Brandy Alexander Tapioca Pudding

I love tapioca. But it has  reputation of one either loving or hating it. In the right base Tapioca can soar. Think of fun fruity and ever so popular bubble teas. And tapioca is apt to find its way on the higher ends menus these days in sweet and savory applications. So this clear translucent starch doesn't have to limited to stodgy plain, but good desserts any longer. Rather than make a traditional pudding recipe with whipped egg whites, I decided to use whipped cream as I was mimicking one of my favorite dessert type cocktails, the Brandy Alexander. Tapioca cooked with egg yolks, vanilla paste,sugar,cocoa, and brandy.Then allowed to chill and folded into more brandy spiked whipped cream. All topped with fresh grated nutmeg, and served in coco rimmed containers. Rich, light, decadent, and just plain good.

 Brandy Alexander Tapioca Pudding

Serves 4

2 hours plus chilling time

1/3 cup small pearl tapioca

2 3/4 cups milk (set aside 3/4 for soaking)

2  large egg yolks

1/2 cup sugar

1 tbsp cocoa powder

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 cup Brandy plus 1 tsp for whipped  cream

1cup heavy whipping cream

1 tbsp sugar

cocoa powder and brandy for rims

fresh nutmeg for grated garnish

Soak the small pearl tapioca in 3/4 cups milk in a heavy bottomed sauce pan.

Allow to soak for 1 hour. 

While waiting you can whip 1 cup whipped cream with 1 tbsp of sugar in your stand mixer. Add 1 tsp of brandy and cover to chill. 

On a low to medium heat slowly cook tapioca and milk until it starts to bubble/boil.Check and stir periodically.While waiting for this which can take 10-15 minutes, whisk egg yolks, sugar, cocoa in bowl.Once Tapioca starts to cook/boil on low heat add egg yolk mixture and whisk to incorporate. Slowly simmer on low medium heat stirring  constantly until the tapioca pearls starts to expand and become translucent. This will take another 20 minutes or so. If its cooking to fast adjust heat, so tapioca can cook completely. At final stage add vanilla and 1/4 cup of brandy. Whisk in and set aside. Allow to cool, covered  before chilling for at least 4 hours.

After completely chilled, fold in whipped cream.

Take serving glasses and dip rim a saucer of brandy. Then dip in a  saucer of cocoa powder.

Carefully spoon in pudding. Grate fresh nutmeg on top and serve.

Cooking With PAMA... Chestnut Stuffed Sesame Pork Chops with PAMA Balsamic Reduction

Did you miss me? I missed you. Not having a computer is unfathomable. And to top that off the car has been in shop for a week. No computer, no car, no man ( Certain Someone is away again) makes for a very bad time. But I've been cooking up a storm , so I cant wait to post. I want to thank my good friend Kat for fixing my antiquated computer circa 2005 and ridding it of all the bad guys. Its brutal out there is cyber space. Get checked people!

Anyway I was fortunate enough to receive a sample of PAMA Liqueur. I have had my eye on this spirit for while . I was asked to create a recipe as November is National Pomegranate Month!

Did you know that November is National Pomegranate Month? At the peak of their growing season, pomegranates are the perfect fall fruit. Packed with powerful anti-oxidants and Vitamin C, this super fruit is not only delicious but has even boasts proven health benefits, such as the prevention of anti-aging signs and heart disease. Make a toast to this amazing super fruit with PAMA, the first true pomegranate liqueur. This liqueur truly captures the essence of all-natural pomegranates with their complex, sweet yet tart taste and seductive ruby color. Made from all natural pomegranate juice, premium vodka and a touch of imported tequila, this liqueur is highly mixable and incredibly versatile.

Rather than reinvent the wheel with a cocktail or dessert, I decided to adapt my PAMA to a savory meat based dish inspired by Fall. There are elements of Asian fusion in here with the spices and use of Sesame. The dish went over well and is one I can see myself serving at an elegant dinner again. Enjoy.I will also enter this into the Cooking with Pama Contest. Just made the deadline!

