Coronado Concert in the Park: Feeling a Little Blue

Liquid and/or Blue was our culinary theme of the evening for the return of Liquid Blue, a high-energy dance band. It was a challenge to think outside the blueberry box, but we did and there wasn't a blueberry to be found.

Bluefin Tuna Nigiri beautifully prepared and styled by Holli

We don't really judge other people by their picnics because we're too busy being our own worst critics. There's always a little competitiveness in the group, but it keeps us striving to excel in our cooking, plating, and photography.

Of course, Holli lived up to her own high standards with blue everything...fish, cocktail, platter, tablecloth, napkins, blouse and husband.

Blue Hawaiian Punch

Nice try Kai with your ahi disguised as bluefin sashimi...even your daughter and her friends were on to you in no time. Kidding, your dishes always rock. But don't be surprised when Olivia starts begging you to take her to Saiko Sushi when the toro comes in on Thursdays...and please invite me to join you ;-)

Kai's "Bluefin" Sashimi

Discriminating palates

Glazing the Bluefin with a little Shoyu

I contemplated various dishes with blue cheese, blueberries, or blue corn chips, but I had a craving for jambalaya. Like Kai, I took the easy way out by inserting Blue in the name of my dish: Blue Bayou Jambalaya. It's not really Blue Bayou Jambalaya, as in the jambalaya served at Disneyland's Blue Bayou restaurant, but this one from Donald Link's Real Cajun. I will keep making this incredibly flavorful jambalaya again and again (layers and layers of flavor with holy trinity, roast chicken and homemade broth, Cajun-style andouille, and a kick-your-butt spice mix), but my only complaint is that the rice never gets cooked quite enough trying to cook it in the pot with everything else. Next time, I think I'll cook the rice separately until al dente and then throw it back into the big pot to finish cooking. This jambalaya is really better the next day and I'm glad there was a little left over for breakfast!

"Blue Bayou" Jambalaya

Blue Cheese was represented well in the remaining dishes with Alec's Mushroom and Blue Cheese Stromboli, Hillari's Apple, Blue Cheese and Walnut Tartlets, Kellee's Blue Corn Chips served with Trader Joe's Blue Cheese Roasted Pecan Dip, and Crostini.

Alec slicing the Stromboli

Nina chilling with a Blue Hawaiian

Hillari's Tartlets

Alec showing off his new hairdo

Chips and Dip

Random Cuteness

Hillari's Toes

Dogs hanging out on "Dog Row"

Liquid Blue

If you're still feeling a little blue and in search of a blueberry fix, you can find it here with Blueberry Pumpkin Seed Energy Bars, here with Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes, or here with Thomas Keller's Blueberry Cobbler.

Blue jeans are the most beautiful things since the gondola. - Diana Vreeland

Cheers,
Denise & Trapper