Silent Night

O Holy Night...

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

Take a break today... it is the weekend before Christmas. Time to reflect and give thanks for all that you have, thanks for your family and friends and a time to pray for those that are in need.

Take it all in, because it goes by so quickly. So, sit back and put on a playlist filled with soft tunes for your Christmas "Eve", have a snack and a little cocktail while you sit by the fire.

Enjoy... The pots are on. 

The Plate...

Tortellini Kabobs

We're looking for something easy here today so you can make it ahead, throw it in the fridge; then after a long day of last minute shopping you can have a "silent night".  Time to grab your cocktail, have a snack and relax.

What You Need... 

4 tbsp olive oil
4 tbsp pesto (jarred pesto is the easiest here)
2 tsp red wine vinegar
2 packages spinach tortellini, cooked
2 pints of cherry tomatoes
10-12 oz fresh mozzarella
1/4 cup minced parsley

What You Do...

Mix together the olive oil, pesto and vinegar.
Take skewers and thread the tortellini, tomatoes and mozzarella (cubed).
Place on a platter and drizzle the olive oil, pesto and vinegar mixture over them.

The Playlist...

Silent Night

Sometimes its' good to just hang out by the Christmas tree with a little "quiet time". Well, here is a compilation of some of my favorite music for reflection on days gone by, the Christmas present and things to come in the new year. 

("The Playlist" runs on Spotify. Don't have Spotify?... Click here it's free )

The Bar...

The Boulevardier

1 oz Campari

1 oz Sweet Vermouth

2 oz Bourbon

Orange twist 

Mix all together and pour over ice... enjoy!

• 
  

  And... A Joyous New Year. 

Happy Huladays

Mele Kalikimaka

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

Time for a little "Virtual Vacation" before all the craziness begins. Come on, chill out. Tis the season to be jolly mon! 

Put on a little Happy Huladays music while you enjoy some Mango / Jerk chicken and a little White Christmas sangria. Ok, maybe a lot of sangria. It's your party. Just a little "calm before the storm".

Get out your hula skirt and your board shorts...

The pots are on!

The Plate... 

Mango/Jerk Chicken Popsicle Sticks

Nothing like a little Jamaican Jerk chicken to get you in the holiday mood! This is an awesome mix of spicy and sweet. The Blackberry sauce really sets it off. 

What you need...

3 lbs chicken Drumettes

2 1/2 cups Blackberry Sauce (see below)

2 1/2 cups Mango glaze (see below)

2 cups Jerk Remoulade (see below)

What you do...

Blackberry Sauce-

2 tbsp shallots minced

1/3 cup red wine vinegar

1 cup Worcestershire sauce

1 cup ketchup

1 cup blackberry brandy

2/3 cup honey

2 tbsp cornstarch

Combine all ingredients except the cornstarch into a small pot and bring to a boil.

Reduce to a simmer and cook for 45 minutes.

Add the cornstarch turn the heat up to medium and cook for 5 minutes.

Remove from the heat to cool.

Mango Glaze-

1 cup Mango Chutney

1/2 cup Thai Chili Sauce

1 cup Blackberry brandy

1 oz Tabasco sauce

Place all ingredients in a small pot and bring to a boil.

Reduce to low and simmer for 30 minutes.

Remove from the heat and let cool.

Jerk Remoulade-

1 cup mayonnaise

1 1/2 oz whole grain mustard

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp Tabasco

1 clove garlic / minced

1 tbsp lemon juice

1 tbsp fresh parsley / chopped

1 oz milk

1 tbsp Caribbean Jerk spice

1 tbsp chili garlic sauce 

Marinate chicken for at least an hour in Blackberry sauce.

Grill over medium heat.

Baste with Mango glaze 5 minutes before taking off the grill.

You can add more glaze after you take them off the grill.

Serve with Jerk Remoulade on the side.

The Playlist... 

Happy Holidays

A little something different than the usual "Carol of Bells" music blaring through the department stores. Just chill and be Jolly Mon!

Nothing like a little "surf guitar" for a hip version of "Greensleeves" or how about a reggae take on "The Little Drummer Boy". 

It's all good here on you virtual vacation to "Christmas Island". Mele Kalikimaka!

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

The Bar... 

White Christmas Sangria

What you need...

1 bottle of pinot grigio

1 apple

1 cup of fresh cranberries

1 large sprig of Rosemary (a little extra for garnish)

1/2 cup white grape juice

1 can club soda

1/4 cup sugar

What you do...

Chop the apple into small cubes or slices.

Add all the ingredients except the club soda in a large pitcher.

Chill in the fridge for at least an hour.

Stir to make sure the sugar has dissolved.

Now take the extra sprigs of rosemary, wet with water shaking off excess.

Roll the rosemary in granulated sugar to get a "snow covered" effect ( shades of Martha Stewart)!

Now add the club soda to the pitcher and serve with a sprig of rosemary.

Just A Little Calm Before The Storm

Please... Day Drink Responsibly 

& 

Keep On Cookin'!

Cool Yule

Tis The Season To Party Y'all!

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

Yes... this is gonna be epic! Bring on the eggnog and light that yule log, oh yeah don't forget the mistletoe!

Oh lord... this sounds like trouble already. The infamous Christmas party. All good intentions with so many things that could and probably will go wrong. That's ok... We've got an "App" for that.

Today it's all about apps (also cocktails and cool party tunes) for your party. So get your cameras ready... I think Harold is already in the copy room with Alice.

Happy Ho Ho Ho to you.

The pots are on!

The Playlist...

Marinated Cheese & Reindeer Bites

What you need... 

Cheese-
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup white wine vinegar
2 oz diced pimentos, drained
3 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
3 tbsp scallions, minced
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
8 oz cream cheese

Reindeer Bites-
8oz cream cheese softened
1 cup of grated parmesan cheese
2 (8oz) cans of crescent rolls
1 cup chopped red pepper
1/2 cup jalapeno chopped

What you do...

Cheese-

Combine olive oil, vinegar, pimento, parsley, scallions, basil, salt and pepper.

Mix throughly and set aside.

Put cheese in a shallow baking dish and pour marinade over the cheese.

Cover and refrigerate for 6 hrs. 

Serve with with crackers. 

Reindeer Bites-

Mix cream cheese and parmesan cheese together

Roll out the dough and shape into a rectangle

Spread cheese mixture over the dough

Sprinkle with peppers

Fold and press edges together then cut into equal pieces

Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese on top

Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes

The Playlist...

Cool Yule

Tired of the same ole Christmas tunes?... These will get you going. 

Check out Brian Setzer and his rockin' version of "Jingle Bells" or about "Run Run Rudolph" by Los Lonely Boys... now it's a party! Don't worry, we have some of the old classics so you can dance. (easy on the "Twerking"). 

So, cheers to you... here's to keeping spirits bright!

("The Playlist" runs on Spotify. Don't have Spotify?... Click here it's free )

The Bar...

Mistletoe Mojito

What you need... 

2 oz rum
2 oz soda
2 oz cranberry juice
1 oz simple syrup
Mint leaves
1 tbsp lime juice
Ice
cranberries for garnish

What you do...

Pour ice and lime juice then add the mint leaves (about 6).

Muddle the mint in the glass.

Add ice.

Add the rum, soda cranberry juice and syrup... stir. 

Garnish with cranberries. 

Remember...

Don't Twerk Where You Work!

Please... Day Drink Responsibly 

& 

Keep On Cookin'!