September 2010
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Holy Guacamole!

August 28, 2010

Back in June, my Restaurant Club decided to have a guac-off. What’s that, you ask? It’s a friendly little competition amongst a few friends who love food to see who can make the best guacamole! Julie and her husband Ryan hosted the little gathering in their apartment in Battery Park City, and we decided to make it a Mexican fiesta potluck. Here’s how things went down.

Guac Off
Only four of us entered the contest: Sara, Ryan, Lori and me

Guac Off
Aidan didn’t think Post-its were a good way to number the bowls.

Guac Off
The taste test - everyone’s a critic!

Guac Off

Guac Off
Baby Liam, our expert judge, thought all of the guacs were delish!

Guac Off
Based on everyone’s votes, Lori proved to be the guacamole master chef!

Guac Off
Restaurant Club ladies (and Julie’s boys)

Guac Off
Fiesta time - there were fish tacos with Baja sauce, tamales, zucchini and black bean enchiladas, salad, rice and beans. Oh yah, and guacamole.

Guac Off
We also celebrated Sara’s graduation from grad school

Guac Off
Julie is our Cake Boss - how clever are these little graduation cupcakes!

Final Family Dinner at Camp Fern

August 8, 2010

Our last weekend in the Hamptons brought another new Ferner into the mix, and what better way to welcome our friend Angela than with one of our infamous family dinners. I arrived Friday morning and immediately started planning with the girls. Special requests were made, and a shopping list was created. On the menu: chicken shish kebabs, salmon, quinoa salad, and some sort of veggie salad I planned to make up from whatever I found at the farm stand. I love cooking for my friends!

Final Camp Fern Family Dinner
Chef Jen in the kitchen

Final Camp Fern Family Dinner
Kebabs on the grill - chicken marinated in a soy-lime sauce, skewered with onions and zucchini

Final Camp Fern Family Dinner
Salmon marinated in the same soy-lime sauce

Final Camp Fern Family Dinner
Quinoa salad with grilled eggplant, sauteed zucchini and yellow squash, red bell pepper and onion

Final Camp Fern Family Dinner
Grilled corn salad, with cherry tomatoes, basil (from our herb garden), lime juice, salt and pepper

Final Camp Fern Family Dinner
The kebabs

Final Camp Fern Family Dinner
Dinner’s ready!

Final Camp Fern Family Dinner
My kinda dinner!

Clam Bake at Atlantic Beach

July 20, 2010

Having lived in San Diego, I’ve been to my share of bonfires, but never to a clam bake. I guess it’s more of an East coast thing to do, and now I know what I’ve been missing! We heard about this fantastic event through a friend and promptly signed up. We arrived in time to make some new friends and enjoy a few pre-dinner drinks (none for me, since I was the driver for the night). As the sun was setting, the food arrived - freshly steamed clams, mussels, lobsters and corn on the cob! What a decadent feast. Afterwards, we enjoyed clear skies and bright stars, bonfires and s’mores, quite a perfect summer night in the Hamptons.

Clam Bake
Week 3 Ferners: Heather, me, Emily, Paige, Amy and Nicki

Clam Bake
The crowd

Clam Bake
The beach

Clam Bake
Amy and Heather

Clam Bake
Nicki and Heather

Clam Bake
Emily and Paige

Clam Bake

Clam Bake

Clam Bake
Mussels and clams and lobsters, oh yum!

Clam Bake
I could only fit this much on my plate. This did not stop me from shamelessly going back for more clams and mussels. A few times.

Clam Bake
Lobster makes Heather savage.

Clam Bake
Paige had a friendly lobster.

Clam Bake

Clam Bake

Rainy Day = Family Dinner at Camp Fern

July 12, 2010

Week 2 at Camp Fern - Saturday started out hot and humid, and after a few hours at the beach, a crazy rain storm hit the Hamptons. Everyone was wiped out from a rough week at work, and family dinner was the perfect remedy. We loved having a grill and a big kitchen. This time it was soy-lime marinated chicken, burgers, hot dogs, asparagus, green beans, corn on the cobb and salads. We eat well at Camp Fern!

Rainy Day BBQ
Grill Master Paige

Rainy Day BBQ
Quinoa salad with lots of veggies

Rainy Day BBQ
Green salad with lots of other veggies

Rainy Day BBQ
Asparagus and green beans, cooked on the grill

Rainy Day BBQ
Burgers, chicken, and a veggie dog

Rainy Day BBQ
Yummy!

Rainy Day BBQ
Don’t forget dessert! Did you know you can also make s’mores over a gas grill?

Grillin’ Girls

July 7, 2010

Two of our requirements for a summer house in the Hamptons were a good kitchen and a grill. We all love to eat, and most of us like to cook. On Friday night, after our beach stroll, we put together a couple of healthy salads, and threw some veggies, burgers and dogs (veggie for Lori and me!) on the grill. It was a great team effort, with delicious results!

BBQ
While Emily and Heather went to pick up Nicki from the train station, Lori and Paige fired up the grill and enjoyed a lovely rosé. I documented the evening.

BBQ

BBQ

BBQ
Paige proved to be an expert at the grill.

BBQ
Salad with red lettuce (from the farmers market), tomatoes, cucumbers and mango, and a tangy vinaigrette.

BBQ
Quinoa salad with green beans, red bell pepper, zucchini, tomatoes, and onion.

BBQ
Zucchini from the farmers market

BBQ
Beef dogs and veggie dogs

BBQ
My plate - corn (also from the farmers market) was also cooked on the grill.

This delicious meal was made with love and devoured with pride by the girls of Camp Fern!