New Orleans Overview

Last weekend was my birthday!  Well, we were already planning a trip down to the gulf-ish area, so we decided to tie it into my birthday as well.  We started our trip in Baton Rogue to see my aunt, she made us some fantastic gumbo for our arrival, then loaded me down with bacon for breakfast.  Then we headed down to New Orleans.

It had been about 7-8 years since either of us had been there.  So we were pretty damn excited to be able to carry adult beverages down the sidewalk.

St. Lawrence Bar & Restaurant--Our first meal in New Orleans was chosen out of convenient location to the Aquarium.  On the edge of the French Quarter (on N. Peters), we were drawn to it because it smelled like garlic.  It ended up being a really great lunch!  It was a little late so they were out of about 1/4 the menu while prepping for dinner, but there were still plenty of delicious sounding things to choose from.  I had a crawfish "lobster" roll: sweet and spicy crawfish in a lite mayo dressing with celery and a tiny bit of red onion on a buttered hot dog bun.  Louis had the fried oyster bahn mi po'boy: basically a po'boy with pickled radishes and carrots.  And the hand cut fries, well, any good french fry can win over my heart.  I also had their (incredibly strong) daiquiri of the day--pumpkin pie daiquiri. Yeah, you read that right.

Cafe Amelie--Go here.  Just do it!  We chose this as my birthday dinner because the menu sounded good and it was about a block from our hotel.  But, seriously, GO HERE!  We couldn't decide what we wanted, so we got several appetizers to share.  Satsuma chili glazed shrimp, shrimp and grits, and Cajun poutine.  Oh! the cajun poutine--crispy oven roasted gold potatoes loaded with asiago and cochon (a highly seasoned roasted pork).  Absolutely order the Cajun poutine!!!  They make a really great tomato bisque as well (a little on the salty side, but I still ate every drop).  For dessert we had the doberge cake of the day; it was a creamy 9 layer cake with strawberry cheesecake mousse.  And I cant forget about the cocktails!  They are a little on the expensive side, but worth it.  Order any of the house cocktails--you will not be disappointed.  (Reservations suggested, especially if weather doesn't permit courtyard seating.  We just hung out and had a drink, we had no where to go.)

Stanley--Right on Jackson Square at the corner of St Ann and Chartres overlooking St. Louis Catherdral, this is at the "institution" level of dining.  A place everyone seems to go.  And for good reason.  We were there on a Sunday... after church hours.  But since there were only two of us and we were willing to sit at the bar or table (we got a table), we only had to wait about 20 minutes.  Enough time to walk around the square and look at the art for sale displayed along all the fence lines.  I had the Breaux Bridge Benedict; the eggs could have poached about 30-45 seconds longer for my taste, but the homemade boudin and hollandaise more than made up for that.  Louis had the benedict po'boy that also looked divine.  (There is an upscale sister restaurant called Stella... just needed to throw that in there.)

French Market Restaurant--The Central Grocery is closed on Sundays and Mondays.  That was a huge bummer.  This was just down the street so we assumed they had to have good muffalettas.  Wrong.  Don't order the Italian muffaletta here.  The crawfish fritters were really good, so maybe we if we had ordered something else it would have been good, but the oily, hamburger bun muffaletta and frozen french fries were a gigantic let down.

Felix's--Chargrilled oysters.  That is why you should go here.  Fresh shucked oysters cooked over an open flame with parmesan, breadcrumbs, and butter.  The crawfish etouffe and seafood gumbo are also really good.  The roux for the gumbo was way darker than I am used to, and I make my roux pretty dark, so that is saying something. It threw me off at first, but the more I ate, the more sense it made.  It's simple Louisiana food done right, what more could ask for?

The last day we made an obligatory stop at Cafe du Monde.  It was Monday morning so it was only half full.  I know it is the big place everyone goes.  But let me just say that I've tried quite a few other beignets and I've had some that are as good, but none that have been better.  (If you know of a place with beignets that surpass Cafe du Monde, please let me know!)

I feel I should mention a daiquiri that I had as well.  Most people know of the 24 hour to go daiquiri stands in New Orleans.  After Felix's, we walked down Bourbon St. to get back to our hotel on the other side of the French Quarter and decided we needed drinks to go.  We stopped at one of the places that has a wall of frozen drink machines.  (And they offer samples, so that was fun.)  I settled on a thing called the Cajun Storm.  It is dark rum, 151 rum, brandy, and grain alcohol (with some unknown fruit juices and sugar).  And it is delicious.  It is also a bargain at less than $9 for ~20oz.

