Ponderosa...At Home

Summer is almost here and what better way to celebrate than with some great events happening near you in the Bay Area!

Kick start the season with your family this weekend in Pleasanton! The Goodguys 21st Summer Get-Together is happening on Saturday and Sunday at the Alameda County Fairgrounds and features a showcase of American-made cars, trucks and specialty exhibits at 8AM. Get more info here. 

Take part in an activity your whole family will enjoy this weekend! Explore ancient Egypt and join in on a museum scavenger hunt at the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum and Planetarium on Saturday at 12:30PM. Get the details here. 

Get ready to tantalize your taste buds this weekend at the Fifth Chili Shooters Stampede in downtown Livermore! Sample chili with an ethnic and culinary spin starting on Sunday at 10AM. Find out more here.

Enjoy an evening of fun by the campfire this weekend! Pull up a chair and listen to stories from around the world under the night sky at Del Valle Regional Park in Livermore on Saturday at 8PM. Learn more here. 

Wine, cheese and chocolate! Oh, my! Come relax at a fun-filled pairing event happening this weekend in San Jose. The J. Lohr Wine, Cheese & Chocolate Tasting with The Chocolate Garage starts on Saturday at 7PM. Get your tickets here. 

To make sure you’re always in the loop and up to date with everything happening in your community, be sure to LIKE the Ponderosa Facebook page. 

 

Create the perfect Memorial Day lunch with this mouthwatering recipe. Enjoy!

Deluxe Lobster and Potato Chip Rolls 

Ingredients

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 celery rib, finely diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely grated
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 ½ teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 ½ teaspoons Tabasco
  • 2 tablespoons snipped chives, plus more for garnish
  • Kosher salt
  • Three 1 ¼-pound live lobsters or 1 ¼ pounds cooked lobster meat
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 6 brioche hot dog buns
  • One 4-ounce bag potato chips

Directions

1. In a bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, celery, garlic, lemon juice, Worcestershire, Tabasco and the 2 tablespoons of chives; season with salt. Refrigerate until chilled.

2. Bring a very large pot of water to a boil and fill a large bowl with ice water. Add the lobsters to the boiling water, head first. Cover and cook until they’re bright red, about 8 minutes. Transfer the lobsters to the ice water to stop the cooking. Drain the lobsters.

3. Twist off the lobster claws, knuckles and tails. Crack the claws and knuckles and remove the meat. Using kitchen scissors, cut along the underside of the tail shells and remove the meat. Discard the dark vein running lengthwise down each tail. Chop the lobster meat into ½-inch pieces and fold them into the dressing. Refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour.

4. Meanwhile, melt the butter on a large griddle or in a large skillet. Add the closed buns and toast the outsides over high heat, turning frequently, until lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Transfer the buns to a platter, split the tops and fill with the lobster salad. Tuck the potato chips into the rolls, garnish with chives and serve.

To make sure you’re always in the loop and up to date with everything happening in your community, be sure to LIKE the Ponderosa Facebook page. 

Fun in the Sun

May 16, 2014

It’s going to be an exciting weekend in the Bay Area! Check out these family-friendly events happening near you on Saturday and Sunday.

Beautiful tunes will fill the air this weekend in Livermore! The Livermore Amador Symphony is performing “Five Dedicated Decades” at the Bankhead Theater on Saturday at 8PM. Get tickets here.

Help keep your local creeks and lakes clean, healthy and beautiful this weekend in San Jose. National River Cleanup Day is happening on Saturday from 9AM to 12PM. For more info, click here. 

Bring your family and friends out for a day of fun, music and community building in Livermore! The May African Drumming and Dance Workshop is taking place at the Bothwell Arts Center on Sunday at 3PM. Get the details here. 

 Head over to Santana Row this weekend for a free yoga series! Lululemon Athletica presents a complimentary stretching and relaxation experience on Saturday at 8:30AM in San Jose. Click here for more info.

 Take part in a fun family event this weekend in San Jose! This Saturday at 10AM, get a hands-on feel for the city’s recreation programs and summertime activities your kids can participate in at the first annual Rec Day San Jose. Get more info here. 

To make sure you’re always in the loop and up to date with everything happening in your community, be sure to LIKE the Ponderosa Facebook page. 

Make Mom feel extra special this Mother’s Day with a brunch celebration at home! Check out this recipe for delicious blueberry-lemon pancakes that will get her day off to a great start!

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups plus 1-tablespoon cake flour

3 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups evaporated milk (more if needed)

1 lemon, zested and juiced

2 tablespoons butter, melted, plus more softened for serving

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 large egg

1-cup blueberries

Maple or pancake syrup, warmed, for serving

Directions

Heat a heavy skillet or grill over medium-low heat.

In a medium bowl, mix the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

In a separate bowl, mix the evaporated milk, lemon zest and juice. Allow to sit for 5 minutes, then add the egg and vanilla. Mix to combine.

Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir gently to combine. Stir in the melted butter. Splash in more evaporated milk if the mixture is overly thick. Stir in the blueberries.

Melt a little of the softened butter in the heated skillet. Drop the batter by 1/4 or 1/3 cup measures and fry the pancakes on both sides for a couple of minutes until golden.

Serve with more softened butter and warm syrup.

To make sure you’re always in the loop and up to date with everything happening in your community, be sure to LIKE the Ponderosa Facebook page. 

 

Summer is quickly approaching and there’s no better way to celebrate than with fun events happening near the Bay Area!

Get ready to taste delicious wines this weekend in downtown Livermore! The Wine Country Festival, happening this Saturday and Sunday, features wine and craft beer tasting, live entertainment, boutique shopping, outdoor dining, a family run and more beginning at 10AM. To learn more, click here.

It’s guaranteed to be an evening of laughter as this comedian is bringing her impeccable comedic timing and razor sharp wit to Livermore this weekend! Paula Poundstone is coming to the Bankhead Theater on Saturday at 8PM. Get tickets here. 

Support a great cause this weekend in Pleasanton! The Paws In Need Yard Sale benefits the community animals’ urgent-needs veterinary fund and spay/neuter program. Come out to stock up on pet items, home decor, kitchenware and more at 8AM. For more info, click here. 

Prepare to sing along to some of your favorite tunes this weekend in Pleasanton! Broadway classic, The Music Man, is coming to the Firehouse Arts Center on Sunday at 2PM. Purchase your tickets here. 

Learn about the jewelry of ancient Egypt this weekend in San Jose! Come out to the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum and Planetarium to learn about stones and styles and how they served ancient specific purposes on Sunday at 12:30PM. Get more info here.

To make sure you’re always in the loop and up to date with everything happening in your community, be sure to LIKE the Ponderosa Facebook page.