Chestnut Stuffed Sesame Pork Chops with PAMA Balsamic Reduction

Balsamic Reduction

3/4 cup Balsamic Vinegar

1 inch peeled ginger cut into pieces

2 tbsp brown sugar

3 whole allspice

1 clove

1 cinnamon stick

1/4 cup PAMA Liqueur

Additional Ingredients

2 Butterflied Pork Chops

1/2 onion chopped

5-6 chestnuts chopped

Fresh sage leaves

salt and pepper to taste

1/2 cup Sesame Seeds to crust

1 egg white

In a small sauce pan bring Balsamic vinegar , brown sugar, allspice, cinnamon, clove, and ginger to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until reduced by half. This will take about 10-15 minutes. Add PAMA and continue to reduce. Strain Mixture and set aside to cool. Pour into a squeeze bottle.

Make a stuffing of chestnuts , onion, a few leaves of fresh torn sage, slat and pepper to taste. Take your butterflied pork chops and add a few tablespoons of mixture.

Seal Pork chops with toothpicks at 1/2 inch intervals. This will prevent the stuffing from spilling out when baking.

Season chops with salt and pepper. Carefully brush the edges of the chops with egg whites and dip into a plate of sesame seeds.

Preheat oven to 350.

In a oven proof pan, heat a few tablespoons of vegetable oil. Sear Pork chops for a few minutes on each side( being careful not to brush the sesame crusted edges). Place in preheated oven and bake for 40-50 minutes or until internal temperature of 160.

Plate with a few decorative squeezes of Pama Balsamic on plate and over meat.

Retro Cocktail ...The Pink Squirrel Martini

Whats old is new. Isn't that always the case? Maybe the world is so crazy that we find comfort in past. Whilst pursing a new age pursuit , Twitter, I found out about a liqueur called Creme de Noyaux. I had heard some pastry types go on about Noyaux and how its extracted from apricot kernals. Noyaux has always been that elusive almond flavor I could never identify, and now I know! So when a kind gentleman who shall be referred to as Oxford Falls offered some Pink Squirrel Cocktails on Twitter for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, my curiosity was piqued that there was an liqueur made of this stuff.
Don't let the Pepto Bismal pink color throw you off. This stuff is yummy.The liqueur is a clear red color, but added to cream changes color. This would be awesome in baking. The original Pink Squirrel was created in Milwaukee at Bryant's Cocktail Lounge. It consisted of Creme de Noyaux, Ice Cream, and Creme de Cacao. That was a little rich for my blood. Many variations have come and gone. I like this one I saw on the AMC site for the Series Mad Men. The addition of vodka cuts that sweetness a bit. Don't let the light froth color deceive you. It will sneak up on you. There are a few other cocktail to made with this liqueur. I'm fascinated but the Old Etonian cocktail. What does that say about the school? Really?

Pink Squirrel Martini
3/4 oz Creme de Noyaux
3/4 oz Creme de cacao
1/2 oz Vodka
1 oz fresh cream

Pour all ingredients over ice in a shaker. Serve strained in a chilled martini glass

The Best Summer Drinks Give Away

It is hard to believe the summer season in these parts is nearing an end. When I think of summer I think of lazy cocktails by a beach or pool, and just relaxing. Source Books has a new book called the The Best Summer Drinks by Ray Foley. Ray is the publisher of Bartender Magazine and a mixologist extraordinaire. Name the brand or spirit and he has a drink for you. The book is alphabetized by recipe name, but a handy index lets you search by alcohol type and brand. Ray has also included a tasty chapter of Summer recipes with such as Grilled Honey Bourbon Chicken, Bacardi Lime Sherbet, and Kicked Up Cuervo Ribs.A glossary of tools and bar tending terms as well as basic instructions on hoe to properly rim your glass are included. The book is small and handy to place at the bar or give as gift with 500 recipes. I will be giving away 2 copies to randomly selected commenter's. Just leave a comment and tell me what your favorite summer memory and cocktail is.

Kahlua Banana Cream Fizz
adapted The Best Summer Drinks by Ray Foley
1/3 oz. Kahlua
1/3 oz. rum
1/3 oz.creme de bananes
Cream or milk on top
Blend the Kalua, rum, and creme de bananes together. Pour into a glass and top with milk or cream.

Lolli Pies From the Smirnoff Summer Entertaining Extravaganza

One of the first recipes I will post from the my Smirnoff Summer Entertaining Extravaganza was the talk of the party. Lolli Pies. I cant say I deserve the credit for the conception of these treats. That would be this genius who's being touted all over the blogo sphere.I have seen some bloggers recreate these with canned fillings, but none of that at Coco Cooks. I decided to use the seasons bounty with fresh figs, pineapple and Blueberry fillings.

Its funny how grown folks are transformed to happy kids when presented with food on a stick. Couples fed each other pops, and others licked the sticks clean. Lolli Pies make everyone happy.