Christmas Gifts: 2013 edition

I was going to wait another week or so for this particular post, but one of my gift suggestions has free shipping through the weekend.  Usually everyone on my list will get at least one food oriented gift a year.  I think food gifts are perfect for everyone, especially those who are difficult to shop for.  I like to find unique products that someone (like my parents) wouldn't buy for themselves on a regular basis.

Alright, lets get to the goodies.

1.  The Southern Vegetarian--You probably know my love of The Chubby Vegetarian's blog by now.  earlier this year Justin Fox Burks released his first cookbook, and it is amazing.  Sure it is vegetarian, but there are some simply fantastic recipes in here that are sure to please.

2.  Locally Roasted Coffee--This has been a growing trend over the last few years.  Micro-roasters have been popping up as fast as micro-breweries.  Importing fresh coffee berries and roasting them on site can produce some truly terrible coffee.  But it can also produce coffee that is probably magic.  The Nashville area is clogging up with some really good roasters.  I happen to live about a mile from Just Love, which is one of the best within an hour of me.

3.  Micro-brews, spirits, and local vineyards--Speaking of micro-breweries....  Nashville also has some incredible beer:  Blackstone, Yazoo, Fat-bottom, Mayday.  Mayday is actually in Murfreesboro, a few miles from me.  If you pick up a growler of Evil Octopus (a black-BLACK!-IPA), you will not be disappointed.  Micro-stills are also poking their heads through the woodwork.  Middle Tennessee clearly is home to Jack Daniels, but we also have Short Mountain (my favorite moonshine) and Corsair Distillery.  And let's not leave out Arrington Vineyards.  However, I suggest finding business local to you... I mean, unless you want to sample the awesomeness of Middle Tennessee (and we are pretty freaking awesome.)

4.  Oils and Vinegars--Upscale oil and vinegar "taprooms" are making appearances in many high end shopping centers.  I am a big fan of Seasons.  Every single oil and vinegar I tried (and I tried, like, 30) was delicious.  The price per bottle may seem steep, but their premium products are worth every penny.  And they have recently introduced gift boxes!  Through Sunday (Nov 24) , they are offering free shipping on orders over $30.

5.  Cackalacky--This is a North Carolina original.  I met these guys at the bluegrass convention in Raleigh in September.  This is hands down the best hot sauce I have tried this year.  Maybe one of the best I've ever had.  It isn't aggressively spicy, and it has a thicker consistency than many hot sauces which makes it perfect for dousing a chicken breast or piece of fish straight from the bottle.  They have also started making a Cheerwine BBQ sauce that I'm sure is stupidly tasty.

Summer, Meet Fall

Ever so slowly we are creeping into more fall like weather.  A couple weeks ago, Tennessee had a cold front come through and we some genuinely early fall-like weather.  It was beautiful!  It made me crave slow cooked meat and rich amber beer.  Luckily, it was right about that week when grocery stores started busting out the pumpkin ales and oktoberfests.  (We opted for the Sierra Nevada Tumbler... it was a good choice.)  The vegetables are still decidedly summer though.  That is how this dinner came about.  Beer braised short ribs, a fresh summer salad, and some cooked down kale with garlic and red onions.

 I didn't write down recipes, but the general concept for all of this is really easy.

The local grassfed beef:  Trimmed off the (rather excessive) layer of fat--it was their cheap weekly special so I didn't complain.  Liberally coat with sea salt and black pepper.  Sear really well over med-high heat. Deglaze with some beer.  Add a couple crushed cloves of garlic and a sprig of fresh rosemary.  Add some more beer, maybe?  Cover and cook over med-low for about an hour adding beer as necessary to keep it all moist; until the beef is tender and falling off the bone.  Turn the heat up to med to cook off the liquid and form a glaze.

The summer salad:  Fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, and corn.  Fresh parsley and some lemon zest/juice.  A little olive oil, some plain lowfat yogurt, and salt and pepper.

The kale:  Caramelize about 1/2 an onion in extra virgin olive oil and/or butter. Throw in a little garlic and fresh thyme.  Add washed, chopped kale and a splash of liquid (stock, wine, beer....)  Cook until it is the desired texture.  ( I cook mine 8-10 minutes usually.)

