Green Drinks Happy Hour at Sea Rocket Bistro in North Park Dec 11

It's becoming a bit of a theme, but this month's Green Drinks has an African motif as well. Rachel Hiner and SunStrides have set up for Happy Hour at Sea Rocket Bistro in North Park to be our hosts Thursday, December 11.

We'll have appetizers, drinks, a raffle and an auction, all to benefit Sun Strides volunteer projects in Arusha, Tanzania, Africa.

So get ready to eat, (green) drink and be merry!

WHAT: Every month, people all over the world working, studying or just interested in the environment are meeting up at informal gatherings known as Green Drinks – it’s a chance to mix with other like-minded folks, to network, share info, enjoy an ice cold drink and make new friends.

WHO: Anyone interested in and/or working on improving the environment, thinking green, and who would like to network and socialize.

WHY: Fun, contacts, alcohol, info, gossip, inspiration, business and pleasure.

WHEN: Thursday, December 11th from 6 to 10pm

WHERE: Sea Rocket Bistro
3382 30th Street, San Diego, CA 92104

Mmmmm, appetizers

I was able to create Caprese salad bites this weekend for the first time. They were quite easy and very tasty. A chef friend of mine turned me onto Specialty Produce (thanks Sara! You are Great!). We found the most lovely heirloom cherry tomatoes that came in at least eight different shades of red, yellow and white. One small melon-ball scoop of lactose-free mozzarella cheese surrounded by torn pieces of fresh basil, topped with a 'mater and Pop! Heaven on a stick (I tried it with the tomato on first and topped with the mozzarella, but the cheese didn't like sitting at the tip of the stick very well). Once we arrived at our destination I drizzled a bit of olive oil and sprinkled salt and freshly ground black pepper over them and served to the masses. Well, there were about a dozen people at Saturday's wine tasting. All I can say is that the plate on which they were served was empty by the time I went back to get seconds.

We also discovered a new way to play with stinky cheese! Blue Cheese crumbles with olive oil, garlic, onion, parsley, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, S&P. Oh yeah baby! I think we will add basil to it when we try our own batch. Special thanks to Tanya's Mom for this spread. It works on anything ... toasts, corn chips, crackers or even sliced apples or pears. But it should definitely be left in a separate dish for the guest to put it on what he or she likes. The high amount of oil creates for soggy crackers if left together too long. And I'm sure you can imagine my breath that night or, the next morning ...