Wednesday 10 November 2010

Gourmet Coffee Drinks Beat the Summer Heat

It's 90 degrees in the shade, and the air is so thick you can feel it wrap itself around you. You need a pick-me-up, but the idea of a hot mug of your favorite coffee just doesn't appeal. What's a gourmet coffee lover to do in the dog days of summer? Try one of these chilly and refreshing drinks!

Ice Cream Coffee Shake - Heaven on a Summer Day

Get all the flavor of your favorite gourmet beans, and all the bone-chilling delight of an ice cream treat, in one glass.

1. Make a cup of your favorite java (you can use espresso or decaf if you wish).

2. Next, plop two or three scoops of ice cream into your blender. Try vanilla, or, if you are feeling adventurous, go for a hazelnut or mocha flavored ice cream. Frozen yogurt works too if you are watching your fat and calories.

3. Add a few shots of your gourmet coffee, a handful of ice cubes and a shot of cream.

4. Cover tightly and blend away on high. Add more ice cream to get the consistency you desire.

5. Pour it into a tall glass, add a straw, put your feet up in a shady spot, and enjoy your afternoon!

Iced Coffee With a Summertime Kick

After that cookout or summer beach barbecue, treat yourself and your friends to a relaxing iced cocktail. This one is inspired by the sand covered beaches and tropical flavors of the Caribbean. Experiment with different variations to find the perfect blend for you.

1. Combine one ounce of dark rum, one ounce of coffee liqueur, a shot of heavy cream, and 4 ounces of your favorite gourmet coffee.

2. Crush a few ice cubes and add to a martini glass.

3. Pour the mixture over the crushed ice; serve right away.

With a little creativity and some cold mix-ins, you can turn the hottest day into a great excuse for an icy cold gourmet coffee treat. Enjoy!

Monday 8 November 2010

Drinks on Elm Street Night - A Halloween Cocktail Party

If you want to do some casual fun, Halloween, Halloween was a cocktail with a great solution. And here are the exact steps you can take them around terrible!

Step 1: Your attitude

Avoid all the feelings associated with socially acceptable behavior.

Step # 2: Cocktails

This is not the occasion to offer a small small portion of white wine - except, of course, has slipped a plastic worm or spider glass havefirst. There are some fun and tasty Halloween vintages. To name a few:

* Zelda the Witch Zin Zinfandel

* Vampire Vineyards Syrah and Zinfandel

* Vampire Pinot Grigio, Cabernet, Pinot Noir and Merlot

* And perhaps only - Poizin Armida Winery, Zinfandel with a label with a skull and a blood-red top of the bottle surrounded by a penetrating blood red wax candle, presented in a wooden box shaped like a coffin engraved.

drink at the cocktailDepartment will maintain the appearance of creepiness to prepare a green witch served in martini glasses - and that does not skimp on the eyeballs and swizzle fake skeleton. The melon liqueur and vodka or Appletinis well for this. Or is there a Vampyre Vodka Red produced for such an opportunity like this. For designated drivers and other guests who prefer non-alcoholic refreshments, Virgin Bloody Mary and maybe blood red punch in a bowl offered packed in dry ice to makeexcellent alternative. I just do not allow dry ice to make contact with the skin, and make sure that no one in any drink. It is also possible for some dry ice in a metal bucket of water in the driveway or to make a foggy underworld generate welcome to visitors upon their arrival. Get lots of tips for using dry ice online by typing "Dry Ice Halloween Party Ideas" in your favorite search engine.

Step 3: Food

It is not necessary to go over the topthe theme Halloween party in terms of snacks, but make sure you make it fun. Some ideas are:

* Mummy Dogs: croissant wrapped around hot dogs and baked

* Blood & Bones: bread dough cut into strips and cooked bone-shaped and formed with a marinara dip

* Cheesy Fingers: String Cheese, simulate it in half with almond flakes embedded in a piece of cut nails

* Dirt & Worms: gummy bears with chocolate pudding worms hidden withinand crumbled Oreos top

* Ghosts Nutty: Nutter butter cookies coated with white chocolate with mini-chocolate eyes

There are tons of ideas for party food anywhere. Just search something like "Halloween Party Food"

Step # 4: Decor

Cocktail parties are usually for mixing, so do not think you need to provide a 1:1 ratio of guest posts. Bar and bistro tables and chairs or bar stools work very well together with a sofa anda few chairs scattered around. With all the lights turned low, candles must - including the chandeliers and wall lamps with flickering flames and battery-powered, giving the atmosphere haunted house. Spread fantasy masks, skull, along with other crops, such as Halloween spiders, skulls and ghosts on the walls and tables throughout the party area.

