Cinco De Mayo!

Grab a drink and a sombrero because Cinco De Mayo is approaching! We have some great ideas to help put the perfect touches on your next fiesta.

Dazzling Decor 

Spice up your Cinco De Mayo with bright colored banners! 

Add some mini pinatas 

Also add some festive flowers in bold colors

For step by step instructions on how to make tissue paper flower visit:  http://kindawonderful.typepad.com/pink_paper_peppermints/2008/05/crafty-flowers.html

Cinco De Drinko 

For a Twist on The Classic Margarita, Try a Grapefruit Margarita! 

Ingredients (4 servings): 

2 teaspoons coarse margarita salt

14 ounces ruby red grapefruit juice, with pulp

1 ounce lime juice

5 ounces tequila 

2 ounces triple sec 

4 slices grapefruit or twists

Directions: Combine 7 ounces of grapefruit juice, one-half ounce lime juice, 2 1/2 ounces tequila and 1 ounce triple sec in a cocktail shaker. Shake over ice until chilled. Strain into two ice-filled, salt-rimmed margarita glasses. Garnish with a twist or slice of grapefruit. Repeat to make two more cocktails! 

http://www.latimes.com/features/food/la-fo-grapefruit-margarita-s,0,1215777.story

Michelada

Ingredients (1 serving):

3 oz tomato or Clamato juice

4-5 drops tabasco sauce

2 dashes Worcestershire sauce 

Juice of one lime

Kosher salt 

Pinch of red pepper flakes

3 ice cubes

1 bottle Mexican beer 

Directions: Mix together in a cocktail shaker tomato juice, lime juice, Tabasco sauce, Worcestershire sauce, pinch of salt, red pepper flakes and ice. Pour into prepared salt-rimmed glass. Top with beer and garnish with a slice of lime. 

http://foodrepublik.com/tomato-micheladas/

Strawberry Basil Sangria 

Ingredients:

1/2 lb of fresh strawberries

1 apple

 1 ounce of fresh whole basil leaves

1 bottle of Chardonnay 

1/2 cup organic sugar

1 cup of club soda

1 cup of white grape juice 

Directions: Thinly slice the strawberries and apple into small bits. Score the basil leaves with a fork (to release flavor in the sangria). Layer the fruit, sugar and basil in a large pitcher and let sit for 10 minutes. Add the club soda first and then the remaining liquids. Stir well and serve. 

http://www.treehugger.com/easy-vegetarian-recipes/strawberry-basil-sangria-tastes-spring.html

Fiesta Food Favorites 

Avocado Bar 

Dagar's package includes:

Fresh Avocados Sliced to Order

Shrimp Ceviche 

Ancho Shredded Chicken 

Black bean and Corn Salsa

Mango Salsa 

Fresh pico de Gallo 

http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/shrimp_ceviche/

http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/mango_salsa/

Classic Fajitas 

When you order with Dagar's Catering it includes:

Warm Flour Tortillas

Beef & Chicken Fajitas

Spanish Rice

Mexican Style Pinto Beans 

Shredded Cheese 

Diced Onions

Sour Cream

Picante 

Pico de Gallo 

Iced Tea and Lemonade 

http://riversedgecatering.com/catering/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=216

Try Margarita Cupcakes or Cheesecake Flan for Something Sweet! 

http://www.recipegirl.com/2009/05/02/margarita-cupcakes-2/

http://mafrangine.blogspot.com/2008/03/orange-cheesecake-flan.html

Dagar's Catering hopes you have a wonderful and safe Cinco De Mayo! Be sure to contact us for any of your fiesta needs. 

Posted by Dagar's Catering Intern: Sara Abrams

Picnic in the Park

As it gets warmer outside, take your party to the great outdoors with a picnic! We've picked some great locations and delicious food for your next outdoor event. 

Picnic Locations 

Zilker Park 

http://www.austintexas.gov/department/zilker-metropolitan-park

http://austin.citysearch.com/profile/11402207/austin_tx/zilker_park.html

Mount Bonnell 

http://www.austinparks.org/apfweb/park.php?parkId=287

http://decker.typepad.com/photos/austin_images/bonnell1.html

Town Lake 

http://www.texasoutside.com/townlake.htm

http://reserve123.com/tours/town-lake-carriage-ride-austin/

Barton Creek Greenbelt 

http://www.texasoutside.com/bartongreenbelt.htm

http://www.northeastcycling.com/Austin_Trip2.htm

Guadalupe River 

http://guadaluperiver.com/site/

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/guadalupe_river/

Picnic Ideas 

Picnic Texas Style with a BBQ 

Add Some Skewers to Spice Up Your BBQ!

