Foodbuzz 24×24: La Primavera World Block Party

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If I am a reflection of the people in my life, then I must be like the brightest star shining in the sky… In early January, Serendipity waved her hand and decided that it was long overdue for some of the most important people in my life to finally meet each other. That changed when I decided to run a 5K that would benefit SEEDS. My friend Courtney here in NC joined in. My longest friend Christina who lives in NYC decided to fly down. My sister Keyla who lives in Maine couldn’t bear the thought of missing the fun and bought a flight as well. And Maria, another friend who lives in NYC (around the block from Christina!) decided to come too! Oh, yes. Serendipity waved her hand. And this meant one thing and one thing only. UNA FIESTA!!!!!!!!!!

Little did I know, Serendipity was not finished waving her hand. Oh, yes, she waved her hand once again. Our 5K race was scheduled for March 26th. And this month’s Foodbuzz 24×24 Challenge was scheduled for March 26th. This meant one thing and one thing only. I had to enter the contest! The rules were straightforward… come up with a theme party and Foodbuzz would help support the theme coming to fruition.

My friends and I are a Benetton ad (or UN poster) waiting to happen! So, to celebrate the spring equinox, our eclectic cultures, new and old friendships, and sustainable living, I decided to plan a ‘spring-time around the world theme party.’ The food centered around: a) local, fresh, vegetarian food, b) a cultural fusion of our Portuguese, Venezuelan, Hawaiian, African American, Puerto Rican, Jewish, Cajun, Irish, Italian, French, and Brazilian backgrounds, and c) a number of great causes—SEEDS, supporting friends, setting and accomplishing goals, paying homage to the spring, and sustaining our local farms. Everyone was encouraged to wear clothes that represent spring time and/or their culture(s). And throughout the night we listened to music from our various cultures. Following the tradition of my monthly ‘jam’ group, everyone was encouraged to bring instruments to dinner and following the meal we played music capoeira music and then danced to salsa, merengue, and bachata. I even gave an impromptu samba lesson!

Oh, but you want to hear about the food. I know you do. The food was the star of the show. And to ensure that each dish received its proper attention, I rolled the food out over the course of the night (starting at 6pm and going until midnight!). Each time there was a new dish ready to come out, I would hit the side of a glass with a fork. Everyone cheered knowing that a new delectable treat was coming out. And then I gave a short description of the dish, my motivation for making it, and the cultures it represented.

I’ll be posting the recipes for the dishes over the course of the next week or so, but just so you do not have to wait, I’ll give you a sneak peak of the menu. We had…

1. Pasteles de Goiaba (Guava pastries)

2. Queso de Cabra (Goat cheese and tomatoes) with Fresh Ciabatta

3. Vegetarian Moqueca (Brazilian stew) with Citrus-Scented Rice

4. Jalapeno-Guava Glazed Tofu Napoleons with Grilled Vidalia Onion

5. Jamaican Pattie Canapes with Bok Choy, Carrot, and Mushroom Slaw

6. Indian-Spiced Blue Sweet Potato Hash

7. Garden Greens with Citrus-Herb Vinaigrette

8. Abacaxi com Cilantro (Pineapple with Cilantro; palate cleanser)

9. Vanilla-Saffron Shortbread

10. Strawberry Salsa with Amaretto Sweet Cream

11. Coconut-Lime Flan

12. Cranberry-Ginger Punch

Oh, I was cooking for a week (with a looming deadline for work…which is why I’ve been MIA for a bit)… but it was SOOOOOOOOO worth it! The night was nothing short of magical. I was telling my sister, during one of our many kitchen bonding moments, that every single person at the party, every single one of them was amazing. I realized that I had no mediocre, kinda cool, somewhat ok people in my life. Every single person is spectacular. So spectacular that it brought me to tears. I almost feel unworthy to have so many wonderful, stunningly spirited people in my life–people with whom I can share the blessing of food and positivity in a world that can be full of such despair some times. This party left me speechless (not an easy thing to do). And when I am speechless, my go to is Gibran. So I leave you with a quote, “Your friend is your needs answered. He is your field which you sow with love and reap with thanksgiving. And he is your board and your fireside. For you come to him with your hunger, and you seek him for peace….For in the dew of the little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.”

 

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Tiffany M. Griffin is the woman behind Como Water, Washington DC’s premiere veg-centric cuisine consulting company. Through cooking classes, demonstrations, catering, and consultations, Como Water gives people the opportunity to learn how to prepare veg-centric cuisine that boasts maximum flavor, with minimal effort. Tiffany is quickly becoming a go-to expert on the future of veg-centric cuisine, and is a regular contributor to Como Water, the blog, as well as to vegetarian and vegan sites across the Internet. For over a decade, this self-taught, entrepreneurial expert has developed a set of tried and true techniques for making simple, delicious, and sometimes decadent veg-centric dishes. Featured on the Steve Harvey Show and other leading media outlets, Tiffany was born and raised in Springfield, MA. She then earned Bachelors degrees in Psychology and Communications from Boston College and a PhD in Social Psychology from the University of Michigan. She now resides in Washington DC, where she has worked in the US Senate and at a federal agency on issues around health, food, nutrition, and international food aid/development, and of course, as the owner of Como Water. Tiffany gets culinary inspiration from the food she grew up eating, and from her travels throughout Latin America, the Caribbean, Western Europe, and Sub-Saharan Africa. She is dedicated to sharing her wealth of knowledge on veg-centric cuisine with others and to help others live by her mantra—love life, live long, and eat veg-centric cuisine!

