Dinner Party on the Grill

I finally had my work buddies over to show off my cooking and play some badass Guitar Hero. Of course my 5 and 6 year olds totally showed us up. Inspired by the delicious sliders at the Super Why event at the Stanford Park Hotel and the mini hamburger rolls from Whole Foods I decided to make those. I also know these chickies love them a good burger and one even volunteered her mad grilling skilz. I googled "gourmet sliders" and "sliders recipe" and surprise, surprise, that's a bit of an oxymoron to many internet dwellers. In fact I stumbled upon a lively discussion on Chowhound on how to make good old fashion slippery White Castle burgers. Baby food beef, chicken livers, real ground beef, onions and bacon and beer? It was fascinating. And then I found the actual recipe, including video, from the hotel itself.

I took some ideas from everywhere. I mixed up 85/15 beef with worchestire and dried onions (my exes recipe) and rolled them out in a cookie sheet, scored square burgers (12 for 2 lbs) and stuck it in the freezer to break apart the next day. We served them with carmelized onions, sauteed mushrooms and gruyere cheese melted on top. We supplimented the rolls with Honey Wheat Hawaiin rolls, and I think I may just use those next time, better size and nice and soft. The tasted yummier than they looked, so yummy one of my guests made them the next night.

We served that with grilled marinated veggie kabobs, roasted potatoes (tiny taters wrapped in foil with olive oil, lemon pepper, salt and rosemary thrown on the grill), and a salad. Donovan stuck with chips and cherry tomatoes -can you believe the dogs ate all the pickles and roasted peppers from this colorful tray? Keegan loved the burgers.

And finally, red velvet cupcakes. I used to bring baked goods all the time, and one favorite was blondies. One of the women used to bring red velvet cupcakes from Sugar Butter Flour, which were awesome, and I've been trying to duplicate the recipe, or at least make something she loves. (Side note, check out the odd looking robot like cake, we had that made for a corporate event - it's a semiconductor manufacturing tool). These were delicious, with frosting made from marscapone, cream cheese, whipped cream and a relatively small amount of powdered sugar (and vanilla). I never had red velvet cupcakes, still can't wrap my mouth/hands around the taste of them, but who doesn't love a pink frosted cupcake? Keegan, that's who, he opted for ice cream.

Donovan was so dissapointed we only made vegetable kabobs (Keegan helped with those, Donovan refused to touch anything beyond two zucchinis) that we made fruit ones the next morning. He'd made these in preschool so was an experienced kabober. Cantalope, apricots, pears and peaches. I know, they were very orange.

The Cool Gene is not from their Mom

Over yonder at Silicon Valley Moms I posted about how since I could never be cool, I will now live vicariously through my cool kids. I have no shame. These guys are now extreme skateboarders in training, literally, as they're taking skateboard classes once a week. That should do it. You can also find 'em amongst the true afficienados at the new Mayfair park in East San Jose.

And now they've managed to add to their portfolio, due to the obsession in this house with Guitar Hero. Yes, my boys manage to beat the San Jose Earthquakes at Guitar Hero. This was at their recent season ticket holder event, and we rocked the house. This huge crowd gathered when two little boys seemed to be the only ones to actually finish a song, not to mention Keegan belting out "What I want" by Linken Park. There was a slight delay between the music and the little colored lights, which stymied the teenage boys and the players, but not my boys.

Watch out Pablo, RJ and Shea, because next thing you know, they'll be taking over your spots ont the field too.

Mommy's Little Rock Stars

The other day my son said he wanted to be either a rock star, a scientist or a professional soccer player. Uh, sweetie, you can be all three. In fact, why don't you do that. Hate to crush his little hero worship of daddy the soccer coach, but frankly I'd rather have him aim for something that makes a little more money, comes with a bit more security, then he can always fall back on these other things. Although I have to admit, rock star would be totally awesome.

It started with the Wii Guitar Hero, then the kids got these wicked cool blow up guitars at a concert at the Mountain View Community School of Music and Arts (totally great place to see a concert, by the way, and only takes donations, my kind of place.). They have also become quite the connoisseurs of good music, thanks to my husband. In my car they insist on Bon Jovi (the "hey hey" song, long story), Bill Harley and Daffy Dave, while David Lindley has become the favorite artist to sing along to in dad's Jeep. In fact stay tuned for that video. In the meantime, get your rock on here.