Pink Flamingo Dinner - 2019

[tony b]

Saturday was this year's fabulous Pink Flamingo dinner. 

Appetizer was a salmon mousse, with house cold smoked salmon, with beet crackers. 

First course is always shrimp (Flamingo's favorite food!) cooked on the pink hibachi grill. This year I tried a new trick to get pink pasta - I cooked it in red wine. Had some color, but still searching for the perfect technique. Shrimp was marinated in ponzu and the pasta sauce was a black and roasted garlic butter sauce. 

Main course was grilled Flamingo (chicken thighs marinated in Alabama White Sauce with a bit of Uncle Dougie's wing marinade tossed in for the color.) I did manage to get a shot of them on the grill. A bit fuzzy on this shot - was running back and forth between the indoor kitchen and outside. 

Plated with Madagascar Pink Rice.

Dessert was homemade strawberry ice cream, with Pink Flamingo sugar cookies.

Still packing away all the decorations and stuff until next year's dinner! 

[tekobo]

That must have taken some planning @tony b!  Pink is a lovely colour and good to see you honouring it in food. Always a flamingo or could we see Pink Panther next year??  Yum.  

[ckreef]

Looks great. Yes inquiring minds want to know - what is the reasoning behind pink flamingo? 

 

[MacKenzie]

I wonder if beets sugar crystals would colour your past? Another fun night I'm sure, lots of laughs and tasty food. I know it puts a smile on my face. 

[Tyrus]

Lot of work Toney and nicely done, after that was done I would preferred something a little stronger than the Lagranja, before the guests arrived.

[Tucker]

Looks great, alot of fun.

btw, have you ever seen Monty Pythons Meaning of Life?

"the salmon mousse"

~5:20 

 

 

[tony b]

3 hours ago, Tucker said:

btw, have you ever seen Monty Pythons Meaning of Life?

"the salmon mousse"

Indeed! It is the inspiration for this dish, but I try not to have the same consequences for my dinner guests - and me! 

[Tyrus]

Great video, something Toney should have shown prior to dinner....do you think?

[tony b]

9 hours ago, tekobo said:

Always a flamingo or could we see Pink Panther next year??

Yes, I have far too much invested in flamingo gear to switch gears now. But, Pink Panther would make a fun theme, too! "Excuse me, but is that your minky? Do you have a lysounce for that minky?" "Does you dog bite?" 

8 hours ago, ckreef said:

Yes inquiring minds want to know - what is the reasoning behind pink flamingo? 

Started many years ago on a whim as a fun theme for a dinner party, based upon the prank at the time of folks covering your front lawn in the plastic flamingos, we're talking dozens!, with the provision that you had to make a donation to their charity to get them to come back and remove them. So, I was inspired to take to the next level. Took a long time to collect all the gear - plates, glasses, decorations, etc. Even now, I'm still adding stuff to it as I run across it. Now friends and family gift me items that they find out and about. 

[tony b]

5 hours ago, MacKenzie said:

I wonder if beets sugar crystals would colour your past?

I've used the pasta made with beet juice, from various sources, including homemade, but it doesn't retain its color when cooked. Everything wants to turn brown. I've done red lentil pasta. I've cooked the pasta in beet juice. This technique of using a bottle of red wine in the pasta water seems to work the best of anything that I've found so far, after many years of trying. I will likely call this "the best that I can do" and move on. 

[Bruce Pearson]

Looks delicious Tony I especially like the shot of the flamingo on the grill it looks perfect!

[Foothill.Q]

I've used the pasta made with beet juice, from various sources, including homemade, but it doesn't retain its color when cooked. Everything wants to turn brown. I've done red lentil pasta. I've cooked the pasta in beet juice. This technique of using a bottle of red wine in the pasta water seems to work the best of anything that I've found so far, after many years of trying. I will likely call this "the best that I can do" and move on. 

Have you considered pomegranate juice, just a thought.

[tony b]

Not yet, but might have to give it a try before next year's dinner. Thanks for the tip!