Friday, July 8, 2016

Reviving A Classic - the Bloody Mary

*Bloody Mary*

If you’ve been paying attention - I love my brunches! I love cooking and entertaining! Before I had become a professional Chef, I was a bartender for 10 years, coast to coast. There are many ways and coastal differences of pretty much everything… especially cocktails lenient of preference. With that in mind this one is for the entertainer- Modern, Chic, and Fabulous!

Fantastic for entertaining the masses, just put a bottle of your favorite hot sauce on the table if anyone wants to kick it up, like I do, other wise it’s pretty frickin awesome as is. Don’t forget the garnishes! They’re all part of the whole experience!

Make a vat and you’re good to go!

Per glass

V8- Spicy
Pinch finely grated Horseradish (or to taste)
dash Balsamic vinegar
½ tsp Green Olive Brine (or to taste)
(optional) Hot Sauce
1 Tbsp Pinot noir - or any Leftover Red Wine!
2 oz Vodka of Choice CITRUS! - get the lemon flavored

Per Pitcher:

1 bottle V8 - Spicy (2 Qts. = approx 10 cocktails)
1 tsp finely grated Horseradish
2 tsp Balsamic Vinegar
1 Tbsp Green Olive Brine
½ cup Red Wine
Couple dashes Hot Sauces - plus bottle left out for guest.
2 oz Citrus Vodka per glass.

*Make the mixture separate, from Vodka

(note when yielding a large amount, taste, because somethings are not necessary to multiply.)

Rim:

Bacon - make bacon, dust with Smoked Paprika! When Cool, crush finely
Coarse Sea Salt.
Lime Juice

Use a small blender or immersion if you have to get bacon really gritty. It’s going to be moist, mix it with the salt (which will dry it out and flavor the salt.) Keep in a sealed container until use - can last a week fridge!

Assembly:

Rub lime around rim, dip bacon and salt mixture to coat glass.

(can make several in advance for hosting)

Celery
Gently place ice in glass without touching salt rim, this will hold celery in place.
Vodka
Bloody Mary mix - don’t fill to top
Now the rest of the Garnish… Green pimento Olives, Red Onion, Lime Wedge, Straw

Note- use toothpick for olives, then anchor into celery to hold place.
Then drape Red onion around for visual effect.

Go Enjoy and Share your Fabulous Bloody Mary!

Brunch above with my favorite Gravlax & Creamiest Scrambled Eggs over Crumpets.

This one is for the entertainer- Modern, Chic, and Fabulous!

#BloodyMary #Brunch #Cocktail #V8 #SpecialtyCocktail #FoodAndWine #BoozyBrunch #ClassicCocktail #RevitalizedClassic #ModernChicCocktail #ChefCaylena

Monday, June 27, 2016

PEACHES & BACON!!! A beautiful Summer Salad

Peaches & Bacon Salad

& 16 Health Benefits of Peaches!

Great summer salad with a ridiculous amount of nutrition (read article below!) and perfect for the summer! Not to mention it’s tastes Gorgeous!

Mixed greens with Arugula

Peaches -sliced

Bacon -cut (not crunchy)

Chopped Shallots

Chopped Oregano

Balsamic Glaze ( reduce for 15 minutes, add a teaspoon of honey and pinch of salt)

Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Salt, Pepper.

16 Health Benefits of Peaches

By: Diana Herrington

Peaches have been grown for centuries. They were first cultivated in China where they are considered a symbol of immortality and friendship.

I consider them a key powerfood along with staples like apples and pears. I just wish they were available longer!

16 Ways Peaches Fortify Your Health

1. Peaches are the perfect snack food for losing weight. A peach makes you feel full and keeps you from overeating. The bonus: one peach only contains about 35-50 calories and no fat!

2. Fight obesity-related diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Peaches are rich in phytochemicals called phenols that act as antioxidants.

3. Keep the skin healthy. Vitamin A and C make peaches a great natural moisturizer; they’re often used in cosmetics. These vitamins can help regenerate skin tissue.

4. Reduce hair loss with its positive effect on the scalp.

5. A healthy stress-reliever that helps reduce anxiety. Peaches are often referred to as the ‘Fruit of Calmness’ in Hungary.

6. Helps prevent cancer with selenium — a mineral with antioxidant properties that may help protect cells from damage.

7. Peaches can help remove worms from the intestines.

8. Have a diuretic effect which helps cleanse your kidneys and bladder.

9. Peaches can calm an upset stomach.

10. Compounds in stone fruits could help with “metabolic syndrome,” according to Dr. Luis Cisneros-Zevallos, AgriLife Research food scientist involved in a study at the American Chemical Society in Philadelphia. Cisneros-Zevallos says, “Our work indicates that phenolic compounds present in these fruits have anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic properties in different cell lines and may also reduce the oxidation of bad LDL cholesterol which is associated with cardiovascular disease.”

11. Those suffering from gout and rheumatism are recommended by dieticians to eat peaches because peaches tend to have a diuretic and a light laxative effect.

12. Peaches are thought to be an aphrodisiac.

13. Peach flowers have sedative properties . A remedy for restlessness includes boiling peach flowers in water along with some honey.

14. Inhibit tumour growth activity. Peaches have excellent antimicrobial and antioxidant activity according to research.

15. Chronic bronchitis, coughs and gastritis are relieved with the medicinal tea of the leaves and bark of peach trees.

16. Peach tea is used as a kidney cleanser in China.

Paired perfectly with a Cheese Souffle