Today is a special day for our neighbors to the south. Its Cinco de Mayo, or Battle of Puebla day. As the northern neighbors, we Americans feel like it is our duty to celebrate another nation's holiday, probably because it gives us an excuse to eat massive amounts of chips and salsa and drink margaritas.
None-the-less, it is a holiday that even we in Mississippi like to celebrate. I mean, I can understand celebrating in Texas. There are lots of Mexican immigrants that live there. But, in Mississippi, the only folks I know celebrating Cinco de Mayo have no Mexican heritage what-so-ever. But that doesn't matter. We still get to drink tequila!
In honor of Cinco de Mayo, I made sugar cookies with a lime glaze last night. Talk about yummy! (I also made Joy the Baker's oatmeal pecan chocolate chip cookies. Find the recipe here - http://www.joythebaker.com/blog/2010/04/oatmeal-pecan-chocolate-chip-cookies/.)
I also wanted to post a make-shift recipe for a drink that one of my coworkers introduced me to - the margaveza. They used to serve these at The Grill, but last time I asked, it was off the menu. Basically its just a half and half mix of margaritas on the rocks and Dos Equis beer. Its worth trying!
Happy Cinco de Mayo! Have a great May 5!
Margaveza
How to make the margarita:
According to Tyler Florence, the basic margarita is a 3:2:1 ratio of tequila, triple sec and lime juice, respectively. That seems a big strong, but here are some different ways to mix your pitcher of margaritas.
Method 1: Pour 3 cups of white tequila, 3/4 cup of triple sec, and fresh squeezed juice from about 14 limes in a pitcher. Stir well.
Method 2: Mix 1 cup of white tequila, 1 cup of triple sec, 1/2 cup each of fresh squeezed lime and lemon juice in a pitcher. Add zest of 1 lemon and 1 lime, and mix with 1/3 cup of simple syrup (see below). Stir well! You may need to strain it as you pour into each individual glass.
For the simple syrup: Mix 1/2 cup of sugar with 1/2 cup of water. Boil until sugar is dissolved. Chill before you add to margarita mix.
Method 3: (The 3:2:1 method) Pour 3 cups of tequila, 2 cups of triple sec, and 1 cup of fresh squeezed lime juice in a pitcher. Add simple syrup and mix well.
To make a margaveza:
Fill glass halfway with Dos Equis beer. Top off with the margarita mix. Stir and serve with a lime wedge for garnish.
Sugar Cookies with Lime Glaze:
Adapted from recipes by Paula Deen and Rachael Ray
Cookie Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
2 sticks of softened butter
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon pure almond extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
Directions: In a bowl, cream together the sugar and butter, then mix in the egg and vanilla and almond extracts. In another bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, cream of tarter and cinnamon. Mix the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture, then cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Spoon out a quarter to half dollar sized piece of dough, roll into a ball, and flatten to about 1/4 of an inch thick. Place on cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 9-12 minutes.
Remove from oven and let cool on cookie sheet for about 5 minutes. Transfer to wire racks and cool completely.
Lime Glaze Ingredients:
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon (or so) milk
grated peel of 1 lime
juice of 1 lime (or so)
Directions: Whisk all ingredients together in a bowl until sugar is dissolved and glaze is smooth. I had to add a splash more of milk and lime juice to get the right consistency for drizzling.
Once cookies are cooled, drizzle glaze over top of cookies with a spoon or spatula. Let the glaze dry/set before serving.
Happy cooking!
Showing posts with label Drinks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Drinks. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Friday, April 30, 2010
Five O'Clock Friday: Mint Juleps
This weekend, a very famous Southern tradition will take place. It is the 136th running of the Kentucky Derby. (That's a horse race, my friends. Its for 3-year-old thoroughbreds.) Its kind of a big deal.
One tradition that is synonymous with the Derby concerns fashionable hats. This particular event gives ladies (and some men) the excuse to go all out and wear the biggest, most ridiculous looking hats you have ever seen! I love it! Its so British.
