Deb Nolan Custom Catering, Events Planning

San Juan Summer BBQ

2012-01-27T20:34:00.000-08:00

The sun was out, the guests were hungry. My job was to make sure the food was great.

Greek Salad over a bed of Organic Arugula

Fresh 4 Bean Salad

Ripe Melons and Skagit Blueberries

Grilled onions, Sweet Hot Pickles, Chipolte Aioli, Sliced and Crumbled Cheeses

Baskets of Burgers and Grilled Rosemary Chicken

I think everyone had a great time

Knitting Retreats

2012-01-27T09:55:00.000-08:00

San Juan Island is a destination for people from all over the world. I am the caterer for a a series of knitting workshops for Cat Bordhi at Lakedale Resort at Three Lakes. I see many of the participants twice a year, spring and fall. The workshops are so popular people book out a year in advance. It is like cooking for old friends. For lunch they like vegetarian soups, salads and savory bites. For dinner I offer flavorful healthy entrees with vegetarian options, usually a gluten free side dish and a variety of seasonal veggies. For dessert, I keep it small, but decadent.

Island Chicken Marabella with prunes,

capers and a balsamic and brown sugar glaze

Blanched Broccolini

Golden Beets

Mixed sweet black rice, short grain brown rice pilaf

with sweet onions and zante currants

Chocolate Hazelnut Mousse

Surprise!!!

2012-01-02T00:44:00.000-08:00

A Surprise Party is hard enough, but throwing it at a remote location where everything, all the food, tables and chairs and guests have to be barged in and set up with in hours, takes it to a whole new level. The home was still under construction so we went with the theme and used canvas drop clothes for linens and hung up strands of commercial lighting. In season local flowers and huckleberries were used for the center pieces. The menu featured local specialities, salmon, crab, spot prawns and fresh produce. We brought in a band too.

We pulled it off and the hostess was "Blown Away!"

Specially Desiged Menus

2012-01-01T23:51:00.000-08:00

I enjoy helping my clients design menus to fit their events. The bride wanted an updated German theme to honor her mother along with traditional favorites. We served Schnitzel and Uli's Gourmet Sausages, a Butter Lettuce Salad with Dill Yogurt Dressing, Vegetarian Strudel and Bacon filled Latvian Piragas. Her mom loved the German Potato Salad. For dessert choose from mini German Chocolate or Plum Cake. It was a beautiful day to dine on the deck at Lakedale Resort at Three Lakes.

First Night BBQ, Family and Friends Arrive

2012-01-01T22:51:00.000-08:00

The bright yellow sunflowers and red and white accents were the perfect complement for a summer pre-wedding BBQ. When guests arrived they had time to visit before the big day. Grilled Kobe Beef Burgers and all the fixings, Sliced Melon, and Strawberry Rhubarb pies were on the menu. Both Ice Tea and Lemonade was served in Mason Jars chilled in tubs of ice.

Camping and Camp Fire Cooking

2011-09-01T17:05:00.000-07:00

I don't know what you do when you go camping, but when I am not hiking or swimming or stoking the campfire, I am cooking over it. I love to bring a cooler full off garden herbs and veggies, marinated meats, cheeses and seasonings to create comforting meals for my family and the lucky other campers I offer our left overs too.
On our last trip to Baker Lake I made some Whole Grain Pancakes with Big Plump Skagit Valley Blue Berries. For dinner I sauteed up summer squash and sweet onions from the garden and grilled up Chicken Marinated in Middle Eastern Spices and served it over couscous.
We also had Grilled Shrimp for dinner one night, but we ate that before I could get a photo!

Wedding in the Meadow

2011-09-01T16:31:00.000-07:00

A wonderful casual outdoor wedding at Lakedale Resort at Three Lakes. The meadow is the perfect spot for medium to large sized groups.

Picnic Tables and Island Grown Flowers

Hay bales add just the right atmosphere and Tiki Torches keep the bugs at bay...

Trio of Crostini

Fresh Market Greens, Local Artisan Bread and Whipped Butters

Buffet of Grilled Pork tenderloin served with Island Plum Chutney, Wild Sockeye Salmon, Vegetables with Roasted Garlic Aioli and Summer Salads

Thank you and don't forget to take the Chocolate!

That's Italian

2011-04-17T11:27:00.000-07:00

Wow, It's what I live for. Last fall I was so lucky to be part of an adventure to Florence. A wonderful woman, Marie Ashcraft, invited us to stay with her in an apartment, located just steps from the Mercado market. My companions and I went to all the expected tourist spots, but what was probably the highlight of my trip, was the afternoon I spent in a 1000 year old Tuscan Farm home, drinking Chianti and making fresh pasta. Afterwards we went upstairs where our hostess prepared for us a glorious traditional meal. We dined on fried eggplant frittata, spinach ravioli, linguini with fresh tomato and bay leaf sauce and for dessert tiramisu. I booked the outing with Accidental Tourist , a small private company who limits it's groups to about 10 guests. You get to visit private estates and homes, not the typical stops on many daily tours.