Step # 5: Entertainment

Set a mood with music and spooky scary horror films play continuously with theall night (perhaps the most frightening films of all time: The Exorcist, Psycho, and Bram Stoker's Dracula). Encourage your guests to wear their best Halloween costumes. For those who arrive unprepared, put out a large basket or trunk full of Halloween masks, costumes to try and check them behind a screen. As long as the spectral ratio by a gypsy fortune teller sits behind a curtain and you have not a hair raising terrifying night to remember.

Thursday 4 November 2010

The Wine Guild

The Guild is governed by a board of six: two priests, two representatives of municipalities and two winemakers. This met before and after harvest for the price of grapes to resolve and that the new must, as far as possible, things like that, at the cost of development on life then and now to be calculated, those prices were more than double today. If West India fleet was supplied with wine, this was achieved by a quota system, rather than freeCompetition.

The worst were the traders may not build up large stocks, the wine has been aged long enough and therefore not lost business because of lack of storage due to delays in the preparation of mixtures and coasters for shipment. The idea behind this scheme has been fantastic, this wine could be kept to divert profits from the hands of the producers in which the dealer, and to encourage speculation. The only large stock of old wine in possession ofChurch and a few private wine cellar.

to make these limitations, shippers easy and profitable, with a minimum of effort and competition, but in fact had the opposite effect, and the sherry trade-oriented, could be grown elsewhere to compete with the wines. Malaga, for example, exports is not a rich dessert wine unlike sherry, and became popular in the UK under the name Mountain. This covers most of the available market for Spanish wines of Malaga and exports are higher than thoseone of Cadiz and Sanlucar.

The restrictions of the Gremio were received from a number of dealers, especially Juan Hauri. There was a dispute, and a lot of bitter conflict, not all of the wine in question with: Members have been accused too Gines on fireworks for the annual feast of St and gifts of chocolate and cocktails. But despite all the efforts of his opponents, was the guild until it was dissolved by Royal Proclamation of 1834after 101 years of existence devastating.

By 1754, due to the bad state of trade, there were only nine sherry shipper in Jerez next, and it is doubtful whether more than one of them was English. The lone Englishman John Brickdale that is supposed to be a Mason, in spite of which he was apparently in good agreement with the local clergy. He was also a patron of the Church of San Giorgio in Sanlucar, although this does not necessarily mean that he was a Catholic, he may havesupports him simply because he was English.

Other British merchants were trading in Cadiz and at least one of them Henry Pickering interested in wine exporters. In 1785 came from a Catholic family of Gordons from Scotland and the end of the century, was largely in the wine Frade. Hauri accumulated a number of assistants in the United Kingdom about the same time.

Hauri was himself a refugee from France, and was joined by relatives and countrymenas Pemartin, Domecq and Lacoste, whose work was much Sherry placemats and stimulate trade. Other families of French origin, still active in the trade include Lustau Sherry, Lacave and Delage. There was also an influx of capital from India, brought to Andalusia because of political unrest in the colonies.

As British merchants lived in Sanlucar, and most important of which was Henry Stonor. As a younger son, he could expect no inheritance andAs a Catholic, was not a great career open to him in Britain. Like many other cadets of his family, decides to seek his fortune in a Catholic country. After completing his education at Douai in 1760 moved to Cadiz, with him wearing an official copy of his arms and pedigrees, available at the College of Heralds.

After a few years ago, married an English wife Elizabeth Gardiner-Brown, and settled in Sanlucar Stonor find another business built as a merchant. HeExports of oranges and lemons, with an inventory of orange fashion, along with partridge and spoke Spanish, of course, sherry. In return, he imported English saddlery and hunting dogs, specializing in greyhounds. One of his four children has a Temporary Commission in the Spanish army and caused a sensation by visiting his British relations shines in its very consistent.

Other British residents in Sanlucar belonged at that time a captain David Ferrier, whose exactEmployment (if any) is uncertain, but he had an employee named Gaspare Muclek and a butler named Colisons Joseph. In 1754 thirty-two English residents have signed a petition to the Pope, the appointment of a visitor to the church of San Giorgio. Probably only a few of them were related to the wine trade.

Saturday 30 October 2010

Organize a progressive dinner with neighbors

We participate in a monthly progressive dinner with our neighbors. A progressive dinner is a meal that consists of five courses: cocktail, soup, salad, main course and dessert. Each course is served in a different house. We, in turn, to activate the courses so that all cooks and serves a different course each month. This was a 'pleasant task for us, where the selection of dishes with the expected voltage.