Lolli Pies

Fillings

Egg Whites

Store Purchased Pie crust

Lollipop sticks

Parchment paper

Baking sheets

Pastry brush

Use any store purchased pie crust for ease and uniformity. Take a small cookie cutter and cut your circles.

On a parchment lined baking sheet Line our pops and indent sticks in center.Preheat oven to 375 F.

Fill. Take a broken piece of stick and press edges to seal.If sticks are to long break in half.

Once sealed, brush tops with egg whites. If you don't you wont get the glossy finish.
Bake at 375F for 10-15 minutes or until golden.Let cool and display in florist foam for presentation or package individually.

Fig Filling
(This recipe is large and made 2 jars of preserves without cornstarch, as well as filling for pops).
2 pints green figs
1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
Cointreau
2 tablespoons cornstarch dilutes with water
Wash and quarter your figs. In a bowl allows figs, sugar, and Cointreau to macerate overnight.
Next day in a heavy bottomed sauce pan, heat the figs and sugar to a boil . Cook down for about 10-15 minutes until figs start to break down. Take an immersion blender and puree after you have removed from heat. Let cool.
For pop filling add cornstarch and water solution to the amount of fig filling you plan to use . Cook until thickened and translucent. Cool and fill.

Blueberry Filling

1 pint blueberries

1 cup sugar

1/4-1/2 cup water

2 tbsp cornstarch

In a heavy bottomed saucepan combine washed berries, sugar, and water. Bring to a boil until berries burst and all sugar is dissolved.Add 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with a bit of water to the blueberries. Stir until thickened and cornstarch solution is translucent. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Fill pops.

Pineapple Filling

1 pineapple peeled, cored,and chopped into small pieces

1 cup sugar

1 1/2 cups water

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 tsp Jamaican Rum Extract

In a heavy bottomed sauce pan bring pineapple water, and sugar to a boil. Boil for 10 -15 minutes. Remove from heat and take an immersion blender to puree. Place back on heat. Stir until thickened . Add Jamaican Rum extract. Allow to cool and fill.

Filling recipes can be found here.

Smirnoff Summer Entertaining Extravaganza: Second City Social Media Meetup

Play Video

* All photos courtesy of Mystic Image Photography/Kat Fitzgerald

I have to admit, I feel intimidated by thought of cooking for fellow food bloggers and people that follow me via Twitter and Facebook because of my blog. Food Bloggers are a confident, opinionated and sometimes even arrogant bunch in regards to their prowess in the kitchen. I love cooking and baking, but know I have so much to learn, yet still feel miles ahead of the average home cook. Another thing that intimidates me is cooking on a deadline and for a large group. All the "what ifs " enter my thoughts. But miraculously it always comes off.

My Auntie Mame graciously allowed me to host a Foodbuzz brunch for my fellow local bloggers and social media friends . Most were known to me, but there were some I had never met, yet felt comfortable in inviting. It was chance for us to from behind the computer screen and interact face to face to with food and drink. I invited around 25, and about 15 showed up. August being bad for people with travel plans. I cant get quantities right and as always had way to much food, but it didn't go to waste as people took some home. The purpose of the Foodbuzz sponsored brunch was to incorporate Smirnoff Tuscan Lemonade and/ or Mojito into our menus and event. I decided to reflect the diversity of Chicago, the Second City, but making dishes for various neighborhoods.

The menu was as follows:

Gold Coast

Marscarpone , port soaked figs, melon ham rolls

Greek town

Greek Quinoa Salad

Smirnoff Tuscan Lemonade Spiked Watermelon, Tomato, Feta, and Pine Nut Salad with Balsamic reduction

Little Italy

Cherry tomatoes stuffed with Ricotta and Basil Chiffonade

Angel Hair Pasta with Tuscan Lemonade Vodka and Shrimp

Pilsen

Corn Tortilla Bar

Smirnoff Mojito marinated chicken with pobalnos

Crock pot Chipolte Carnitas

Roasted Vegetables

Condiments:

Kayce's Elote Salsa

Salsa Verde

Mango Salsa

Sour Cream

Cojito

Salsa

Limes

Wrigley

Lolli Pies Pops in blueberry, fig, and pineapple

Beverages

Sparkling Raspberry Smirnoff Tuscan Lemonade

Sorrel ( Flor de Jamaica)Smirnoff Mojtio Punch

Wines

Water

Sodas

My good friend Kat Fitzgerald of Mystic Images Photography was kind enough to take the photos for me. Kat was another instrumental one in me meeting Certain Someone. She's the tarot card reader who was at the dinner the night we met. Unfortunately Certain Someone was away, as he usually is, but Kat could validate he does he exist!

