Matty's Catering Handles the Thanksgiving Day Hassle

Don't make Thanksgiving this year another time of stress and hassle....let the professionals cater to you! We are pleased to announce that we will again be hosting a beautiful Thanksgiving Day buffet at our restaurant location, Matty's Bar & Grille from 11am-5pm that day.  There will be a full spread of all the favorites like turkey, pit ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes....and a lot more!

Get the full menu listing on the bars website and make your reservations by calling 414.427.3838 Extension 1! Adults are $16.95, Children 10 and under are $9.95 and Children 3 and under are Free.

We will be serving the buffet from 11am until 5pm so give us a call today and help make this year a stress free one!

Matty's Bar & Grille is located at:
14460 W College Ave
New Berlin WI 53151
*Between Moorland and Sunnyslope Rd. on College Ave.

Say Cheers With Holiday Cider!

Nothing says the Holidays like family, a warm fire and......a drink that warms you up!  Follow this quick and easy recipe to put a little kick (adults only please) into your traditional Hot Apple Cider.

Spiked Hot Apple Cider (Makes 10 Cups)

Ingredients:

• 7 Cups of Apple Cider (My favorite comes from a local Apple Orchard)
• 1/3 Cup Brown Sugar
• 5-6 Cinnamon Sticks
• 1 Teaspoon Allspice
• 1 Teaspoon Cloves
• 1 1/2 Cups Dark Rum (I suggest Myers)
• 1 1/2 Cups Butterscotch Schnapps

1. Combine the Apple Cider and Brown Sugar in a large saucepan.  Using a cheese cloth, bundle together the cinnamon sticks, Allspice and Cloves-drop into the Apple Cider mixture. Bring the pan to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer for 15-20 minutes.  Remove the spice bundle and then slowly stir in the Rum and Schnapps.  Best served warm and garnished with a Cinnamon Stick!

Easy & Quick Holiday Entertaining Ideas

I know what you're thinking-it's September and WAY too early to even begin thinking about Holiday parties and planning out big family events.  Before you know it the leaves have started change, Halloween will have come and gone and then your stuck the morning of Thanksgiving scrambling to find a grocery store that's open or carries the special cranberries your Aunt Beth requested! The same type of stress goes for Christmas.....times 10.

You don't need to spend hours in the kitchen or a fortune at the store to really impress your guests! Read on to get some quick and easy recipes to make this year's parties a huge success!

Let's get started!

Cherry Tomato & Pesto Bites

This first one is a great example of a finger food that not only looks gorgeous, but is so delicious.  Be sure to use Cherry Tomatoes though, and avoid Grape Tomatoes as they may tip over.

Sweet & Spicy Mango Tartlets

A huge hit with our customers, our own Sweet & Spicy Mango Tartlets! So delicious and colorful in presentation, you can save a lot of time and buy your phyllo cups pre-formed.  Then it's just a matter of filling with cream cheese and topping off with the salsa.

Bacon Wrapped Asparagus & Balsamic Drizzle

Well, who doesn't love bacon?!  This savory treat would also work well as a side dish and is as simple as wrapping the asparagus and baking off till it's cooked.  For the balsamic drizzle, I suggest a good quality to ensure good flavor.

http://www.the-baker-chick.com/2012/10/mini-baked-mac-cheese-bites/

These one bite wonders are the ultimate comfort food, made in easy handling form! The Mac & Cheese can be made ahead of time and you can pop them in the oven right before guests start to arrive.  Check out this version of the recipe here.

Veggie Shooters

Ditch the old boring vegetable platter and opt for this fun, hand held option!  The cups can be filled ahead of time with your favorite dip or dressing, and filled with a variety of veggies right as your guests begin to arrive!

Crockpot Meatballs

These are a main stay in our household for the Holidays!  Could not be easier than making small meatballs (or saving time and energy and going with store bought) placing them in a crock pot along with your favorite sauce, and setting it on High for the next few hours!  Flavor options are endless with BBQ, Marinara, Bourbon, Teriyaki.....the list keeps on going!



What are some of your favorite dips or snacks to whip up around the Holiday's?  Does you family have a tradition of any certain foods?  We want to here about your recipes!  Comment here or email me at christina@mattyscatering.com...I'm all ears!

To completely take out the stress of menu planning, give Matty's Catering a call and hear about our selections and options for your party of 15 or 150-we can do it all! Call us at 414.427.3838 Ext.1 or email us at events@mattyscatering.com and let's start planning!

Chef Bob Walks Away the Winner in Food Challenge

June 3rd marked the Annual Waukesha County Economic Development Corporation Meeting, held in Brookfield at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts. The annual event is used to showcase the Food & Beverage Manufacturing Industry and it's positive impact of growth in the greater Waukesha County area. Matty's Catering was in attendance for the event and also to showcase their own display of samples.

A gorgeous spread of crudite platters that guests got to enjoy.

Shrimp and Avocado on baguette with radishes enjoyed by guests of the meeting.