Ever since my appearance as Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn (the mayor's wife in The Music Man) in high school, I have been obsessed with hats. I love them, but don't have the occasion to wear them often. When I was in New Orleans recently, there was a display for a hat shop at the Ritz. I just stood and stared at them for a while. It reminded me of when Scarlet O'Hara and Rhett Butler went on their honeymoon. She had hats like that. (Okay, so maybe my hat fascination dates back to the junior high days when I was completely obsessed with Gone With the Wind.)
Anyway, if I ever go to the Kentucky Derby, then I'm totally spending a whopping load of money at the New Orleans hat shop, Fleur de Paris. I don't care how much it costs. I think it would be completely decadent to have an original hat from a proper shop.
Enough about hats....
That brings me to the actual point of today's post. Another famous Derby tradition concerns booze. More specifically, whiskey. Or bourbon. Or Kentucky whiskey, which is bourbon. I honestly don't know much about booze, so I really don't know the difference. But, whatever-you-call-it-booze is mixed with mint and sugar, and turns into mint julep. This is a very famous Kentucky tradition, or so I hear.
In honor of the Kentucky Derby, which takes place this weekend, let's drink mint juleps and wear hats. I bet it would be fun!
The Early Times Mint Julep Recipe
Taken from the Kentucky Derby website
Ingredients:
2 cups sugar
2 cups water
Sprigs of fresh mint
Crushed ice
Early Times Kentucky Whisky
Silver Julep Cups
Directions: Make a simple syrup by boiling sugar and water together for five minutes. Cool and place in a covered container with six or eight sprigs of fresh mint, then refrigerate overnight. Make one julep at a time by filling a julep cup with crushed ice, adding one tablespoon mint syrup and two ounces of Early Times Kentucky Whisky. Stir rapidly with a spoon to frost the outside of the cup. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.
The best times are enjoyed responsibly. Early Times Distillery Co., Kentucky Whisky. 40 percent Alc. By Volume. Louisville, KY 2006.
And since I was on the site, I'll post a bonus recipe because 1. I like vodka, and 2. this sounds good!
The Oaks Lily®
Ingredients:
1 oz. Vodka
1 oz. Sweet and Sour Mix
3 oz. Cranberry Juice
Splash of Triple Sec
Directions: When the ingredients are mixed, place the pinkish cocktail in an official Oaks Lily® glass (stem-less wine glass) with crushed ice, add a straw and garnish with an orange wedge and cherry.
SIDE NOTE: While updating my blog, I realized I haven't posted since last Friday. Its been such a busy week. Don't judge me for posting two boozy recipes in a row. I'll get some food on here soon. Maybe I'll post something special from the grandmother birthday party I'm attending on Saturday!
Happy cooking! Don't drink and drive, and drink responsibly!
Friday, April 23, 2010
Five O'Clock Friday: Sweet Tea Vodka
So, the other day I was catching up on some Google reader action, and I came across a post on iced tea. I love tea. I'm Southern, though, so down here we drink tea instead of water. Tea with lots of sugar in it. Its really healthy, I promise.... *crickets...*
In the post, the blogger introduced me to something I have never heard of before - Sweet Tea Vodka. WHAT???? Someone made vodka taste like sweet tea? I love vodka (in moderation). I love sweet tea (but weak and only slightly sweetened). I can't believe some drunky drunk went off and combined the two! They must be Southern.
As soon as I read about this, I was sitting in my office in giddy shock...wondering if anyone in town carries this new mysterious wonderfulness. Then in walks my VP coming to congratulate me on a job well done. And what do I do?
Me: "Did you know they make sweet tea vodka?"
diarrhea of the mouth
VP: rather enthusiastically - "YES!! My friend in blahblahblah introduced it to me!"
Crap.
The first words that come out of my mouth to the boss at 8:30 in the morning were about booze. I bet his thinks I'm a lush. But, honestly, I think he knows me better than that. And...during our discussion on sweet tea vodka, he did say this was the best conversation he had all day. Whew!
So far I haven't been fired from my job for talking to the boss about booze early in the morning. He did go on to thank me for helping with an important project we were working on. So I think I'm okay! But still....talk about open mouth, insert foot! I still can't believe I blurted that out to my boss.
