Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day ~ this is a fabulous pairing ~ Guinness Ham Cheddar Cheese Croquettes with Horseradish Aoili and Guinness Blonde. Even if you are not a regular beer drinker, you will LOVE this pairing. To make this even more delightful, you and make the croquette batter today and fry them…
appetizers
Haku Smoked Shoyu Seared Scallops And Firecracker Shrimp
I wish you could have smelled the aroma of this smoky soy sauce in my kitchen as I was searing the scallops ~ it was heavenly! As promised here is one of my favorite recipes using the Haku Smoked Shoyu Soy Sauce that I bought at Fresh Market (also available on-line). This is a SUPER…
Sparkling Holiday Champagne Dinner
Champagne Thought Of The Day ~ The Whisper Of Love The sound of air slowly releasing from the Champagne bottle when de-corked is called ‘the whisper of love’. To hear this noise, place your thumb on the muselet, the wire cage that fits over a bottle of Champagne, and gently turn the bottle left. (Under…
Zesty Italian Artichoke Dip
Zesty Italian Artichoke Dip …rich, creamy, spicy dip to serve with kettle cooked potato chips during the holidays. I made this dip last weekend and my guests loved it! Super easy to make too! (Make the day ahead and add the bacon on top right before serving.) 2 (12 ounce) jars quartered marinated artichokes, drained…
For Bourbon Lovers On Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving gives us the opportunity to use earthy, rich, spicy flavors in our food and cocktails. Think smokey, honey, cherry, bourbon and a twist of winter citrus in front of a roaring fire. First, the appetizer… Spicy Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms With Aged Gouda Cheese Sauce Makes 10 appetizer servings (2 stuffed mushroom caps per serving)…
Enjoy Special Club Champagne With Chili-Lime Crab Salad
One of my favorite Spring recipes by Sue Zemanick, Food and Wine Magazine (with a few little twists that I enjoy with this salad). I chill appetizer bowls and appetizer forks in the freezer for serving this salad. Chile-Lime Crab Salad With Tomato And Avacado 4 servings 5 tablespoons fresh lime juice 2 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil…
Fun Recipe Contest ~ Applesauce + Champagne
I was writing an e-mail this morning (entering a recipe contest) and our landline phone rang, so I got up to answer it in the other room. When I returned to the computer this is what I found on the screen: eeeeeeeeeeeeeee521111111111111111111111111111110pppppppppppppppppppppppppppp——————————————————————–jmn And this is what was sitting on my computer chair: Apparently Ziggy the…
Fresh Pear Bellini With Cassis Blueberries + Sparkling Wine For The Holidays!
Fresh Pear Bellini Garnished With Creme de Cassis Blueberries For the Cassis Blueberries: Make the frozen Cassis blueberries the night before so they have time to marinate and freeze. 1/2 cup Creme de Cassis 1/4 cup caster (very fine) sugar plus a little sugar for sprinkling on finished berries 6 ounces fresh blueberries Place blueberries…
Just Another Tazmanian Sparkling Rosé!
We have a new grocery store in Roanoke, Virginia…Earth Fare! “Healthy Food For Everyone” Their food philosophy: “We pledge that our food is free of added hormones, antibiotics, artificial fats and trans-fats, high fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners and preservatives, bleached or bromated flour, artificial colors or flavors”. Their prepared foods section is amazing…let’s…
In The Southern Tradition ~ Country Ham Pretzel Rolls
My “go to” for holiday hors d’oeuvres? Country Ham Biscuits of course! Did you know that the perfect size for a country ham biscuit is the circumference of the top of a champagne flute? (1 3/4 inches round). Coincidence, I think not. Salty country ham and a chardonnay predominant champagne make a perfect pairing! I…
