A little info about our Gourmet Group:  We are 4 couples who enjoy cooking, entertaining, and most of all, each other’s company. 

We take turns hosting in our homes.  The hosts decide on the menu (theme) from appetizers to dessert for the evening.  The hosts cook most of the meal, but give at least one course (along with all the recipes) to the other couples to prepare.  We love trying new recipes and ideas.  So most of the time the recipes are ones we haven’t cooked before, but they don’t have to be.

Another couple hosted our Gourmet Group for a Polynesian dinner party earlier in the summer.

Grab your tiki torch and take a look back at our evening in paradise…

 Aloha

Each of us was greeted at their front door with a colorful lei.

HER TABLESCAPE

Her tablescape had a lush island feel to it with oranges and browns as the primary colors

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Tropical décor including a colored palm leaves table runner, orange candles, and banana leaves…

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A Hawaiian red ginger flower served as her centerpiece…

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A CLOSER LOOK AT SOME DETAILS

This coconut monkey kept watch over us….

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Rattan chargers with wooden napkin rings were a perfect choice for place settings…

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Place cards were decorated with foam flower stickers (from Michaels) …

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What’s an island drink without an umbrella?

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THE MENU

PUPUS

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Hawaiian Pizza Appetizers

These were made with a delicious combo of mozzarella cheese, smoked ham, and pineapple…

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Smoked Sausage and Pineapple Bites

Smoked sausage – who doesn’t love smoked sausage?

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Polynesian Meatballs

These meatballs, made with ground beef, ground pork, and corn flakes cereal, were such a hit that they were devoured before I was able to get a photo

DINNER IS SERVED

Strawberry, Avocado, and Macadamia Nut Salad with Honey Poppy Seed Dressing

A great summer salad…

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Main Entrées

Teriyaki Shrimp, Sweet Teriyaki Beef Skewers, Lemon-Basil Rice and Polynesian Vegetable Medley

We all enjoyed our Polynesian feast with lots of teriyaki dishes served on wooden skewers…

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Pineapple Banana Upside-Down Bundt Cake

Delightful…

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Photo source: bing images

A hui hou

(until next time)