An exciting addition to this years festivities was a Culinary Challenge that took place.  2 Chefs were asked to compete- one being Matty's own Executive Chef, Chef Bob Nicholson and the other being the Executive Chef of Hom Wood Fired Grill, a restaurant out of Brookfield.  

Getting the stage set before the challenge began.

Both Chefs were unaware of their secret ingredient until the challenge began, which took place in the auditorium of the facility.  There were several mystery elements that needed to be utilized including: chicken, rhubarb and specialty mustard's.....and that's when the fun began! Both gentleman had only 45 minutes to complete their main dishes and a dessert to serve to award-winning chef and restaurateur Sandy D'Amato to be judged. 

Executive Chef Bob Nicholson of Matty's

Although both Chef's are extremely talented, Chef Bob walked away the victor with the winning dish of Southwest Chicken with a Mango Fire Salsa that was accompanied by a twice baked potato with smoked Gouda cheese. Another component was the dessert of Rhubarb Mousse.  We are so proud of his win....but weren't completely surprised because we get to see his talents everyday!  Congratulations to Chef Bob and Thank You for doing such a fantastic job representing Matty's!

Ultimate Burger Toppings

Being the proud inventors of the original Smokehouse Burger, we like to think we know a thing or two about the perfect burger.  Everyday we feature a new original creation for customers to enjoy at Matty's Bar & Grille.  We figured it was time to let people in on our Top 10 picks for ultimate burger toppings....Let's get started!

1. Bacon

Obviously, this topping is number one for a reason.  It really needs to go without saying that ALL burgers need to contain bacon in some form.  Whether you go classic with 3-4 strips, get inventive with bacon smoked ketchup or sauteed some onions in bacon fat to inject in the flavor.  One point I can't stress enough though: DO NOT SKIMP ON QUALITY.  Buy good cuts of quality bacon, preferably smoke it in the cooking process too. Bonus points for cutting your own from a nice pork belly!

2. Mac & Cheese

Mac & Cheese will forever have a soft spot in our hearts because it reminds you of being a kid.  It also has a quality to it that makes it possible to eat it by the pound and not feel full!  Mac & Cheese adds a great texture to a burger while also contributing to the all important cheese factor that is paramount to a great burger.  Again-go for quality on this one people! Put some extra effort into this topping and make it from scratch and get creative with the cheese like a smoked cheddar or a good dill Havarti! 

3. Fried Egg

This one is a personal favorite and a featured topping that we like to do at Matty's....A LOT. The main reason is it's just so delicious! It adds a different savory element, especially if you like your yolk more on the runny side.  There is something magical that happens when the egg yolk and a good slathering of mayo combine on a burger. Even tastier, combine the fried egg with bacon like we have pictured above on our Great BLT Smokehouse Burger.....like a BLT on steroids!

4. More Meat Please!

This topping is not for the faint of heart but is a must for true meat lovers.  Take for example The Mr. Cool pictured above that tops our Smokehouse Burger with sliced Prime Rib.....drool.  Another great combination is the shredded pork and smoked ham that's used in The Miami, pictured below.  One way to keep these meaty monstrosities manageable is to slice the meat toppings thin or work with it in the shredded form.

5. Shrimp 

I know it may sound a little weird, but especially when fried-shrimp adds such an unexpectedly delicious addition to a good burger.  It goes without saying that quality fresh shrimp is a necessity for this combination to work.  Also finding the right sauce to top this off is key-my suggestion to compliment the seafood is a nice remoulade mayo!

6. Caramelized Onions

Not everyone is an onion lover but even those that are opposed to the semi-sweet taste of a good onion can be persuaded once the onion has sat and been beautifully caramelized for a good 30-40 minutes.  Classic with a good dousing of oil and butter is always a safe bet, a beer bath is never a bad option or live a little and finish them off in the pan with balsamic vinaigrette...unexpected sweetness that is out of this world.

7. Cheese

This is a no-brainer and is pretty essential for any burger.  Finding the right cheese with the perfect taste and texture to blend with your other toppings is what can start to separate the men from the boys though.  Classics like cheddar, Monterrey and Jack cheeses are great go to's with fantastic melting points to achieve the necessary gooeyness. Experiment with boursin or feta for a creamier texture or different varieties of gouda can always be a nice surprise.

8. Love Those Veggies!

Vegetable toppings can sometimes be the most often over looked part of any good burger.  Don't leave them out in cold with flavor profiles! Try out an olive oil infused with pesto and let those tomatoes take a bath in it. Beer make a delicious addition to any type of saute bath of mushrooms and onions.

9. Peppers

Whether your a fan of Jalapenos, Habaneros or Banana peppers-good heat can add a whole different element to a burger. A refreshing and light sauce though can help to balance out the truly overwhelming heat like a cucumber ranch or a few slices of avocado to cool things down.  For the true thrill seeker, pick up a few Ghost Peppers and pop a few of those onto your next burger.....but be prepared to down an ice cold beverage immediately following!

