May 24, 2009

Anyone who knows us, knows that we take any opportunity we can to get together with friends and family. Unfortunately, our family can’t be together this Memorial Day so we’ll be getting together with friends. I thought it might be fun to serve up some festive Patriotic Cocktails so here are just a few ideas.

Here’s an easy, Red, White, and Blue Cocktail.

Red, White, and Blue Cocktail

Red, White, and Blue Cocktail

1 part grenadine
1 part peach schnapps
1 part blue curacao

Simply pour each part slowly into a shot glass in order:  red, white, and blue.

Here are two more really easy, yet very colorful cocktails.

Yankee Doodle

Yankee Doodle

1 part blue raspberry flavored vodka
2 parts sour mix or lemonade
1 part tonic water

Just pour into a rocks glass, stir and serve over ice.

Patriotic Punch

1 part red cherry flavored vodka
3 parts lemonade

Pour into a rocks glass, stir and serve.

And, I really like this one. I’m sure you could substitute vodka for the gin, if you’re not a gin lover.

Blueberry Cobbler

Blueberry Cobbler

1/4 c. fresh blueberries
1 small lime wedge
1 1/2 t. sugar
1 1/2 oz. gin
2 oz. club soda
Ice

In a cocktail shaker, muddle 15 of the blueberries with the lime wedge and sugar. Add the gin and ice and shake well. Strain into a highball glass half-filled with ice, top with the club soda and garnish with the remaining blueberries.

And, how about some red, white, and blue jello shots? Find all three recipes here on recipezaar.

I always like to serve up a festive cocktail, or two, for whatever the occasion may be, so maybe this gives you a couple of ideas.

Of course, this Memorial Day, we will be remembering what our service men and women do for us every day.

And, we will be remembering those who served our country that are no longer with us. SirHoney’s brother was a Marine and served our country in Vietnam. We will definitely be thinking of him this Memorial Day, as we do every day.

~LilSis

May 23, 2009

I can’t believe that Memorial Day is here already, that is; summer is here already.  Wasn’t it just Christmas, for cryin’ out loud?  Seriously, time is going by scary fast and it freaks me out.  The next time I turn around I’m going to be on Social Security, when I still feel like I should be on Spring Break instead.  How does life get by us so quickly?

So.  What I was about to talk about before I wigged out?  Oh yeah, food for Memorial Day.  Alrighty then.  We’re supposed to have rain here the whole DING.  DANG.  WEEKEND.  The whole weekend.  My first reaction was to be hissed off.  We work all week long, and then when the long holiday weekend comes along, we get rain?  3 days of rain?  Seriously?

But then I got a grip on my attitude and decided that I would make the best of the weather, whatever it was.  I can’t control it so there’s no point in getting worked up about it, right?  We still have 3 days off work.  Hallelujah!  So I vow to whine no more this weekend, even if I get mildewed by Tuesday morning.

However, with the weather being so sketchy, I haven’t wanted to commit to any plans that rely on a sunny day so I’m not doing the cookout thing.  That doesn’t mean I can’t think about what I would make for a Memorial Day soiree if I was having one.

Memorial Day is traditionally a burger/hot dog grilling kind of a day.  But maybe some of you are looking for ideas for Monday, and maybe you’re like me and want suggestions that don’t involve eating critters?  Allow me to give you a sample menu that I would make if I were making it.  I’m going with a Mediterranean theme, up until dessert when it’s unapologetically patriotic all the way!  Check out this menu, and enjoy your weekend…soggy or not!  I’m reminded by my conscience that this weekend is about the sacrifices made by our military men and women; NOT about whether I get to sit by the pool or not!

• Olive Garden’s Bruschetta from Todd Wilbur’s “Top Secret Restaurant Recipes” via Cooking with Good Morning America

• Grilled Portabella Mushroom Burgers with Tarragon Mustard Aioli from DIY Network

• Spinach and Orzo Salad from AllRecipes

• Cherry Tomato and Olive Salad from RecipeZaar

• Berry Cheesecake Pie from Taste of Home

• Red White ‘n’ Blue Salad from Taste of Home

Red White 'n' Blue Salad from Taste of Home

~BigSis

May 22, 2009

In past years, I would normally cook a big ole Texas size brisket for our Memorial Day get together with family and friends. Most holidays are very different for us now since we’re way out here in California while the rest of the family is either in Texas or Illinois.

Since living out here, we’ve definitely had to reinvent how we celebrate some holidays. This past year we’ve met some great people down at the Harbor, so this year for Memorial Day, we’ll be attending a huge Kabob Party on our dock this Sunday. Everyone who participates will bring their favorite Kabobs to share.

