CWTK OMG! French Toast Recipe
On season 3, episode 2 of Cooking with the Kriks we are happy to welcome back to the show chef Serge and Mary Krikorian’s son, Brian Krikorian! In case you missed the last episode, Brian just became the co-owner (with his new bride, Raechel) of Different Dough Pizza Co. in Bryant, Arkansas. Chef Serge and Brian are showing us how to make this unique recipe for a delectable French toast dish. Read on to hear more about the history of this sweet breakfast treat and don’t miss the tutorial found here on Cooking with the Kriks:
The history of French toast can be traced back to ancient times. It was likely created as a way to use stale bread that would otherwise go to waste – clever! The earliest versions of French toast can be found in Roman cookbooks that go back to the 4th and 5th centuries, but the modern name “French toast” originated in medieval Europe. In France, the dish was called “pain perdu,” which means “lost bread” in French, referring to the practice of using bread that was about to be thrown away.
French toast made its way to America with the early settlers. It became a common dish in colonial times and was often flavored with spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Over time, it evolved into the breakfast staple that is enjoyed today. While French toast has been traditionally made with plain white bread, there are numerous variations and regional differences in its preparation. Today, French toast continues to be a beloved breakfast option around the world, enjoyed for its simplicity, versatility, and delicious taste.
Grab the recipe below and don’t forget to go SUBSCRIBE, LIKE and COMMENT over on Cooking with the Kriks – it really helps our channel, thank you!
OMG! French Toast Recipe
2 Servings
Custard Base:
2 Eggs, Beaten
½ Cup Heavy Cream
2 Tbls. Maple Syrup
For the Toast:
4 Slices Brioche Bread
½ Cup Mascarpone Cheese
2 Tbls. Heavy Cream
½ tsp. Vanilla Extract
½ tsp. Ground Cinnamon
1 tsp. Sugar
Pinch of Salt
Lemon Zest
For the Coating:
4 Tbls. Unsalted Butter, melted
2 Tbls. Brown Sugar
2 Tbls. Maple Syrup
Vanilla Cream:
1 Cup Heavy Cream
1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
Garnish:
Caramel Syrup
Maple Syrup
Fresh Strawberries
Fresh Blueberries
Toasted Coconut
For the Custard: In a medium bowl, combine the beaten eggs, ½ cup heavy cream, and 2 Tbls. maple syrup. Mix well and set aside.
For the Toast: Combine the mascarpone cheese with the heavy cream, vanilla extract, cinnamon, sugar, salt and lime zest and mix well. Spread the mixture evenly on two slices of brioche bread and top with remaining slices of bread.
On a baking sheet, combine the melted butter, brown sugar and maple syrup and spread evenly around the pan.
Dip the stuffed toast in the custard mixture to evenly coat and then lay on the sheet pan in the coating and then turn them over to coat the other side.
Cook in a preheated 350 degree oven for 10-15 minutes, until golden brown.
Meanwhile, for the Vanilla Cream, combine the heavy cream and vanilla extract in a mixture and whip until soft peaks form.
To serve, put the toast on a plate and top with the caramel, Vanilla Cream, maple syrup, fresh berries and toasted coconut. OMG! That’s good French Toast!!
Philly Steak Sandwich Recipe
You don’t have to live in or visit Philadelphia to enjoy a good Philly steak sandwich! Chef Serge Krikorian with Vibrant Occasions originally shared his own unique recipe with the public on THV 11’s The Vine television show with hosts, Adam Bledsoe and Ashley King. Now you can grab this tasty recipe here on our blog and try it at home. Read on to learn more about the original Philly cheesesteak sandwich and how it has evolved over the years.
The Philly Cheesesteak is a sandwich originated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the 1930s. It is made with thinly-sliced steak and melted cheese, typically served on a long, crusty roll. The cheese is usually American or Cheez Whiz, and the traditional toppings include fried onions and peppers.
The origins of the Philly Cheesesteak are somewhat disputed, but the most commonly accepted story is that it was first made by Pat Olivieri, a hot dog vendor in south Philadelphia. Legend has it that Olivieri was tired of eating hot dogs for lunch every day, so he decided to grill some steak and put it on a roll with some onions. A passing taxi driver smelled the sandwich and asked to try it, and soon Olivieri was selling cheesesteaks to customers at his stand.
The popularity of the Philly cheesesteak grew quickly, and by the 1950s, it had become a staple of Philadelphia cuisine. Today, it is a beloved sandwich not just in Philadelphia, but throughout the United States and even in other countries.
