FREE

And The Home Of The Brave!

(Scroll down to "The Playlist" and hit play before reading... works better that way!)

Happy Memorial Day weekend. It's time to give thanks and remember the ones that serve our country and fight for our freedom. It's because of their service that we can play at the beach or grill with friends in the backyard. So raise a glass to the men and women in our armed forces.

Today we are all about the grill, the cocktail and some laid back tunes to help us reflect and give thanks. Get everybody involved with "Build-your-own" Kabobs, enjoy a Kickin' Lime Ricky and listen to some tunes about your freedom and country. 

Salute the ones who gave their lives so we don't have to sacrifice all the things we love.

God Bless Our Troops... The pots are on!

The Plate... 

Build-Your-Own Shish Kabobs

Whether your at the beach or in the backyard... Chillin' and Grillin'... that's what it's all about.  Ok, this is really easy and a great way to get everyone involved. Just fire up the grill, pick your skewer and load it up with your favorite stuff. Of course you can add some chicken if you like or hey... maybe just all veggies. There are no rules. Just have another Lime Ricky and kick back!

What you need...  

Dijon-Rosemary Steak-

1 lb Sirloin steak / cut into 1 inch cubes

1 tbsp Dijon mustard

2 tbsp fresh rosemary

4 cloves garlic / minced

2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

2 tbsp balsamic vinegar 

1/4 cup olive oil

1 tsp salt

1 tsp fresh ground pepper

Lemon-Garlic Shrimp-

1 lb of 16-20 count shrimp / peeled and deveined

3 cloves of garlic / minced

2 shallots / minced

1 bay leaf

2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves

1/4 cup finely chopped parsley

1 tsp red pepper flakes 

1/4 cup olive oil

2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

Veggies fo Kabobs-

Bell Peppers

Onions

Cherry Tomatoes

Mushrooms

Squash

Baby potatoes / boiled until they are cooked through

Balsamic Basting Vinaigrette - 

1/4 cup olive oil

2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

salt and pepper

What you do...

Whisk together all of the Dijon-rosemary steak ingredients (not the steak, just the stuff).

Toss the steak in the mixture until it's evenly coated.

Cover and marinate in the fridge for about 2 hours.

Now whisk together all of the lemon garlic shrimp stuff then toss the shrimp in the mix until it's coated. 

Cover and marinate in the fridge for about 2 hours.

Cut all of the veggies into bite size pieces.

Puree the balsamic vinaigrette in a blender.

Place the meat, shrimp and veggies in individual bowls and set it out "buffet style".

Let your friends skewer their own kabobs then baste them with the balsamic vinaigrette.

Grill the kabobs directly over a medium hot grill for about 10-15 minutes. 

Be sure to turn every 2-3 minutes.

Kabobs pair well with beer, but also with a "Kickin' Lime Ricky"!

The Playlist... 

Free

A selection of a few tunes to kick back and remind us of all of those that gave their lives for our country and freedom. Enjoy and celebrate your freedom. You were Born Free!

The "Playlist" runs on Spotify- Click on the link to listen to FREE

The Bar... 

Kickin' Lime Ricky

Ahh... the Lime Ricky, but with a Kick!

What you need... 

6 oz silver tequila
3 oz St. Germain
2 oz fresh lime juice
6 maraschino cherries, couple extra for garnish
Club soda
lime wheels for garnish

What you do...

Muddle the cherries in a martini shaker.

Add the tequila, St. Germain and lime juice.

Fill the shaker with ice and shake.

Strain into two glasses filled with ice.

Top with club soda and garnish with

cherries and lime wheel.

God Bless Our Troops!

Inland Oasis

Your Own Little Slice Of Paradise!

(Scroll down to "The Playlist" and hit play before reading... works better that way!)

Not at the beach... it's ok! Your "Inland Oasis" is wherever you want it to be. Sometimes a little "Staycation" is just what the doctor ordered; no fighting traffic and crowds. Just escape.

Today we've put together a playlist with over 4 hours of music... that gives you a reason to chill. 

We also have an easy lobster dish you can just throw in the oven while you're sipping on your "Dark Mojito".  

RELAX!... The pots are on!

The Plate... 

Lobster Fettuccine a la Vodka

Ok, it just doesn't get much easier than this... unless you get adventurous and want to grill your lobster. Just a little something to think about, but this is pretty good stuff as is. 

What you need... 

