(Cockles & Mussels in Garlic Cream Dip) 1 jar (2½-oz size) cockles1 jar (2¼-oz size) mussels2 cups heavy cream¼ cup (½ stick) butter4 cloves garlic1 dash hot sauce½ teaspoon salt¼ teaspoon pepper¼ cup finely chopped chives Drain cockles and mussels and set aside; reserving juices. Pour heavy cream into a heavy skillet and bring to […]
Cocktails
Rosemary is a fragrant, pine-flavored herb, a cross between sage and lavender with a touch of ginger. It serves as an attractive house plant in cold climates and in temperate regions will flourish out-of-doors all year long. In my herb garden in Princeton, I have several rosemary plants which, over the years have grown to […]
I do not like rum, so I wasn’t dying to celebrate National Hot Buttered Rum Day, but I knew that I had a couple of recipes for this cocktail and the weather was just cool enough for a hot drink to be appropriate. So I picked up some little bottles and I made two versions.Continue reading National Hot Buttered Rum Day
Earlier this month I hosted my annual Christmas party, The Holly Ball (a.k.a the Ball Party). At the Holly Ball, all the food is ball-shaped. This was the 4th Holly Ball*** (5th if you count the inaugural party, A Very Manny Christmas–a celebration for my friend Manny’s 50th birthday). Speaking of Manny, I am usingContinue reading Holly Ball 2022
Let’s crack open one of my favorite cookbooks from my collection, Benson & Hedges 100’s Presents Drink Recipes from 100 of the Greatest Bars (1979). Don’t you love the cover? My little eye spies a Martini, a Daquiri, and a Long Island Iced Tea. Since I decided to feature this book on Facebook and InstagramContinue reading Benson & Hedges 100’s Presents Drink Recipes from 100 of the Greatest Bars: Traffic Light (1979)
Today is National Pumpkin Day and October is National Pumpkin Month! Here’s something pumpkin-related. A friend of ours recently found himself with some unexpected guests, a bottle of Smirnoff, and a supply of root beer. Neither he nor anyone present had mixed Smirnoff and root beer before. But the occasion called for a drink, theContinue reading Smirnoff Charlie Burch (1975)
The Peppermint Martini (an interim idea). Somebody once said, “if the perfect martini is ever created, it won’t be a martini.” Until now, two things stood between the martini and perfection: Gin and Vermouth. Substitute Smirnoff for gin and you’re halfway home. But what can you substitute for vermouth? We haven’t found it yet, butContinue reading Smirnoff Peppermint Martini (1972)