Arrington Vineyards 2012 Christmas Vintages

Oh no!  5 days until Christmas and you need another gift?!  I suggest you rush over Arrington Vineyards RIGHT NOW!  This year, AV introduced two seasonal vintages for the holidays, one red and one white.  But they only have 450 of each available for purchase, so you better hurry.... if they are not already gone.

Both are blends of several different grapes.  Neither is too dry or too sweet, which makes them perfect for just about any wine lover on your gift list.  I really wish the white blend was a year round selection, because it is so delicious!  I may even like it more than Stags White (gasp!)

The bonus, is that they are very affordable, $14.99 each.  Buy both and you will be set.  You better buy some for yourself too.  However, due to limited bottles, there is a very good chance they will be sold out.  (Sorry I didn't tell you about these sooner.)  The good news is, you can't go wrong with any of their wines.  Sign up for a free wine tasting to figure out your gifts or ideas to restock your wine rack.

Honey Girl Punch

You know when you are so, so close to the end but still hopelessly stuck in the middle?  That's where I am right now.  I am counting down the days until this month is over.

This drink can definitely help get you through the slump though.  One of my best friends in the entire world, Heather, took an amazing trip to Hawaii last month.  This drink was specially created for the luau they went to.  It is fruity and refreshing and dangerously tastes like it contains no alcohol.  She recreated it for a little cookout we had a few weeks ago.  Four of us killed this entire pitcher....

Honey Girl Punch
1 C vodka
2/3 C gauva nectar
2/3 C pinapple juice
fresh strawberries

   Muddle a handful of fresh strawberries.  Add vodka and juices.  The goal if for it to look like unfiltered honey when it is done.  Serve over ice.
   Makes 2-4 drinks.  (It just depends on how hard you are celebrating.)

For this pitcher:  3 C each of guava and pineapple, most of a pint of strawberries, 1 bottle (750 ml) vodka.  (A little stronger than the original, but so SO good!)

Black Box Malbec

Today is my birthday, but I had yesterday off so I celebrated then.  Maybe "celebrate" isn't an accurate description of what I did.  I didn't leave my pajamas, I marathoned The Lord of the Rings (extended editions, of course), ate Blue Coast Burrito for lunch, and indulged in several glasses of Black Box Malbec.  It was exactly what I wanted/needed.

Boxed wine has come a long way from the check-red-or-white Franzia.  Several companies are completely devoting themselves to boxes, like Bota Box and Black Box.  The liquid bladder inside keeps air away from the wine and thus, the wine stays fresher, longer.  Also, cardboard is much cheaper/easier to deal with packaging-wise than glass.  So I say, bring on the boxed wine!

Malbec is not a new variety of wine, but it has recently gained a new popularity here in the States.  Black Box was the first malbec I had, and I fell in love.  It has a medium body and is on the drier side, but has a slightly sweet finish.  Also, the tannins are not over-powering.  Personally, I think this is a great introductory-red for those looking to branch out from whites.  Lastly, it isn't expensive.  You get a high quality wine, the equivalent of 4 regular bottles, for about $22.

Red Wine-- Spanish Style

Wow, with my new crazy schedule (which isn't being helped by the holidays) I have very little time to do the things I want to.  I do think that no matter how insane things get, you need to take a few minutes of the day to just slow down and breathe.  This little concoction is an easy key to start that slow down process.

Red Wine Spanish Style
1/2 oz sweet vermouth
5 1/2 oz dry red wine

Combine and enjoy.

That's Amorade

So sorry about not posting the last two days.  I was in training for my new ultra-prestigious job............. riiiight.

Ok, so, this drink quickly became our favorite drink after the first time we made it this past spring.  We altered the original recipe (simply called an Amorade) and our version is spectacular!  Seriously.  It sounds a little crazy when you read the ingredients, but it is great.

That's Amorade
1 1/2 oz Amaretto
1 1/2 oz Triple Sec
juice of 1 lemon
tonic water (~5 oz)
2-3 dashes lemon bitters

   Squeeze juice of lemon halves into a shaker, drop one half of lemon into shaker.  Add amaretto, triple sec, and ice.  Shake.  Pour into a glass with ice.  Top with tonic, add bitters.
   (This can be made in the glass and just gently stirred up, too.)
   Makes 1 drink.

Coconut Twisted Margarita

There are people who have sworn off tequila, but will still indulge in a margarita.  Tequila and lime is such a versatile base that goes well with so many different flavors. 