I’ve gotta admit, though, I don’t really have a favorite Kabob. I’ve made Kabobs on several occasions and I’m never that happy with how traditional kabobs turn out. I don’t want to make the standard beef, peppers, tomato, and onion kabob because I’ve found that the meat and the veggies just don’t cook at the same rate.  The meat is always done before the veggies, especially the peppers.  So, you either end up with dried out meat or hard vegetables. I know there are many marinades that probably help prevent the meat from drying out, but I’m trying to cook less beef anyway, so I’m not going that route.

I’ve done veggies on a separate skewer and am more happy with how that turns out except that if you add mushrooms and tomatoes, those are still done before peppers and onions.

So, I want to do something different. I’m thinking shrimp. Even though it isn’t a traditional kabob, I’ve been wanting to make this Guy Fieri recipe, Bacon Wrapped Shrimp with Chipotle Barbeque Sauce that I saw in the February/March 2009 Food Network Magazine. These look pretty amazing to me.

And one of my favorite “go to” cookbooks for anything to do with grilling is always “How To Grill” by Steven Raichlen. He has a fantastic Bacon Basil Shrimp on a Stick recipe that I’m also considering.

This Chicken and Bacon Shish Kabob recipe from All Recipes also sounds interesting because the chicken is wrapped in the bacon, which would probably keep it from drying out, plus there are no peppers.

I know the variations are endless with Kabobs. I would like to use shrimp or chicken instead of beef. I would REALLY love to hear from you if you have a favorite kabob recipe. Pretty please? 🙂

~LilSis

May 21, 2009

LilSis is right; neither us watch too much TV.  The few things I do watch are things I really love.  Lost, for example!   And So You Think You Can Dance!  The season starts tonight on Fox!  This show is so awesome.  They audition dancers of all genres, much like American Idol does with singers.  You see incredible dancers of all types compete against each other:  hip hop, lyrical, crumping, ballroom, contemporary, broadway, you name it.  Throw in some of the most fabulous choreographers in the business and the result is unbelievable dancing that you just have to see.  Imagine a break dancer and a Latin dancer competing in a modern dance or country two-step round, for example.  It’s amazing, inspiring and dramatic.

I came to the SYTYCD party late, but now I’m a fervent viewer.  Need a reason to check out the new season?  How about two?  These are some of my favorite performances from last year.

Twitch and Katee – performing what may be my favorite dance of the year!

Chelsea and Mark (recognize her from this season’s Dancing With the Stars?  Guess where she got her big break!)

~BigSis

May 20, 2009

Neither BigSis or I are big television watchers, but there are usually a couple of shows each season that we both really enjoy watching. (You know, she likes Lost, right?) I never did get into Lost, but BigSis did right from the beginning.

I also liked DWTS and watched it pretty religiously this season. By now, we all know that Shawn Johnson won the big mirror ball trophy last night. I was actually a little surprised. Even though I liked Melissa and was hoping she would win for coming so far since that embarrassing Bachelor debacle, I actually thought Gilles was going to win. (He’s just a teensy bit handsome, huh?)

Last year I got sucked into The Bachelor based on all the hype ABC did leading up to that season!  (I have to admit that I did watch one hour of the Bachelorette premier with Jillian Monday night.) But I’m not doing it again!  Nope! Never! I’m not getting sucked into all that drama again. I’ve got enough things going on in my life so I really don’t need to waste an hour every week watching that nonsense. She’s got 30 men to choose from this season, so I’m sure she’ll find her Prince Charming! Yeah, right…

So, that leads us to American Idol. I think American Idol is the only show that I can say I’ve watched every season. Last year, I loved David Cook and am still listening to his music. There were a few seasons when I didn’t watch every week, but I think this year has been one of the best seasons and I don’t think I’ve missed a show. It’s just nice to watch something that the entire family enjoys watching together. (And those are few and far between.)

Once this season was down to the Final Four, I wasn’t sure who would end up in the Top Two, but I wasn’t expecting Kris to be one of them.  I really liked Danny and Allison and I think that they’ll still both go on to have successful music careers, if that’s what they choose to pursue.

After last night’s amazing performances from both Adam and Kris, I honestly don’t know what to expect tonight. Some people think that Adam is a “shoe-in” but after seeing Kris last night, I’m not so sure. So, who’s it going to be?

ADAM

Or KRIS?

Even though I watched religiously, I didn’t vote once, so I can’t say anything about who wins. So, who do you think is going to be the next American Idol?