There are many variations of the Philly Cheesesteak, and different shops, restaurants and chefs have their own signature twists on the classic sandwich. Some popular variations include adding mushrooms, hot peppers, or different types of cheese. There is even a vegan version of the sandwich that uses seitan instead of steak.
Despite its humble origins, the Philly Cheesesteak has become a cultural icon and a symbol of Philadelphia’s food scene. It has been featured in countless TV shows, movies and songs, and is a must-try for anyone visiting the city.
Don’t forget, you do not have to wait to learn new recipes from chef Serge! Just head over to our Youtube show, Cooking with the Kriks, and you will find an array of delicious dishes to choose from with step-by-step tutorials. Be sure to hit that SUBSCRIBE button, give our videos a like and comment:
Philly Steak Sandwich
1.5 tsp. Grapeseed Oil
6 oz. Thinly Shaved striploin Steak
Salt
Freshly Ground Black Pepper
½ oz. Red Bell Pepper, thinly sliced
½ oz. Green Bell Pepper, thinly sliced
½ oz. Yellow Onion, thinly sliced
1 6-7” Hoagie Roll, halved lengthwise
1.5 tsp. Butter, melted
1.5 oz Jalapeno cheese sauce
2.5 oz. Au Jus (recipe below)
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
Heat oil in a cast iron skillet over medium heat.
Season the shaved strip steak with salt and pepper.
Working in batches, place steak in the skillet in a single layer and cook 2-3 minutes per side, just until it starts to crisp around the edges.
Remove steak and cover to keep warm.
Put peppers and onions into the same skillet and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 5-6 minutes, until the onions are translucent.
Brush the cut edges of the hoagie roll with the melted butter. Top the bottom half with the meat, the peppers and onions, and then the cheese. Place both halves of the hoagie on an oven-safe sheet pan.
Place in a preheated oven and cook until the cheese is melted.
Serve with the Au Jus as a dipping sauce.
Au Jus
½ Cup Beef Stock
1 Sm. Sprig Fresh Rosemary
4 Black Peppercorns
Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat. Simmer until reduced by half. Remove the rosemary and peppercorns to serve.
Jalapeno Cheese Sauce
2 cups Heavy cream
1.5 lbs White american easy melt
¼ lbs White cheddar cheese
1 Fresh Jalapeno fine diced
4 oz Pepper green chilis dice
Place all ingredients in a double boiler on low heat, stirring occasionally until melted.
Vibrant Occasions Awarded Heart Leader of the Year at the Inaugural MIBE Awards
Owners at Vibrant Occasions, Serge and Mary Krikorian, have been implementing compassionate company culture techniques learned after attending the MIBE Heart Leadership Workshop in Denver, Colorado last year. Serge and Mary Krikorian, subsequently received prestigious awards from the MIBE organization called Heart Leader of the Year at the Inaugural MIBE Awards ceremony in January 2023. MIBE focuses heavily on helping other business owners in the hospitality industry to live their best lives while running their businesses. It can be challenging to keep up with everything in your organization, whether big or small. Valuing your work, customers, employees and yourself can be a full-time job on its own. MIBE is an acronym for “Make It Better Everyday.” MIBE inspires leaders in the hospitality industry with these concepts so they can instill joy and fulfillment in their own and in their employees’ work and lives.
Coming from their own story of trying to make it in the hospitality industry with their business, Footers Catering, April and Anthony Lambatos created MIBE to lead, love, vibe and MIBE.
April and Anthony Lambatos of MIBE said, “At MIBE we are passionate about helping other companies create great places to work, where employees can truly thrive. By implementing heart leadership, we know that leaders can have a profound impact on the lives of their team members both personally and professionally. Most people spend a significant amount of time at their job and we want to inspire others to build work environments that bring more joy and fulfillment to the people that work in them.”
Serge and Mary have been learning so much from MIBE about how to Make It Better Everyday. Valuing people for more than just the job they do, understanding that everyone is at distinct chapters of their lives and everyone’s personalities are vastly different are some big things they have taken away from Anthony and April. They even created their own culture club called MIVE, an acronym for “Make It Vibrant Everyday.”
At the MIBE Summit and Inaugural MIBE Awards ceremony, several businesses won awards. Vibrant Occasions included! Owners at Vibrant Occasions, Serge and Mary Krikorian, won the Heart Leader of the Year awards for the commitment to their community and employees.
