Old Ranch Cinco de Mayo 2010
Did you know? - Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for "fifth of May") is a holiday held on May 5 that commemorates the Mexican army's unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, under the leadership of General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín. It is celebrated primarily in the state of Puebla and in the United States. While Cinco de Mayo sees limited celebration nationwide in Mexico, the date is observed nationwide in the United States and other locations around the world as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride. Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico's Independence Day, the most important national patriotic holiday in Mexico.
Come On In, The Party Is About To Start
An inviting home away from home
Through these door enter a wonderful group of people
"Hello... where's the party?"
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Hello... Welcome to Old Ranch!
John... Resident two fisted drinker
"May I take your order please?"
James and Linda Cathey discuss the days activities... And more importantly, what to drink!
Nancy arrives just in time for a Margarita
Did you know? - The margarita is a cocktail consisting of tequila mixed with triple sec and lime or lemon juice, often served with salt on the glass rim. It is the most common tequila-based cocktail in the United States. The drink is usually served shaken with ice, on the rocks, blended with ice (frozen margarita) or without ice (straight up). All three methods are frequently served with salt or sugar on the rim of the glass which is optional.
We will take one of each!
Ernie makes her entrance
Did you know? - The theatrical term entrance is the appearance of a character on screen or stage. The term "making an entrance" commonly refers to entrances that are particularly prominent or attention-grabbing.
The sombrero can also be used as an umbrella
Did you know? - In Spanish, the word sombrero means any hat with a brim, such as the traditional sombrero cordobés from Cordoba, Spain. It derives from the Spanish word sombra, meaning "shade" or "shadow"; thus a literal English translation would be "shade maker". Spanish speakers outside Mexico refer to what English speakers call a sombrero as a sombrero mexicano ("Mexican hat").
The Mexican sombrero is used for protection from the sun. It usually has a somewhat high pointed crown, an extra-wide brim (broad enough to cast a shadow over the head, neck and shoulders of the wearer, and slightly upturned at the edge), and a chin string to hold it in place. Cowboys generalized the word to mean just about any wide broad-brimmed hat.
In Mexico, peasant sombreros are usually made of straw, while wealthier Hispanics wear sombreros made of felt. They come in many designs with different colorings, woven patterns, and decorations. They are rarely seen in modern urban settings, except as part of folkloric outfits worn in certain festivities. The Mexican sombrero has become a national and cultural symbol, and is often used in traditional Mexican celebrations, especially by communities outside Mexico.
Lynne checks up on the guests... James found out her hot pepper necklace lights up
"I can only float if I inhale an hold my breath!"
The Kitchen Staff Was Busy In The Next Room
Do You Know Who Is Who???
| English | French | Description |
|---|---|---|
| sauté chef | saucier | Responsible for all sautéed items and their sauce. This is usually the highest stratified position of all the stations. |
| fish chef | poissonnier | Prepares fish dishes and often does all fish butchering as well as appropriate sauces. This station may be combined with the saucier position. |
| roast chef | rôtisseur | Prepares roasted and braised meats and their appropriate sauce. |
| grill chef | grillardin | Prepares all grilled foods; this position may be combined with the rotisseur. |
| fry chef | friturier | Prepares all fried items; this position may be combined with the rotisseur position. |
| vegetable chef | entremetier | Prepares hot appetizers and often prepares the soups, vegetables, pastas and starches. In a full brigade system a potager would prepare soups and a legumier would prepare vegetables. |
| roundsman | tournant | Also referred to as a swing cook, fills in as needed on stations in the kitchen. |
| pantry chef | garde manger | Responsible for preparing cold foods, including salads, cold appetizers, pâtés and other charcuterie items. |
| butcher | boucher | Butchers meats, poultry and sometimes fish. May also be responsible for breading meats and fish. |
| pastry chef | pâtissier | Prepares baked goods, pastries and desserts. In larger establishments, the pastry chef often supervises a separate team in their own kitchen or separate shop. |
The delightful smells are beginning to escape out into the dining room!
Margaritas by the gallon?
The Buffet Was Looking Good!
Did you know? - The buffet table originates from the [Brännvinsbord] - Swedish snaps (shot of alcoholic beverage) table from the middle of 1500’s, and had its prime during the early 1700’s, and was developed into the buffet we more know today not until the beginning of 1800’s. The Smorgasbord buffet did not increase its popularity until the expansion of the railroads throughout Europe.
The smorgasbord table was a meal where guests gathered before dinner for a pre-dinner drink, and was not part of the formal dinner to be followed. The smorgasbord buffet was often held in separate room for men and women before the dinner was served.
Smörgåsbord became internationally known as Smorgasbord at the 1939 New York World's exhibition as the Swedes had to invent a new way of showcasing the best of Swedish food.
The term buffet originally referred to the Frenchsideboard where the food was served, but eventually became applied to the form.RAM The buffet became popular in the English-speaking world in the second half of the nineteenth century after the Swedes had used the smorgasbord in New York. The word is still borrowed into the English language.
Goodies to add to the dishes
Plenty of excellent food is getting ready
Did you know? - Carne asada is a roasted beef dish, literally meaning "roasted meat." The dish mainly consists of pieces or thin cuts of beef (e.g. flank steak, skirt steak), sometimes marinated, sometimes lightly salted or rubbed with salt, pepper and/or spices, and then grilled. It can be eaten alone, with side dishes, chopped and eaten as tacos, or chopped and used as filler for tortas, burritos, etc. It is commonly accompanied with guacamole, salsa, beans, and grilled scallions and tortillas.