Cocktails are served at 5:00 clock in the house # 1. These range froma glass of ice-cold beer on tap, a simple bottle of wine, an apple martini. Only one person is served at cocktail to set the hour and a half to stay within the file. Bowls of pretzels and mixed nuts or shells with cheese and crackers are perfect little "snacks" to go with the cocktails.

Soup is served in the house at No. 2 at 5:30 clock. barley soup popular choices are beef, clam chowder or French onion. Of course there are many other varieties can be cooked and served.Keep the soup prevents the lighter kinds instead of creamy ones that the participants are too full. oyster crackers or bite-sized crackers can be served in this course.

House # 3 is the location of the course at 6:00 of salad, with crisp vegetables, the garden can be kind, a creamy coleslaw, or a juicy, fruit salad. The salad is, of course, often with a slice of crusty bread. The key to hear how the next course is served with lettuce on a small plateand allocating a piece of bread per person.

The main course is served in the House No. 4 at 6:45, but guests are at 6:30, but 15 minutes is the host for the final preparations used. Main meals can consist of beef, poultry, fish, pork or pasta. Boiled, fried or steamed vegetables and potatoes or rice, often accompany the meat dish.

Dessert is at 7:30 on the clock was at No. 5, from heavy to light and fluffy and decadent. Some ideas are dessert cheesecake with a top sweet, juicyCherry, apple pie filling with spicy cinnamon, vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce poured over, or a refreshing lemon sorbet.

We have our monthly progressive dinner in a few different ways, both to keep things simple and keep it fun. To make this easier, we have been known to keep the Progressive Dinner on a house, from time to time. This is great in bad weather while walking from house to house is uncomfortable or dangerous. In thisSo we have a progressive dinner at home, the main host for the evening. All others bring their course together with their preparation and their individual path is the right time.

Although often enjoy the surprise and anticipation for what will be served on the course, a way of keeping our Progressive dinner fun is to choose a particular theme of the evening. For example, if you choose the theme "Mexican Fiesta", allThe bags have a talent in Mexico. Margaritas, Nacho Chips and Salsa, Black Bean soup, corn and pepper salad, enchiladas and rice and fried ice cream would be prepared and served to them. The food for the courses and the variations of themes ready for Progressive dinners are as endless as your imagination and allowed cookbook.

If we look forward to our monthly Progressive Dinner, we realize how good the food is not the real meal on which we depend, butthe time we spend together. Since that seems to compliment each course to the next depth, our camaraderie. Because each food nourishes our body, our society is built and strengthened. Call it what you want but I call it our food monthly Progressive Dinner for friendship.

Tuesday 26 October 2010

Create impressive gift baskets for family holidays and friends

The holiday season often makes many people feel as if they were not just time to do whatever you want to achieve what they do. This is especially true when it comes to really special and unique gifts for family and friends. Everyone wants to know who thought their loved ones during the summer, but it could work, family, transportation and daily life do not find those gifts and mailing stressful.

Create your gift list

The firstStep in creating a stress-free holiday season is to create your wedding list. This is a list of friends, relatives, colleagues and customers to whom you want to make gifts. The next step is to the interests of each recipient to see your gift. Almost everyone enjoys the goodies, some people are big sports fans, while others prefer regional specialties.

Gift Baskets the perfect Christmas gift, because you can design and order online, by staff Touch and special ingredients, so each gift basket to enjoy unique and secure. Unlike the mass production remains of discount megastore last year, Christmas baskets and custom baskets holiday gift for the recipient to know that they deserve nothing less than the best.

Designed to build rental Gift Baskets

Many people enjoy receiving regional specialties: sourdough bread from San Francisco, Chicago gift baskets from the Windy City,> Martini collections from Manhattan. Whatever you do, your guests will feel, you can probably find or create a holiday gift basket just for them. Many stylish gift baskets for Christmas some gourmet chocolates, cheeses, live plants, flowers, or a variety of small gifts that are sure to enjoy unpacking.

Holiday gift baskets are made for children, the elderly, athletes, geeks, and almost every other special interest. The advantage of convenienceWe offer you the opportunity to vacation time for all to enjoy much more. It should give cheerfully, not a chore.

Put The Joy Back at Christmas

Instead of fighting traffic, wasting precious time and gas money, you can find the perfect gift for anyone on your shopping list, without ever leaving the comfort of your home. Enjoy the Christmas season much safer and more comfortable in your home, knowing that friends and loved ones receive giftsthey actually use and enjoy.