My sister- and mother-in-law stumbled upon The Spice and Tea Exchange location in Annapolis, MD.  They picked up a little packet of salt for me that is a smoked coconut-lime sea salt.  Seriously.  How fucking awesome is that?!  This salt was screaming for a margarita.  (Speaking of Maryland, I am heading that way today to visit friends and go to the Maryland Ren Fest!)

Coconut Twisted Margarita

1 1/2 oz silver tequila

3/4 oz coconut rum

3/4 oz coconut water

juice of 1 lime

1 tsp simple syrup (or more to taste)

ice

salt (optional)

   Rim glass with salt.  (Run squeezed lime half around edge of glass.  Dip into salt.)

   Combine tequila, rum, coconut water, lime juice (along w/ one half of the lime) and simple syrup with ice in a shaker.  Shake well.

   Pour into glass.  Add one ice cube to glass.

   Makes 1 drink.

Ferrari-Carano Cabernet Sauvignon (2008)

My friend got me a bottle of Ferrari-Carano Cabernet Sauvignon as a house warming gift.  I had never heard of the winery before.  No surprise considering the liquor stores I've lived near lately are stocked to the brim with Alice White and Arbor Mist.  My normal go-tos are Yellowtail and Barefoot, so when I took the first sip of this, I was taken aback. 

It is a beautiful, rich, complex red perfect for the cooling nights we've been experiencing lately.  It starts with a fruity, peppery sharpness that is welcoming, not overwhelming.  And it has an incredibly smooth, buttery, earthy finish.

"With aromas of dark cherry, vanilla, mocha, and earthy elements of mineral,

this wine delights with delicious flavors of vibrant, red berry pie, caramel

and fresh boysenberry. Lingering sweet oak adds excellent depth."

~Vineyard's description

Unless you have a lot of money to spend on wine, this is unfortunately not practical as an every day wine.  The good news is that it is not going to set you back too much or break the bank if you decide to purchase a bottle as a gift or for a special occasion.  For the "Classic Wines" produced by Ferrari-Carano you can expect to pay between $15-$30.  The reds are characteristically more expensive than the whites.  Ferrari-Carano is a California based winery, so that keeps the price down a bit.  A French wine of this caliber would probably be about $45-$50.

(By the way, don't you love my wine glasses?  They are hand blown/formed blue and clear glass.)

Browse the website for more info an varieties and amazing gift baskets.  They also produce their own estate olive oil!

Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery

 



Watermelon Mojito

   I may have just ordered a gorgeous new pair of boots for fall and can't wait to wear them, but it is definitely still summer.  Maybe, maybe by late this month it will creep into boot weather.  However, I'm betting they don't make it out of the house until October (because, yes, I will put them on and wear them around my house the second they arrive.)  The good news about the part of summer:  the produce.  Everything is so beautiful at the markets this time of year.  Last week, in the Mennonite community in Scottsville, KY, I bought the most perfect little watermelon for $1.  Seriously.  I adore watermelon, the hubs hates it with a passion.  While I could eat slices of it all day, some times things need to be switched up a bit.  Mojitos have been one of my go-to drinks this summer so I thought why not add some fresh, juicy, sweet watermelon to the mix?

Watermelon Mojito
1/2 C watermelon chunks (1 good sized slice)
1 tsp simple syrup
2-3 sprigs of mint
juice of 1 lime, ~1 1/2 Tbsp
2 oz light rum
diet tonic water
ice

   Add watermelon, simple syrup, mint and lime juice to the bottom of a glass.  Muddle everything together.  Make sure to break up the melon and bruise the mint really well.  Add rum.  Add ice to your liking.  Top with tonic.
   Makes 1 drink.

Front Street Brewery

   Yesterday was so lovely in Eastern NC.  The winds have shifted and the wildfire smoke is being carried more inland.  We took our final trip (while living in NC at least) down to Wilmington yesterday.  We ate lunch at Front Street Brewery.  Well, it was more of a mid-afternoon snack feast.  I love this place.  It is located on Front St (go figure...) in the beautiful downtown area.  This micro-brewery is fitted into an old row building with pressed tin ceilings and dark, old hardwood.  The way you picture a turn of the [last] century bar to look.  The front left portion houses the brewery where they brew their four standards: River City Raspberry Wheat, Coastal Kolsch, Port City IPA, and Dram Tree Scottish Ale.  In addition to the standards, they carry a wide variety of bottled beers, have a full bar, and have rotating seasonal brews created by the FSB brew masters (generally 2-3 varieties).