Moving on....
Today's Five O'Clock Friday is in ode to the new found sweet tea vodka...I must locate some. And when I do, I'm making this:
Mighty Mint Tea
Ingredients:
Fresh mint
ice
sweet tea vodka
lemon wedges
sugar
Directions:
1. Place a few (6-10) mint leaves in the bottom of a lowball/old fashioned glass. Sprinkle with sugar and muddle leaves. (Basically, muddling requires you to put mint in the bottom of a glass and crush it with the end of a wooden spoon. Or you can use a mortar and pestle.)
2. Drop in a few ice cubes and pour in vodka. If you don't want an entire glass of vodka, mix half and half with tonic water or club soda.
3. Stir and garnish with a lemon wedge. Serve and enjoy!
Remember kids...only drink in moderation, and DON'T drink and drive!
In the post, the blogger introduced me to something I have never heard of before - Sweet Tea Vodka. WHAT???? Someone made vodka taste like sweet tea? I love vodka (in moderation). I love sweet tea (but weak and only slightly sweetened). I can't believe some drunky drunk went off and combined the two! They must be Southern.
As soon as I read about this, I was sitting in my office in giddy shock...wondering if anyone in town carries this new mysterious wonderfulness. Then in walks my VP coming to congratulate me on a job well done. And what do I do?
Me: "Did you know they make sweet tea vodka?"
diarrhea of the mouth
VP: rather enthusiastically - "YES!! My friend in blahblahblah introduced it to me!"
Crap.
The first words that come out of my mouth to the boss at 8:30 in the morning were about booze. I bet his thinks I'm a lush. But, honestly, I think he knows me better than that. And...during our discussion on sweet tea vodka, he did say this was the best conversation he had all day. Whew!
So far I haven't been fired from my job for talking to the boss about booze early in the morning. He did go on to thank me for helping with an important project we were working on. So I think I'm okay! But still....talk about open mouth, insert foot! I still can't believe I blurted that out to my boss.
Moving on....
Today's Five O'Clock Friday is in ode to the new found sweet tea vodka...I must locate some. And when I do, I'm making this:
Mighty Mint Tea
Ingredients:
Fresh mint
ice
sweet tea vodka
lemon wedges
sugar
Directions:
1. Place a few (6-10) mint leaves in the bottom of a lowball/old fashioned glass. Sprinkle with sugar and muddle leaves. (Basically, muddling requires you to put mint in the bottom of a glass and crush it with the end of a wooden spoon. Or you can use a mortar and pestle.)
2. Drop in a few ice cubes and pour in vodka. If you don't want an entire glass of vodka, mix half and half with tonic water or club soda.
3. Stir and garnish with a lemon wedge. Serve and enjoy!
Remember kids...only drink in moderation, and DON'T drink and drive!
Friday, April 9, 2010
Five O'Clock Friday - Ulitimate Girly Cocktail
Several years ago my former boss won a free wine tasting at a local store in Plano, TX. Since he was such a great boss...he invited the entire harem to join him. We were able to sample several new wines that I have never tried before, and that is when I began building my collection.
One of the most wonderful things we tasted that night was a Moscato di Asti. It is a sweet sparkling white wine with a low alcohol content. Its very similar to a Gewürztraminer, if you have ever tried that. (FYI - Fetzer is a good, cheap Gewürztraminer.) I can't remember the brand of moscato we tried, but I remember it was quite delicious. And during the tasting, the store owner suggested the following cocktail made with Moscato. Its very girly and works great for brunch in place of mimosas.
Try it! You'll fall in love!
Ingredients:
1 bottle chilled Moscato di Asti
1 bottle chilled pomegranate juice
thin orange slices
Directions:
Mix wine and juice together in a large pitcher. (Be careful of pouring the wine! Remember...its bubbly!) Pour into champagne flutes or white wine glasses. Garnish glass with thin orange slice. Serve to your favorite girlfriends and enjoy!
