New Chapter, Who Dis? — Janda's Kitchen

If we only posted on here when we had a killer recipe to share, then we wouldn't have much content for you (we're amateurs, remember?). So we decided we're going to utilize this blog to document other kinds of culinary endeavors and general musings about food too.

Internet, I know we don't know each other very well yet but Allan and I are amidst some hefty life changes so this is probably a good place for you to jump in. This past month, we got married, went on a honeymoon and moved from Arizona to a cute little rental home in California. Life feels like the opening credits in Shrek 2 where "Accidentally in Love" by the Counting Crows is playing and it is a jolly good time. Thankfully, things are starting to settle down and we're finding our groove, but this month was one we want to remember every bit of—especially the food.

Shores of La Jolla: location of our very first date and wedding

Why have ring bears when you can have a ring DOGS :)

We had our wedding at Scripps Seaside Forum in La Jolla, California and Coast Catering did the best job with the food. We told them that we wanted our menu be reminiscent of Roy's Pacific Rim Cuisine—one of our favorite restaurants featuring Hawaiian/Asian food—and they delivered just that. We actually had two tastings with them in advance to nail down our mains and because they suggested so many incredible options and because we wanted to eat their cooking as many times as we could. One of the best parts of wedding planning was creating a menu full of our favorite things and then being able to serve it to all our favorite people.

We are definitely going to try our hand at recreating these delectable things in our kitchen in this coming chapter (and we'll add the professional pictures of them once we get them back from the photographer):

Starters

Tuna Tartare Taco
Crispy Wonton | Tuna Poke | Wasabi Aioli | Mango Salsa | Micro Green
Kobe Beef Slider
Provolone | Bacon | Caramelized Onions | Heirloom Tomato Aioli | Brioche Bun
Mini Grilled Cheese (Vegetarian)
Grilled Cheese | Rustic Bread | Truffle Aioli | Gruyere Cheese

Plated Salad

Mains

Char Miso Marinated Yellowtail
Crispy Sushi Rice Croquette | Wasabi Lime Butter Sauce | Ginger French Carrots | Sweet Soy Drizzle
Char Siu Slow Braised Boneless Beef Short Rib
Purple Potato & Scallion Puree | Baby Bok Choy & Shitake Mushrooms | Chive Infused Oil
Gnocchi (Vegetarian)
Toasted Walnuts | Petite Arugula | Vodka Cream Sauce | Parmesan
Roasted Vegetable Timbale (Vegan)
Portobello Mushroom | Eggplant | Tofu | Heirloom Tomato | Red Pepper & Tamari Vinaigrette
Crispy Chicken Tenders (Child)
Mac-N-Cheese | Farmers Market Seasonal Fruit

Dessert

Mini Chocolate Macadamia Nut Torte
Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee Tartlet
Meyer Lemon Bar | Whipped Cream | Blueberry

Cake
Unfortunately, the caterer didn't have any desserts that they could make allergy-free in bulk to feed the masses (especially in a catering kitchen where the risk of cross contamination from the other desserts was high). BUT FEAR NOT, I still got to enjoy dessert! We picked up a vanilla cake from Starry Lane Bakery for me to eat and so we could do the traditional cake-cutting thing :)

Late-Night Snack (and the best part of the night)

Placeholder picture of the carne asada fries until we get the professional ones :)

Libations (see sign below)