You can enjoy your holiday season more relaxing to know the exchange in society you like to contribute to the efforts of charities, and everyone on your gift list to be happy with your gift. Instead of buying and shipping, make Christmas cookies, go to a party, is a troupe of Christmas carolers, or indulge in a pampering spa treatment. You will not regret.

Sunday 24 October 2010

How to Pour the Perfect Glass of Wine

To pour the perfect glass of wine you need to take several steps:

Temperature:

The temperature at which served as a wine makes an enormous influence on his taste. Serve chilled and mask some imperfections that are good for younger or less expensive wines. However, a warmer temperature allows a full expression of the characteristics of the wines' that make it advantageous for a previous supply of one or more expensive wine.

A bottle is about 2 ° C (-4 ° F) for every ten minutes in a cool placethe refrigerator and it will warm at about the same rate when removed and left at room temperature. Of course, the room temperature is the rate at which heated the influence of wine. If you need to chill a bottle of wine in a hurry, it will be with 35 minutes in the freezer trick. Just do not forget to remove the bottle!

Decant:

Decanting is pouring into a container and serve. Decanting is typically only contain older wines or Ports, sediments, can add the necessaryBitterness. Decanter can improve the taste of older red wines. Younger wines also benefit from the aeration that decanting provides. Of course, a decanter can also be used simply for aesthetic reasons.

includes a first decanting the wine, the sediment and keep the rest bottle upright allowing any sediment to fall to the ground. Then slowly pour the wine into the decanter keeping the bottle so that no corner sediments his way into the decanter. The wine can be poured throughto assist in gauze to filter out unwanted particles. Settling in the eyes of all visitors should be done.

Watering:

Still wines should be poured into the center of the glass, while sparkling wines should be paid to the side, like a beer, so that bubbles do not appear undesirable. To control drips, turn the bottle can be tilted slightly, as he maintains. In fusion, the glass should be no more than two-thirds filled. This allows guests the vortex and the smellBouquet. A glass is filled again and again if you wish. Of course, women and elderly guests, then the men and eventually help with your glass.

Types:

As important as serving temperature, the type of glass, are served in wine. The shape of the glass can be served in the taste different wines and then in special glasses.

The three main types of glasses are:

glasses of white wine like a tulip-shaped

Red WineGlasses: rounded with a big head

Sparkling wine flutes: tall and thin

A glass of wine suitable for all uses should contain 10 grams and be transparent so that the auditor examine the color of the wine, and his body should also be a slight bend at the top to keep bouquets. Over a glass of wine is good for all purposes to serve a red wine, do not use a white wine in a glass of red wine.

Thursday 21 October 2010

Dessert Recipes For One

As the only boy or girl, it can often be difficult to shop and cook for one person. Most items are sold at the supermarket, family oriented kitchen, especially sweet words, do not be discouraged! There are several ways to make your own dessert single or double serving with little preparation. To prove this, here are three great dessert recipes that do not have the remains of crowding your refrigerator!

Lemon Trifle

1 can lemon pie ricottaFilling
1 small Angel Food Cake
1 small tub of whipped cream or a can of Reddi Whip
a few vanilla wafers crushed, lemon peel, or other favorite surface

Cut the sponge Angel food in bite-sized squares. If you prefer) Martini glass (or a small bowl, place cake in some of the lower courts. Spoon a few pieces of lemon curd on top of the cake squares. A few tablespoons of whipped cream on top of lemon curd (or spraying a thin layer of cream, ifYou use the canned kind). Repeat the process until the top of the jar or bowl. Sprinkle a few crushed vanilla wafer on top, or other treasures you. Refrigerate until ready to serve. If you have too much left of the ingredients, save a little more 'of something for tomorrow!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

3 tablespoons flour
1 drop vanilla extract
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon honey
chocolate chips, M & M's, Reese's crumbles, crumbled Oreos or

Ina small bowl until creamy butter and honey. Then add the flour and mix well. Add vanilla and your choice of chocolate. Once this is mixed, you can either eat immediately or let cool a bit '.

Coffee Cake

4 tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
4 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons milk
2 drops vanilla extract
1 egg

mix in a large cup of coffee and flour, cocoa powder and sugar. Place in a bowl, mix wellmilk, oil, vanilla extract and eggs. Pour the mixture into the wet cup of coffee and stir until all ingredients are moistened. Pop in the microwave for 3 minutes at 1000 watts (you may need to adjust the time accordingly.) The cake will grow over the edge of the cup with cooking, fine. Let cool for a few minutes before serving. Great with a dollop of whipped cream and a pinch of sugar!