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'!