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Twenty Dollar Dinners: Angels Vs. Demons

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    Sat, January 19, 2019 (6:00 PM - 9:30 PM)

The Voluptuous Table

Elgin, TX 78621
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Cost: $20

WHAT: BYOB Community Dinner
WHEN: Saturday, January 19th  doors open at 6 p.m.
HOW MUCH: $20 suggested donation
 
I stopped making New Year's resolutions eons ago--mostly because I couldn't stand the pressure. But you may have made some (and we can find out about them when we meet for dinner). I always like to start the New Year out with a change in my eating habits, since my typical behavior from early November to well into January is one, continuous party. Eventually all parties come to an end--mostly because we get a little sick of party food and drinking more than we ought. But...WAAAAHHHHH! I hate it when the party ends! So I'm dedicating this month's Twenty Dollar Dinner to the internal conflict that many of us feel when the New Year rolls around. I think of it as Angels vs. Demons.
 
To start out the evening, I've come up with a cocktail called "The Resolution Ruiner." That's mostly because there's alcohol (and some sugar) involved. So you can expect vodka, homemade plum liqueur (also vodka-based), house-made blackberry syrup, cranberry juice, black tea and some lemon juice for zing. Although it sounds like there's a lot to be happy about in this cocktail from the anti-oxidant perspective, I can assure you that the vodka will pretty much negate those benefits. So demons 1, angels 0.
 
I'm going to redeem myself with your appetizer, a lovely-to-look-at cup of Good Intentions Soup with so many healthful ingredients that you won't feel like slapping me anymore. This soup is creamy and rich without dairy (thank you, immersion blender!) and is a tasty combination of olive oil, onions, garlic, cauliflower, carrot, cashews and gentle spices. Topped with smoky roasted chickpeas and fresh parsley, it's almost too pretty to eat. But it's really tasty, so I dare ya to stare at it for very long. Score angels!
 
For our main course, I thought it might be a fun to have a "Make Your Own Grain Bowl" event. You'll have your choice of grains, such as brown rice, Israeli couscous and quinoa; proteins such as seasoned roasted chicken breast, seasoned roasted salmon, BBQ tofu, edamame, black beans, roasted chickpeas and baby peas. Choose from add-ins such as roasted seasoned artichoke hearts, caramelized roasted grape tomatoes, sweet and earthy roasted beets, garlicky roasted kale, crunchy sliced radishes, sliced cucumbers, shredded carrots, diced avocado, and shredded green leaf lettuce. Add your favorite toppings: golden raisins, pepitas, toasted almonds, sesame seeds, chopped scallions, sliced black olives, and crunchy sprouts. Sprinkle with sriracha sauce, tamari or fresh lemon juice if you wish. Then drizzle on one or more of three delicious house-made dressings: tahini-orange, green goddess or fig-balsamic. Fresh, healthful, filling...score another point for the angels!
 
Adult beverage selections: you could either continue with your liver cleanse (BOO) or bring a bottle of something fun. Grain bowls have so much going on in them that you could literally choose just about any wine (except for something super sweet) and be perfectly happy. Beer is a great choice too. Demons even the score!
 
Our dessert has one foot in heaven and the other in H-E-double hockey sticks: Spiced Honey and Reisling Baked Pears with your choice of either vanilla Greek yogurt or a lovely house-made chocolate sauce that you will want to smear all over EVERYTHING. My apologies for presenting you with so many moral dilemmas for the evening, but I couldn't just let the angels win. Besides, I've never liked happy endings--much too boring! You can also have a bottomless cup of Community Coffee or your own personal pot of hot tea and then an after dinner drink if you'd like. We really do have a truly mind-boggling collection of cordials and liqueurs. Observant folk will note that Vindaloo has a condition known as "the disease of more." We do not refer to it as "hoarding," however, in order to preserve her state of denial--and her loyalty to Team Demons.
 
This is a BYOB dinner scheduled for Saturday, January 19th, doors opening at 6 p.m. Everything listed above is yours (except for the adult beverage selections) for a suggested donation of $20. We look forward to having you join us, but seating is limited and we ask that you RSVP soon to this email, or call us at 512-55 EAT 44 by Thursday, January 17th.
 
Happy New Year,
Vindaloo Tiramisu and Mr. Voluptuous

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  • wine
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  • Elgin
  • Things to do in Elgin, TX
  • Texas Wine & Food Events
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