Fall Supper 2017 in Calgary

This was my plate from The Fall Supper last weekend.  This was the eighth annual Knights of Columbus fundraiser fall supper.

Fall suppers were popular in Regina and Winnipeg when we lived there, but I don't remember them growing up in the country.  In fact there are web pages listing Fall suppers in Winnipeg and another for Manitoba..  

Instead of the long tables that where used in Regina, the rounds tables were covered in tablecloths and set for10 to a table.  Tickets went quickly and in fact the tickets were over sold by 20 tickets. 

A live band played during the evening!

The long tables were used for the roasters of food with servers for the homemade pyrohy, cabbage rolls and chicken.  One could help themselves to Buns, Peas and Carrots, Meatballs, Caesar salad and Mashed potatoes. 

Homemade Pyrohy tossed in Caramelized Onions and Butter! 

These homemade Cabbage Rolls in tomato sauce were delicious.

The Meatballs were floating in a creamy Dill Mushroom sauce.  I was must anxious to taste these as this was one of my favourite dishes that my Mom used to make. However, the meat had been pulsed through the food processor and the dense meatballs did not soak up the sauce like hand made meatballs.   The eight year old at my table thought they were the best so he gladly took my meatballs. His father however did tell him that his Baba's homemade meatballs, who was sitting at our table, were the best, as he winked at his Mom in law!

Breaded Baked Chicken was also popular! 

This was a great feast and everyone enjoyed the food, the live band and socializing! Not to mention I did win the 50 -50 draw!  

French Onion soup au Gratin with Meatballs

This recipe came through one of the food sites on FaceBook on National Meatball and then I couldn't find it. Basically it is baked meatballs in French Onion Soup.. The meatballs were suppose to be stuffed with cheese cube and caramelized onions.. But the slices of onions were too large so I just used a cube of cheese, which if I was to do this again would use cooked chopped mushrooms and onions. I remember doing stuffed cheese burgers when they were the rage, but only once, this time, I can't say I could see the cheese! 

My hubby is always assigned to do the meatballs and patties as he always very precise and the meatballs are uniform as are the patties.

I use one package of beef and pork which made about 50 meatballs, 40 of which I froze for later use. 

To the meat mixture, add one egg, dried mustard and Worcestershire sauce, mix and form into small meatballs. 

Caramelize 1-2 onions using water or wine. I use a Canadian Chef ( Michael Smith) method of steaming the onions until soft and golden.  The use of a lid and liquid helps the onion cook slowly and caramelize to a golden color.  Add the onions to a broth, I never use prepared broth, use homemade broth if you have or just add more water.  Check out MIchael Smith's video for the soup.

To assemble,  layer the onions in the broth into a cast iron skillet, then the uncooked mushroom, I added whole mushrooms which my hubby took out and sliced! Then the uncooked meatballs. 

Bake at 325 to 350 for about 20-25 minutes, then add the grated mozzarella cheese and bake until meatballs are cooked and the mozzarella bubbly!  Add parsley, which I didn't have but fresh grated parmesan was added!

I used mini skillet cast iron pans for individual serving, but will be making this dish in a larger skillet as an appetizer for a group.  Enjoy with French Bread. 

Vietnamese Sub Sandwiches- Banh Mi

The Vietnamese sandwich, sometimes called a "bánh mì" sandwich is the result of the influence of the French Colonization in Indochina, using French baguettes, pate and mayo along with Vietnamese ingredients, such as cilantro, chilli peppers and pickled carrots.

In this recipe meatballs are used instead of cold cuts. The meatballs were made and frozen on tray for later use. 

Hot Chili Mayo 

Mix hot chilli sauce into mayonnaise

Add chopped onions

Cover and chill

Meatballs

1 pound of  ground meat.

chopped fresh basil

4 cloves of minced garlic2-3 

green onion, chopped

1 T fish sauce

1 T hot chili sauce like Sriracha

I T sugar

2 tsp corn starch

pepper and salt

Mix all the ingredients together and form meatballs. Bake in a 375 oven until cooked, about 20 minutes.

Pickled Carrots

2-3 cups of grated carrots

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup of rice vinegar 

Mix and let marinade for a couple of hours!

Sandwich

Baguettes

Basil leaves or Cilantro

cucumber cut horizontally into wedges

slices of jalapeños

Pate slices

Slice the baguettes in half. Spread spiced mayo on bread, add pate, meatballs, drained pickled carrots, basil, cucumber and jalapeños