“We recognized and celebrated 5 Heart Leaders of 2022 at our Inaugural MIBE Awards this past January. The Heart Leader of the Year award goes to those who have created an exceptional place to work and have dedicated their lives to better serve their teammates and employees in their organizations. It is no doubt that Mary and Serge Krikorian have all the characteristics of a Heart Leader. They have made a significant impact on the leaders in their company, and have been continuously challenging themselves to be even better for the future. It has been an honor to see the profound changes they have made and I really do believe the sky’s the limit for the team at Vibrant Occasions as long as they are being led by Mary and Serge,” says Colleen Hartigan, senior program manager with MIBE.
Growth, innovation, balance, awesomeness and integrity are Vibrant’s Values. At Vibrant Occasions, employees are asked to share moments when they see their co-workers implementing these values. We cheer each other on and recognize one another for doing great deeds, even in the smallest ways. Making the workplace effective, fun and stress-free for staff and customers are always on Vibrant Occasions’ radar.
Community and culture are staples in the way that Serge and Mary run their businesses. They offered free services to those involved in the tornado in central Arkansas in March 2023, cooking meals and food for hundreds of families and thousands of people who no longer had a way to cook their own meals. They raised awareness and donations centered around the EMpact One Foundation, an organization dedicated to making the lives of our youth better. They have teamed up with EMpact One Foundation several times for this organization in their community. They have volunteered at the Benton Chamber of Commerce over the years including last year, volunteering for bingo night to make sure the bingo fans had a great time. They never miss the opportunity to create a good experience for anyone who needs it.
By receiving this award, Vibrant Occasions has shown effectively that we lead with heart. Being active in the community, valuing employee relationships and ensuring we can do our best every day is top of mind. Continuing to grow upwards in every aspect from self-growth to career-growth has been a large part of what Serge and Mary do, and will continue to do.
Congratulations to all the MIBE award recipients!
Inaugural MIBE Awards Event Vendor Team
Venue | Social Capitol Events
Catering & Bar | Footers Catering
DJ/Entertainment | TH Entertainment
Marquee Letters | Alpha Lit
Photography | All Digital Photo and Video
Ice Sculpture | Colorado Ice Works
Photobooth | MiHi Entertainment
Videography | Garlic Media Group
Labneh and Raspberry Chipotle-Glazed Pork Loin Recipes
Looking for an appetizer and entree combination that creates a lovely presentation together? Look no further than labneh paired with pita for dipping as the perfect starter dish. Labneh is a soft cheese, similar in texture to cream cheese. It is made from strained yogurt and is a very popular cuisine in the Middle Eastern regions. At about half the fat and calories of standard cream cheese, it’s a healthier alternative. Raspberry chipotle-glazed pork loin will keep the fruity vibes flowing as the entree of your meal. You will love all the fresh herbs included in the rub and although it may look hard to make…it is not at all! This makes a great spread around the holidays or any day. It will quickly become your favorite pork recipe. Pair these two dishes together and you are sure to impress your friends and family.
Chef Serge Krikorian with Vibrant Occasions showcased these two dishes on THV 11’s The Vine with Ashley King and Adam Bledsoe. We will be updating this blog with recipes featured on The Vine, so be sure to check back now and again for some of your favorites from the show.
Don’t forget you can always watch new episodes of chef Serge Krikorian’s cooking show over on Youtube called Cooking with the Kriks! Learn to cook all of chef Serge’s favorite dishes along with various guests of the show including other event industry professionals, interesting people and creators of all kinds. Remember to hit that subscribe button to stay up-to-date:
Labneh
1 Qt. Greek Yogurt
1 tsp. Kosher Salt
Combine the yogurt and salt in a medium bowl and mix well.
Line a colander with a paper towel. Set the colander inside another bowl. Pour the yogurt into the colander and cover with another paper towel. Place the yogurt in the refrigerator and let it drain overnight, preferably 24 hours.
Triple Berry Topping for Labneh
1 pint of fresh red raspberries
1 pint of fresh strawberry, sliced
1 pint of fresh blackberries
1 cup sugar
Peel from orange
1 Tbls. lime juice
2 sprigs of fresh thyme
Mix all of the ingredients together in a saucepan over low heat.
Cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened. This takes about 10 to 15 minutes.
Remove from the heat and let it cool.
Spoon over the labneh and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil.
Labneh with Agrumato Lemon Olive Oil and Za’atar
Agrumato Lemon Olive Oil
Za’atar Seasoning
Lightly drizzle oil over labneh and sprinkle with za’atar seasoning.
