So with Nillie's help last night- I made my dessert for the Persian night tonight. And, I learned a few things along the way:

1. Its really beneficial to have a Persian friend to help you make your Persian dessert. If it weren't for (you) Nil's I would have saffron stained hands and the most pitiful looking dessert!

2. I want to start shopping at the international food bazaar more often. I felt myself getting jiggy to the music and wanting to buy a few of their tasty treats! Like the Russian noodle dumpling things. Um. yum. Field trip anyone?

3. Persian food has lots of spices. It makes me feel boring for sticking to my regular: BBQ, Ranch and terriyaki sauces, etc. Im so white. These spices are helping more explore my food world, and feel so very cultural! Stephanie, one day you will get there.... :)

All that to say, Im excited to taste all of our dishes tonight! I want to hear how the food making process was for you.....!

Love you guys!

Ugghhhh Perrrsssiiaaa!!!!

So, looks like Nillie Joon will be hosting our next dinner club in Persia..... ughhhh.... Persia! (I have a feeling we will be saying this a lot through out the night.... an explanation will come later Jenna!)
I figured to set the scene and for some flavor, I had to add a picture or two....

Nillie, do you think this attractive, sweaty Persian man will be joining us for dessert?!?

I mean, he IS the Prince of Persian. Ok, just kidding its just Jake Gyllenhaal, but if he rang the door bell during dinner, I might let him in...

SO, enough of my hilarious pictures (I think Im SO funny)

Now onto details:

Where: Nillie Joon's house
When: Thursday, Feb 17th @6:30
What will you be bring: Stephanie Joon- appetizer
Jenna Joon-Side dish
Mo Joon (if you can come)- side dish
Nillie Joon- Main dish and drink
Katie Joon- Dessert
Kamran joon- lots of kisses for your aunties!

UGHHHHH, Im soooo excited for the Persianesss. In preparation I will be listening to the Nilofar song over and over again. And maybe we can do a little Persian dancing!

Yay Spain!

So I must admit, I think I am still blocked up from all the cheese I ate last week at our Espana dinner party, Anyone else?

Besides that, I absolutely LOVED Spain. Steph, you did such a great job- making your home feel like we were in some little Spanish restaurant! Even putting the real lace and facts about Spain.

You are the best Spaniard I know (You definitely stand a chance against Penelope and Pablo)

Im sure you guys already saw these pics on FB, but I figured I'd post them on here too... loving our spanish shots....

We are so stinking HOT! Gesh.... sexy spanish senoritas, rarrrr!

And Steph, your paella was so great. I know that your Uncle would be so proud of you. It was really special that you got to use the pan... and it was a treat to be able to eat from it, knowing how much it means to the Labrador family. YUM, I wish I could have some more right now!

And well, then we had a little bit of the spanish wine and got a little, well spanish on the place. Fully utilizing our authentic spanish props- clips and fans. Im pretty sure these two shots could end up on the cover of Cosmopolitan en Espanol.

So yes, all in all, we got down with our bad spanish selves. I cant wait to go to Persia!

Thanks for putting on such a great night Steph, everything turned out fantastico!

Dinner Club #2

SPAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For our next dinner club we will be traveling to...
Espana!

Steph, will we be having a fiesta de toros???

Here is the details:

When: Nov. 3rd @ 7
Where: Steph's mom's house
Whos bringing what:
Me- Appetizer
Jen-side dish
Mo-side dish
Steph-main course and drink
Nillie Joon- dessert

I expect us all to be looking like this festive bunch below!

See you soon senoritas!

OPA! Dinner Club #1

So.... I think that our first dinner club was a great success!

Whoa! This lady definitely thought so, you Greek gypsy!

It helped that we all got into it, and you even ate my dirty looking pile of Mousakka!
And we ate these delish little taziki covered treats! (Cant wait to make this)

Jenna made a great Greek Birthday queen. Jenna, this is such a glamor shot...watch out!

Just the pre-feast... no biggie

The lovely Nillie Joon! Drink down that Sangria!

Beauties (sorry for the blurr, I swear its not you guys!)

Get in my Belly! Jenna, these were both heaven in a dish! I can imagine the taste of the feta and tomatoes right now... YUM!

Dear Martha, I remember when you were a youth, boxer clad, Jerry Rice costumed, Kickball extraordinaire. And now, you have blossomed. Our recipe books (your labor of love) made me so proud! They are ADORABLE, and I love that you did this!

Ummmm, the Hummus ( Why in the world does hummus have so many mmmm's?) Well that was pretty much INCREDIBLE! Trader Joe's has nothing on this Nil's! And of course its so very classy in this beautiful glass dish. I wouldnt expect anything less.

Get in my belly!

Greek Gypsy, you make the candles blaze just by looking at them!

Get that Taziki Nils! Loving the top and jewels by the way!

Mom, havent I made you proud? (No biggie, just digging my greek facts out of my ancient greek jar, found in Athens circa 730.

Sad to say, I didnt have a picture of Steph's mouth watering Baklava and cookies! They were so good and I have snacked on them ever since!

Love you Dinner Diva's!

Cant wait for the next big night!

A note about the Greek eve!

So, im really excited!

Two things:

1) Feel free to spend the night... the parentals are out of town so I have the house all to myself. Who knows what Greek food, fun and alchohol can do to you?

2) Dont worry about bringing a Greek fact... just your dish!

OPA!

Its all GREEK to me!

For our first dinner, we will be making a trip to GREECE!

A land considered the cradle of Western Civilization.
The birthplace of democracy, Western Philosophy, the Olympic Games, Zeus, Athena and amazingly delicious foods!

Time: 6:30 p.m. USA/ 1 p.m. Greece on Wednesday, Sept. 22nd

Place: Greece (I wish!)
Ok, just the Wiley house

What to wear: Come dressed in your best Mama Mia/Greek party gear (anything with fun colors and some sparkle to it!)

What to bring:

Jenna: Appetizer
Nillie: Side dish
Katie: Entree/drink
Steph: Dessert

Reminders:

***Bring your recipe with you!

***Bring one or two random facts about Greece with you!


SO excited to see what everyone brings, this is sure to be funny and delish....

Greece here we come!!!