The recipes for the menu are not really complicated , but do take a little prep and time. I will posting the recipes throughout the week. But here are the Smirnoff cocktails to kick of the postings.

Sparkling Raspberry Tuscan Lemonade

*Raspberry Syrup

Smirnoff Tuscan Lemonade

Club Soda or Seltzer Water

*Raspberry Syrup

1 pint raspberries

2 cups sugar

2 cups water

Rinse raspberries. In a heavy bottomed sauce pan add sugar and water. Bring to a boil and continue to cook for 5 minutes. Remove off heat. Take a mesh strainer and pour separating the pulp from liquid. Let syrup cool.

In a glass with ice, add 1/2 part raspberry syrup, to 1 part Tuscan Lemonade. Top off with Seltzer.

Sorrel ( Flor de Jamaica) Mojito Punch

*Flor de Jamaica is dried hibiscus flower and can be purchased at Afro/Carib and Latin markets

Sorrel infusion( Flor de Jamaica infused with hot water and lightly sweetened to taste.

In a glass with ice pour 1 part Sorrel infusion and 1 part Smirnoff Mojito. Garnish with mint.

I cant speak for others, but I had a great time. It was so nice to see various facets of my friends and interests interact in beautiful lakefront surroundings.Each guest brought their talents and charm. In the end we were even given a impromptu belly dance by Diana , a wonderful teacher and lady who radiated goodness and light.Kat,Beth, Ogi, Vicky, Russel,Goody and your guests, thank you for coming and allowing me to feed to feed you. Auntie Mame thanks for opening your home to my world .Foodbuzz and Smirnoff thank you for great products and allowing me to be create this event and meet some new great friends.And for my friends that couldn't make it, next time perhaps. In my opinion there is no better way to spend beautiful summer afternoon.

Stay tuned for more recipe posts from the menu throughout the week. I will walk you through the Lolli pies ( inspiration from a fellow blogger) which were a hit.

The Real Housewives Cocktail Contest Roundup

I'm finally getting a chance to post the roundup for the Real Housewives Cocktail contest. I'm on vacation right now and attending Pastry Camp( all Chocolate ) at the French Pastry School Chicago. Can I just say I am am having the best time and this course is changing my life. Literally! Stay tuned for some Glamh-a-rous pastries coming.

So back to the purpose of this post. Unfortunately I didn't get many entries. But they were all stellar! I did try to get prizes for the actual housewives and husbands to no avail. But I did find this great prize to give away to whomever wins the poll,The Williams and Sonoma Bar and Wine Guides. A great set of books for any bar.

Judy from No Fear Entertaining gave us this fabu CelloRita. A sinful yet refreshing concoction go Limoncello and Tequila inspired by the Barneys from Orange County.

Chris from Mele Cotte was obviously inspired by the local flavor of peaches and those sassy Atlanta wives with Sheree’s Sassy Southern Stance.

Michelle from Big Black Dogs gave us the Red Patent Leather Swinger inspired by the most flamboyant honorary 'housewife', Simon. Need I say more?


And finally my cocktail The Countess' Cherry Lime Gin Rickey. I will post mine in the polls, but naturally am not eligible for a prize.

On Twitter I got a great recipe from a non Food blogger, Nadiart inspired by the not one of Bravos Housewives, but a a more Desperate one Bree. Perfection in a glass. Rose Lemon Drop Martini in under 140 characters. She then advises how to garnish:

" it looks pretty garnished w/ rose petal, slice lemon & pinksugar rimmer - if I had the ingredients I'd make one and send u a photo"

So here are some great cocktails for the weekend. Enjoy and go vote for one on the left sidebar.

I.O Organic Sicilian Blood Orange Juice, A Chicken Dish,and a Cocktail

I stuck up a Twitter correspondence with the owner of I.O Organics ,Organic Blood Orange Juice. He kindly sent me two bottles for review. I love Blood oranges and to see a product like this naturally intrigued me. Produced on his families farm in Mineo, Sicily, the juice provides 40% more than the FDA recommended amounts of vitamin C. That's more than the average orange. Potassium, fiber, iron,calcium, and Vitamin A round out the health benefits.

I was worried this would be a sugary drink. Absolutely not! The flavor was crisp and tart, while naturally sweet. One can drink this alone, or make a wonderful cocktail.

Of course my unoriginal self immediately used some of the juice for a healthy orange chicken.This chicken is not fried and cooks slow to produce a slow reduction of Blood Orange Juice , molasses, and brown sugar, Toss in some fresh Broccoli to roast and you have a healthy version of Orange Chicken.

Glamah's Not Your Food Court Orange Chicken

1 cup I.O ORGANICS Blood Orange Juice

4 chicken thighs ( bone in)

1 head of fresh broccoli

1.3 cup molasses

1/3 cup rice wine vinegar

1/2 cup brown sugar

sea salt to taste

Fresh ground pepper to taste

pinch of Cayenne Pepper

1 tsp ground Ginger

In a heavy duty enameled cast iron pan toss all ingredients and add chicken. It will be liquidy. Slowly roast uncovered at 350 degrees F until liquid starts to reduce and thicken. It will take approx 45 depending on your oven. At the 30 minute stage you can add Fresh Broccoli to the pan to roast in the liquids and with the chicken. When the chicken looks about done, you can turn up the oven temp to 475 to help the juices/liquid caramelize and glaze the chicken. Remove from oven and enjoy. Serve with rice.

I also made a cocktail. Its sub zero here in Chicago and the Blood Orange Juice evoked feelings of sunshine for me.

Banana Blood Orangetini

2 parts I.O Blood Orange Juice

1 part vodka

1 part Banana Rum

Combine all ingredients in a martin shaker with ice and serve in a frosted glass.

You can find more information of I.O Organics Blood Orange Juice here.

Pear and Hazelnut Souffle

I have been toying with an idea in my head for a while. I love this pear cognac/liquor Certain Someone brings me back from his trips to Sweden, Xante.

So with some hazelnut flour and some Xante in the house I was forced to experiment and make this. Unfortunately my souffle fell before I could get some good picks. Rather than top with powdered sugar, I poured a smidgen of some Boiled Cider I just got from King Arthur's. I liked the flavors of all and feel I can improve on this some more, especially to bring out the Xante flavor. A nice fall souffle. Remember I'm no souffle expert and I made this up. There may be better techniques out there. But it worked well enough for me.

Pear Hazelnut Souffle serves 5-6 mini souffles

1 tablespoon Xante

1 cup milk

1.5 tablespoons of butter plus butter for greasing ramekins

3 eggs separated into whites and yolks

2 tablespoons flour

1/3 cup hazelnut flour

4 tablespoons sugar

1/4 teaspoon cardamom

1 teaspoon cornstarch

2 teaspoons water

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter your ramekins.In a small sauce pan heat milk until near boiling. Set aside.Put egg whites in a mixing bowl and set yolks in a separate small dish. Melt the 1.5 tablespoons of butter in a sauce pan. Add the flour and whisk until incorporated ans smooth. Add the hot milk and whisk/blend until smooth.Add sugar. There will be lumps so try to work it out and stir constantly for approx 5 minutes. Mix cornstarch and water and add to milk flour mix. Stir in and remove from heat. Add hazelnut flour and egg yolks. Mix well. Beat the egg whites until they form stiff peaks. Add Xante to milk/flour/ hazelnut mixture. Take a bit of the peaked egg whites and add to this base. Fold in gently. Add the base to the bowl and whites and continue to fold in till all mix is Incorporated. Fill ramekins 2/3 full. Place ramekins. Bake for approx 20 minutes. on a baking sheet with edges. Fill bottom of pan with water.

