There’s a very exclusive group that I’m a part of. So exclusive that we’re called The Incognitos– I can’t actually reveal our true identity or I might not be welcome there anymore. It’s kind of like Secret Supper , its purpose is “to have one dinner on one night, inviting people to slow down for a few hours of good food and wine.” However, ours is much more avant-garde or informal and happens once a month. Each dinner has a theme and we all contribute to the food/drink in accordance with the theme. One such event was dedicated to Game Night. But the food and drink we contributed had to follow the theme too, and no, snacks weren’t what we were going for. I racked my brain for ideas for the whole month following the last meet up and until this night. Finally, I thought of two items, one appetizer dish, and one beverage on the day of The Incognitos Game Night. I’ll only reveal which game one of them represented, and the first person to guess the other will receive a very special prize!

A Play on Gin Rummy: Spiced Pear Caipirini

Gin= Ginger, Rum= Cachaca (Brazilian Rum)

And, no, I’m not a bartender. In fact, this was my first attempt at making and shaking a true cocktail or mixed drink, other than Sangria or the usual suspects (Cape Cod, Texas Tea). And, boy, was it a keeper!

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Leblon Cachaca
• 2 oz pear nectar
• 1/2 oz lemon juice
• slice of ginger
• pinch of nutmeg
• pinch of cinnamon

Preparation:

Can anyone guess the game that this next dish represents? I will award the prize to the first person to comment on my blog with the answer who 1) lives in Austin 2) does not belong to The Incognitos (you know who you are).

Another game that was represented was Cranium (a huge spiked brain jello mold- usually used for Halloween)- it was hilarious. I’m pretty sure people went at it with plastic spoons, automatically stepping up the competitiveness in the games that were played. And, another person made her own version of Jenga, drawing fruits on the wooden pieces, then having colored popsicle sticks corresponding to the fruit colors. Then, people picked a colored stick to tell them which pieces they could take from the Jenga stack– the only ones with that color fruit on it. Sounds complicated, but it added a new level of complexity to the classic game.

Next time you have Game Night, incorporate food and drinks that represent games- you might be surprised by the creativity of the group. Let the good times roll!