   These are two of the seasonal brews for Spring/Summer 2011.  On the left is the Triple Play which is a Belgian style tripel.  For a light (in color) beer, it is rich and smooth with very little hops, just enough the balance the flavors.  All varieties except this have the option of a pint, but this brew approaches 10% ABV.  Even with the high alcohol content (as far as beer goes) it goes down easy... maybe a little too easy.  I really enjoyed this refreshing break from my usual dark beers.  The other beer pictured above is El Hefe, a hefenweizen .  This wheat beer is light and crisp with hints of spice and citrus.  Almost no hops, it is incredibly smooth with a hint of sweetness.

   And I couldn't resist a dark because I love Scottish ales.  This is my second favorite Scottish ale (the first being from Bosco's.)  Dark and rich, the Dram Tree Scottish Ale is smokey with caramelized notes of coffee and chocolate.
   The menu is a pretty standard selection for a bar/pub.  Burgers and sandwiches, fried goodies, and classics like fish and chips and shepard's pie.  Every once in a while they'll throw in a Gulf/Coastal favorite like jambalaya or gumbo.  I know their burgers are wraps are fantastic; the FSB Pita Wrap with portabellas is my favorite sandwich here.

   Every day from 3-6 pm and then after 10 pm, about half of the appetizers are half price.  Perfect for relaxing with a beer and just enjoying the afternoon.  We sort of indulged in our app selections, but it was so good.  We started with the crab dip (not half price but a really good deal at about $10.)  Normally this is a fairly heavy dish and I was surprised at how light it was!  It was almost fluffy, I kid you not.  Fresh shreds of crab run through the creamy, cheesy concoction and the parmesan dusted pita points are soft and lightly toasted, like the best pita from a great Greek restaurant.  I could have eaten the whole thing by my self, but it is a great option for sharing.

   The buffalo chicken tenders are cooked perfectly without too much breading and the sauce isn't too greasy or spicy.  Really really good, but not quite as special as the other items we ordered.  But if you fancy yourself a chicken tender connoisseur, you will not be disappointed.

   Oh, and these beauties.  I hate these things.  They are too good.  Deadly good, in fact.  Beer nuggets.  See how terrible they are?  I'm not writing full sentences!  Fried hunks of beer dough rolled around in garlic butter and served with marinara.  Damn you FSB for creating these!  I really really hate you because I love these so much.  I wanted to cry when I ate the first one because it was so fucking delicious!

   I highly recommend Front Street Brewery if you find yourself wandering around the Wilmington area.  It is fun, casual, relaxed, ironically family friendly (up until the night life kicks ups later in the evening).  Great food and great beer, what more do you need?  Maybe some beer to go?  They offer several options for at home enjoyment from half kegs to 64 oz jugs (that are refillable!)

Front Street Brewery

9 N. Front St.

Wilmington, NC 28401

910-251-1935

Orange Champagngria

   Alright, this wildfire bullshit in North Carolina is getting out of hand.  I still feel like absolute crap and would veeeeeeeery much like it to stop.  Hence my, yet again, absence.  Also, Louis having several days off for the 4th and the Tour (that one in France.....) really cut into my do-anything-in-the-morning time.  I am determined to get back on track. 

   I feel a little silly posting this considering all the sangria recipes I've seen posted this week.  But, this not your traditional sangria.  It has champagne.  Fancy.  Ok, not real champagne.  I used Barefoot Bubbly Pinot Grigio (which is really amazing if you haven't had it... and a steal at about $12/bottle!)  Personally, I think this does best with a dry variety (not brut or extra dry... regular dry, a step down from the really sweet) so you get a little sweetness but the light, fresh crispness that characterizes sparkling wines is still in the forefront.

Orange Champagngria
1/3 C white rum
1/3 C triple sec
1/3 C fresh squeezed orange juice
1 medium orange thinly sliced
1 lime thinly sliced
~2 Tbsp grenadine (optional, mostly just enhances the color)
1 bottle sparkling wine

   Combine rum, triple sec, juice, fruit, and grenadine.  Allow to soak together for at least 6 hours, up to 48 hours.
   Add 2-3 Tbsp to the bottom of service glass.  Top with sparkling wine and a few slices of soaked fruit.
   Serves 6-8.

Monkey Lala

   The name is bizarre.  I am aware of that.  But who cares; it is a frothy, frosty, frozen drink.  It needs to have an odd name.