Raspberry Chipotle Glazed Pork Loin
3.5 lbs. Pork Loin
3 Tbls. Minced Garlic
2 Tbls. Fresh Rosemary
1/2 Tbls. Ground Sage
1 Tbls. Fresh Thyme
1 Tbls. Kosher Salt
1 Tbls. Ground Black Pepper
1/4 Cup Grapeseed Oil
1 Cup Chicken Stock
1 Cup Raspberry Chipotle Sauce (recipe follows)
Combine the garlic, rosemary, sage, thyme, salt and black pepper.
Score the fat side of the pork loin with a sharp knife in a diamond pattern. Spread the oil over the untrimmed pork loin and rub the seasonings over the pork loin and into the meat. Put in the refrigerator and marinate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
Place pork tenderloin on a roasting rack in a roasting pan, fat side up, and cook in an oven at 325 degree uncovered, for 1 1/2, or until internal temperature reaches 150 deg.
Turn the loin over fat side down and spread Raspberry Chipotle Sauce over the top of the loin and return to the oven for 5 minutes.
Let stand for 10 minutes before slicing.
Meanwhile, place the roasting pan over medium heat and deglaze the pan with the chicken stock. Serve pan sauce over pork.
Raspberry Chipotle Sauce
1 Jar Raspberry Preserves
3 Tbls. Distilled White Vinegar
2 canned Chipotle Chile Peppers
1 Tbls. Chipotle Pepper Adobo Sauce
1 1/2 Tbls. Minced Garlic
Combine ingredients in a food processor and puree.
Pan-Seared Sea Scallops Recipe
Have you ever wondered how to get that beautiful golden brown crust on sea scallops? It is actually super easy to prepare, especially when compared to some of their seafood counterparts like lobster or crab. Scallops have a mildly sweet flavor and delicate texture that bursts in your mouth. They can be very healthy, too!
This recipe was first presented by chef Serge Krikorian with Vibrant Occasions on THV 11’s The Vine with Adam Bledsoe and Ashley King. Be on the lookout for future episodes featuring chef Serge and check back here on our blog for the written recipes as updated.
Scallops are an excellent source of several trace minerals, including selenium, zinc and copper. They are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and can balance your cholesterol levels, reducing risk of heart disease. The high magnesium content in scallops can contribute to heart health as well. This mineral helps relax blood vessels, which could lower your blood pressure and improve circulation.
For more amazing recipes by chef Serge Krikorian, visit our Youtube show, Cooking with Kriks, and don’t forget to hit that subscribe button:
Pan-Seared Sea Scallops
12 Sea Scallops
1 Tbls. Olive Oil
Sea Salt and Ground Black Pepper, to taste
Clarified Butter
1 Lemon
Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
Pat the scallops dry then season on both sides with salt and pepper.
When the pan is smoking hot, gently place the scallops in the pan, making sure they are not touching each other.
Sear scallops for 2 minutes until they are caramelized and have a golden crust. Turn over and cook for another 1-2 minutes until the middle becomes translucent.
Drizzle with melted clarified butter and a drop of lemon and serve.
International Dishes by Chef Serge: Building the Best Taco Bars
When it comes to hosting an event, trying to make sure everyone is happy with the selection of food and drinks can be tricky. Feeding a large crowd, accommodating to their dietary needs and also trying to be an active host doesn’t always have to be difficult, though. There are many ways that a host can make things a little bit easier on themselves while making it even more fun and entertaining for their guests.
Food bars have become an increasingly popular trend during parties and events, making dinner more casual for the hip host. Creating a self-serving buffet, or even hiring caterers to come and prep and serve for your food bar will save you loads of time, stress and planning. It’s easy, oftentimes more economical than planning a full-course meal and it can accommodate almost any type of guest. Some of the most popular kinds of food bars for parties and events are nacho bars, pizza bars, charcuterie bars, chip and dip bars, an ever-popular salad bar, and our favorite…taco bars! Taco bars come in a very large variety, can be served in several different ways and are overall delicious.
Make Your Choices
There are a lot of decisions to make when it comes to planning an event already, but luckily setting up a taco bar is easy! You’re going to want to decide your theme, decorations, lighting and music for your event in an effort to decorate your food bar around that. If you are wanting a cohesive look for your event or party, it would be the best choice to start there.
