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.

Beet and Apple Slaw

The trick to a successful BBQ, this season, is plenty of condiments, salads, and other treats to break up all that protein. For a healthy tasty salad, that will rival your traditional Cole Slaw, try this Beet and Apple Slaw. People don't appreciate the true flavor and versatility of the beetroot , because we mask it by pickling. But grated raw beet packs a healthy punch. Beetroot has been known to fight High Blood pressure, cancer, cholesterol, and constipation. I cant think of a more perfect side dish to go with any BBQ.

Beet and Apple Slaw
serves 6
1 large beetroot
2-3 apples
1 cup Mayonnaise
1 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
3/4 cups raisins or currents
1 tbsp minced ginger
* you may want wear plastic gloves when handling the beet as it can stain your hands

With a vegetable peeler , peel the beet and chop into manageable quarters. Take a grater and grate the entire beet into a glass bowl. Peel , core, and dice apples. Add to the bowl of grated beets. Toss in sugar, mayonnaise, balsamic vinegar,raisins, and ginger. Mix well. Serve at room temperature or chilled

Quick and Easy Soft Corn Tortilla Beef Tacos in less than 20 minutes

Summer time means less time in the kitchen for many people.This is just a quick recipe recipe I threw together with what I had on hand. Bear in my mind I don't claim to be the voice of authenticity, but rather the voice of improvising and using whats on hand.That being said what does one do with frozen thin sliced Shabu Shabu style beef(from the butcher in Chinatown), onions, tomatillo sauce, and cheese? Make a taco! But if you have a few mouths to feed or even feed just one and have little time, this is a quick one for you.

Components:

Corn Tortillas

Sour Cream

Tomatillo Salsa

Cilantro

Beef or Chicken ( ground versions work well to0)

Onions

Queso Fresco

Spices( salt or salt free seasoning, pepper, chipotle,Chili powder, garlic,etc)

Pickled Jalapenos and Carrots

Brown your meat and onions in a lightly oiled skillet. Season to taste with salt, pepper, chipotle, etc. Set aside. Heat corn tortillas on each side in an ungreased skillet. Dress each tortilla with meat, cheese, sour cream, tomatillo, and cilantro. Garnish with lime.

* I made mine salt free with salt free seasonings blend. The lime and tomatillo add flavor as well).

Peach Souffle for Antonin Caremes Birthday

Do you know who Antonin Careme in this world of Food Network and Celebrity Chefs who are here today, gone tomorrow? Well he was the first celebrity chef and the culinary world owes so much to him. Born in Paris to a very poor family,Marie Antonine -Careme was cast out in the streets as a child and forced to make his way in the world during the French Revolution. He started as a kitchen boy and eventually worked under a famous pastry chef, who saw his talent.Careme moved onto his own shop. He was fascinated with architecture and self taught himself many principles. From this he created elaborate piece montees (pastry sculptures). He went onto cook for Napoleon, Talleyrand, George IV, the Romanov's, Rothschild's, and countless others in high society and heads of state all over Europe.Careme is credited with inventing the chefs hat, the vol a vent, the souffle, and the service a la Russe (serving one dish after another in proper order) rather than the service a la francaise( all at once).He died at the age of 48 , sickly from the hazards of carbon monoxide from the kitchen back then. Grande Cuisine is because of Antonin Careme and he left behind several published works.

A more modern and fascinating book was written by Ian Kelly called Cooking For Kings, The Life of Antonin Careme, The First Celebrity Chef. Its a great biography with actual recipes from Careme himself.One of my favorite bloggers Louise called out his birthday to me in a post where she mentioned him.I didn't think I would have the time to make a recipe of his, but flicking through my copy of this book I found a simple souffle aux fraises ( strawberry souffle). While I didn't have strawberries, I decided to use peaches.This has to be one of the easiest souffle recipes I ever found. I followed his rough instructions and adapted it to a more modern technique. One helpful hint he gives ,as he had to keep them puffed as they went from the kitchen through vast palaces, and then the table, was to keep hot bricks on the baking dishes . I kept mine on a hot pizza stone on which I baked them and it somewhat worked for a bit.They will fall, however.

Peach Souffle in honor of Antonin Careme's Birthday

makes 6 mini souffles or one large souffle dish

3 peaches ( peeled and sliced)

2 tbs sugar

2 tbs powdered sugar

4 egg whites

1/8 tsp ground ginger

butter and some sugar for ramekins

Butter and sugar ramekins. Set aside, preheat oven to 350F. Put peeled and stoned peaches in blender. Puree, add ginger and granulated sugar. Whip up egg whites with a mixer or stand mixer until stiff with the powdered sugar. Gently fold in peach puree. Pour into ramekins and set on a baking sheet or baking stone. Bake for 15-20 minutes until puffed and golden. Dust with powdered sugar and serve immediately.

Real Housewives Cocktail Contest...The Countess' Cherry Lime Gin Rickey

If I had to relate to anyone on Bravos Real Housewives franchise it would be the Countess. What can I say, she's great, Like a tall glass of lemonade that keeps going even when life throws some merde her way and her cast mates aren't always the most gracious. LuAnn gets a lot of flack in democratic America for supposedly flaunting her title. But come on, most people would. Some old Glamah lore is that I hung around a few titled folks in my Paris school days, and the allure is there no matter how nonchalant you try to be. Its fascinating when one can trace their families achievements and scandals for hundreds, even thousands of years.The Countess earned that title being the consummate wife while her Count was off wheeling and dealing for the most part. Another aspect I relate to heavily as Certain Someone spends a great amount of time away for his work.
I chose to make a Gin Based drink with the Countess as my muse.Gin has been produced commercially for over 400 years and goes well with fruit.When I think of Gin I think of Old Line, Class, and another era. Naturally I used Gordon's which is by Appointment to her Majesty Queen Elizabeth , the grandest title of them all.I made the drink more fun and common with the addition of lime juice and cherries. I can see The Countess drinking this while watching the polo at Bridgehampton or even sitting by her pool as she plots out the next chapters of her life without the lowdown Count.So raise you glass to the housewife with the most class.
There is still time darlings to enter The Real Housewives Cocktail Contest. You have until June 20th!
(Absolutely no affiliation with Bravo TV, just good ole food blogging fun).

The Countess' Cherry Lime Gin Rickey
*thanks to Kayce for the inspiration and advice
6 organic cherries pitted
Juice of 1 organic lime
1 shot glass of Gordon's Gin
2 tablespoons of simple syrup
Crushed ice
Club Soda or Seltzer Water
Muddle the cherries, lime and simple syrup in a tall glass. Top with Crushed ice.Pour in Gin and top off with Club Soda. Garnish with a slice of lime.

Historical Trivia on the origin of the Countess title.

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