   I'm pretty sure Sundowners Bar in Roatan, Honduras created this.  I've been to this bar several times but generally on my Roatan excursions I opt for a Salva Vida or a good old rum (Flor de Cana) and coke.  My first visit to Honduras did include one several of these concoctions at Bite on the Beach and The Thirsty Turtle.  Absolutely delicious, but not the type of thing I want to sit around drinking all afternoon.  Usually I have one per vacation now, but this year I am not going to Roatan.  So in a wonderfully alcohol soaked attempt to garner a little piece of that beloved island for the night, I made Monkey Lalas. 

Monkey Lala
1 oz vodka
1 oz Irish cream liqueur
1 oz coffee liqueur
2 oz cream of coconut
a handful or so of ice

   Whiz together in a blender.  You need about 10-12 large ice cubes.  Add a straw and maybe a tiny parasol.  (I just bought them and wanted to use them!)
   Serves 1.

Blackberry Long Island Iced Tea

   Before getting underway with this post let me just say:  I HATE APPLE!!!  I hated Macs in 5th grade when I pretended to use them for reading class (because no one explained how they work), and I hate this god forsaken iPod.  User friendly my ass....

   This would be the perfect thing to make me forget about my burning, passionate abhorrence.  However, it isn't even 9 am.  I will continue to sip my coffee calmly waiting until Louis gets home to transfer the one lonely album from iTunes to the iPod or until 5 pm rolls around so I can make myself one of these bad boys.  (Also, I find Apple rather arrogant in their capitalization of a non-primary letter.)

   Sorry, back to the drink.  T.G.I. Friday has been boasting blackberry drinks for a while now.  Yet, it seems every time I am there, the bar has just run out of blackberries.  I managed to order one once.  It was good, but the blackberries were frozen/thawed.  Frozen berries would be a great substitute out of season, but fresh berries are magical.  We bought some fresh blackberries at a local produce stand.  They are tart, sweet, juicy, and giant!  The perfect fruity compliment to the onslaught of alcohol in a Long Island.   

Blackberry Long Island Iced Tea

1 1/2 oz gin

1 1/2 oz vodka

1 1/2 oz tequila

1 1/2 oz rum

1 oz blackberry liqueur

1 oz simple syrup (more or less depending on sweetness of berries)*

juice of one large lemon

cola

blackberries

   In the bottom of two glasses, mash 2-3 blackberries (more if they are small). 

   In a cocktail shaker, add alcohols, liqueur, simple syrup, and lemon juice.  Add a handful of ice and shake well.  Divide between the two glasses.  Fill with ice and add a splash of cola.  Garnish with a fresh berry.

   Serves 2.

   *Simple syrup is equal parts sugar and water heated until sugar is dissolved completely into water then cooled.  Make a 1C:1C amount and store the extra in a squeeze bottle so you have it on hand.

   **Use high quality liquors, especially for gin and tequila, so the flavors blend well and nothing over powers the drink.

Mojitos!

   WTF?! crazy stuff is happening with those blog posts from last Thursday/Friday.  I just realized the tags were messed up so I fixed them and then it reposted with today's day?  Oh well, I hope blogger never has another shutdown like that one. 

   Ok, I couldn't resist another post for today.  After a week, I need to get things caught up.  So, mojitos.  Classic Cuban drink.  It is so delicious and refreshing.  In the last couple of years, it has become a very "in" drink.  Some variations of it are fantastic.  Others are.... well, disgusting.  Sorry, no other way to say that.  This is not a drink that you should ever buy pre-bottled.  Fresh mint and fresh lime are the soul of this drink!  There is no way a bottle isn't going to give you that.

  For Christmas, my mom bought Louis a comprehensive cocktail guide.  (Mr. Boston's, if you are curious.)  Last weekend we stocked up our "bar" (aka the top of our fridge.)  So he has been experimenting with the recipes.  The mojito recipe in the book calls for what we both decided was way too much mint and club soda.  Well, I don't like club soda.  It is like carbonated, slightly salty, nothingness.  I prefer tonic.  I can't think of a single cocktail where the two mixers couldn't be switched.  Plus, I love the slightly citrusy note of tonic and I think it is more bubbly.  Oh, and we use diet tonic so the drinks don't end up overly sweet.

Mojito
(per drink)
1 1/2 tsp super fine sugar
1 lime, halved
2 large mint sprigs
2 oz light rum (we use Cruzan)
diet tonic water (or club soda, if you like it)
ice

   Place sugar and mint in the bottom of glass.  Squeeze in both lime halves; drop one half into glass.  Muddle (mash) together.  (A wooden spoon works if you do not have a muddler.)  Add rum, stir vigorously to dissolve sugar.  Fill glass with ice.  Top with tonic/club soda.