A Work In Progress...Pandan Sorbet and Pandantini

I got to playing around this weekend. While rummaging through my pantry I found a can of Pandan Leaves Extract I had purchased a while ago for a cake. It costs around 86 cents. In this heat I wasn't up to cake so I thought of a sorbet. Unfortunately my freezer bowl for the ice cream maker wasn't ready. I immediately put it in the freezer for some hours and started on the base to refrigerate in the interim. Basically I made simple syrup which I later combined with some Cream of Coconut, Coconut extract, and a bit of Matcha powder. The color was an algae green color, but the taste was good. I cranked it up in the ice cream maker but I didn't see it starting to freeze at all. So back in bowl over night with and occasional check and stir. In the morning it was frozen in that sugary slushy sort of way. Not as solid as I wanted but sorbet texture. I cranked it in the freezer bowl again (which I put back in overnight) and the color turned from algae green to frothy pale green. The aerating increased the volume by a third at least. Back in the freezer it went. As I tried to photograph it, it melted fast. But the taste was pretty good. Maybe I will cut back on the sugar to get a more clear taste. I also thought it would make a great base for a frozen cocktail. So I added a shot of vodka, and more ice with a few scoops of sorbet to the blender. What I got was Pandantini. Both the sorbet and the drink would be good chillers to relax in the heat. I cant find my recipe book with sorbets for the ice cream maker, so I'm trying to see what may I have missed to not get the consistency more firm. Sorbets are delicate. I’m wondering if it was the extract. Good thing I didn’t add rum to the original base as planned.
Pandan Sorbet
1(14 fl oz) can Pandan Leaves Extract
2 2/3 cups sugar
3 cups water
2/3 cup Cream of Coconut (The milky creamy type in a can used as a base for Pina Coladas/non alcoholic)
1 teaspoon Coconut Extract
1 teaspoon Matcha Powder
Boil water and sugar together to form a simple syrup( approx 10 min). Add Pandan Leaves extract, Cream of Cococnut, coconut extract, and matcha. Whisk until incorporated. Refrigerate until cool. Place in a bowl and freeze. Once it starts to freeze stir occasionally to mix. Freeze several hours until frozen. Place in a frozen freezer bowl from you ice cream maker. Churn to aerate and until color changes to a paler frothy color of green.

So I'm sending these creations to two events. First The lovely Dhanggit is celebrating her baby's 1st birthday and she wants some Perfect Party Dishes.I'm sure she can serve up both .(Drinks just for the grown ups!)

And then the Pandantini is going over to Diary of a Fantatic Foodie. She is having a Front Porch Cocktail event.

Party On everyone!

Cheers,It's Friday Cocktail Hour...News,Prizes,Contests,and Bellini's!

Wow, this week has buzzed by and I'm no where near ready for my trip Saturday. I almost forgot about my little Friday Cocktail Hours. Today I decided to mix some bubbly stuff with some fabulous white peaches in my CSA box. I have an abundance of produce as its only me for the past week. As I was slicing my peaches for freezing, I thought of the Bellini! Perfect.First a few things before we toast.
I am horrible with the whole award /meme thing. It doesn't mean I don't appreciate it. I just may forget to pass it on or write about it because my time is spent trying to hit all your wonderful blogs between posting, living life, and taking care of Certain Someone.I will go through a little blog withdrawals next week, but that will be good. The wonderful Marye had passed along the Blogging with Purpose award to me a few weeks back. I love Marye and feel she's a real , down to earth ,caring, honest person who truly has a healthy handle on life. I look forward to her daily posts.

And Gabi kind of reminds me a little of myself for various reasons I have observed over the months.She's an awesome cake decorator. She awarded me the Yummy Blogs award.

So I cant even begin to think who to pass these on to because I love everyone I read. I really consider you virtual friends and all of you have a purpose and are Yummy. Or else why would I tune in? So these awards go to all of you. Feel free to pass them on.

I also won 2 prizes last week. I never win. First Andrea informed me that I won "Spain and the World Table by the Culinary Institute of America"! Then Bren is sending me some fantastic goodies from her recent trip from Trinidad Tobago Culinary Festival. I guessed the two ethnic groups and national dish of Trinidad Tobago. OK it took me two tries on the National dish. But I won some!

If your feeling a little competitive and want to score some free salmon, check this out from Marx Food:

Wild Alaskan Salmon is in season and MarxFoods.com is seeking out new and exciting recipes and applications. Please submit your favorite salmon recipe below by Friday, June 20, 2008. Salmon should be the star of the dish, but the recipe can incorporate any variety of salmon—fresh, frozen, smoked, canned, pickled, etc.
The creator of the winning recipe will receive three separate 5 lb. shipments of wild salmon fillets; one in July, August, and September, 2008, on the day of their choosing. Each shipment will contain a different type of wild salmon, varying by species and river origin.
The winning recipe will be judged by the MarxFoods.com staff on deliciousness and originality. Please only enter a recipe that can be created in a home (vs. professional) kitchen. Each contestant is limited to entering one recipe.
A winner will be announced on Wednesday, June 25.
TO ENTER
Submit your salmon recipe in the comment section below. Please include a recipe name or title. Stories are welcome and if you have an accompanying photo, please e-mail it to us and we’ll add it to your post.

