Drinks

Classic Bourbon Sour

May 1, 2018 The Culinary Chronicles1 Comment

It’s Maaaaaaayyyyy!!!!!

And I REALLY hope you read that using Oprah’s voice.

Since May is my most favorite month, I think it’s only right to share with you one of my favorite cocktails – the Classic Bourbon (or Whiskey) Sour. It’s simple, straight forward–and just makes me happy. But I don’t order these out too often because I find that many spots defer to using overly sweet sour mixes AND because they don’t use egg whites.

Yup, egg whites!

If you read my last Fam Din recap, you know that I fixed these beauties up not only because I’m a fan of them but also because the classic version uses eggs. And eggs were our theme after all.

The egg white doesn’t affect the flavor but it creates the most beautiful foam and viscosity to the drink. Trust me, it makes a difference. You know what else makes a difference? Use fresh lemons! I know, I know…it sounds a bit particular but there are so few ingredients that every bit counts.

Make them now. Make them because now you know how.

Make them because it’s May. Make them every day.

Huh…I think I just had a Seuss moment there.

Just make them because they’re delicious! Aaaand because it’s my birth-month so you have to!

Yes. I celebrate the entire month.

Yes. It’s the reason why it’s my favorite month.

Cheers!

❤
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Classic Bourbon Sour
Serves 1

Ingredients:

2 ounces bourbon (or your choice of whiskey)
1-1½ ounces fresh lemon juice (I like mine more tart and lean towards the extra ½)
¾ ounce simple syrup
2 dashes bitters
1 large egg white (if you’re wary, be sure to used pasteurized eggs)
whiskey soaked cherry or maraschino cherry to garnish

Fill your cocktail shaker with ice. Add bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup, bitters and the egg white. Place the cap on the shaker and shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds. Remove cap, place strainer on top of the shaker and pour contents into a glass filled with ice.

Garnish with the cherry and cheers!

Mango Sorbet & Prosecco Cocktails – Happy New Year!!!

December 31, 2017 The Culinary ChroniclesLeave a comment

I don’t know about you all but 2017 was a freaking doozy and I cannot wait to hit that reset button at midnight for 2018 to come on in!

But before the clock strikes midnight, let me share one last thing with you all. A super quick, super easy but delicious “dessertail“.

What’s a “dessertail”?

It’s a mix between a dessert and a cocktail of course!

Mango Sorbet & Prosescco Cocktails. These beauties are so simple that it’s kind of silly that I’m writing it as a recipe. But let me tell you, it’s the PERFECT thing to serve when you don’t have time to make anything elaborate but still want something a little special.

It’s an easier take on the Itallian sgroppino that slowly blends softened sorbetto and prosecco together. But I find that pouring the prosecco over the sorbet is just as delicious. Heck, I don’t even make my own sorbet and prefer to pick up a pint of one of my faves – Talenti’s Alphonso Mango Sorbetto.

And of course, if you’re not a fan of mangoes, any other flavor sorbet would be just as delicious–or even a combination of them. Raspberry and lemon? Passionfruit and coconut? Options are endless!

With that, let me wish you all a very, very Happy New Year. May 2018 bring you all overwhelming joy, fulfillment and of course, delicious Foodventures!

xoxo ❤
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Mango Sorbet & Prosecco Cocktails

Ingredients:

1 pint mango sorbet
fresh mango slices
1 750mL bottle prosecco

Place two rounded scoops of sorbet in a chilled glass. Add a few slices of mango and slowly pour prosecco over the sorbet. Cheers!

Drinks

Apple Cider Sangria – Happy Thanksgiving!

November 21, 2017 The Culinary Chronicles4 Comments

I have the most vivid memories of these ginormous glass jugs of apple cider we used to get while growing up in Minnesota. The cider was so sweet and fragrant–such a treat that a Little Nam just adored.

And when I lived in the Bay Area, seester P and I would meander down to the Ferry Building Farmers Market to get wonderful goodies and snack on some the most delectable produce. Outside the Ferry Building, there’s one particular stand run by the most gorgeous family. I’m not kidding people–they are all stunning! And they’re apple farmers!

In addition to their perfect apple varietals, they sold fresh icy cold, pressed apple cider.

It’s heaven.

Those ciders were the inspiration for the Apple Cider Sangria I prepared for our latest Fam Din. Sweet, lightly spiced and packs a hidden punch!

