Funerals, Food and Family

Tip #4 - Funerals, Food and Family


My family is from a small town in West Texas – Cross Plains, but I have spent most of my life is San Antonio! In the last few years I have attended many funerals in both cities. Last week, I drove to Cross Plains for another funeral and I started thinking about the huge difference in funerals between a small town and big city.

In San Antonio, everyone ascends upon the closest family members home and everyone brings a mixed matched casserole. 

While in Cross Plains, the ladies of the First Methodist Church came together and make a homemade meal for the family in the churches banquet facility. 

The menu was wonderful – slow smoked brisket from a local smoke house, lasagna, salad bar, and bread. But the best, was the made from scratch desserts! Peach cobbler, cookies, cakes, pies, and who knew cherry enchiladas (see similar recipe below)! It was so nice to have the local church put everything together for the family. We were able to sit around eat, talk about the old times, and  actually laugh with each other. I am not saying I look forward to funerals, but it is nice to see everyone and catch up.

Tip #4

Food can sometimes make you feel better! 

Try Cherry Enchiladas – they are fast and easy and so so so good!!!

1 can fruit pie filling (you can use any flavor)
1 c. (2 sticks) butter
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 tsp. (approx.) vanilla (to taste)
1/2 tsp. (approx.) cinnamon (to taste)
1 1/4 c. water
1 pkg. (10-12) flour tortillas

Melt butter. Add sugar, cinnamon, vanilla and water. 

Heat until sugar is dissolved (don't boil). 

Fill each tortilla with about 1 tablespoon filling (can be any kind of pie filling). 

Roll and place in pan, seam side down. 

Pour the glaze over the rolled tortillas. 

Bake for 45 minutes at 350 degrees, covered. 

Baste the top of the enchiladas after removing from oven.

Have a great week!

Lorissa Coiner (Sales Associate)

A Don Strange of Texas Event!

I was asked to write a series on what makes a Don Strange of Texas event unique?  The hardest part to this question is where do I start?  For as long as I can remember we have been pushing the “event envelope...going where no catering service dare to go” and always striving to be different and fresh.  

A catered event, wedding reception, corporate outing, whatever you are having is a journey to enjoy and celebrate.  Our goal is to make the journey with you.  Every event is customized exclusively for our clients.  No “canned” menus.  We have an incredible staff with a vast knowledge of all types of cuisine and themes to incorporate for any type of event.  On any given day we may have several events going at the same time and they may range from a company outing at our ranch, to a sophisticated Mediterranean style seated and served dinner for 500 in Houston.  

Here is a quick fun story.  Years ago we were hired to cater an event on a private island.  Everything had to be shuttled by barge.  We grilled fresh fish, boiled shrimp, shucked oysters right in front of the guest.  We had a band playing “beach tunes” We ended the night with our famous Kalua Milkshakes and homemade brownies.  It was a wonderful night and the experience, unforgettable.

Have a great week. 

Peace, Brian

WHAT TO DO WITH WEDDING FLOWERS, AFTER THE WEDDING?

Tip #3:  What to do with wedding flowers, after the wedding.


What happens to the flowers when the wedding and reception are over??

Typically, flower arrangements are just thrown away! The Atkins/Lauderdale wedding came up with the perfect solution! 


They purchased tin containers for the florist to use as centerpieces on the tables. Small, tin buckets were used to embellish the ceremony chairs on the lawn at the Don Strange Ranch.  

After the ceremony, the tins were used to decorate antique ranch tables and cocktail tables throughout the ranch. 

This is a great way to save money too!  Coordinating, larger, tin buckets were used for the reception in the pavilion. At the end of the night, the guests were invited to take the arrangements home. I absolutely loved this idea!

Tip #3

Purchase your own containers for the flowers, and send them home with guests as party favors.

Have a great week!  


Until next time,

Lorissa Coiner

Sales Associate

Credits:

Suzanne Nolan – Photographer

www.love-stories.com

210-490-6761

RTC Floristy - Tom Cardenas – Florist

rtcfloristryinc.com

(210) 734-9366

Summer Heat, Beauty of the Ranch, and Spinach!

Don Strange of Texas Inc.

6-11-11

Hello everyone welcome to my blog.  I hope you enjoy my ramblings on everything Don Strange of Texas Inc., my family and the crazy life of the off premise catering business.

Sure could use some rain!!!

Summer time is always hopping around our office.  We have a bunch of neat stuff going on with weddings, company picnics and team building events. 

 A few days ago we had a corporate team building group that decided they needed to get outside and have some fun with each other.  It’s interesting to watch a group of colleagues get together outside their element and bond as a cohesive team and have a blast doing it.  Jason and his team do a great job finding just the perfect activities to incorporate for the day.

I was at a wedding at the ranch a few nights ago and realized the true majestic spirit of the DSR and the hill country is so captivating.  The nights are just beautiful.  A nice cool breeze, stars that are brighter than ever and the peaceful sounds of laughter just make you feel good.  There is something special about our ranch that happens naturally when we have events.  

Food story:  My kids didn’t like spinach early on in their childhood.  I changed their minds quickly though with fresh sautéed spinach in olive oil with a hint of garlic, salt and pepper. Now, they are all about spinach.  Also, try are spinach quesadillas.  

I would love to hear any comments you might have, or questions I can try to answer.

Peace, Brian 

Guilt-FREE Margarita's

Tip #2:  Guilt-FREE Margarita's

I typically get my best ideas from clients! The Lambert/ Shelton wedding taught me about Diet Sprite (Sprite Zero – same thing) and Crystal Light. We were told to have plenty of Diet Sprite at all the bars! Who knew… so many great drinks were possible! I guess this is why everyone in Hollywood and Nashville are so skinny.

I created the recipe below for my mother (MeMe). It is 4 weight watcher points or 97 calories –half the points and calories of regular margaritas!!! They are so yummy and guilt free!



MeMe’s Margarita
1 ½ oz Tequila
Diet Sprite
2 Key Limes
Crystal Light Lemonade (Individual packets)
Salt (optional)

Directions:
Fill rock glass with ice and add tequila. Top with Diet Sprite, freshly squeezed lime juice, and lemonade crystal light powder to taste. Optional – rim glass with salt and garnish with lime.

MeMe’s Mojito
Replace vodka for rum and add muddled mint at the beginning.

Till next time!
Lorissa (Lori) Coiner

Lorissa's First Post!

Tip #1:  Stay true to yourself!

Hi – I am Lorissa (Lori) Coiner and I work for Brian Strange. I have been planning events for Don Strange Catering since 1998! It is a crazy job and full of surprises every day!

I execute 3 – 5 events each week, so I get to see lots of parties and I have lots of ideas. Brian has asked me to showcase an event or cool tip that I have seen. Please check out the blog weekly to see what is going on at Don Strange!



I worked on the Blake Shelton/ Miranda Lambert wedding and from our initial meeting she knew exactly what she wanted - comfortable and downhome! We passed prickly pear margaritas in mason jars and served fried venison that they had harvested! Even the décor represented her personality – Country Shabby Chic! Check out photos in the current issue of People Country Special. Every detail reflected and represented who she is and what she loves to do! We did the wedding in the pavilion at Kendall Creek on the Don Strange Ranch property and her rescued dogs were in the ceremony! It was so cute – the florist embellished their collars! This was a very important detail to her and it added a very personal touch to the ceremony. So, stay true to yourself and let the party reflect who you are and your guests will have a GREAT time!

See you next week!