Beer Mojito, Beer Punch and Shoot the Root

Beer Mojito:

In a tall glass muttle together 5 mint leaves, juice of 1/4 lime and 1 tsp sugar. Pour in 3 oz white rum and one 12 oz bottle of a pale ale beer and stir. Add ice.

Beer Punch

Combine 4 chopped strawberries, 1/4 cup blueberries, 1/4 cup sugar, 2 Tb grenadine, and 2 Tb fresh lime juice in a bowl. Stir to dissolve sugar. Cover and refrigerate at least one hour, stirring occassionally. When ready to serve, divid the fruit mixture among 4 lowball or rocks glasses. Pour half of a 12 oz bottle of beer into each glass and stir.

Shoot the Root:

Pour one 12 oz bottle of cold beer into a pint glass. Drop 1 shot glass of root beer into beer.

People magazine February 7, 2011

Pink Shake (Biebertini)

1/3 cup coconut cream
2/3 cup pineapple juice
1/4 cup light cream
1 banana
20 strawberries

Blend ingredients with ice and pour into 4 martini glasses (to make it alcoholic add 1.5 oz vodka to each glass). Top with whipped cream.

Great valentines drink for the kids!

People Magazine February 7, 2011

Mixed Citrus Margaritas

2 cups tequila
1 1/2 cups fresh-squeesed lime and/or orange juice
1/2 cup orange flavored liqueur such as triple sec
powdered sugar
1 - 2 limes cut in wedges.

In large pitcher combine tequila, juice, liqueur, and sugar to taste. Serve over ice with lime wedges. Makes 8 - 10 servings.

Sparkling Pomegranate Splash

Better Homes and Gardens January 2011

2 1-liter bottles ginger ale or two 750 ml bottles sparkling wine, chilled
2 16 oz bottles pomegranate juice, chilled
1 to 2 lemons, sliced

In a large pitcher or jug combine the sparkling wine or giner ale, pomegranate juice, ice and lemon slices. Makes about 10 servings

Roasted Cherry Tomato Pizza Poppers

Better Homes and Gardens January 2011

1 recipe roasted cherry tomatoes
Two 1 lb loaves frozen pizza dough, thawed
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil
12 to 14 oz deli sliced mozzarella or provolone cut into 2 inch pieces
Small fresh basil leaves (optional)

Roasted Cherry Tomatoes

2 pints red and/or yellow cherry or grape tomatoes halved
1 Tb extra virgin olive oil
2 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp balsamic vinegar
1/2 tsp dried or 1 tsp chopped fresh oregano

1. In a 9 X 13 X 2 inch pan combine all ingredients. Cook in 450 degree oven for 10 - 12 minutes stirring occassionally

1. Prepare roasted cherry tomatoes
2. Meanwhile on a lightly floured surface, roll pizza dough, one loaf at a time, into a 15 X 12 inch rectangle. Cover dough loosely and let rest 10 minutes. Cut out circles using 2 - 2 1/2 inch round cutter. Discard trimmings. Place dough rounds on lightly greased baking sheets. Combine olive oil, oregano and basil in a bowl and brush over both sides of dough rounds. Prick rounds all over with a fork.
3. Preheat oven to 450 and bake sheets for 7 minutes. Flip and top rounds with cheese and bake 2 minutes more. Top with tomatoes and basil mixture. Makes about 40 poppers.

Baked Butternut Squash and Apples

Family Fun, Feb 2011

Might be a good side dish to try

1 Tb vegetable oil
1 Butternut squash (about 2 lbs) peeled and cut into 3/4 inch cubes
3 medium apples peeled, cored and cut into small cubes
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 Tb flour
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 Tb butter

1. Heat oven to 350. LIghtly oil a large baking pan, then combine the butternut squash and apples in the pan.

2. In a small bowl stir together the sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Sprinkle the mixture over the squash and apples and then pour the melted butter on top and cover the dish.

3. Bake until fork tender (about 45 minutes)

Crispy Roasted Wings

3 lbs Chicken wings, rinsed and patted dry with paper towels
2 Tbs. neutral oil like grapeseed or corn.
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1. Heat oven to 375. Put the chicken wings in a large roasting pan, drizzle with the oil, and sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper. Toss to coat and spread the wings out in a single layer.

2. Roast undisturbed until the bottom of the pan is coated with fat and the wings are beginning to brown, about 15 minutes. Use a spoon to baste the wings with the drippings, then carefully pour the extra fat out of the pan and flip them over (if they're sticking give them an extra 5 minutes).

3. Return wings to the oven until both sides are nicely browned, another 10 minutes or so (they'll release easily from the pan when ready).

4. Raise the oven temperature to 450 and continue to cook until wings are crisp all over, about 10 more minutes. Serve hot, warm, or at room temperature with carrot and celery sticks on the side.

February 2011, Parents Magazine. Might be a fun and easy dinner idea. Serve with dipping sauce

Yellow Rice

4 Cups chicken broth
2 cups water
1 T tumeric
2 Tb extra virgin olive oil
2 cups long-grain or basmati rice
salt
pepper

1. In a 4 quart pot combine chicken broth, water, tumeric, and olive oil. Bring to a rapid boil

2. Lower heat and add rice, stirring well. Cover and cook for 18 - 20 minutes, until all liquid is absorbed and rice is tender.

3. Stir well and add salt and pepper to taste.

Got recipe from Lunds Spring 2011 magazine. Worked out very well!

Blue Sangria

1 large orange
1 large lemon
1 large lime
3 large strawberries
3 large springs fresh mint
1 cinnamon stick
1/3 cup sugar
1 bottle (125 ml) dry white wine
2/3 cup blue curacao
1/4 cup orange juice
2 cups seltzer
ice cubes

1. Wash fruit. Thinkly slice orange, lemon and lime and remove any seeds. Thinly slice strawberries. Place fruit in large pitcher

2. Add mint, cinnamon stick, sugar and white wine. Stir until sugar dissolves. Pour in blue curacao and orange juice and stir until combined.

3. Cover and refrigerate 6 - 8 hours

4. Add seltzer. Pour sangria into large wine glasses. Add ice and marinated fruit.

Got recipe from Lunds Real Food, Spring 2011. Would like to give it a try