Comments

  1. Bravo, Bravo! So thrilled that you were chosen for the 24×24. I know that even though it was lots of work all around, you enjoyed it. Looking forward to your recipes. Now it’s time to chillaz.

  2. The food looks as delicious as it sounds! I’m so sorry to have missed this wonderful dinner, and eagerly awaiting eating with you again 🙂

  3. Delicious. I was honored to be part of such a tasty meal in the company of such an eclectic group. If tied down and forced to choose, the Moqueca would have been my favorite item of the evening. The Jalapeno-Guava Glazed Tofu Napoleons with Grilled Vidalia Onion a close second. But, it was really the combination of all the flavors that made the meal. It was made only better by watching capoiera and playing the cowbell afterward. It was so good, but I was too full to eat more last night, so I feigned being too tired and cold to bike home and crashed at Courtney’s. Really I just had hopes of snagging some morning leftovers. Hehe. Courtney may have seen right through it, but she still whipped up some tasty omelets with the Jamaican slaw as filling. Just as good on take two. Thanks again Tiffany and Courtney for a lovely time!

  4. Tiffany, what an amazing weekend (despite all my work craziness). So hard to pick my favorites because everything was SOO yummy. But if I had to chose a sweet and a savory, it would be the flan and the moqueca. Heavenly. The guava empanadas and queso de cabra are close seconds, and well just everything :)…even the tofu! I guess I can’t say I don’t like tofu anymore – I had a feeling that would happen. It was so great to meet your friends, and it only makes sense that they are all so amazing. I look forward to this becoming an annual event. I will get my capoeira down, and maybe even my samba. Thanks for spoiling me with delicious food and great company, and for making the 5K run so fun. Miss you already!

  5. Wow!! What a wonderful evening you had, I’m impressed at all of the dishes that you put together and how you gave them all a little introduction. Super fun.
    I love that photo of you holding the platter, and the sign of a wonderful evening is right behind you, the faces of the couple say it all. Such happiness! I’m so glad you were chosen for 24×24. Very nicely done!!

  6. Your quote made me cry! Looks like you had an amazing time with so many great friends. I was going to say you are very lucky but It’s not luck you must deserve them!
    Can’t wait for all the recipes the food looks gorgeous..

  7. What a feast. Well done on the 5K and the cooking marathon! Can’t wait for the recipes.

  8. Wow! You sure know how to throw a party and with great friends! Bravo on the 5K, en plus; what a gal. An amazing menu, too!

  9. What a fantastic party Tiffany! I am so looking forward to reading the recipes… the menu sounds amazing! Lots of work, but isn’t it fulfilling to work for someone you love and who appreciates what you do? 🙂

  10. Looks like you guys had an amazing time. Great story. Thanks for sharing.

  11. What a feast! I can’t wait to see all the recipes! Hooray for you 🙂

  12. Definitely an evening to remember. Great company, nice tunes, and of course AMAZING food. I told a friend yesterday that “Tiffany put her foot in every single one of these dishes!!!” I know it sounds kinda gross, but that’s a black southern’s way of saying that the food was extraordinary. Going along with Marisa, if I have to choose, I’d say the moqueca was my fav…..the pasteles were rockin my world too. I’m still in awe that you pulled off such a spectacular menu, with a range of flavors that all complemented one another. Thanks for giving us a reason to celebrate. We’re all blessed to have you as a friend too!!

  13. Looks like you had a blast. The food sounds incredible to. Congrats on the 5 k.

  14. Goodness does this look like the most fun fiesta EVER!

    I can’t wait for you to share your and your friends’ festive recipes – and congrats on the 5K!

  15. What a fun and memorable night!

  16. You are truly talented to be able t run a 5K and then have this magnificent, eclectic party with wonderful food, music, and friends!

  17. Congrats on 24×24!Looks like you had great time!

  18. it looks like you had a great 24×24 🙂 grats!

  19. That was an amazing and fun post…congrats to the 5k!!

  20. This looks amazing!!! The menu sounds incredible (especially the vegetable moqueca)…I can’t wait until you post the recipes. It’s lovely to see your beautiful, diverse group of friends enjoying good food, music (a berimbau, I see!) and fellowship. Wish I could have been there!

  21. What fantastic fun and what a stunning smile you have 🙂

  22. Friends are priceless. What a wonderful way to celebrate together!

  23. i wish i could have joined you all- looks like a great time!

  24. so great that so many people in your life could get together! Theresa

  25. Congrats on being selected you did a marvelous job!

  26. Wonderful menu. Can’t wait to see the recipes. 🙂

  27. Looks like an awesome party! Great food and great company. And I love how you celebrated so many cultures together.

  28. Wow, seemed like a great party! The menu looks amazing Never tried a veggie moqueca, but I’m sure it was delicious. Congrats!

  29. What an amazing party you had It looks like everyone had a lot of fun. Your food looks and sounds fabulous. I’d say you pulled off a great 24×24 🙂

  30. Benetton ad … I like that! 🙂 You guys are all sooo beautiful! Looks like an amazing time. Congrats on 24×24!

  31. I would love to be invited to your next party. It’s great that FoodBuzz does this event because it enables us to find bloggers we like…and I like your spirit (and food!).

    • Thanks Joan!

  32. Thanks for all of the comments! Friends… thank you for being amazing and for fellowshipping with me! Foodie friends–I wish you ALL could have been there and I can’t wait to hear what you think about the recipes from the night!

  33. The food looks great. Looks like everyone had a great time. Congrats on completing the 5K!

  34. What a great gathering and menu! So happy you were chosen for 24×24. You did a beautiful job!