Tie One On Tuesday!

A lot of you may think that sometimes I drink my dinner-Ha! I wish! No, I like to have a little nosh with my cocktail. Pairing the right food with your cocktails is a must. You certainly wouldn't want a pizza with your martini would you? Of course not, you have more class than that. Here are a few pairings that will impress your guest.


Whiskey cocktails~
If you are a whiskey drinker, think of foods with strong flavors. Lamb, sausage and smoked salmon are perfect meats. If you are pairing with cheese, again, think smokey or sharp. A dark chocolate, or a dipped espresso bean is a wonderful after dinner treat with a nice Scotch.

Vodka Cockails~
Because of it's nondescript taste, vodka is really just a vehicle for whatever it is paired with in a cocktail. A nice Peppercorn cocktail would be great with sushi. Sweeter, spicy vodka is wonderful for pork-maybe spare ribs,or pecan pie. Try a wonderful Lavender vodka cocktail with soft cheeses such as Brie or Havarti.

Rum Cocktails~
This is OMP's favorite! I'm sure he will tell you that rum will go with everything. Since we like tropical drinks, I would pair a nice BBQ rib or chicken with a pineapple rum cocktail. Spicy Thai cuisine heats up as the rum flavors cool down the palate. Of course, any seafood is amazing with rum.

Tequila Cocktails~
Everyone knows that Mexican food is great with tequila but there are so many other options out there. Tequila with a wonderful dark chocolate truffle is a crowd pleaser-you have the contrast of the salty tequila with the bitterness of the chocolate. Seafood is another great flavor, especially shrimp. As far as cheese goes, a mild hard cheese would be best with a slightly sweet flavor, nothing too overpowering.

Okay, is it just me or are you starving now? My mouth is watering for a yummy cocktail and some good food. Take chances with your pairings. Try foods and desserts that generally aren't thought of with traditional cocktails. Think of the way the main ingredient tastes and build a meal around that. Okay that's enough for toady. I have to run, I think I hear the dinner bell ringing!

Love That Leading Man

I was trying to figure out just what to write about tonight-going through my DVD collection-More zombie movies, eh, not feeling it. Kung Fu movie-meh, no high kicks for me. I am in the mood for one of my favorite leading men, James Cagney. Not only could Cagney play the "tough guy" but his dancing and singing were well known throughout the movie community, dating back to his vaudeville days.

Cagney was best known for his tough guy persona. Both Public Enemy and Angels With Dirty Faces cemented him as a cinema bad guy and turned him into a cash cow for the Studios. He received his first Academy award nomination in 1938 for Angels With Dirty Faces for his leading man role. His portrayal of Rocky Sullivan is haunting. Straddling the line between good and evil-eventually falling for the wrong side.


A few years later Cagney stared in Yankee Doodle Dandy. The studio took a gamble on putting him in the role of George M. Cohen, the American composer, singer, & dancer. The movie tells the life store of George Cohen and his contribution to American music.Cagney finally got to show off his very talented feet to his growing public!

Cagney's last movie before his death in 1986, was Ragtime. He played the police commissioner in this turbulent tale of turn of the century music and the racial uprising it brought. The movie was up for 8 Oscars and has been considered one of his greatest roles. The music is as haunting as his performance.

I get a little sad when I see a James Cagney movie. He chose roles that touched something in all of us, the working people of society. These were roles that the average working stiff could relate to. He himself was a hard working man but he made everything look so effortless. He was a gentleman who believed in his work and continued doing so right up until his death.

Sweet Saturday

Boo! I just picked the last of my raspberries. I always get a little sad when I can't just go out and pick my food off the vine. Since I had a few more cup of raspberries, I hunted down the last of my pie crust and decided to make Raspberry tarts. You could really do these with any berry or fruit, depending on the season.

Rasberry Tarts
Ingredients
Pie crust-I used store bought crust. I'm lazy!
2 cups raspberries (you could use blueberries, blackberries)
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Whipped cream

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Roll out pie dough and cut out circles measuring about 4 inches in diameter. Line the muffin mold with cupcake liners and then place the dough around the liner, basically making another cup. Don't forget to punch a couple of holes in the bottom of the dough so it doesn't bubble.
Divide raspberries among the pie shells, filling them about 1/2 full
Beat cream, sugar, eggs and vanilla together. Pour mixture over berries, filling the shells about 2/3rd full. Bake for about 25 minutes or until the cream has set.
Cool completely before removing them from the molds.
Serve with a dollop of whip cream.
The main thing to remember about this recipe is not to let the custard burn and make sure your berries are dry. If they are damp, they will ruin the custard.