One of the most wonderful things we tasted that night was a Moscato di Asti. It is a sweet sparkling white wine with a low alcohol content. Its very similar to a Gewürztraminer, if you have ever tried that. (FYI - Fetzer is a good, cheap Gewürztraminer.) I can't remember the brand of moscato we tried, but I remember it was quite delicious. And during the tasting, the store owner suggested the following cocktail made with Moscato. Its very girly and works great for brunch in place of mimosas.
Try it! You'll fall in love!
Ingredients:
1 bottle chilled Moscato di Asti
1 bottle chilled pomegranate juice
thin orange slices
Directions:
Mix wine and juice together in a large pitcher. (Be careful of pouring the wine! Remember...its bubbly!) Pour into champagne flutes or white wine glasses. Garnish glass with thin orange slice. Serve to your favorite girlfriends and enjoy!
Friday, March 12, 2010
Five O'Clock Friday - Mango Peach Sangria
So, spring has sprung...or at least, I have green stuff growing in my backyard instead of all the brown, dead grass. I wish I could say the green things were all pretty plants and/or grass, but it looks like weeds. At least they are green though!
With the arrival of spring comes the tradition of lounging outside with friends and family on a warm beautiful day...when we have warm beautiful days! With lounging comes cookouts, and with cookouts comes the excuse to have a cool, spring/summer cocktail.
In light of the pending arrival of spring (which is technically a week from tomorrow), here's a light, fruity cocktail that will please even the most picky critics! I served this up one year for a 4th of July picnic, and I think we went through 3 pitchers. Even the boys loved it!
Mango Peach Sangria
From Semi-Homemade by Sandra Lee on The Food Network
Ingredients:
1 cup frozen mango chunks & 1 cup frozen peach slices
-OR- (what I use) 2 cups frozen mixed fruit (comes in a bag with strawberries, peaches, melon, mango, etc.)
1 cup peach schnapps
2 (11.5-ounce) cans mango nectar
1 bottle white wine (cheap is okay!)
Directions: Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher and stir. Refrigerate for several hours for flavors to blend, or serve immediately. Serve chilled in wine glasses.
With the arrival of spring comes the tradition of lounging outside with friends and family on a warm beautiful day...when we have warm beautiful days! With lounging comes cookouts, and with cookouts comes the excuse to have a cool, spring/summer cocktail.
In light of the pending arrival of spring (which is technically a week from tomorrow), here's a light, fruity cocktail that will please even the most picky critics! I served this up one year for a 4th of July picnic, and I think we went through 3 pitchers. Even the boys loved it!
Mango Peach Sangria
From Semi-Homemade by Sandra Lee on The Food Network
Ingredients:
1 cup frozen mango chunks & 1 cup frozen peach slices
-OR- (what I use) 2 cups frozen mixed fruit (comes in a bag with strawberries, peaches, melon, mango, etc.)
1 cup peach schnapps
2 (11.5-ounce) cans mango nectar
1 bottle white wine (cheap is okay!)
Directions: Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher and stir. Refrigerate for several hours for flavors to blend, or serve immediately. Serve chilled in wine glasses.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Five O'Clock Friday: The BBC
In an attempt to be more organized about my blogging, I would like to start a new series of posts. I only have two days worked out in my head so far, so we'll see how this develops.
It's Friday! YEAH! And what do most people want to do after a long work week? Drink! Okay, I have to say that I am honestly not much of a drinker. You give me one glass of wine, and I'm pretty much done for the night. But on the rare occasion that I enjoy a cocktail, I'd like to share my wicked concoctions with you.
Back story...My brother and his wife enjoy going to the beach. They were engaged in Grand Cayman, honeymooned (despite the brother's broken foot) on a cruise, and have taken several other beach trips during their life together. On one of these such adventures, they were introduced to a new drink with a lot of old favorites. Last weekend they served it to me as a "dessert" after dinner. And I have to say it was quite delish!
So, after we finished a delicious soup dinner that my sister-in-law made, they asked if I wanted a BBC. I was like "what?" I mean, I know what BBC is....I've been to England. I really didn't want to watch BBC though (they only get BBC America), and I really didn't know what they meant by do you want a BBC? Weren't they missing a prepositional phrase?
But what Joey meant by that was "do you want a drink that I call a BBC?" So, what is a BBC?