It starts off with a few bottles of white wine, apple cider, fresh fruit, and a few splashes of Calvados (an apple flavored brandy but you can substitute with any brandy/cognac of your choice). After the sangria refrigerates for a few hours to get the flavors partying together, it’s topped with a bit of sparkling wine for some effervescence.

Since you can make it in big batches, it’s the perfect cocktail to serve up at your next holiday gathering. Or if you’re an apple cider junkee like me, just whip up a pitcher for yourself to sip on.

Cheers Friends and Happy Thanksgiving! ❤

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Apple Cider Sangria

Ingredients:

2 medium sized apples, diced
1 pear, diced
2 750ml bottles Sauvignon Blanc (or white wine of your choice)
3 cups apple cider (fresh pressed-the better!)
½ cup Calvados (or your choice of brandy or cognac)
¹⁄3 cup orange juice
2-3 cinnamon sticks
ice
1 750ml sparkling wine

In a large container, combine the apples, pears, white wine and apple cider, Add in the Calvados, OJ and cinnamon sticks. Cover the pitcher and refrigerate overnight or at least 4-5 hours.

Fill glasses with ice and pour in the sangria. Pour 2-3 ounces of chilled sparkling wine in each glass and gently stir the contents. Garnish with additional apple slices and cinnamon sticks.

Cheers!

Drinks

Fresh Mango Mojitos

October 4, 2017 The Culinary ChroniclesLeave a comment

Since I posted the last Fam Din wrap up, I’ve received a few requests to share the recipe for our Fresh Mango Mojitos—and I’m happy to oblige!

Mojitos are one of my favorite cocktails because it mixes the combinations of lots of tart citrus from the limes and freshness from the mint. But I rarely order it out because 9 out 10 times, I’m completely disappointed. Mojitos aren’t difficult to make–but it does take a bit of time to muddle everything together. Plus, I find that places skimp out on the limes and mint (BOO!!) and either use flat club soda or shake the carbonation out of it (DOUBLE BOO!) And that’s just a bad combination!

Fuggetaboutit! Just make your own!

Fresh Mango Mojitos are truly a fantastic spin of the original. I use a combination of ripe mangoes (I prefer ataulfo mangoes) and mango nectar (LOVE the one from Trader Joe’s) to really punch up the floral mango flavor. Plus, since the fruit and nectar bring their own sweetness, there’s no need to add additional sugar or simple syrups in.

They’re perfect, refreshing and just downright delicious. Cheers!! ❤

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Fresh Mango Mojitos
Serves 1

Ingredients:

15-20 fresh mint leaves, more for garnish
½ lime, cut into small wedges
2 ounces light rum
3 ounces mango nectar
3 tablespoons diced ripe and fresh mango
2 ounces club soda
1-2 cups crushed ice

In a cocktail shaker, thoroughly muddle the mint leaves and lime wedges. Add the light rum, mango nectar and fill the shaker with ice. Vigorously shake for 20 seconds and strain the liquids into a tall glass. Add the fresh mangoes and mash them in. Add ice to the glass and top with club soda. Gently stir the liquids together and garnish with additional mint leaves.

Drinks

Sparkling Rosé Sangria – Happy National Rosé Day!

June 10, 2017June 10, 2017 The Culinary Chronicles1 Comment

With all the craziness going on right now, aren’t you happy to know that at least we have random holidays we can celebrate and temporarily take our minds off of the insanity?

Brilliant holidays like the one today. And “what’s today” you may be asking?

Oh silly Friend….

It’s National Rosé Day—-as in, Rosé Wine!

And no, I didn’t make it up–though it does sound like something I would do.

Sparkling Rosé Sangria

To honor this illustrious day, I’d like to share with you my Sparkling Rosé Sangria. It’s filled with fresh fruit, rosé wine, cognac, orange liqueur and is topped off with chilled sparkling wine right before serving.

And my special addition? Fresh ginger root! The ginger is steeped in the sangria for a few hours which imparts a subtle but bright flavor. The whole combination is like drinking summer in a glass!

Totes Pretty in Pink ❤

CHEERS Friends – and HAPPY NATIONAL ROSÉ DAY!

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Sparkling Rosé Sangria
Serves as many as you’re willing to share with

2 inch piece fresh ginger root, peeled
¹⁄₂ cup simple syrup
¹⁄₄ cup fresh lime juice
¹⁄₃ cup cognac
¹⁄₃ cup Cointreau or other orange liqueur
2 cups sliced fresh peaches
2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
4 sprigs fresh mint, more to garnish
2 750mL bottles rosé wine
ice
1 750mL bottle chilled sparkling wine

With the back of a large chef’s knife (or mallet), carefully bruise the ginger to help release some of its juices–but be sure not to break it into smaller pieces.