Keep It Simple with Delicious Sandwiches Made with Fresh Ingredients! 

http://www.divinedinnerparty.com/picnic-menus.html

Add Some Fresh Salads or Salsa!

Make Your Event Unique with a Catfish Fry 

http://nocostl.com/tag/fish-fries/

Coleslaw and Rolls Make the Perfect Sides!

 http://www.mccormick.com/Recipes/Side-Dish/Coleslaw-with-Basil-and-Garlic-Vinaigrette.aspx

Contact Dagar's Catering for all your event needs and see how we can help you create an amazing Springtime picnic! 

Posted by Dagar's Catering Intern: Sara Abrams

Springtime Sweets

Sprinkle Some Sugar on Your Next Spring Soiree! 

These sweet treats incorporate fresh seasonal fruit to help you cool off in the springtime heat. 

Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries

www.thesweetlife.com

Banana Pudding 

www.myrecipes.com

Peach Cobbler 

dlynz.com

Blueberry Angel Food Cake 

www.123rf.com 

Cherry Jubilee 

www.tinynewyorkkitchen.com

To bring a little sweetness to your next party, be sure to contact Dagar's Catering for all your event and catering needs! 

Posted by Dagar's Catering Intern: Sara Abrams

The Sun is Out and Summer is Near!

Cool off from the summer heat with a refreshing cocktail hour!

Try some of our new summer cocktails paired with some tasty appetizers. 

Summery Cucumber Round with Spicy Shrimp Ceviche 

centralflorida-catering.com

Grilled Fresh Fruit Skewer with Raspberry Honey Sauce 

chaosinthekitchen.com 

Pair these appetizers with a delicious Sunshine Dazzler! 

blog.teroforma.com

  1 part vodka

1 part fresh OJ

  1 part fresh mango juice

 2 parts dry champagne 

Lots of ice

  Orange slices

Mix ingredients in a pitcher, adding champagne last, and give a quick stir. Immediately serve over ice. 

Grilled Asparagus wrapped in Prosciutto and Provolone 

served with Lemon Aioli 

thatrunnerchick.com

BLT Cherry Tomatoes 

Tastebook.com

These summer favorites would go great with a Pink Lemonade Cocktail 

MyRecipes.com

 1 (12-oz.) can frozen pink lemonade concentrate, thawed

 3 (12-oz.) bottles beer (not dark), chilled


 3/4 cup vodka, chilled


   Garnish with fresh cranberries and citrus slices


As the heat rises, Dagar's Catering wants to make sure you stay well fed and hydrated this summer.

Contact us for any summer cocktail party needs and have a wonderful summer! 

Posted by Dagar's Catering Intern: Sara Abrams  

Staff Spotlight

Andrew Arriaga

University, Corporate & Social Event Specialist
at Dagar's Catering

Born and raised in West Texas, Andrew Arriaga followed his passions to New York City where he attended New York University and graduated with a degree in Music and Business Studies. While working in New York, Andrew garnered much experience in the event world by lending a hand in social and entertainment industry-related events for recording artists and major label groups, such as Sony and Warner Music Group. The fast paced environment of the music industry allowed Andrew to sharpen his event management and execution skills while exploring his creativity with a wide array of high-profile clients.

Upon graduating college in 2009, Andrew relocated to the culturally rich city of Austin where he joined the Dagar’s Catering team and began to learn the inner-workings of the company from the ground up. Currently, as the Social, Corporate & University Event Specialist, Andrew is thrilled to be able to marry his event management experience with his longtime love of all things food! Always utilizing his keen eye to detail and creative background, Andrew enjoys collaborating firsthand with individuals from all walks of life on everything from privately catered family functions to grand corporate soirees. Andrew has since helped put together catered events for the likes of Microsoft, Bank of America, Dell, Citi Group, Austin ISD and Ben Hur Shrine, as well as multiple departments within the University of Texas and Texas State University.

With his warm personality, diligent work ethic and love for all cuisines, Andrew has been a valuable addition to the Dagar’s Catering team. You can trust that you are in good hands when planning your next birthday party, office meeting or staff appreciation banquet with Andrew as your event specialist.