All posts filed under: Cocktails and champagne

Looking Forward to October

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The first day of the month, and only 90 days to the end of the year. But no worries, October is a month I look forward to, especially after the sluggishness and the unmotivated I felt by the end of August, and all throughout September. To me, October is the month to shed all the negative and just enjoy the most brilliant of colors, the layering in fashion, the shift in decor,  comfort food in recipes, and the prelude to the holiday planning.  October is the coolest month of the year. What Film to see, what recipe book to buy, and where to vacation in October    

Food: Dinner Tonight – Red Wine Braised Short Ribs

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After turkey on Thursday, and leftovers on Friday, I am ready for this recipe – an interesting one for short ribs. I mean what is there more to say, expect if the family is visiting from out of town, and easy dinner prep is the idea, then go here for the recipe: INGREDIENTS 5 pounds bone in, beef short ribs kosher salt and black pepper 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced 2 shallots, thinly sliced 4 carrots, chopped 2 cups dry red wine, such as Cabernet Sauvignon 2 cups low sodium beef broth 2 tablespoons tomato paste 1 tablespoon brown sugar or honey 4 sprigs fresh thyme 2 sprigs fresh rosemary 2 bay leaves 2 cups fresh cranberries mashed potatoes, for serving {Featured image source} How about this recipe for cranberry Thyme Spritz and a good old-fashioned board game after dinner  

Food: Holiday Series – What To Bring for Potluck

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I was over the moon when I found this recipe online. A reminder of my childhood days, during the holidays when my mother and aunts got together to bake and make holiday desserts for a family gathering. I always helped in the kitchen, but only because I wanted to taste all the goodies being whipped together across the kitchen counters all the way to the dinning table – where the women gathered to share secrets to their version of the same old recipe, and laugh out loud at all the fun being poked about this and that. I loved every minute of it. So, since potluck is the sharing of the responsibilities of the hostess – here’s a great recipe for a unique dessert – chocolate salame – that’s been tried and tested by our extended families, eons ago, somewhere in a Mediterranean kitchen: Ingredients 100 g di biscuits like digestives or similar 100 g of butter at room temperature 150 g of sugar 100 g of good quality unsweetened cocoa powder 2 eggs Icing sugar Butcher’s twine Instructions Break the biscuits coarsely with your hands: do …

Sunday Morning Thoughts

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I woke up early this morning. By early I mean 4 a.m. – usually because my dog is working on the old time – his clock being 5 a.m. and ready for his breakfast. I don’t mind, he’s aging and I am not going to try to teach my old dog new tricks. He is the king of this castle, and I am okay with that.  The first thing I did after his feeding, is grab my laptop and got back into bed. Actually fluffed my pillows and sat, in bed, aiming to write a post. Since I haven’t for a few days – thanks to having to shift gears last week, and working long hours to meet a demanding deadline. On Saturday I decided to drive down to Stanford and hang around the mall. I needed a bit of happy chaos, and to get ideas for the coming holidays. I knew that most of the mall would already be decorated for Christmas, with a bit of detail intertwined about the Thanksgiving holiday. The smell of …

Lifestyle: Halloween Is Right Around the Corner And…

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There are two occasions in a year I consider to be the most entertaining:  St. Patrick’s Day and Halloween and its fair to say that since the later is just around the corner, I needed to share some interesting facts or fiction or a little bit of both to spark some interest just in case your planning to pass up Halloween.   {featured image – Everything you need to know about hosting a Halloween party}

Culture: Topics of Discussion Over Cocktails and Sushi

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Have you ever considered a sushi night get-together? I mean catering sushi for a cocktail party hosted by, well…you? Something like – you provide the sushi and the guests provide the cocktails. And I do mean provide the cocktails (recipe index card included) for that amazing bar-keeper to create the masterpiece drink of choice. And when all the conversation has run out about sushi and cocktails, here are some interesting topics you might want to consider bringing up to fuel discussions among the crowd…

I Love the Idea of A Relish Tray

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What a wonderful idea for those watching or trying to watch their weight during the holidays – A Relish Tray full of healthy bites INGREDIENTS ½ bunch dill, large stems removed, divided 6 teaspoons coriander seeds, divided 6 teaspoons fennel seeds, nigella seeds, or mustard seeds, divided 2 Fresno chiles, thinly sliced 2½ cups thinly sliced vegetables (such as fennel, scallions, celery, peeled carrots, and/or peeled beets) Kosher salt 2 cups apple cider vinegar ⅓ cup light agave nectar 1 cup mayonnaise ¼ cup Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 2 teaspoons ground turmeric Pinch of cayenne pepper 8 large eggs, room temperature 8 ounces black Cerignola olives 1 cup smoked almonds Flaky sea salt

Alcoholic Beverages to Consider This Holiday Season or Whenever

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I seldom look over the cocktail menu at a bar, unless I am wondering what sort of wine they serve that’s on the happy hour list. Otherwise I usually stick to my norm – lemon drop, Gimlet, or any citrusy variation mixed with vodka. But naturally there is a list to help guide women to order healthy in terms of alcoholic drinks. Check out what they suggest: