Fourth of July Cocktail

Recipe found on Food Network

• 1 ounce watermelon schnapps
• 1 big splash cranberry juice
• 1 very thin slice jalapeno or serrano pepper
• 1 slice lemon
• 1 slice lime
• 1 1/2 ounces tequila
• 1/4 ounce blue curacao
• 1/2 ounce simple syrup
• Watermelon wedge, for garnish (optional)

Mix the schnapps and cranberry juice in a shaker; pour into an ice-filled glass.

Muddle the jalapeno pepper, lemon and lime slices, tequila, blue curacao and simple syrup (to make a batch, dissolve sugar in equal parts hot water and chill) in the shaker. Slowly strain into the glass over the red layer. Garnish with watermelon, if desired.

Patriotic Margarita

Recipe found in Coastal Living

• 1 cup frozen strawberries
• 2 to 4 tablespoons Dark rum
• 2 tablespoons Coconut milk
• 2 tablespoons Pineapple juice
• 2 tablespoons Fresh lime juice
• 2 to 4 tablespoons Hpnotic Vodka

Puree thawed frozen strawberries.

Blend the strawberry puree, dark rum, coconut milk, pineapple juice, fresh lime juice, and ½ cup crushed ice in a blender until smooth. Pour Hpnotic into a glass, and top with 2 to 4 tablespoons of the strawberry mixture.

Red, White, and HPNOTIQ Blue Martini

Recipe found on Bar None Drinks

• 2 oz. Hpnotiq
• 1 oz. Citrus Vodka
• 1 splash(es) Lemon Lime Soda
• Grenadine

Shake with ice, strain into a martini glass and slowly add a touch of grenadine. Garnish with chopped coconut.

- 1 1/2 oz Smirnoff cranberry twist vodka
- 1/4 oz Chambord
- 1/2 oz cranberry juice
- 1 tsp lemon juice

Garnish: 3 cranberries on stick

Mix all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with 3 cranberries on stick.

One of my favorite things to do for Super Bowl Sunday is to create a menu based on the hometown of each team. It’s a nice way to explore some regional cuisine.  So, let’s talk food and teams! We have the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers – two really great areas for food!

For Arizona, you have that spicy southwestern flair to the cuisine so you can get pretty creative! Here are some suggestions:

Let’s begin with a signature cocktail (every party should have one!). What cocktail goes best with spicy food than a nice cold Margarita! Check out this recipe, courtesty of Epicurious: Classic Margarita.   Appetizers are a snap with Velvetta’s Ultimate Queso Dip (courtesy of Kraft) and Sweet & Spicy Chicken Wings (courtesty of Pace Foods).

For some main dishes how about Beef and Black Bean Chili (courtesy of Bobby Flay/Food Network), or Barbeque Ribs (courtesy of Robin Miller/Food Network).  The great thing about both dishes is that you can make them ahead of time!   And, don’t forget your Southwestern styled dessert! Try Canyon Ranch Cocoa Chimichanga  (courtesy of Epicurious).

Now onto Pittsburgh…some of the Pittsburgh’s favorite foods are pierogies and chipped ham bbq sandwiches (or any really nicely stuffed deli sandwich).  To get that authentic taste, try Emeril Lagasse’s Polish Pierogies.  Serve ‘em up with some sour cream and you have yourself a tasty appetizer!  For the main entree  - the  Chipped Ham Bbq Sandwich! (courtesy of All Recipes) is best served up with some crunchy french fries and coleslaw (and how about some cold beer!).  And, what better ending to this little feast than a tried and true Pittsburgh classic – a Klondike Bar!!! 

Enjoy!

In particular, I love the vintage cookies!! The graphics are printed on edible wafer papers. Wafer paper is an edible starch based confection, made of potato starch, water and vegetable oil. It has been printed with food safe ink and is fragile, so handle it carefully. It can be placed on top of any frosting: buttercream, royal icing, or fondant.
How sweet and unique!!! Try these out for your sweetheart this year or as a DIY favor for a Valentine’s Day themed wedding or party!

Show your valentine how much you love him (or her!) and bake a delectable gift from the heart, no pun intended!

I’ve been a huge fan of CalWine…they have a shop located in Napa, CA and also have an extensive online shop and ship practically everywhere (visit their site on which states they ship to). What’s great about this shopping experience is that you can find more “boutique” or, as they call it, “cult” wines that you might find difficult or impossible to find here on the East Coast. They even have wine of the month clubs which are always a treat. Love to see that box arrive every month.

So, check them out: Calwine Maybe they’ll be your favorite place to get that unique (and yummy!) bottle for your next event!!