The next thing you will want to decide for your taco bar is your presentation. There are a couple different options here from self-serving to hiring someone to cater and serve for you. Creating a DIY taco station or action station for your guests allows for extra creativity and allows your guests to pick-and-choose as they come and go. This also gives the host the ability to be totally hands-free, other than the set-up and preparation for the food. Another choice you have is to serve the tacos yourself. This will give you the chance to see and talk to every guest that comes through, but has a downside. Being totally hands-on when it’s time to eat will result in only being able to man the bar temporarily, instead of the duration of the event, before getting back to activities. Your last option is to hire a caterer. Many caterers will take care of everything like plates, cups, silverware and napkins. They will prepare, cook and serve food as guests come and go. They also have amazing chefs who know how to cook some of the best food you might ever taste!
The biggest decision when creating your taco bar is choosing what kind of tacos you want to serve. There are hundreds of different meats, toppings, condiments, and garnishes that you can stuff into your tacos. Classic, street or custom tacos are loved all around the world and can be altered to fit anyone’s tastes or needs. It can be hard coming up with the perfect recipe for tacos, so here are a few of our favorite kinds of tacos that you may enjoy, too.
Shredded Brisket Tacos
The brisket taco is a staple street food in Texas. Bringing together two of the tastiest cuisines, tacos and juicy brisket, your mouth is sure to water at the sight of these. Consisting of a shredded brisket cut of beef, fresh cilantro lime slaw, pico de gallo and a sprinkle of cotija cheese. Meaty, hearty, juicy and delicious are the only words to explain this taco.
Pork Carnitas Tacos
Carnitas is one of the most perfect meats for a taco. Meaning “little meats” in Spanish, it’s the best meat to perfectly fill your taco. Simmered in oil or lard until tender allows for the pork to be easily pulled apart. This leaves us with a very tender, juicy and flavorful pork meat for our tacos. These tacos are able to be topped with slaw, onions, avocado, really anything your heart (and stomach) desire. We love to top ours with a lovely chimichurri sauce to give it that extra punch.
Pollo Asado Tacos
If you’re looking for something perhaps a little healthier or maybe you don’t don’t prefer red meat, our pollo asado tacos will have your guests lining up for seconds. Meaning grilled chicken, this street taco can be jazzed up with many different sauces and vegetable fillings. For our pollo asado tacos, we marinate our chicken in orange and lime juices for a kick and extra flavor. Topping with cilantro lime slaw, pico de gallo, as well as our cotija cheese.
Bulgogi Tacos
A Korean-Mexican fusion taco as well as the ever-popular Los Angeles created street taco. Bulgogi is a Korean beef barbeque, made of thinly-cut marinated beef and is often grilled on a barbeque or stove-top griddle. For our bulgogi tacos, we top them with a tangy and sweet Korean barbeque sauce as well as our fresh Asian slaw. A unique and tasty taco for a unique and food-loving host.
Mediterranean Chicken Tacos
The Mediterranean chicken taco is the perfect way to get a quick taste of Greece or Italy. It’s quite simple and doesn’t involve an overwhelming amount of preparation. The filling and sauce are just delicious in this kind of taco, with crumbles of feta cheese, fresh cucumber, crisp onions, glistening tomatoes and finally topped with a piquant tahini tzatziki sauce.
Cajun Shrimp Tacos
Fish tacos of all kinds have been on the rise for the past 60 years, originating from Mexico and taking over the street food trucks of America. These tacos can be juicy, smoky, earthy, tangy and even spicy. Although it doesn’t seem like fish would give a lot of forgiveness in a taste palette, there are many savory garnishes and fillings you can use. Traditional taco fillings such as cheese, sour cream, lettuce and tomatoes are perfect. For our favorite Cajun shrimp tacos, be sure to have your bayou bengel sauce and top it with a fresh lime slaw.
Choosing the best kind of food doesn’t have to be as difficult as choosing which lighting will be best or what playlist your guests will love the most. Everyone loves a tasty taco, an easy set-up and economical alternatives. The taco also compliments a variety of drinks from margaritas to cocktails to beer. Impress your guests with a plated dinner or give them taco-filling freedom by setting up a self-serving station. Trendy and simple is just too hard to beat.
Special thank you to Cameron and Elizabeth Photography for all photos used in this blog post.
Pan-Seared Steaks with Brandy Cream Sauce Recipe
Chef Serge Krikorian is whipping up the goods for you with this pan-seared steak with brandy cream sauce recipe! This recipe was first presented on THV 11’s The Vine show with Adam Bledsoe and Ashley King. We are excited to share the written recipe with you here today and tell you a little more about the dish.