Its simple - Baileys, Banana, Coloda
Ingreadients:
1 batch of Pina Colodas (including rum - see below for ideas)
2 shots of Baileys Irish Cream
1 whole banana
Directions: Mix pina colodas in blender. Add Baileys and banana and blend until smooth.
How to make a pina coloda:
Easy way, buy a concentrated mix in the frozen juice section at your local grocer. It will tell you how much rum to add. OR....I found this homemade version online:
Ingredients:
3 measures dark rum
3 tablespoons coconut milk
3 tablespoons crushed pineapple
Directions: Place the ingredients in an electric blender. Add two cups of crushed ice and blend at high speed for 30 seconds. Strain into a tall tumbler and serve with a straw.
The bro and sis-in-law have totally sold me on BBC's. They are quite yummy as an after dinner drink! And honestly, the alcohol content is pretty mild, so you won't get sloshed!
Remember...drink responsibly, and DON'T drink and drive!
It's Friday! YEAH! And what do most people want to do after a long work week? Drink! Okay, I have to say that I am honestly not much of a drinker. You give me one glass of wine, and I'm pretty much done for the night. But on the rare occasion that I enjoy a cocktail, I'd like to share my wicked concoctions with you.
Back story...My brother and his wife enjoy going to the beach. They were engaged in Grand Cayman, honeymooned (despite the brother's broken foot) on a cruise, and have taken several other beach trips during their life together. On one of these such adventures, they were introduced to a new drink with a lot of old favorites. Last weekend they served it to me as a "dessert" after dinner. And I have to say it was quite delish!
So, after we finished a delicious soup dinner that my sister-in-law made, they asked if I wanted a BBC. I was like "what?" I mean, I know what BBC is....I've been to England. I really didn't want to watch BBC though (they only get BBC America), and I really didn't know what they meant by do you want a BBC? Weren't they missing a prepositional phrase?
But what Joey meant by that was "do you want a drink that I call a BBC?" So, what is a BBC?
Its simple - Baileys, Banana, Coloda
Ingreadients:
1 batch of Pina Colodas (including rum - see below for ideas)
2 shots of Baileys Irish Cream
1 whole banana
Directions: Mix pina colodas in blender. Add Baileys and banana and blend until smooth.
How to make a pina coloda:
Easy way, buy a concentrated mix in the frozen juice section at your local grocer. It will tell you how much rum to add. OR....I found this homemade version online:
Ingredients:
3 measures dark rum
3 tablespoons coconut milk
3 tablespoons crushed pineapple
Directions: Place the ingredients in an electric blender. Add two cups of crushed ice and blend at high speed for 30 seconds. Strain into a tall tumbler and serve with a straw.
The bro and sis-in-law have totally sold me on BBC's. They are quite yummy as an after dinner drink! And honestly, the alcohol content is pretty mild, so you won't get sloshed!
Remember...drink responsibly, and DON'T drink and drive!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Frozen Cappuccino Punch
Another quick recipe courtesy of a co-worker from our monthly birthday party. This came from Beth Moore's blog. Would be great for a brunch, bridal shower, baby shower or any other gathering with women! : ) (The men seemed to like it too this morning!)
Ingredients:
1/2 C sugar
1/4 C instant coffee granules
1 C boiling water
8 C milk
1 qt vanilla ice cream, softened
1 qt chocolate ice cream, softened
Directions: In a small bowl, combine the sugar and coffee. Stir in boiling water until dissolved. Cover and refrigerate until chilled. Just before serving, pour coffee mixture into a 1 gallon punch bowl. Stir in milk. Add scoops of ice cream. Stir until melted.
Ingredients:
1/2 C sugar
1/4 C instant coffee granules
1 C boiling water
8 C milk
1 qt vanilla ice cream, softened
1 qt chocolate ice cream, softened
Directions: In a small bowl, combine the sugar and coffee. Stir in boiling water until dissolved. Cover and refrigerate until chilled. Just before serving, pour coffee mixture into a 1 gallon punch bowl. Stir in milk. Add scoops of ice cream. Stir until melted.
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