Halloween for the Teens!

2011-04-17T10:12:00.000-07:00

My son is on the refreshment committee for the Middle School dances, which means, I am too.
He wanted to make Eye Ball Cookies and Spider Peanut Butter cookies. Why not homemade
Focaccia Fingers with Blood Red Marinara dipping Sauce.

FUNdrasier Go Dragons!

2011-04-17T10:03:00.000-07:00

The Dragons Lacrosse Team has does a dessert auction every year to help pay for their program. I asked if they wanted a traditional cake or a Dragon cake....they said Dragon!

Receptions

2010-09-03T17:08:00.000-07:00

Deviled Ham on Multigrain, Egg bread and Rye
Finger Sandwiches

Open Face Cucumber and Dill,
Green Olive, and Kalamata Tapenade Finger Sandwiches

I cater all kinds of receptions. This one was a memorial service where they wanted a nice selection of Finger Sandwiches, Chilled Shrimp, Smoked Salmon and platters of cookies. The Green Olive Finger Sandwiches were especially good. I also served homemade Orange and Lemon Milano Cookies and Coconut tarts filled with Lemon Curd. They ate every bite!

Summer Harvest

2010-08-22T20:43:00.000-07:00

My scalloped squash took a blue ribbon at the SJC Fair!

Today I picked plums, squash, zucchini's and dahlias. Despite the cool long spring the garden still is over flowing with produce and flowers. Stuffed zucchini or chocolate zucchini cake anyone?

Summer Wedding Buffet

2010-08-22T20:18:00.000-07:00

The bride and groom wanted a casual reception with great food and great friends. On the menu; Beef Tenderloin, Grilled Wild Salmon, Barley and Spring Pea salad and platters of Grilled Vegetables served with a Preserved Lemon Aioli.

FHHS Grad Night 2010, SJC Park Party, Congratulations!!

2010-06-20T14:31:00.000-07:00

Soccer Fever

2010-06-14T18:10:00.000-07:00

Soccer Cookies, OK, why not!

The bride and groom are big enthusiasts, so that is what they wanted

Glamping Wedding

2010-06-14T18:03:00.000-07:00

Incase you haven't heard "Glamping ( Glamoris-Camping) is all the rage these days. Why pack the tent when someone can do it for you complete with bed, table you get the picture. It can also make the perfect setting for a small intimate wedding. The inside was decorated with lights, candles and flowers and I set up a small kitchen outside. It was a lovely, cozy event. Contact Lakedale to check availability.

"FOOD RAVE"

2010-04-27T10:30:00.000-07:00

everyone raved about your food!!! good time was had by all!!.... Creme brulee', Pot's de creme, fresh Halibut in Black Bean sauce, grilled Asparagus, Tuscan Bean and Tomaoto soup, Curried deviled Eggs, Layered Pesto Tortas....

Do I do Cakes?

2010-04-14T09:52:00.000-07:00

Chocolate with White Chocolate Frosting
with Chocolate Dipped Berries

Do I do cakes.... Well I have 3 kids so over the years I have made a lot of cakes in all different shapes, sizes and flavors( my youngest loves dinosaurs!), but what most people mean is for WEDDINGS an SPECIAL OCCASIONS. What I say is" I make the kind of old fashion homemade cakes that make you want to back for a second bite, not big fancy formal cakes". Many times clients want to keep it simple. I have made towers of brownies with a small brownie cake on top to slice, strawberry short cakes and simple rustic stacked cakes in lemon, carrot cake and of course chocolate. Sometimes a few flowers or some berries is all you need to make it look great.

Chocolate Volcano and Dinosaurs with Lots of candy and frosting.

The kids loved it.

Delicious Bites

2010-04-04T00:20:00.000-07:00

I like to make sure that I do not repeat the exact same menu( unless they just have to have it!).

I love switching around the ingredients and trying new combinations.

They ate it all.

Crimini Mushroom, Leek and Gruyere Squares

Roasted Bacon wrapped Dates stuffed with Chorizo

Curried Chicken Saldd topped with Mango on Coconut Crisps

Come and Get It

2010-04-03T23:59:00.000-07:00

When I prepare meals for groups, I try to make each meal special. After a few days, they seem to show up earlier and earlier to see what will be for dinner. Tonight the menu was grilled Pork Tenderloin, served with an Island Plum Chutney, Roasted Tri colored Potatoes, grilled Asparagus, Balsamic glazed onions and Cranberry Beans for the vegetarians.

Thai Chicken, Mango Gingerbread upside down cake

2010-03-23T07:14:00.000-07:00

I love to prepare dinner for groups that come to the island for workshops and retreats. I plan a menu around dietary needs and preferences, trying to balance out flavors for the week. I try to keep the meals healthy and varied, but everyone seems to have room for dessert!