Everyday is a great day for a steak recipe, but this one is especially impressive for holiday celebrations and dinner parties. It feels festive and livens up a meal leaving guests feeling more than satisfied. Brandy cream is a less rich alternative to brandy butter and is an absolutely mouth-watering addition to any steak. Its creamy texture and savory flavor adds a moisture-rich ingredient that creates a unique twist. It makes a great sauce for many pasta dishes and don’t worry if you don’t have brandy on hand! You can always substitute an equal amount of rum, bourbon or cognac.
For more amazing recipes by chef Serge Krikorian, visit our Youtube show, Cooking with Kriks, and don’t forget to hit that subscribe button:
Pan-Seared Steaks with Brandy Cream Sauce
2 8 oz. Flat Iron Steaks
1 Tbls. Grapeseed Oil
1 tsp. Kosher Salt
1/2 tsp. Ground Black Pepper
1 Tbls. Unsalted Butter
1 Shallot, minced
1 tsp. Minced Garlic
2 Cups Sliced Baby Portobello Mushrooms
2 oz. Brandy
1 tsp. Dijon Mustard
3/4 Cup Heavy Cream
1/4 Cup Beef Stock
2 tsp. Worcestershire Sauce
1 tsp. Louisiana Hot Sauce
6 oz. Egg Noodles, cooked according to package directions
1 tsp. Cornstarch
1 Tbls. Water
Sliced Green Onions, optional garnish
Preheat your grapeseed oil in a heavy bottomed skillet on medium high heat. Season your steak with salt and pepper Gently place the steaks in the skillet and cook for 4 minutes on the first side. Add your butter, turn the steak over, and cook for 3 minutes on the second side, occasionally basting it until the steak reaches 135 degrees for medium rare. Cover and set aside and let the steaks rest.
Lower your heat and add the mushrooms and shallots, along with a tablespoon of grapeseed oil to the skillet and saute, scraping the bottom and stirring until done. Add garlic and saute for another minute.
Carefully add the brandy, tip the pan away from you, and ignite the brandy with a lighter. When the flame has burned out, add the mustard and cream. Mix thoroughly and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the beef stock, worcestershire, and hot sauce and simmer for 3-4 minutes. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as necessary.
Combine the cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water and stir into the sauce mixture and stir until the sauce has thickened.
Slice the steaks across the grain and lay on top of cooked egg noodles. Ladle sauce over the steak and noodles and garnish with sliced green onions.
Cooking with the Kriks Season 3 Ep. 1: Pollo Asado Tacos | Brian Krikorian w/ Different Dough Pizza Co.
Welcome back to season 3 of Cooking with the Kriks! After this long break, you know we had to come back with one of everybody’s favorites…TACOS! On this episode of Cooking with the Kriks, we are bringing back Brian Krikorian who happens to be chef Serge Krikorian’s son and (drum roll, please) the new owner of Different Dough Pizza Co.! That’s right, Brian is following in his father’s footsteps with a pizza restaurant located in Bryant, Arkansas. Today these two are whipping up pollo asado tacos with all the fixings. Brian has worked at Vibrant Occasions over the years with his parents and is no stranger to good food and good service! His parents, Serge and Mary Krikorian, owned a pizza restaurant when Brian was a baby back in the 1990s in Benton, Arkansas called Sergio’s Pizza prior to their formal entry into the catering business. FUN FACT: Brian recently married the love of his life, Raechel, in their new pizza restaurant! What a fun story they will have to tell their grandkids one day. This pollo asado recipe is all about the marinade as you will learn in this episode. Learn how to make pollo asado tacos today featured on season three, episode one of Cooking with the Kriks.
It would mean the world to us at Vibrant Occasions if you would SUBSCRIBE to our channel, like our videos and leave us a comment!
Pollo Asado
2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Juice of 1 orange
2 Tbls. olive oil
Juice of 1 lime
1 Tbls. white wine vinegar
1 Tbls. achiote paste
1 Tbls. ground coriander
1 Tbls. kosher salt
1 Tbls. minced garlic
2 Tsp. paprika
2 Tsp. dried oregano
1 Tsp. ground black pepper
1 Tsp. ground cumin
⅛ Tsp. ground cloves
Cut chicken into small, thin strips. Set aside.
Combine the remaining ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
Pour the marinade into a large bowl and add the chicken. Stir to combine. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours but preferably overnight.
Heat a cast iron skillet or a flat top grill over medium high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade and cook, working in batches, until the chicken is cooked through.