In a large pitcher, add the bruised ginger, simple syrup, lime juice, cognac, Cointreau, fruit and mint sprigs. Pour in the rosé wine and stir. Cover the pitcher and refrigerate for 4-5 hours. Once chilled, remove and discard the ginger and wilted mint sprigs.

Fill glasses with ice and add the sangria. Pour 2-3 ounces of chilled sparkling wine in each glass and gently stir the contents. Garnish with additional mint leaves and serve.

CHEERS!

Drinks

Li Hing Mui Margaritas – Okole Maluna!!

September 21, 2016 The Culinary Chronicles1 Comment

Maybe because the weather has taken a weird turn these past few days…..

Or maybe because tomorrow is the first day of Fall.

Whatever the case is, I want Summer back!!! Please?

To make the best of these last few hours of Summer I thought I would share with you all a fantastic little cocktail that in one sip, can transport you to a warm beach day with the sound of waves lapping on the shoreline — the Li Hing Mui Margarita!

If you read my last Sunday Family Dinner post, you know that I mixed up a batch of these vibrantly colorful cocktails for our Lūʻau.

Anytime I’m visiting one of the islands of Hawai’i, I’m inevitably stuffing my face with some type of Li Hing flavored goodie. I’ll snag a few Li Hing malasadas from Leonard’s, have some Li Hing powder sprinkled on top of my shave ice, stuff a bag or two of Li Hing Sour Gummy Candies in my beach bag, and of course–sip on a few Li Hing cocktails.

Li Hing Mui is a salted, dried plum that is both sweet and tart–which is why it’s perfect for cocktails!

The first step is to infuse tequila with Li Hing Mui* for several weeks. And really–that’s the hardest part. Sitting and waiting for the magic to happen.

But if you make it through the waiting, all you need to do is add the infused tequila into your favorite margarita recipe and voila!! A tangy, sweet and onolicious cocktail you can enjoy year round.

Okole Maluna!!

ps. Summer– don’t leave me! ❤

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Li Hing Mui Margaritas
Makes 1 pitcher

Ingredients:

750 ml tequila
6 ounces Li Hing Mui*
1 cup Grand Marnier or triple sec
1 cup fresh lime juice
1 cup simple syrup
1/4 cup coarse salt
1 heaping tablespoon Li Hing Mui powder -optional
lime wedges

Begin by infusing the tequila. Place the Li Hing Mui in a large, resealable container. Add the tequila, stir and seal the container. Place it in a room-temperature, dark spot for at least 4 weeks. Take the container and gently shake every few days to mix. Once the time has passed, strain the infused tequila into a clean large bottle or mason jar and set aside until ready for use.

To make the margaritas, pour 2 cups of the infused tequila into a pitcher. Stir in the Grand Marnier, fresh lime juice and simple syrup. In a small plate, stir the coarse salt and Li Hing Mui powder together. Using a lime wedge, rim the edge of the glasses and dip them into the salt/powder mixture. Add ice and fill the glasses with margaritas.

Okole Maluna!!

*Li Hing Mui can be found in many Asian grocery stores or can be purchased online.

Drinks

Passion Fruit Margaritas

August 7, 2016 The Culinary Chronicles1 Comment

I adore margaritas….blended or on the rocks with salt–of course! Classic margs? Fruit flavored margs? YES– thank you!

But please, no pre-made margarita mixes. More times than not, they are overly sweet and leave you with an artificial aftertaste. BLEH! And when you consider that the classic margarita is so simple and a GAJILLION times more tasty, the extra bit of effort is totally worth it.

And the key? Fresh lime juice. Not bottled, not concentrate–fresh.

If you happen to be lucky enough to own an electric citrus juicer –than you’ve really got no excuse! For our last Family Dinner, I made a few pitchers of these summery Passion Fruit Margaritas. I broke out seester’s electric juicer and whipped out a quart of fresh lime juice in under 10 minutes. But even without the juicer, I still use fresh limes—-it truly, truly makes all the difference in the world!

These Passion Fruit Margaritas were a delish take on the classic marg. The fruit’s natural tartness paired beautifully with the limes and added a fun tropical spin.

Oh! And here’s a tip— if you find limes on sale, get a whole bunch and juice them. The juice freezes beautifully and you can have fresh margs all year long.

CHEERS!