Dry, Red Sangria

   Pretty much everyone knows what sangria is nowadays.  If you don't, it is basically a wine and fruit punch.  Simple, easy, delicious.  It is a great cocktail for a crowd because it is cheap and the ultimate make-ahead drink.  There is no need to buy a nice wine for sangria.  A $5 or $6 bottle is perfect (I suggest Barefoot or Yellowtail).  Or if someone brings you a bottle of red as a hostess gift and you aren't crazy about what they chose... make it into sangria!  Even those of my friends who don't like wine like sangria.  The sweetness of the fruit takes the sharp edge off the wine that tends to turn people off.  If you have a pretty, clear pitcher, break it out!  It is an instant gorgeous centerpiece to a casual table.  (I, unfortunately, do not own such a vessel.)

   Often, sugar is added to sangria.  I prefer a drier wine cocktail, so that what I wanted to do for my first recipe.  I like my sangria to taste like wine and fruit.  If you would like it sweeter, add 1/4 C super fine sugar, honey, or agave syrup.  Whisk it into a small amount of the liquid (the rum or a little bit of wine) to easily incorporate.  There are sooo many different recipes out there and infinite possibilities with sangria.  This is one, simple recipe that has a little twist with the dark rum.  I will probably definitely have several more variations this spring/summer.

Don't you love the orange pitcher?  I'm pretty sure it is older than I am.

Dry, Red Sangria

1 bottle medium-bodied red wine (Merlot, Shiraz, or a Cab-blend)

1/2 C dark rum

2 C orange juice

1 medium orange

1 large lemon

1 large lime

1 1/2 C grapes

   Place grapes in freezer for at least 1 day.  These will be used as ice cubes.

   Thinly slice citrus fruit.  Place in the bottom of the pitcher and lightly mash with a wooden spoon.  Add wine, rum and juice.  Stir.  Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, 24 hours is better.  Add frozen grapes to each glass or to pitcher at service.

   6-8 servings.

If you are patient enough to let the grapes freeze all the way, they will float.

Bunganut Pig (Franklin)

   Sorry for the lapse!  My incredibly awesome weekend got in the way.  Starting Friday night, it was a whirlwind of excitement.  Sarina and I kicked off the weekend by going to see our friend Hannah (band: 10th Floor) perform at the Bunganut Pig in Franklin.  We had decided to dress up 80's, because..... well, why the hell not?  In full 80's glory, Sarina and I had dinner at Bombay Bistro before heading down to the Pig which is an little, practically underground, hole in the wall bar.  My parents use to take me and my brother there when we were little.  Why did they take their very young children to a bar?  I don't know.  But we loved it.  We thought we were fucking rock stars getting to eat in a place that you had to walk down stairs to get into.  (We were weird kids.)

   Obviously the first thing we did when we got there was order a drink.  We got Hog Wilds.  Some ultra girly fruity delicious thing of vodka, melon, pineapple, cranberry and 7Up.

  
   Under the shooter section there was something called the Red Headed Pig  that was Jager, Peach schnapps, and Cranberry.  It is usually called a Red Headed Slut.  I've had a red headed slut and I do not remember it tasting like this.  However, the person who made it for me was also very drunk... she sometimes just makes shit up with whatever is around when she is drinking.  It is actually very amusing but definitely hit and miss.  You never know what you will get.  But I digress.  Right, so that combo sounded both revolting and intriguing.  I couldn't resist and had to try it.  Surprisingly tasty.  The flavor was very holiday-ish for me.  Fruity cranberry with a hint of herbaly, spicy licorice.  The balance was just right which is the key with this.  I feel like all hell could go wrong with different proportions of the jager, peach, and cranberry.

I thought "shooter" meant shot... I think I was wrong.  Look at that thing!

   Many nights of the week, there is live music.  And if you love drunk middle-aged people as much as I do, you will have a blast at the  Bunganut Pig!  Also, if you see 10th Floor on any listings, go see them!  They are really good.