Serving Idea #1: Pollo Asado Tacos
Warm a flour or corn tortilla and fill with the pollo asado. Top with pico de gallo, slaw made with a touch of lime, chopped fresh cilantro, and a little salt (lime slaw), and a sprinkling of cotija cheese.
Serving Idea #2: Breakfast Tacos
Scramble 2 eggs using your favorite scrambled egg recipe. Add the eggs to warm flour or corn tortillas, top with the pollo asado, pico de gallo, lime slaw, and cotija cheese
Serving Idea #3: Chicken Quesadillas
Top a flour tortilla with shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheeses and top with pollo asado. Place a second flour tortilla on top. Heat a skillet or flat top on medium high heat and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Cook the quesadilla on both sides until golden brown. Remove from heat and cut into triangles. Serve with sour cream and pico de gallo.
Vibrant Occasions Offers Support After Arkansas Tornado
On March 31st, 59 tornadoes were flying around the south and parts of the midwest. Causing damage, destruction, and even deaths, the people of Little Rock, Arkansas were hit with a devastating natural disaster. With one fatality and over 50 people in the hospital with injuries, many families need help. The F3 tornado obliterated homes, schools and businesses from Shannon Hills to Sherwood, hitting a large historic district of Little Rock. Buildings that have been there for a hundred years were picked up and thrown across the city, now rubble. The townspeople from Saline County to Pulaski County are shocked and distraught at the damage.
In our efforts to help the people of our community, Vibrant Occasions teamed up with The Grandeur House and Wolfe Street Center to cook and give out free meals to the families of those affected by the disaster. The Little Rock mayor announced that over 2,100 homes, businesses, and buildings were affected or destroyed by this disaster. They are still continuing to help pick up the damage and debris before getting to the resilient rebuilding. With this in mind, the families of the area need all of the crisis resources they can get. Watching the community come together to help all of the families in need at this time is very heartwarming. Even people across the country are coming to the aid of the Little Rock people in the form of care packages, donations or even arriving to help with cleanup.
The Wolfe Street Center offered people supplies and meals as well as accepted donations for families in need. Residents, businesses and others in the community all came to donate their supplies or volunteer time to the center. Vibrant Occasions did the same, volunteering to cook meals all day for affected residents on Sunday, April 2nd. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were served by Wolf Street Center and cooked by Vibrant Occasions.
Wolfe Street Center said “We have to say THANK YOU to the team at Vibrant Occasions Catering and The Grandeur House! Chef Serge and Mary Krikorian answered the call today. They came out to help cook breakfast – but they stayed all day and helped our crew get 2,000+ meals out!”
We love to help anyone we can, especially our community when they are in need. There are many resources for families and people who are going through this kind of disaster such as Little Rock’s emergency relief fund, the fire department, churches, The Arkansas Food Bank and the Red Cross has also set up a place for donations.
“Over 300 tornado victims and volunteers fed for breakfast, and over 1,800 hot dog meals for lunch! The biggest thank you to Serge Krikorian and Mary Krikorian with Vibrant Occasions for teaming up with The Grandeur House and all of the other amazing volunteers! ALL the glory to God, for this opportunity to love on our community and be used to serve them today,” said Natalie Scott with Grandeur House.
Vibrant Occasions said “Without question, we help our community. For us to continue to thrive together, we must work together hand in hand.”
Volunteering your time as a resident nearby or even just offering verbal support to your friends and family across the nation can help. Anything you can do to help these families make this disaster even the tiniest bit easier on them is doing them a favor. Donating if you can and ensuring everyone you know has some kind of aid or relief. Little Rock is accepting all kinds of supply donations at the Little Rock Fire Department Training Academy and donations through their Emergency Relief Fund here:
https://www.littlerock.gov/city-administration/mayors-office/initiatives/little-rock-cares/
Batteries, diapers, food, chainsaws, blankets, water, clothes, toiletries – many of these families are going to have to start over from scratch and have been displaced from their homes. Homeless and shocked, we as a community will meet this challenge together.
Tips For Hosting The Best Dinner Party
Dinner parties have always been a socially conventional way to bond with family and friends. Sitting down to chat, eat and have a little wine can sound like the perfect Sunday night before having to get back to a busy work week. Whether celebrating a holiday, milestone or simply celebrating life, a dinner party is an intimate setting to create memorable occasions. A tasty menu, fun activities, a cozy setting, nostalgic music and a great host are the keys to having a vibrant occasion. But what if you’re the host? Ensuring that you have set the perfect scene for your dinner party does not always sound as easy as it seems. With our tips on how to set up an amazing atmosphere, create the most magnificent menu and be the hostess with the mostest, it’s sure to make your planning flow.
