Mermaids & Margaritas

Friday night I hosted the Third Annual Mermaids and Margaritas party at my home.  My husband nick-named the group of ladies that I hang out with in the pool at the Denver Athletic Club The Mermaids and it stuck.  Our group goes through some of the toughest water aerobics workouts out there and occasionally I teach the class.
And how fitting that I had the teal mermaid vase on display in my kitchen with a dozen red galds in it.

Sheilagh, Annie, Jennifer and Beth enjoying "Robin's Margaritas" along with my guacamole and baked goat cheese.  I line one of my Spanish terra cotta cazuela dishes with corn husks;  I had soaked the corn husks in hot water to make them pliable.  I placed a large disc of goat cheese (with a little cream cheese added in) in the center of the corn husks.  The I poured a roasted tomato, onion, garlic and pasilla chili salsa around the cheese.  Bring the tops of the corn husk together and cover with tin foil.  Baked in a 350 oven for about 25 minutes.  Once out of the oven, I discarded the tin foil and then trimmed some of the corn husks to have an easier (and less messy) access to the dish.  I served it with tortilla chips.  Everyone loved it, there was barely any left.

Mary and Peggy enjoying a little margarita time with the RAM-BOB pinata in the background.  The pinata is from my Dad's 90th birthday bash and I decided he has to come out for all my parties on the patio!

Did Melinda and Sylvia plan the similar hair doos and outfits... Looking good ladies.

And Lorie and Anne too...

My creamy Gazpacho served in these little glasses from Gaujuye, the best store in San Miguel de Allende for glassware.  

 Esther waiting for the grilling to start.

Jennifer was my assistant for the evening.  First the buns were toasted.  The sliders are on the grill.  Always a big hit, Chorizo Pork Sliders with a special seasoning and grated jalapeno Monterrey jack cheese topped with a roasted poblano sauce.  Annie made sure she was here on time this year, she missed out on them last year because she had my address wrong and was driving all over trying to find my house.

Along with the sliders, I served a refreshing watermelon, arugula and feta cheese salad.  I have found that when you cut up the watermelon, you should put the cubes in a colander to drain for a few minutes to get rid of some of the excess watermelon juices.  

And for a little surprise dessert, I served frozen Espresso, Kahlua and sweetened condensed milk cubes in little hors d'oeuvre spoons.

Matina on her second "spiked" dessert.

The evening was not complete without a little dancing!  It was the perfect evening...  good weather, good food, good margaritas and good friends.

Viva Las Serinas!