It's stressful managing fear and all the news about the COVID-19 pandemic racing around the world. So it's more important than ever now to take the time to relax. Take a breath. Find ways to nurture yourself. Since I returned from Mexico earlier this week, this immunity boosting Honey Lemon Ginger Tea is my answer. Travel out of the country?? I know, I know. It might sound a little crazy right now, but the trip was long planned, and the virus totally exploded while we were gone. And it was, ...
Easy Peruvian Pisco Sour Cocktail
Before I was a Lemon Drop Martini girl, I was a Pisco Sour girl, and it all began in Portland, Oregon. A few years ago, my husband and I were visiting family in Portland. We kicked around ideas for dinner out, and opted for Andina - a Peruvian restaurant downtown in an old brick building. The exterior was inviting, and once inside, it was stunning. And so was the food. Andina completely excels at their small plates. The four of us shared everything with each other, and they were all solid gold. ...
Frozen Mudslide (Cocktail or Dessert!!)
The Frozen Mudslide cocktail is easy to make with a couple scoops of ice cream and equal parts of Kahlua, Bailey's, and vodka. And it's a two-fer since it can be either a cocktail or boozy dessert. I'm a recent fan of the Frozen Mudslide cocktail, and it all started with a gift. Some friends recently quit high altitude living and moved to an area much closer to sea level. It's a bridge many up here cross - facing the fact that all this clean air is just a little too thin for optimal ...
Lemon Syllabub : The Hamilton Cookbook
I'm a history buff. I've read books on Elizabeth I, Catherine De' Medici, and Russia's Catherine the Great, and willingly dig into books about the Middle Ages. More recently, the 1700's and 1800's have captured my attention. I'm endlessly fascinated by the environment people grew up in, how it molded them, and how they impacted events in ways that we still feel. I'm now reading Ron Chernow's tomb, Grant, on Ulysses S. Grant. I'm learning a lot about the Civil War - or at least one side of it; ...
Baileys Hot Chocolate + Coconut Whipped Cream
Bailey's hot chocolate drink topped with coconut whipped cream. Be sure to get the full-fat coconut milk - it makes all the difference. See how creamy that hot cocoa is? It's from the coconut whipped cream! I'll take it any day over regular whipped cream, and it's perfect with a Baileys hot chocolate. Seriously perfect. Now that we live in the mountains, and are experiencing apocalyptic amounts of snow, Baileys hot chocolate has been my go-to drink. How much snow, you might ask? A resort ...
Eggnog Crème Anglaise
Eggnog flavored crème anglaise, a stirred custard made on the stovetop, is perfect for either a holiday drink or for pouring over cake. Crème anglaise is a stirred custard - and eggnog is kind of like an uncooked custard - which is what makes it more pourable. They're cousins, of a sort, but they taste nothing at all alike. And this is where my idea started for an eggnog crème anglaise. Let's back up a bit. What Are the Mains Kinds of Custard? There are 2 main kinds of custard: Baked ...
Sgroppino al Limone (an Italian Sorbetto Cocktail)
One of my favorite things about travel is discovering new dishes, and bringing them into my own kitchen. I'm not talking about celery root foam, or other molecular gastronomy tricks. No, I mean dishes well-known within a particular culture or region. Dishes with a past that can claim lineage. Food with kitchen 'cred'. Part of Travel is Discovering New Foods to Try For example, when in Ecuador a few years ago, I fell in love with fried empanadas filled with cheese and dusted with sugar. They were ...
Orange Mango Smoothie with Lime & Ginger
Orange mango smoothie with lime and ginger for a heart healthy start to the day. A couple of months ago, I was offered a Ninja blender and I have LOVED using it for all kinds of things. But the things I've enjoyed making the most are smoothies and juices. They're a great way to start the day on a healthy foot, and they just make me feel good. Sometimes I just use what's in the refrigerator - oranges, ginger, kale, and apples. Other times, I look at what I have in the freezer - berries, ...
How to Make Sun Tea Year Round (with Mint and Peaches)
How to make sun tea with fruit and herbs year-round, with seasonal tips. Sun tea can be made anytime of year, as long as you have sunshine (duh). Here in the San Francisco area, September and October typically brings sunny, warm weather before the rains (hopefully) begin their onslaught in November, making it a great time to set a big jar of water with tea bags out on the back deck. Sometimes I add basil instead of mint, although mint remains a traditional favorite for me. In spring, throw ...
A Beerrific Bloody Mary
A not-so-classic recipe for a Bloody Mary substituting beer for vodka -- plus some ideas for juicers. Not that I'm already thinking about Christmas - it's still September after all - but I already know what I want from Santa. It's not jewelry. Nope. Nor clothes. Not that anything like that would be returned if they DID show up under the tree. But no, that's not at all what I have in mind. I want a juicer. (If my husband, Carnivorous Maximus, is reading this, he's thinking "Whaaaat?" right ...
Watermelon Wine Cooler with Lime
Refreshing wine cooler with fresh watermelon juice, Gallo Family Vineyards new Riesling wine, mint syrup, and lime. I think this every year, maybe we ALL do, but it’s hard to believe Labor Day Weekend is upon us already. Wasn’t 4th of July just a couple of weeks ago? Labor Day Weekend is the last big BBQ and picnic weekend of the year before we’re pulled headlong into the gauntlet of Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and, unbelievably, the New Year. ‘I’m not ready!’, I’m screaming inside. ...