Start Planning Ahead
When planning for something of this nature, it would be a good idea to start working out your key components early. Saving the stress of having to do things last minute will be a huge part in making sure the event is not only entirely fun for your guests, but also for you.
Party planning should be fun and creative and not stressful or overly time consuming. Deciding if you want to create and send out invitations should be the first decision in your dinner party planning. This can take more time if sent by mail. Consider a virtual option like Paperless Post for expediency, data collection for RSVPs and guests’ dietary needs.
Theme, decor and lighting should be next. What kind of mood are you wanting to set for dinner? Calm, peaceful and quiet would call for dim lighting like candles and a more romantic type of decor while a fun and upbeat theme would lean more towards bright, colorful and loud.
Music and dinner go hand-in-hand while allowing the decor and mood to pick the feel of the music or vice versa. Create a playlist you won’t have to control during dinner if you are planning on incorporating music. You may also consider hiring a live musician or DJ for an added layer of entertainment.
A dinner party would not be complete without a miraculous and memorable menu. Choose a menu that you know you will succeed at making. It’s not completely about impressing your guests, but rather creating a delicious spread. Also account for time; if your dish requires preparations the day before, make sure you will be available to do that. Activities are the last thing you may want to think ahead for and prepare. Will you have different stations? Will you set the food up buffet-style? Do you want to plate and serve the meal? Make sure to account for any disabilities of your guests, as well.
Choosing Your Menu
Deciding the dishes you want to put into the mix of your menu will be determined by how many courses you may want to add. The most standard amount of courses for meals are 3 courses: an appetizer, a main course and a dessert. Though, you could have up to a 12 or16-course meal with the extreme form at 21 courses including: hors d’oeuvres, amuse-bouche, soup, appetizer, salad, fish, first main course, palate cleanser, second main course, cheese course, dessert, mignardise and more. It’s up to you and your abilities, time and effort you are willing to spend.
Be sure you are accounting for guests’ dietary restrictions. Vegetarians, vegans, gluten-free and allergies are all things you should be willing to take into account when preparing your meal. Will you prepare a separate meal for those guests or focus on one main course that is suitable for everybody? You could even ask your guests what kind of dishes they like and dislike. Asking if they prefer Italian, Mediterranean, Japanese or Mexican can give you an idea on what your guests crave most and make sure that each guest will enjoy the dishes. You could opt to make a list of dishes and ask them to choose between them.
To account for everyone’s tastes, setting out multiple appetizers or hors d’oeuvres can ensure that there is a variety for everyone. Dessert is the grand finale when it comes to a multi-course dish. The best ending desserts are unique, tasty and smaller in size. You don’t want to get the guests so full that they are too tired for the rest of the night. Giving something like a tart or mini cake, cream puffs or strawberry cheesecake cups would be the perfect ending to the night.
Incorporate Some Fun
Music, dancing and games are all great ways to keep your guests entertained all night long. Card and board games are the easiest of all activities to add to your dinner party evening. You don’t have to try to explain the rules, have a bunch of set up or create your own game when you pick this option. You could even have your own dinner party murder mystery that could prolong the whole night. Things like best friend or couples quizzes in newlywed-style could make for a hilarious night, as well. If you are hosting people whom you have never hosted before and want to get to know them, games where you have to work together like charades or pictionary can lead to a giggly dinner, too. Moving on from games, everyone loves music. Karaoke will get everyone up dancing and singing sounds like a great time. There are so many activities you could set up when it comes to having a dinner party, as long as everyone is having fun.
Hosting a dinner party can be stressful and chaotic if you don’t know how to prepare. With our tips, you will be able to know exactly what to prepare in the perfect amount of time. With beautiful invitations, an extravagant atmosphere, a delightful dinner menu and fun activities, you are bound to have your guests asking when your next party is! Remember to always plan ahead and account for the guests that you are having over. Make the entire event planning fun to end for you and your guests to create the most memorable party ever. If you are in a pickle and need someone to come and cater for your dinner party, just give Vibrant Occasions Catering a call or fill out our contact form.
Photo used by Vivlio Photography.
Vibrant Occasions Catering
Address:
1305 Hot Springs Hwy., Ste. 102
Benton, Arkansas 72019
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Our Offices:
1305 Hot Springs Hwy., Ste. 102
Benton, AR 72019
Phone: 501-408-2111
Email: mary@vibrantoccasionscatering.com
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