The Bunganut Pig Pub and Eatery

1143 Columbia Ave--Franklin, TN 37064

	615-794-4777

Winter-time Black Teas

   I handle pain and illness much better than most people.  However, sometimes you have to admit defeat.  Announcing that I am under the weather is very hard for me, call it a pride issue.  My immune system can probably kick your immune system's ass, but the occasional cold is inevitable.  I haven't had a cold in years, but this season I've had 2 (this is my second.)  They don't put me out of commission for any serious length of time, but I do need to take at least one day where I just lay around.  Today will be that day, hopefully, even though I have already had a very productive morning.  On these days--really any lazy day--I love to watch copious amounts of Netflix Instant or Lord of the Rings and drink my body weight in hot tea.  So I thought it would be appropriate to share with you my favorite winter-time black teas that can be bought at any grocery store.  (I'll save the specialty loose teas for later!)

Twinings Earl Grey
Hands down, favorite tea EVER!  I have probably tried over 20 varieties of it.  I've had Earl Grey cheesecake and I have plans to make an Earl Grey creme brule.  But this is the tea that causes a divide in my family.  To bergamot or not?  I love the citrus-y notes and medium depth of flavor.  I could literally drink Earl Grey all day long.  Twining's is the best brand in the grocery store because the bergamot is not overpowering or off-tasting (like some brands... like maybe their oranges went a little south.)  Drink with a slice of lemon and a drizzle of honey.

Orange Spice Tea (sometimes called Christmas Tea)
I have a sneaking suspicion that Kroger's premium brand equivalent (Private Selection) is the exact same tea as Bigelow's Constant Comment.  This tea is rich and full flavored with orange rind, clove, and cinnamon.  So delicious and comforting in front of a fire.  This tea makes the holidays feel like they could last a little bit longer.  I like mine with a little honey and some cream.

Bigelow Vanilla Chai
I lived off this stuff in the month of November during my semester at LSU.  Chai was the fad of teas of a few years ago, but luckily people realized that is beautiful and the varieties haven't disappeared into oblivion.  I especially love the vanilla chai.  Bigelow adds more cardamom to this blend which works wonderfully with the vanilla.  If you like chai, you'll adore this tea!  A simple pour of cream is all you need.

Stash English Breakfast Tea
This is a bold tea with incredible depth of flavor that will get you started in the mornings!  It is the tea alternative of coffee.  There are many brands that make a great English Breakfast but for the regular grocery store, my preferences lean towards Stash.  No real reason, I just like it.  For me, this tea is a little too heavy for the summer months, but great for those chilly days when you just want to curl up with a book and a blanket.  I like to bust out one of my specialty honeys (Pepper, Orange Blossom, Wildflower?) when I have a mug of this tea.

If you have any suggestions on tea I would love to hear them!  I am always looking for new teas.  (Although, I seriously do not need to buy anymore, lol!)

Oh, and sorry.... pictues of Harry Potter food didn't happen.  =(  I will still share recipes though!

Vinturi Wine Aerator

   I have been playing Wii for too long now so I thought I'd make myself take a break and tell you about the awesome gift my brother got me for Christmas.  The Vinturi Aerator.  It was really cute how excited he was about this giving this gift to me.

   Red wine is supposed to "breathe" before you drink it.  That is the purpose of a decanter.  Pour the wine into the crystal decanter, pour into wine glass.... that mixes in the right amount of air.  However, most of us don't have a crystal decanter lying around and probably don't want one.  I don't.  That is way too breakable to have around while drinking.  The Vinture is acrylic.  And is cheaper than a nice decanter.

   I saw one of these a few weeks ago.  My first reaction was,  "Hey!  That is cool!"  My second reaction was, "That is probably bullshit."  But it isn't!  It is crazy the difference that it makes.  We tried it on a $6 bottle of Little Penguin Merlot and holy crap... pouring it through the aerator added like $15 to the wine!  I was amazed.  The little amount of air that is mixed in makes the wine taste more like it is supposed to taste; the same concept as adding salt to sweet desserts.  I can't wait to try this on a nicer bottle of wine.  Because I will say that the funneling my Bota Box (boxed...) wine through this made me feel a little trashy, even though it is perfectly decent, lovely wine!  Didn't stop me though.  My only negative about this is you have to be really careful not to pour the wine too fast or else it leaks out of the teeny air spouts on the side.  Likewise you can't pour too slow because then the wine goes straight through and the air isn't mixed in.  When it makes a weird sucking sound, you are doing it perfectly.  I absolutely recommend this to any wine lover!

Set Includes: aerator funnel, sleek modern stand, a fine mesh basket if you happen to drink really fancy wines that may have a bit of sediment, and a travel pouch for the aerator for wine drinkers on the go.