Now onto the Bellini's!What better perfect summer cocktail than the Bellini! If you have fresh white peaches or frozen peach puree, give it a shot. Don't use yellow peaches. I was always under the mistaken impression that the alcohol base was Champagne. A true Bellini uses a Prosecco or other Italian dry sparkling wine. They were created and made famous at the famous Harry's bar in Venice. Cheers.

Bellini Serves 1

2 parts white peach puree(make your own if you can while you can get them this summer!)

4 parts Prosecco,or other sparkling wine, preferably Italian( although I could see a nice Spanish Cava being used in a pinch).

dash of cherry juice or grenadine optional.

Pour peach puree in a flute and top off with the sparkling wine.Sit back , relax,and take a deep breath.

And finally a interesting tidbit I got via email from a friend.Don't know if its true or not, but it's somewhat funny and food related.

WANTED FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER (the actual AP headline) Linda Burnett, 23, a resident of San Diego, was visiting her in-laws, and while there she went to a nearby supermarket to pick up some groceries. Several people noticed her sitting in her car with the windows rolled up and with her eyes closed, with both hands behind the back of her head. One customer who had been at the store for a while became concerned and walked over to the car. He noticed that Linda's eyes were now open, and she looked very strange. He asked her if she was okay, and Linda replied that she'd been shot in the back of the head, and had been holding her brains in for over an hour. The man called the paramedics, who broke into the car because the doors were locked and Linda refused to remove her hands from her head. When they finally got in, they found that Linda had a wad of bread dough on the back of her head. <>A Pillsbury biscuit canister had exploded from the heat, making a loud noise that sounded like a gunshot, and the wad of dough hit her in the back of her head. When she reached back to find out what it was, she felt the dough and thought it was her brains. She initially passed out, but quickly recovered and tried to hold her brains in for over an hour until someone noticed and came to her aid. Linda is a blonde and a Republican, but I'm certain that's irrelevant. Practice random acts of kindness!

My First Macarons and a Early Friday Cocktail Hour.

Due to the Holiday and some other goings on week, I will finish this post with Friday Cocktail Hour and I wont post this Friday( stay tuned however because I will be posting mid week!). Certain Someone and I got a lot done this Holiday weekend and are still working on it. Our place is very cluttered and I have an abundance of books. He installed our new Expedit books shelves from Ikea to house my hundreds and books and bring some order and design to our space.I wont show you before because its frighting. And the afters I'll post later. Certain Someone is a repressed interior designer. Anyway we also had some good cocktails, BBQ,and I decided to make Macarons for the first time.

Certain Someone loves Hazelnut and I had some Hazelnut flour from King Arthur's. I followed the recipe and tips from the famous Tartelette. She wrote a informative long awaited article for a online Desserts Magazine. My ganache was bit runny,and some of my macarons cracked. But overall I feel some confidence in hope that they turned out OK for my first try. I hope my future attempts get better. My ganache was just some heavy cream, orange icing gel( a type of paste used for flavoring cakes and icicngs),some more hazelnut flour, white, and Amano Chocolate(from the Blake Makes Give Away). I used the Ocumare. I found a new spray luster from my cake decorating shop and sprayed a soft golden luster on top. I like the gold accents I see on some Pierre Hermes macarons.The taste? Very sweet but nice. I will play around with more variations. But I least I got over the intimidation factor. I'm also entering this in Couture Cupcakes Mad For Macarons In May.

*****************************************************************************************

Friday Cocktail Hour Holiday Edition

I love a nice daiquiri. Just plain with some lime juice. simple syrup and rum. I played with this to use up a lot of apricots I have from the vegetable delivery. Its not to sweet and refreshing on a nice day. Oh and Peter if your reading this...this may be to girly for you. I have a nice cognac called Landy XO from France. A bartender once referred to it as 'Happy Dog'. When I asked why he showed me the bottle. The stopper was of a dog with his long tail curved under. It gave the appearance of your nickname, thus the name. He also said it was a 'Mans' drink. So a pour of Landy for you and some daiquiris for my girls! Cheers!

Apricot Daiquiri serves 1

1 part rum

1 juice of a lime

1/2 part apricot brandy( I cheated and used some brandy I made from Prickly Pear)

3 apricots peeled and stoned

ice

Mix all with ice in a blender.Pour into a chilled glass.