Caesar salad
Did you know? - Ceviche (also spelled as cebiche or seviche) is a citrus-marinated seafood, its birthplace is disputed between Peru and Ecuador. Although it is a typical dish of both countries, many other countries in Latin America have adopted it, with variations. Both fish and shellfish can be used in the preparation of ceviche.
Ceviche is marinated in a citrus-based mixture, with lemons and limes being the most commonly used. In addition to adding flavor, the citric acid causes the proteins in the seafood to become denatured, which pickles or "cooks" the fish without heat. Traditional style ceviche was marinated around 3 hours. Modern style ceviche created by chef Dario Matsufuji in the 1970s, usually has a very short marinating period. With the appropriate fish, it can marinate in the time it takes to mix the ingredients, serve, and carry the ceviche to the table.
Every Latin American country has given ceviche its own touch of individuality by adding its own particular garnishes.
Be sure to try the little pickles on the tomatoes
Did you know? - The jalapeño is a vegatable, a medium- to large-sized chili pepper with a warm, burning sensation when eaten. A ripe jalapeño is 2–3½ inches (5–9 cm) long and is commonly picked and sold when still green. It is a cultivar of the species Capsicum annuum originating in Mexico. It is named after Xalapa, Veracruz, where it was traditionally produced. 160 square km are dedicated for the cultivation in Mexico, primarily in the Papaloapan river basin in the north of the state of Veracruz and in the Delicias, Chihuahua area. Jalapeños are cultivated on smaller scales in Jalisco, Nayarit, Sonora, Sinaloa and Chiapas.
Calories have been removed for this evening
Did you know? - A Tres leches cake, or Pastel Tres leches (Spanish, "Three milk cake"), or Pan Tres Leches (Spanish, "Three milk bread"), is a sponge cake—in some recipes, a butter cake—soaked in three kinds of milk: evaporated milk, condensed milk, and heavy cream. When butter is not used, the tres leches is a very light cake, with many air bubbles. This distinct texture is why it does not have a soggy consistency, despite being soaked in a mixture of three types of milk.
Self portrait
Meanwhile Back In The Main Dining Room
The essential ingredient for a successful evening - Bar Tenders and Servers
Bartender Quotes
- “The hard part about being a bartender is figuring out who is drunk and who is just stupid”
- “A bartender is a temporary pharmacist with a limited inventory”
- “I think everyone should go to college and get a degree and then spend six months as a bartender and six months as a cabdriver. Then they would really be educated.”
- What whiskey will not cure, there is no cure for. - Irish Proverb
They look so innocent
A Happy Chef
Did you know? - The word "chef" (from Latin caput) is the abbreviated form of the French phrase chef de cuisine, the "chief" or "head" of a kitchen. The title chef in the culinary profession originates from the roots of haute cuisine in the 19th century. The English-language use of the word chef has become a term that is sometimes used to mean any professional cook, regardless of rank.
A chef's hat (toque) is tall to allow for the circulation of air above the head and also provides an outlet for heat. The hat will assist in the prevention of sweat dripping down the face.
I love my margarita!
Bunny hopped up on the scene
Del has a new chili tie!
Our resident fashion plate
Did you know? - A fashion plate is, literally, an illustration (a plate) demonstrating the highlights of fashionable styles of clothing. Used figuratively, as is most often the case, the term is a reference to a person whose dress conforms to the latest fashions
Vicky and Del awaiting their margarita
They are awaiting the "Buffet is open announcement"
Don't ask.... Don't tell! Bunny & Monica with Tom
The long long table
Over the Teeth And Through The Gums, Look Out Tonsils Here It Comes
Choices choices
One of these and one of those
Back To The Dining Room
James captures the moment
The Mariachi Begin
Did you know? - Mariachi is a very famous genre of music that is very festive and fun to listen to. Originally from the State of Jalisco, Mexico. It is an integration of stringed instruments highly influenced by the cultural impacts of the historical development of Western Mexico. Throughout the history of mariachi, musicians have experimented with brass, wind, and percussion instruments. In addition, sociohistorical factors have influenced the repertoire in terms of the performance of diverse regional song forms as well as the evolution of the performance attire. Mariachi originated in Guadalajara. Mariachi is important to the study of Mexican music because, as an ensemble created during the colonial period, it found its essence during the postcolonial era, blossomed during the nationalist era, and made a global impact during contemporary times.
The mariachi ensemble generally consists of violins, trumpets, an acoustic guitar, a vihuela (a high-pitched, five-string guitar), a guitarrón (a large acoustic bass) and, on occasion, a harp. They dress in silver studded charro outfits with wide-brimmed hats. The original Mariachi were Mexican street musicians or buskers.[1] Many mariachis are professional entertainers doing paid gigs in the mainstream entertainment industry. Professionals are normally skilled at more than one instrument, and they also sing.
Did you know? - In the complete Mariachi group today there are as many as six to eight violins, two trumpets, and a guitar – all standard European instruments. Then there is a high-pitched, round-backed guitar called the vihuela, which when strummed in the traditional manner gives the Mariachi its typical rhythmic vitality; a deep-voiced guitar called the guitarrón which serves as the bass of the ensemble; and a Mexican folk harp, which usually doubles the bass line, but also ornaments the melody. While these three instruments have European origins, in their present form they are strictly Mexican.
David takes an order
One for him and one for me, one for her and one for me.... That's fair, right?
Mr. Kelley checks in to see how things are going
Hollywood... Old Ranch style
Keep bringing it on!
Raspberry Thief Caught In Action
Did you know? - The raspberry (plural, raspberries) is the edible fruit of a multitude of plant species in the genus Rubus, most of which are in the subgenus Idaeobatus; the name also applies to these plants themselves. The name originally referred to the European species Rubus idaeus (with red fruit), and is still used as its standard English name.