10. The Bun

The glue that holds it all together-the bun.  Quality bread that's got a good crust on the outside but is soft and slightly chewy when you bite into it.  A true professional always takes that bun and ever so lightly toasts it on the grill right before the construction of the burger begins.  Nothing makes me sadder than being at a cookout and seeing someone take a sad looking bun straight out of the package and put it directly onto their plate! At Matty's we prefer a Brioche bun for our little beauties but on occasion we've been known to mix it up with a good dense Pretzel bun.

What's in your Top 10 list? We are always working in the kitchen trying out new recipes and flavor combinations so we can bring you the best burger every time! If you have a killer recipe that you think would be a home run here at Matty's....we want to know! Heck-maybe you'll end up with a Smokehouse named in your honor.

Email christina@mattyscatering.com and tell her all about it!

Summer Treat: Sand Pudding

http://www.pinterest.com/lesliebarrera/bubble-guppies/

This delicious dessert may appear too real to eat, but trust me, you'll be glad you have that shovel with the pail!  For any beach themed event or children's party, guests are going to love this creative and tasty treat.

Ingredients

• 1 Package of Vanilla Wafers
• 3 Oreos
• 8 oz of Cream Cheese
• 1/4 Cup of Butter
• 2/3 Cup of Powdered Sugar
• 2 Small Packages of Vanilla Pudding Mix
• 2 3/4 Cup Milk
• 12 oz of Cool Whip

Directions

1. Crush oreos and vanilla wafers in a food processor
2. Mix together the softened cream cheese, butter and powdered sugar
3. In another bowl, mix the milk together with the pudding mix
4. Add this to the cream cheese mixture
5. Begin to fold in the Cool Whip
6. Layer into your bucket, alternating the sand, pudding mixture, sand, pudding mixture....
7. ENJOY!

Sweet & Spicy Grilled Chicken & Pineapple

One thing that everyone looks forward to is not just warmer weather, but all the grilling favorites that the sunny season brings! This delicious dish combines lean protein of chicken with refreshing pineapple and is rounded out with a little kick from chili powder.

Makes: 8 Servings
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 25 Minutes

INGREDIENTS:

1/4 Cup Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
1 Small Onion
1 Clove Garlic, finely minced
1/2 Cup Honey
2 Teaspoons Hot Sauce
1/2 Teaspoon Chili Powder
1 Teaspoon Lemon Juice
8 Skinless, Boneless Chicken Breasts
Salt and Pepper (To Taste)
1 Pineapple peeled and cored to 8 Thick Rings

• In a small saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring, until translucent and beginning to brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the honey, hot sauce and chili powder and simmer for 1 minute. Remove from the heat, stir in the lemon juice and set aside.

• Preheat a grill or large grill pan. Rub the chicken with the remaining olive oil and season with salt. Grill until well marked, about 7 minutes. Flip and cook until the bottoms are well marked and the chicken is cooked through, another 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate and brush with the reserved honey glaze. Cover with foil and let rest for 5 minutes.

• Meanwhile, grill the pineapple until well marked on one side, about 4 minutes, then flip and cook for another 2 minutes. Serve with the chicken.

Supper Club is Making Another Appearance

    In January, we threw our first ever Supper Club Event, and it was received with overwhelming popularity! Ticket sales for the event sold out in just over 72 hours, so we knew that we had to go for Round Two!

A place setting from the event

Guests enjoyed a Prix Fix menu of Relish Trays, a trio of Surf and Turf, as well as a classic favorite for die hard Supper Club fans-Cherries Jubilee.  Old Fashioneds, a staple of any Supper Club, were available all night, along with top wine picks from the bar.

The beautiful Old Fashioned cart

Chef Bob preparing to light the Cherries Jubilee

The special guest for the evening was author and loyal Wisconsinite, Ron Faiola, who wrote the book "Wisconsin Supper Clubs, An Old Fashioned Experience."  He was on hand to give accounts of his experiences with Supper Clubs throughout Wisconsin and to also answer any questions that the guests might have.

Mr. Faiola fielding questions from the crowd

The next Supper Club date is set for April 27th and we expect the same quick sellout from before!  Tickets will officially go on sale beginning April 14th so don't miss out on this amazing experience of food, drink, and true Wisconsin heritage.

Delicious Dinner in Less Than 30 Minutes

Sizzlin' Fajita Salad w/ Salsa Ranch

Sizzlin' Fajita Salad w/ Salsa Ranch

 

Yield: 10 Servings

Prep Time: Less than 30 minutes

Ingredients:

20 oz. ranch dressing

1 1/2 cup salsa, mild

1 cup chipotle, puree

20 oz. prepared seasoned, grilled steak, cut into strips

10 oz. green leaf lettuce, chopped

10 oz. Iceberg lettuce, chopped

8 oz. roasted onion, strips

8 oz. roasted red bell peppers, strips

8 oz. roasted green bell peppers, strips

4 Avocado, cubed

3 cup crispy fried corn tortilla strips

Directions:

1. Prepare grilled steak according to preference; keep warm until ready for service.

2. Place lettuce on top of a plate. Arrange roasted onions and bell peppers and top with steak.

3. Drizzle with Salsa Ranch Dressing.

4. Garnish with avocado and fried corn tortilla strips.