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Passion Fruit Margaritas
Makes 1 pitcher

Ingredients:

2 cups premium silver tequila
1 cup Grand Marnier or triple sec
1 cup fresh lime juice
½ cup simple syrup
2 cups passion fruit juice

Combine and stir all ingredients in a large pitcher. To serve, rim glasses with salt. Add ice and fill the glasses with margaritas. Garnish with additional lime wedges and CHEERS!

Drinks

Spiked Watermelon Lemonade – Happy 4th of July!!

July 1, 2016 The Culinary Chronicles1 Comment

H-A-P-P-Y F-R-I-D-A-Y!!!!!!

Especially if that Friday kicks off the Fourth of July!

My next three days are slated to be filled with BBQs, shenanigans, and fireworks — Oh my! Needless to say, I will need a vat of coffee waiting for me on my desk come Tuesday morning. And I reckon it will be 100% worth it.

But until then, let me recommend this lovely little cocktail that will be perfect for Independence Day — heck, your entire summer!

It combines two things that are quintessential to summer – watermelon and lemonade. And when a few glugs of spirits are added to the mix, you’ve got a party on your hands! It’s light, refreshing and something you can sip on all day long.

Trust me…I sure did when I made it for our last Family Dinner.

So enjoy the weekend Friends and Happy Independence Day ‘Merica!!! 💙❤️🇺🇸

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Spiked Watermelon Lemonades

Ingredients:

¾ cup fresh lemon juice
¼ cup fresh lime juice
1 cup simple syrup, more if needed
5 cups chilled water, divided
8 cups fresh watermelon, cut into large chunks
1 cup vodka
½ cup triple sec
ice
additional lemon slices and watermelon wedges to garnish

In a large container, stir together the lemon juice, lime juice, simple syrup and 4 cups of water. Refrigerate for at least one hour.

In batches if need be, place the watermelon and remaining water in a blender. Blend until smooth and pour the liquid through a sieve to strain. This should yield approximately 6 cups of juice.

Pour 6 cups of watermelon juice, vodka, and triple sec into the chilled lemonade. Taste and add additional simple syrup if needed. Serve over ice and garnish with lemon slices and watermelon wedges.

Cheers!

Drinks

Rosemary Greyhounds + 15 Super Bowl Recipes

February 6, 2016 The Culinary Chronicles3 Comments

For the past few weeks I’ve been making out like a citrus bandit!

Coworkers have been hooking me up with tons of their homegrown citrus – grapefruits, meyer lemons, tangerines, and oranges. So for tomorrow’s Super Bowl shenanigans, I will be using up a few of the lovely grapefruits to make a slight spin on one of my favorite cocktails – the Greyhound.

Before I delve into that wonderful goodness, I wanted to make sure that y’all had ample ideas for your Super Bowl spread so that you can fully enjoy game day. And the fun perk? It’s all finger foods!

Starting off is my Hot Buffalo Chicken Dip! Because you just can’t have a football party without dip – and this ones a show stopper with all the flavors of buffalo wangzzzzz.

Drools.

Love deviled eggs? How about Sriracha? Then we should be best friends….and you should whip up some of these Sriracha Deviled Eggs by the Pioneer Woman. ps. It’s a total touchdown if you add crispy bacon bits on top.

If you like Papas Rellenas….
And getting caught in the rain…..

Ok, rain is optional but you’ll swoon over these Cuban potato balls filled with savory ground beef.

Crunchy Jalapeno-Bacon wrapped Avocado Fries

No explanation needed.

Spicy Chicken Flautas – crispy goodness with a kick. You can even fry these up before your friends come over and then keep them warm in the oven.

Game day parties were meant for busting out the Slow Cookers. You can fix up the food hours and hours before kick off and it’ll keep nice and warm throughout the game.

First up, super easy and reliable BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches.

And then there’s these humongous, juicy, beef sammies — Slow Cooker Pot Roast Sandwiches. Drippy goodness.

Rather have seafood sandwiches? How about some rockin’ Seafood Burgers? We’ve got crispy salmon and ahi for you to choose from. Added bonus? I share with you how to make the BEST brioche buns ever.

E-V-E-R!!

Not up for waiting hours-upon-hours for the pizza delivery dude to show up? Make your own!

How about a BBQ Chicken Pizza?

Or for our veggie lovin’ friends – a Spring Skillet Pizza Pie!

If there isn’t some kind of fried chicken at a Super Bowl party, I immediately turn around and leave.

For reals.

How about a big ol’ platter of Vietnamese Style Fried Chicken? They’re crispy, sticky, slightly sweet and savory.

