2nd Annual Holiday Party & Gift Exchange!

It's the holidays and we're looking forward to spending it with the group once again! This month, we're preparing a special holiday menu of Carribbean fare (in honor of Florida's multi-ethnic cuisine)... and as we tend to do, this one we're going all out so you don't want to miss this event! To check out how much fun we had at last year's event, you can view pictures from my blog HERE.

Come dressed in your UGLIEST HOLIDAY SWEATER to the event for our contest & possibly win the prize! (Not required but it will definitely be fun for those who wish to participate!) Don't have an ugly holiday sweater to wear? Hit up the local thrift & resale shops! Those participating (including US) will have a silent ballot set aside for everyone to vote on the ugliest holiday sweater at the party. The one with the most votes will be getting a special holiday gift.

For added fun and back by popular demand, we will be doing our "White Elephant/Dirty Santa" food/cooking/baking related gift exchange. What's a White Elephant/Dirty Santa exchange? Well, everyone who attends brings in an unlabeled wrapped item (preferably one that is food/cooking/baking related) they don't want anymore and leaves with something new. More importantly, no one leaves empty handed (or hungry! ). Here's how it works:

-- Everyone gets a randomly drawn number when they bring a food/cooking/baking related item to the exchange. Items should be things that you already have and no longer want but might be something others may appreciate. It can be anything like kitchen gadgets, foodstuff, houseware - whatever goes! Look around your house for items... don't buy anything new & be creative!

-- When it's time to exchange, the person who drew the lowest number will choose an item of their choice and unwraps it.

-- Each person in order then gets to pick an item, unwrap it and decide whether to keep it or swap it for another item someone before them received.

-- Choosing and swapping gifts continues until all items under the tree get taken.

-- Finally, the person who picked first gets to choose from all the items, or keep whatever item they have.

So there's lot of celebrating and holiday fun going on at our place and we truly hope you can join us!

To attend, please RSVP and...
- Wear an ugly holiday sweater (if you wish to participate in contest)
- Bring a wrapped, unlabeled food/cooking/baking related item for the exchange
- For those that want to bring something to the table, appetizers, desserts and/or drinks are welcome!

Here is the Floribbean inspired menu we are preparing for this event, in honor of Florida - where we could have been this month! Come hungry or be sorry!

Appetizers
shrimp ceviche & chips
aloha bbq chicken pizza squares
mango salsa & chips
warm pineapple brie & crackers
empanadas

Salads
black bean corn salad
spinach orange cranberry salad
carribbean jerk chicken salad

Side Dishes
Congri (spanish rice, red beans & chorizo)
Arroz con Gandules (pigeon peas & rice)
Maduros (sweet plantains)
Tostones (green plantains)
Yuca w/mojo

Main Dishes
Mojo Chicken
Guava bbq ribs
Jamaican Roast pork
Citrus flounder
Cuban panini

Desserts
Guava cream cheese tart
Key lime pie bars
Tres Leches Cupcakes
tropical fruit salad

Drinks
DIY Caribbean drink bar
assorted wines
horchata
Caribbean punch