12 oz Lobster meat

8 oz Fettuccine

48 oz crushed tomatoes

1 tsp oregano

1 clove garlic / minced

1 tsp red pepper flakes

salt and pepper to taste

2 tbsp butter

2 shots of Tabasco sauce

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

2 tbsp fresh basil

What you do... 

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

Cook fettuccine as usual (be sure to add salt and olive oil to your water).

Meanwhile pour vodka into a medium skillet and simmer for about 5 minutes to let it reduce by half.

Mix in tomatoes, oregano, garlic, pepper flakes, salt and pepper.

When you get ready to serve, stir in the heavy cream and fresh basil. 

Place the hot cooked fettuccine into pasta bowls.

Pour the sauce over each and place in oven for 5 minutes.

While the pasta is in the oven, melt 2 tbsp of butter in a pan. 

Sprinkle the lobster with a couple of shots of Tabasco, salt and pepper. 

Saute' the lobster for about 2-4 minutes. 

Remove pasta dishes from the oven and top with lobster. 

The Playlist... 

Inland Oasis

A little Reggae, a little soul and blues... maybe a ballad or two; that's what we're talking about. Just laid back tunes to help you set the mood at your Oasis. 

Starting us off is our good friend Marty Nickel showing us how to just "Have a good time".  Throw in some BoDeans, Jackson Browne, Jack Johnson and even a little Buffett and you've got yourself a recipe for chilling.

              The "Playlist" runs on Spotify- Click on the link to listen to Inland Oasis

The Bar... 

Dark Mojito

What you need...

2 oz dark rum

8 mint leaves

2 tsp. brown sugar

juice of one lime

club soda

What you do...

Muddle the mint leaves in the bottom of a tall glass.

Add in the rum brown sugar and lime juice.

Mix well.

Add the club soda and stir. 

Garnish with mint.

This Pretty Much Sums It Up...

Please... Day Drink Responsibly 

& 

Keep On Cookin'!

Viva Cinco de Mayo

Yo Quiero Fiesta Grande!

(Scroll down to "The Playlist" and hit play before reading... works better that way!)

Now Beer This!!! It's Fiesta Time Amigos! Yep, time for a little Cinco, Cinco, Cinco de Mayo. 

We've got the grill roaring, the Margaritas pouring and the tunes ... well let's just hope the neighbors like a little Mariachi musica. So, come on and join in the celebration with Beer Marinated Skirt Steak, a pitcher of Passion Fruit Margaritas and a Viva Cinco de Mayo playlist. 

Time to get a little "Loco en la cabeza"! Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

Arriba... The Pots Are On!

The Plate... 

Beer Marinated Skirt 

This is so easy and good, It'll make your "ice" water. It's the perfect thing for that Cinco de Mayo fiesta your gonna throw later this week. 

What you need... 

2 lbs of Skirt Steak
1 orange / thinly sliced
1 yellow onion / sliced
4 cloves of garlic / smashed and halved
Salt and pepper
1 cup Mexican beer (hey you gotta stay with the theme)
1/2 cup Soy sauce

What you do...

Lay the orange slices, onion and garlic across the bottom of a baking dish.

Rub the steak with salt and pepper then put on top of the oranges, onions and garlic.

Now add another layer of orange, onion and garlic on top of the steak.

Pour in the beer and Soy sauce.

Cover with plastic wrap and marinate for 1 hour at room temp ( you can also make ahead and marinate overnight in the fridge).

Get your grill heated to med-high. 

Take the meat out of the marinade and grill for about 4 minutes per side. 

It doesn't take long so don't over do it. 

Slice thin and garnish with orange slices and limes. 

Perfect by itself or loading up some tacos. 

The Playlist... 

Viva Cinco de Mayo

Hey Baby... Que Paso! It's time to party, that's what's up! The perfect list of fiesta tunes for your throw down.
Some new renditions of some old favorites, plus some of the classics. So, raise a glass, take a shot and get back out there on that dance floor.

The "Playlist" runs on Spotify- Click on the link to listen to Viva Cinco de Mayo

The Bar...  

Passion Fruit Margarita

What you need...

A big festive pitcher.

1 cup tequila

1 cup passion fruit nectar

1/4 cup orange-flavored liqueur

2 tsp sugar

Lime for garnish

What you do...

Combine all ingredients and stir.

Add ice.

Serve over ice and garnish with lime.

Ay, Chiwowow...

Lay Off The Margaritas Will Ya!

Please... Day Drink Responsibly 

& 

Keep On Cookin'!