Finger – lickin’ – GOOD!

Now how about some liquid goodness?

Although kickoff isn’t until 3:30pm PST, I’m sure you’ll be up and bustling around in the AM to get ready for the game. And since brekkie is the most important meal of the day, be sure to fix up a big pitcher of Bloody Marys! The more extra garnishes, the better!

JELL-O SHOTS! JELL-O SHOTS! JELL-O SHOTS!

Yes, you can still enjoy a JELL-O shot every so now and then. Just amp them up a bit by hollowing out a few limes or lemons and fill them with JELL-O before allowing them to set in the fridge.

Show Stoppin’ JELL-O Shooters.

By now, you know my deep affection for the Moscow Mule. It’s a fantastic game day cocktail and even if you don’t have the traditional copper mugs to serve them in, sturdy mason jars will be just fine.

But copper mugs are OH-SO-GLORIOUS and keep your drinks so icy cold.

Moscow Mules are so nice—I had to show you twice!

This time with Apple Moscow Mules! They’re made with apple flavored vodka, apple cider, bitters and ginger beer.

Swoon.

And finally, we’re back to where we started–with the wonderful Greyhound.

Traditionally, Greyhounds are a simple cocktail made from vodka and grapefruit juice. Easy-peasy.

I usually like to add a splash of simple syrup to offset the natural bitterness from the juice. Which is perfect for my slight spin on the Greyhound as I like to add simple syrup that is infused with fresh rosemary.

The floral rosemary compliments the flavors of the grapefruit so well that you’ve got to stop yourself from guzzling it down too quickly!

The steps below are for a single serving but it’s just as easy to make a full carafe of it and have it sitting in a chilled bucket at your Super Bowl spread or brunch table….. you get where I’m going with this.

Enjoy Folks and have a Fantastic Super Bowl!

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Rosemary Greyhounds
Serves 1

Ingredients:

½ cup sugar
½ cup water
2 sprigs fresh rosemary
ice
1½ ounces premium vodka
4 ounces fresh grapefruit juice
additional rosemary & grapefruit wedges for garnish

In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and water over medium low heat. Bring to a low boil and stir until the sugar has dissolved Stir in the rosemary sprigs and take off the heat. Allow the syrup to come to room temperature. Remove/discard the sprig and pour the syrup into a resealable container. Refrigerate for a few hours prior to use.

Fill a tumbler or other glass with ice that has been rimmed with sugar. Add the vodka, 1-2 splashes of rosemary simple syrup (depending on sweetness preference), and grapefruit juice. Stir gently and garnish with rosemary and grapefruit wedge.

Cheers!

Drinks

Jingle Bell Juice – Happy Holidays!

December 23, 2015 The Culinary Chronicles3 Comments

Admit it.

At some time in your life (most likely those college days), you guzzled more than a few red SOLO cups filled with “Jungle Juice”.

Don’t hide it…you know what I’m talking about.

That ubiquitous red party “punch” that was likely served from one of those huge 5 gallon-orange-water cooler-dispensers.

And by “punch”, it was more like a red Kool-Aid and terribly cheap booze that tasted like a mix of some serious rubbing alcohol and turpentine.

GAG….

But we drank it along with the throngs of other collegiate party go-ers because it was ridiculously cheap to make and it did the trick.

We weren’t so smart back then….

But it was fun.

For the holidays, I thought it would be a hoot to make a vat of the stuff. But since I’m a big girl now–how about we class it up a bit?

Nothing overboard…just a smidgen. So what does that mean? Quality fruit juices, fresh citruses and top shelf booze. Trust me, it’s worth it.

And in case you’re worried–it still packs one heck of a punch so sip cautiously.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FRIENDS! ❤

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Jingle Bell Juice

Ingredients:

64 ounces cranberry juice
16 ounces pomegranate juice
12 ounces pineapple juice
8 ounces orange juice
4 ounces lemon juice
4 ounces lime juice
1 (750 milliliter) bottle top shelf vodka
16 ounces top shelf white rum
8 ounces Cointreau or other orange liqueur
2 large orange, sliced (more for garnish)
2 limes, sliced (more for garnish)
1 lemon, sliced (more for garnish)
1 cup mixed fresh berries (blackberries, cranberries, raspberries)
1 (750 milliliter) bottle chilled sparkling wine

In a very large vessel, combine everything but the sparkling wine. Stir well and refrigerate for 4-6 hours. Before serving, slowly stir in the sparkling wine. Garnish with extra slices of citrus. CHEERS!