Vanilla Cardamom and Chocolate Ginger Fortune Cookies seem very New Year’s-ish, so I thought I’d share the recipes as one of my last posts of 2007. I have yet to make them myself, but I’m sure my favorite part would be writing the fortunes and that I’d put way too much time into it. Cheers!
:: via With Vanilla and Honey
Posted In recipes
A lot. It’s perfect and I could probably eat it three times a day, every day, for a few years before I ever tired of it. These accessories available through Vincon would only serve to feed my cereal addiction in a more attractive way. So long ugly cardboard boxes and soggy spoonfuls. The stainless steel cereal dispenser is attractive enough to leave on the counter and the cereal spoon lets you eat first, drink second. (The spoons would also be fantastic to use with soup.)
The Schott Swiesel Bar Special Tritan Saucer Champagne glass is pretty much perfect. It’s the champagne glass I picture being used in old Hollywood films where the ladies call everyone “Dahling” and the gents walk around with cigars between their teeth while bubbly sloshes onto the carpet. In other words, perfect for New Year’s.
The New Year’s edition of On the Rocks had to include something featuring a little bubbly. The Lava Lamp looks like a classy way to ring in the new year. You know, if that’s the way you’re looking to do it…
Ingredients:
– 6 oz chilled champagne (or sparkling wine)
– 1 tbsp Ocean Spray Craisins Sweetened Dried Cranberries
– 1/6 oz fresh lemon juice
Pour chilled champagne (or sparkling wine) into a champagne flute. Add sweetened dried cranberries. Let it sit for a moment. Cranberries will begin to slowly float up and down in glass. Serve while chilled.
:: cocktail and image via Cocktail Times
Posted In cocktails
It’s time to do laundry and start packing for my trip home to Pennsylvania. I leave bright and (too) early at 6AM tomorrow and only have about a million things to get done before then. I hope you all have an unforgettable Christmas filled with family, friends and memories. Gushy, but true. I’ll be posting sporadically through the new year and things will be back to normal starting January 9th. Cheers!
No worries, you didn’t wake up to an On the Rocks Wednesday. It is, in fact, Friday and for most of us the last day of work before the Big Day. This special time of year always seems to call for a little extra something. And by something I of course mean alcohol. Maybe it’s the mental stress of this glorious season, or the madness of the malls, or even your blessedly loved family. Whatever the case, a drink (or ten) noticeably helps lubricate your social skills and up your tolerance level of just about everything. On that note, I give you the be all and end all of holiday beverages: eggnog. Now grab your Bullwinkle glass and get started!
Ingredients:
– 8 large eggs
– 4 egg yolks
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– 5 cups whole milk
– 1 1/2 cup dark rum
– 1 cup 80 proof Kentucky straight bourbon
– 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
– 1/2 tbsp freshly grated nutmeg
– 2 cups whipping cream
– 2 tbsp superfine sugar
In a mixing bowl, whisk egg,s yolks and granulated sugar until smooth. Pour into a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan. Stir in milk, gradually, blending well with each addition. Heat slowly over very low heat, stirring steadily, until the mixture reaches 160 – 170F on an instant read thermometer. The custard should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. If you draw your finger across the back of the spoon, the line will remain distinct and the custard sauce is done.
Pour the custard through a fine-meshed sieve into large bowl. Stir in vanilla, rum, bourbon and nutmeg. Let mixture cool, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until cold, at least three hours and or up to one day.
Just before serving, whip cream to very soft peaks, beating in, superfine sugar as you go. Gently fold into custard mixture until incorporated. Serve from a chilled punch bowl or ladle into individual martini glasses, garnishing with grated nutmeg if desired.
:: cocktail and image via Cocktail Times
Posted In cocktailsSamples, Seconds & Surprises is an amazing Etsy shop I stumbled across recently and absolutely adore. “Samples” are pieces with new glazes, “Seconds” are slightly imperfect pieces and “Surprises” are just that. I especially love the Gourmet Collection which reintroduces the disposable tin food container in fine porcelain. The color choices are spot on – these fun pieces just wouldn’t look right in anything other than vibrant, bright hues.
:: via Brooklyn Bride
The mocha dunk mug is a must for any cookie lover (RE: me). All mugs should have a cookie compartment, but this one actually does. I’m also digging the asymmetrical shape of the mug itself.
Here’s a secret: combine the words doughnut and muffin in the sentence and I won’t be able to turn away. Both of these sweet, sweet treats are two of my favorite things that I (almost) never eat because of how bad they are supposed to be for you. These nutmeg donut muffins look incredible and are begging to be made for some sort of holiday breakfast or gift. I apologize profusely if they happen to show up with a bit of drool attached.
:: via Cakespy
Posted In recipes
I have a hard time dealing with Rachael Ray’s constant perkiness and exclamations of “Yummo!”. But when it comes down to it I have to admit that the woman can cook like nobody’s business.
On her site you can check out how to make your very own infused vodkas to give as gifts or stash in the cupboard for yourself. Choose from recipes for coffee, apple vanilla, five-chile and orange ginger vodkas and the recipe gift card templates to print out and attach. If I didn’t have to travel to Pennsylvania for the holidays these babies would definitely be brewing my kitchen and making their rounds. Enjoy.
:: via Hostess With the Mostess
Posted In cocktails, make it