Tonight the menu,

Thai Chicken( Lemon grass, jalapenos, garlic, cilantro), Jasmine Rice, Sesame Green Beans, Roasted Delicate Squash, Peanut Sauce and for Dessert a mango Gingerbread Upside down cake with a side car of Dulce de Leche Ice Cream!

Donor's Reception San Juan Community Theatre

2010-02-18T11:02:00.000-08:00

Donor's were treated to a special Thank You reception at the SJC Theatre prior to the Play Writes Festival.

We served many favorite's including;

Savory Artichoke Squares,

Smoked Salmon & Avocado Sushi,

Apricots topped with Cheve' and Candied Pecans,

Roasted Asparagus , Tomato and Pesto

A Favorite Dessert

2010-01-28T20:58:00.000-08:00

Coconut Macaroon Tarts filled with Lemon Curd

and topped with Mascarpone whip cream!

Fresh Raspberry garnish......two, because one isn't enough.....

Crab Cakes with roasted red pepper cream sauce

2009-12-19T17:18:00.000-08:00

Passing appetizers in individual small porcelain dishes with small bamboo forks make them all the more special.

Homemade Soup and Salad on a cold Day

2009-10-25T21:43:00.000-07:00

Who doesn't love a hot bowl of soup or two on a cold autumn day. Moroccan Lentil with

square of baked parmesan

polenta garnished with fresh cilantro

Butternut and Pear with creme fraiche swirl.

Salads are tossed in freshly prepared vinaigrettes.

Lunch to Go, Lunch boxes

2009-10-25T21:19:00.000-07:00

Lunch boxes seem to be popular with everyone from business lunches to groups going out sight seeing. A sandwich or fresh salad, some fruit and of course a dessert, a mexican chocolate cupcake or coconut and lemon curd tart!

Best of Show

2009-08-17T12:45:00.000-07:00

I was so excited when my pumpkin took "Best of Show" at our county fair. People wanted to know how did it. I took a chance and planted it early. It was just the perfect summer for everything that likes the heat.

I will be baking a lot of zucchini bread too!

50th Reunion

2009-07-31T10:12:00.000-07:00

GOOD FOOD- GOOD FRIENDS

Classmates gathered from all over at a local home to enjoy each other’s company at a recent 50th high school reunion. It was a beautiful day. The hostess had fun setting the tables with different linens, flowers from her own garden and even single LP's of their favorite music from way back when. For appetizers the guests were served hot stuffed sausage mushrooms, Parmesan toasts spread with a layered assorted pesto and cream cheese butter and peeled their own local fresh spot prawns. Fresh Sockeye salmon, Pork tenderloin with island plum chutney, creamy Mac and 3 cheeses, roasted golden and red beet, fresh summer mixed bean and organic green salad with Asian miso dressing and crumbled blue cheese were on the buffet. For dessert? Fresh local berry crisp Alamode!

Wonderful and Scrumptous

2009-07-26T14:41:00.000-07:00

Hi Deborah

Our family truly want to thank you again for providing a wonderful and scrumptious dinner. It was everything and more
than we could have dreamed of----right down to the finest detail. You have the touch for fine food and we commend you.

Our time on San Juan was wonderful (and as you know) the wild life from our window never ceased.
We all hope to be there again soon.

Once again, thank you---and also for your few minutes of baby sitting which helped considerably.

Hope the remainder of you summer is good to you,

Warm wishes,

Cal and Marilyn Hutchins.

2009-07-22T12:01:00.000-07:00

Happy diners is what it is all about. Tonight's menu...

Chorizo Dates wrapped in bacon

Fresh Shrimp Spring Rolls

Marinated grilled Lamb, Chicken and Crimini mushrooms

served with a island plum chutney

Roasted mixed Pepper

Barley Pilaf

Snap peas and Green peas,

with red onion and fresh herbs

Apple, Strawberry, Rhubarb crisp ala mode

Family Reunion Buffet

2009-07-19T10:22:00.001-07:00

When the relatives come, it is sure nice to just have the food show up. Go out and play. Let me help you make the visit enjoyable!

4th of July Cake Walk

2009-07-19T10:08:00.000-07:00

Getting a few items ready to donate to the cake walk at the PIG WAR BBQ. There are always ways to contribute items in a small community to a fundraiser.

2009-07-17T23:05:00.000-07:00

Great weather has meant an early harvest of summer squash and flowers

2009-06-17T18:03:00.000-07:00

Serving up a casual lunch at Lakedale Resort during a recent symposium

Seconds? Of Course!

Salmon, Corn and New Potato Chowder

Flatbreads topped with Caramelized Sweet Onions, Olives and Feta

Molasses and Snicker Doodle cookies

2009-06-05T10:46:00.000-07:00