Hurrah for the left coast and those of us who sampled the culture, cuisine and lifestyles. Well, now a resident of the right coast and cocktail parties are happening here. They are called fund raisers for all kinds of causes. Sad note, beer is served. I am a pushover for a manhattan or a gin martini and of course la senora is ready for a cosmopolitan. We discovered Tea Forte last summer and use the tea to infuse gin or vodka for cocktails oh my! A lemon grass infused gin with a splash of tonic goes well with a Ritz with butter or buffalo. ciao for now OZ. I need a drink.

Just a note on roasting peppers. Fire up the grill for best results. You want to blister and blacken the skin. Once the blackening is even place the peppers in a big baggie and allow them to steam until they're cool enough to handle. The skin will peel away pretty easily just using your fingers, but gentle scraping with the side of a spoon will remove tougher bits. Trim away the stem and scrape away the seeds and white membranes. Chop the peppers according to recipe instructions. This method works well on virtually any type of chili pepper. Try it with jalapenos and poblanos as well as sweeter varieties. Resist the urge to rinse the peppers once the skin is removed or you'll wash away the smoky roasted flavor. You can also do this stovetop but only if it is a gas appliance. Put a cooling rack over the burner, turn it on high, and start blistering. I have also used a propane torch. If your stove is electric you can do it under the broiler. Still, I like the flavor you get when you cook over wood charcoal.

OMG that recipe looks good. my life is complete. much grass...

I'm of the opinion that cocktail party finger foods should be salty/fatty and no bigger than two bites at the most. You don't want to mess with forks and plates--hence the necessity of those clever little square cocktail napkins.

The tasty morsels you serve will complement the cocktails you pour so don't worry about the perceived healthiness. Splurge--you don't eat like that every day.

You'll find that a food processor makes short work of the pimiento cheese recipe and a piping bag will make the canapes irresistable.

Start with one of those skinny loaves of Pepperidge farm party bread. Cut off the crusts and slice stacks of bread into quarters. Alternatively you could use different shape cookie cutters to cut out the bread bases. Brush the bread with melted butter and toast in a 350 oven until crisp and golden.

Here's the cheese part:

1/2 lb. aged sharp cheddar

1/2 lb. Irish white cheddar

4 oz. cream cheese

4 oz. mayonnaise

pinch of sugar

pinch of cayenne

dash of tabasco

salt and pepper

Shred the cheese and then combine the ingredients in the food processor until smooth.

3 fire roasted red bell peppers--stemmed, peeled and seeded--cut into 1/8-inch dice.

1 jalapeno--seeded and minced

Fold the peppers into the cheese.

This will keep in the fridge for a week or more but should be served at room temp.

To assemble: Use a piping bag with a big enough star tip to allow the cheese to pass easily. Pipe about a tablespoon in the center of each bread piece.

Now if I hear of any of you substituting low fat cream cheese or, god forbid, Miracle Whip, I have a whip of my own for you. Chow!

You know, cocktail party finger food ought to be fatty, salty, and no more than one or two bites. Finger food, by definition means you pick it up and eat it with your fingers--no fork--no plate. That's why those cute little square cocktail napkins are such a necessity. As to the fat and salt content--don't sweat it. you won't eat that kind of stuff every day and it won't kill you to splurge every now and then. Fatty/salty goes very nicely with the beverages you'll be pouring for your guests. Allright, allright already. Here's how to make that danged pimiento cheese canape. For starters get one of those skinny loaves of Pepperidge Farm bread--the kind that's already sliced thin. Trim the crusts and quarter the slices, brush with melted butter, put 'em on a sheet pan and bake at 350 until they're crisp and golden--10 to 12 minutes. Alternatively, you could use a fluted edge or clover leaf cookie cutter to make the bread more visually appealing. A food processor makes the cheese part come together really quickly. 1/2 # aged sharp cheddar 1/2 # Irish white cheddar 4 oz cream cheese 4 oz mayonnaise pinch of sugar pinch of cayenne several dashes tabasco 1/4t black pepper Grate the cheeses and then combine all this stuff in the food processor. transfer to a mixing bowl. Fire roast three red bell peppers. Remove the charred skins and get rid of the stems, seeds, and pits. Cut the peppers into 1/4-inch dice. Fold them into the cheese. Seed a fresh jalapeno and then mince it. Fold that in, too. The cheese will hold in the fridge for a week or so, but you should serve it at room temp. To assemble, use a piping bag with a fairly large tip (big enough so the pepper dice won't clog it) and pipe a tablespoon of cheese onto the bread base, This stuff has a high yum factor. Now if I hear tell that any of you make this with no fat mayo or Miracle whip, I'm coming after you with a whip of my own.

First on the list (if your in town) You and Carrie. If you give out the pimiento recipe, I want it as well.

oh oh. please for your pimiento cheese canapes...

Hey Kyle--throw that party, man! I'm happy to share any recipes. Think I could wrangle an invite?

That brought back some NOLA memories. At least my wife was not as bad off as I was and got me off the street (literaly)and in a cab and back to our room. Beware of the drink makers at the Court of two sisters, Bourbon street side. Great idea!! I am going to do this cocktail party thing.

Wild Red--kinda reminds me of the early days of CB radio--I took the advice of the disciple and opted not to ride that spinning wheel, but it just keeps turning anyhow. I have three words for you: Red Rooster Menudo.

De Nada!..And always remember the famous words of the Unknown Disciple of Guitar Sam..as he stared upward,spellbound by the sight of an overcrowded but broken down ferris wheel..while simultaneously removing the lint from his naval with his index finger...."I don't think I wanna ride THAT ride!"

Whew!!! Thanks, Wild Red. Now I can write again.

non-slavarmitch!!

I'll drink to that!