell you all about it 

She sees it in the stars 

She'll burn you if you try to put her down

Jim flew solo with James Dean's Good Day in Hell Meatballs. Although he has impressed us with his culinary skills the past two Sundays, I'm sure he misses Carmen as much as we do. We're thinking of you and hope you're able to come home soon.

Good Day in Hell Meatballs

Kai made a few batches of Eagle Wings - "Take it to the Limit" spicy wings for the adults and a tamer version for the kids. Somehow I missed snapping a photo of the wings, but was able to capture Hillari's  culinary masterpiece Already Gone. Cute, Hill, but next time you'll have to eat your lunch all by yourself ;-)

Already Gone

Steve and Cindy, the New Kid(s) in Town, came down from Del Mar with Mary and Geoff. Cindy made Shrimp Spring Rolls.

It's always a welcome surprise to see Mary and Geoff, and we're glad they can make it down the coast to a few concerts during the season. Made famous by The Eagles' Hotel California, the Beverly Hills Hotel inspired Mary to prepare a few items off the Hotel's Polo Lounge Menu. Afternoon Tea in the Polo Lounge features a selection of miniature savory canapés and tea sandwiches, including Curried chicken salad, grapes, and almonds on marble rye. Carrot Cake with Carmel Sauce and Rum Raisin Ice Cream is offered on the dinner dessert menu. Not sure which recipes she used, but this chicken curry salad looks pretty close: Curried Chicken Salad with Grapes and Cashews. I loved her carrot cake and will try to add a link to the recipe, but these are also fantastic carrot cake recipes in my opinion: Classic Carrot Layer Cake with Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting or Carrot and Pineapple Cake.

Mary's Curried Chicken Salad with Grapes and Cashews

Mary's Carrot Cake

And speaking of surprises...when we see Holli's ice chest arrive on scene, it's tough to refrain from peeking inside before the unveiling. She set the standard pretty high when she toted an ice chest full of uni and quail eggs a few weeks back, but Sunday's Tequila Sunrise Popsicles were trendy, fun and thoroughly enjoyed by all - especially the boys.

Tequila Sunrise

It's another tequila sunrise,

stirrin slowly across the sky,

I said goodbye,

he was just a hired hand,

workin on the dreams he planned to try,

the days go by.

Holli's Tequila Sunrise Popsicles

Jim

Brent

"Take It Easy"

Well, I'm running down the road tryin' to loosen my load 

I've got seven women on my mind, 

Four that wanna own me, 

Two that wanna stone me, 

One says she's a friend of mine 

Take It easy, take it easy 

I know I'm missing some dishes and am not even sure I have credited all who contributed. Holli took notes for me but the Trapper-Man promptly found and chewed them up. Seriously, my dog ate my homework. Peri made the Take it Easy Cakes pictured below and I believe she also made Witchy Woman Sandwiches. I believe Teri made the Take the Devil Deviled Eggs. When you don't have time to cook, or are Desperado for something to bring, we always welcome one of Tartine's Lemon Tarts - thanks Kellee!

Peri's Take it EZ Cakes

Finally, for my contribution! When I started going through Eagles' song lyrics for anything food related, I came across Seven Bridges Road and stopped right there when I saw thyme sweetened honey. I found a few recipes that sounded interesting, but was sold when I stumbled across the gorgeous photo of Sunflower Honey Panna Cotta with Salted Honey Caramel in La Cucina Italiana magazine. The honey caramel also contains flecks of minced thyme. Chopped pineapple and toasted pine nuts garnish the top. This is a decadent and elegant dessert and one that I will definitely make again. I used orange honey, but will try to track down the sunflower honey next time. I will also add a little more gelatin to the panna cotta because it didn't firm up quite enough. A little sprig of thyme as an additional garnish would also be nice.

Seven Bridges Road

There are stars in the Southern sky

And if ever you decide

You should go

There is a taste of thyme sweetened honey

Down the Seven Bridges Road...

Sunflower Honey Panna Cotta with Salted Honey Caramel

Becky and Hillari enjoying the rain in Southern California

Brent's Bottle of Zin encroaching on my song!

Pammy brought Archie by for a quick visit before the concert

Aaron Broering, Desperado

Sorry I chewed up the notes, mom

For next week's theme, we must make something liquid or blue in honor of the great dance band Liquid Blue. This band is high energy and everyone loved them two years ago. They cancelled last summer, so let's hope they show on Sunday. Liquid choices are abundant and obvious blues are blueberries and blue cheese, but let's see who thinks outside the box.

Cheers,
Denise & Trapper