Southern Barbecue

A tennis court one day, a plantation setting the next. Richly decorated with thousands of yards of flowing gauze, comfortable sofas and overstuffed chairs- this Rancho Santa Fe backyard becomes a "living room" seeping with Kentucky elegance. Thousands of twinkle lights were the only ceiling that was needed on this perfect balmy summer evening. Individual cordial glasses of 'a little bit of happy' were passed as guests were treated at every turn to gracious southern hospitality! In the background strains of the blues, gospel, and just good old-fashioned American tunes were played by a live band while the guests enjoyed:

• skewers of sambal-buttermilk fried chicken
• chilled tomato, pepper and cucumber soup (in demi tasse cups)
• fried oysters on corn pancake
• boiled peanuts, soy beans and cayenne spiced pecans (at the bars)
• Small plates of big flavors!
• southern crab cakes with tasso ham & mustard dressing (plates)
• filet mignon slices served on top of a pecan-grapefruit salsa
• wild mushroom bread pudding (in martini glasses)
• blackened catfish served with peach-ginger sauce (little plates)
• Small Buffet Presentation
• jambalaya with prawns, crawfish, duck and and ouille sausage (chafing dish)
• black-eyed pea and vegetable salad with mint dressing
• alligator stew with jalapeno cornbread (iron chafing dish)
• big ol' chocolate and banana cake
• mini pecan pies, mini peach-blackberry tarts