As my last week as a summer intern at GMAM drew closer (along with my two week vacation before starting part-time during the school year), I thought to myself, what better way to bring everybody in my group together than over a delicious meal? I like sampling a little of everything, so an ethnic-themed potluck was the perfect idea. I actually expected some to forget their dishes, but I was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed quite a filling, varied meal. Other employees eating the normal cafeteria lunches sure felt jealous of the banquet we laid out. :)
Yes everything was home cooked except for the three boxes of Swedish “tapas” that were obtained from Aquavit by our resident Swede. (I linked to an image of one box, please visit the gallery for the other two). I cooked the general tso chicken, using Trader Joe’s General Tso sauce to flavor the fried pieces of chicken and broccoli. The sauce was good, but didn’t really taste like the general tso chicken you get from Chinese takeout restaurants. The chicken was also a bit dry…something I need to work on for future recipes that call for frying the chicken in egg and cornmeal. =/
The fried home made dumplings and Indian croquettes (unsure of the real name given by my coworker) looked fantastic, and the taste really complemented the good looks. Spices galore in the Indian dish. Unfortunately, reheating for lunch made the dumpling skins less crispy, but what can you do. I’m usually not a huge fan of peas, but these peas and bacon bits really complemented the alfredo-covered pieces of farfalle pasta. My favorite dish of the meal had to be the spam sushi. (Spam Musubi!!) I don’t know what makes Hawaiians love their spam so much, but cooked spam wrapped in rice and seaweed sure tastes yummy. Quite simple to make too, and you can use normal cooked rice in the sushi.
Look at that amazing texture inside the croquette!
Om nom nom. What a delicious meal and excellent effort on all partakers!
I've been told that a certain smile breaks across my face whenever the subject of food is brought up, a smile that radiates the purest forms of delight and happiness. Food transcends beyond the smell and taste of what's presented in front of me; it's an experience to be enjoyed, indulged, shared with those I love. Working and living in NYC continually opens culinary doors, from hole-in-the-walls to upscale (even stuffy) dining. I never take any morsel of food for granted, and I'm often THAT girl at the table found licking her plate at the end of the meal.