I didn't have whipped cream, so, to indulge even more, I added ice cream with a cherry on top-cause that's how I roll.

Feel Good Friday!

Whoa Boy! Am I sweaty! Just last week I was freezing my butt off and this week I am melting. While I slip into my bathing suit, throw the dogs into the kiddie pool and find my sunscreen, enjoy these happies.

This is a custom piece done by nanaCompany. The little scarf on the bird is killing me with it's cuteness! Check out her hand stitch set-trust me you will have sugar overload from all the sweetness.

Have you been over to Stitch School? My friend Becky turned me on to this blog and I LOVE IT! She has wonderful easy to follow tutorials, free and for sale patterns.

This necklace is so dainty. A Box for My Treasures has wonderful vintage inspired baubles to make you even prettier than you already are.

Ahhhhh, much better. All cooled off, the dogs are completely soaked and I think I need a snow cone.

Dancers, Hearts and Flowers! Oh My!

I love the little  Fraulein and Frederick dancing around in this embroidery pattern.This adorable apron embroidery and pattern is just perfect for serving up some frosty mugs. Unfortunately their legs got a little chopped, I have faith that you can wing it!

Tie One On Tuesday!

Whoa Nelly! Is it H-O-T! Just yesterday is was fall like weather in Portland and today it is super summer hot. As I try to get OMP to fan me, I thought I would make up some special popsicles to sweeten the deal. These are adult pops but I'm sure you could leave the booze out and they would be just as good, but you probably wouldn't get as lucky.

I love a good Margarita and one that is on a stick is even better!
Margarita Pops (courtesy of the food network)
Ingredients
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup fresh lime juice
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
2 tablespoons tequila
2 tablespoons orange liqueur 
Kosher salt, for garnish
4 small  wax paper cup ,(think Dixie cup) 4 popsicle sticks
Combine sugar, lime juice, water, lemon juice and orange juice in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring, until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and allow to cool. 
Once cool transfer to a blender with tequila, orange liqueur, and lime wedge and process until smooth. Pour into the cups and cover the top of each cup with foil. 
Place the popsicle stick in center of cup (down through foil, which will hold it in place). Freeze until hard, preferably overnight. 
Remove from freezer and run cup under warm water to loosen popsicle. Garnish with kosher salt and serve. 

This one sounds SO good, my mouth is watering just typing about it. 
Tangerine Rum Popsicle 
Ingredients:
2 oz. Dark Rum   
2 ¾ cup peeled Tangerines  (If you can't find Tangerines, Mandarin oranges would work, just a little sweeter)
1 oz. Juice of  Lime            
1 oz. Simple Syrup    
Splash of Lemon-lime soda
8 Popsicle Sticks
Into a blender, add peeled tangerines, lime juice, simple syrup and soda.  Puree mixture into a liquid.  Strain mixture into a measuring cup and add rum.  Mix well and pour into Popsicle molds.  Add Popsicle sticks and freeze for 8 hours. If you don't have popsicle molds, you can use the trusty Dixie cups.

Since it's strawberry season, I thought a great Strawberry Daiquiri popsicle would satisfy your sweet tooth and keep you refreshed.
Strawberry Daiquiri Pops
Ingredients:
3 cups hulled strawberries
1/3 cup rum
1/4 cup sugar
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1/4 cup water
Combine all ingredients in blender, and puree until smooth and sugar is dissolved.>
Pour into popsicle molds and insert sticks. Freeze until firm - at least 4 hours or overnight. One more time-you can use Dixie cups if you don't have molds

There ya go, three frozen pops to wet your whistle and cool your jets. All of these recipes can be altered with different fruits. Get creative! Surprise your sweetie or your guest with yummy frozen cocktails-just keep them away from the kiddies. Now where is OMP with my fan? Honey! I have a special treat for you!

Scrappy Dog Sunday!

Happy Independence Day! 

Hope it's filled with lots of yummy things to BBQ

  Lots of fun activities.

And lounging around

I hope everyone enjoys today and has a great time but please remember to be careful and take care of your pets. Fireworks are scary to our little furry friends so if you are going out, leave the TV on loud and give them something to chew on. Make sure that they have plenty of water and make everything as comfortable as possible for them. Maybe take them out earlier to wear them out for the night. Whatever you do, make sure you and your little beast are safe. Happy 4th everyone!