A Trailer Trash Comes to the City Party

Before I go too far into this post let me apologize in advance for offending any of you who might live in a trailer or who might serve any of these dishes up with pride to your friends and family. In no way am I attempting to suggest that you have anything in common with the rednecks of the deep south (sorry Gail and Sandi . . .)

I should also be clear that I am not making fun of poor folk. I would never make fun of anyone - least of all poor folk. It is far more fun to make fun of the wealthy but foolish - Britney Spears just pops into mind (and also fits the trailer trash idea to a 'T').

There, now that the legal mumble jumbo is out of the way . . . on with the festivities.

A few years ago a group of colleagues started having a Christmas get together on the first Monday of our Christmas holiday. Our office closes for two weeks and we have two weeks off of paid vacation. Those of you who get 1 day - sucks to be you sums it up.

Last year they invited me to join the fun and this year I was informed that we would be meeting at MY house.

Funny how quickly that happened.

Then one day a colleague was going on and on about how she makes the best mac and cheese known to mankind. Another colleague insisted that she make it for our get together - proof was required of this Michaelangelo of the casserole makers. One thing lead to another, and before you could hum the theme song for the Beverly Hillbillies we had decided on a trailer trash theme for the festivities. Everyone would bring a casserole and I would have a bunch of trash appetizers.

I'll be the first to admit that we got carried away with the planning.

Mind you, when someone suggested serving everything on Chinette saner heads were called back into action. Chinette? Really? No one in their right mind does THAT!

While a few of us have had impoverished upbringings none of us could be classified as trash.

Behave.

Essentially we imagined what trailer trash might eat at a party. The rules were simple - no roadkill, no vegetables, no fruit, lots of butter, cheese, and sugar. Bisquick was OK. Fresh herbs were fancy food and banned for the day. There would be no diet food of any sort. If excessive eating of a particular dish wasn't guaranteed to dispatch you into an early grave it was banned from the buffet.

The chef of choice was Paula Deen.

It was soon decided that I would make a Tuna Casserole as MY casserole. Another colleague wanted to bring something called a 'dump' casserole. She was directed to go back to the drawing board (or in this case, church charity cookbooks) to find a more suitable choice.

While these momentous decisions were underway (and you think the pinheads in Copenhagen had a tough time of it!) I had to make some decisions about the appetizers. They had to be trashy but the key being ' come to the city' . . trashy with an edge of sophistication. Like 'Green Acres' in reverse.

Here is what I served:

miniature grilled cheese and bacon sandwiches . . .

notice the appropriate condiment in the centre . . . ketchup!

Miniature stuffed baked potatoes . . .

Chicken Nuggets  . . .

Although in this case the nuggets were breaded with panko and Parmesan cheese. Note the bottled marinara sauce as a dipping sauce.

Cheese ball with Ritz crackers . . .

The crackers are in festive Christmas shapes. How special is that?

Miniature bacon cheese burgers.

Could the ruffled paper fruit picks being any trashier?

and finally the trashiest of them all from the wonderful queen of trash herself . . . Paula Deen . . . SAUSAGE BALLS!

Nothing is trashier than 1 pound of sausage meat mixed with bisquick and cheese. Trashy . . . but bloody tasty!
 
 Dear lord, this was fun. Martinis were gulped. Wine sipped. A week's worth of calories eaten in one meal. Lots of laughter. Ahhh . . .

And there were gifts!

As per usual, Beckett thought that the wrapping was a gift for him. Whatever makes you happy I say!
 
 

Comments

[Gail Hecko]

OMG, Jerry, I can't stop laughing!!

All you have to do is super-size those minis and you've got the basic diet of most Americans. No offense, anyone. (She says, as she's craving those sausage balls)

[barb Cabot]

I could eat all that and be a very happy camper. Such a wonderful party. Sounds like you have a great group of co workers.

[Eden]

Jerry, Jerry, I was laughing so hard as I was reading this!

So those are trailer-trash- come-to-the-city food that I have been eating all this time??? No one told me that... Thanks for the information, Jerry.

Love this post!

[sandrac]

How very festive! But what a shame that you had to drink martinis, I guess the LCBO was sold out of Baby Duck??

A friend of mine (who did, in fact, grow up in trailer courts in northern Alberta) used to host annual trailer-trash parties. I can still see her now, hair in rollers and covered with a green chiffon head scarf......those were the best parties! Ours seemed to feature a lot of sculpted Jell-o!

[sandi@ the whistlestop cafe]

How did you find my family's secret recipe for sausage balls? Karo syrup is the key.

I think you did us proud!

[JDeQ]

Thanks for the great food suggestions Gail. I'll have to try that saltine thing next!

Trash food is so very satisfying isn't Barb? LOL

Eden - I'm not sure that any of this is allowed in california!

Sandra - we had a great time talking about the vino we could serve. Then rational took over.

I once got a bottle of baby duck as a joke gift. 'Tis still in the cellar.

Sandi - i got all of the recipes from YOUR cookbook!