~LilSis

May 20, 2009

Round ’em up! Yep; you guessed it! Believe it or not, it’s already time for the May Potato Ho Down Roundup! This month’s Roundup is being hosted by the one and only Cathy, of Noble Pig.

For the May Ho Down, Potato Ho, Frosty Gay entered her crispy Roasted Potato Slices with a Rosemary-Garlic Crust.  Potato Ho, Wolfie Lee submitted a very interesting Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Potato Salad.

We both LOVE potatoes; which is why we initially wanted to become Potato Hos!  We’re having a blast participating in this fun monthly blogging event created by Krysta of Evil Chef Mom and Cathy of Noble Pig.

There are so many fantastic recipes in this month’s Roundup, so be sure to check it out! And if you decide you would like to participate, check out the complete rules for this event here at Potato Ho Down.

~LilSis

May 19, 2009

When I got back from vacay, I had finally received the little box of fun Hello Kitty goodies I ordered that came all of the way from Japan!  You might think they would only appeal to an 8 year old, but I love Hello Kitty and these are the most adorable things.  Even the packaging is precious!  The fact that you can’t get these items in the U. S.  just makes them more desirable to me!  I think the appeal of Hello Kitty is that she is so innocent and so girly, and you have to smile a little bit when you use something with a Hello Kitty theme.  That’s my theory at least.

So, here’s what I got.  My items cost $17, and the shipping (albeit slow shipping) all the way from Japan was just $6.55.  It was well worth it to me for all this funness and cuteness!

• Hello Kitty 3D Cookie Cutter ($6.20).  How sweet is this?  Picture a birthday party or baby shower with a bunch of these all lined up!

I can't wait to use these!

• Hello Kitty Boiled Egg Shaper ($6).  Don’t ask me why I want boiled eggs shaped like Hello Kitty.  I just do.

Silly, I know, but irresistible!

• Hello Kitty Mayonnaise Cup and Spoon Set ($4.80 – itty bitty containers for whatever).

No idea what I'll use these for, but it doesn't matter!

Did I need ANY of these things?  Well, no.  But kind of.  Like all of you guys, I need to have some pointless little trivial fun every now and then.  Not a big trip to an exotic beach, not a new expensive handbag, not a new car, not even a massage and a pedicure.  Just a little somethin somethin cute, cheap and fun.  There are lots of other cute things too on J-List, which is where I got all these little jewels.  How about a Hello Kitty pancake shaper, bento box, training chopsticks, seaweed punch set, rice shaper, pudding mold, ice cube tray, or muffin mold? You never know when you might need these things!

If you need a little inexpensive Japanese fun in your world or in your daughter’s or granddaughter’s world, check out J-List.  They have a huge selection of products other than Hello Kitty, but I was only there to get my Kitty fix! Meow!

~BigSis

May 18, 2009

I recently entered my Garden Omelete recipe in this blOg yOur Omelet event.  If you like omelets as much as I do, be sure to check out the final roundup today on Spanish Recipes. With a total of 33 entries, there’s an amazing variety of omelets, frittatas, and quiches in this roundup.

I’ve loved omelets for as long as I can remember. When eating out for breakfast or brunch, I almost always order an omelet.

On my little R&R getaway this weekend, I ordered a very simple bacon and cheddar cheese omelet from the restaurant at the club house. Normally, I like some veggies thrown in there, but since I was in vacation mode, I guess I didn’t want to think too much about it and the first thing that came to mind was bacon and cheese! It was perfect.

For Mothers Day last Sunday, BigT, HayHay and I went to the local spot at the Harbor for a full blown all you can eat Sunday brunch. BigT was being good, so he only got a small plate. HayHay, on the other hand, managed to consume three gigantic plates of everything from ham, roast beef, eggs benedict, sausage, bacon, potatoes, pancakes, biscuits, waffles, and chicken. He even ate something on his plate that BigT asked him what it was and he didn’t even know. It turns out that it was some sort of fish. (Ahhh! To be 15 again!)

I, of course, ordered an omelet. I ordered a bacon, mushroom, spinach, tomato, and cheese omelet and I was a happy little camper. I’m pretty easy to please. If someone else is doing the cooking and cleaning, it’s all good!

All this talk about omelets is making me want one! I wish I could twinkle my nose and have a nice garden omelet appear in front of me right now! 🙂

~LilSis

May 17, 2009

It seems like just last week that LilSis and I had so much good pink fun with our Pink Potatotini.  It’s time already for the next Potato Ho Down, hosted this month by the creator of this fun event, Noble Pig!

When the weather warms up, I think of cool salads and I love a good potato salad.  Our family’s classic potato recipe is really good, but this potato salad with a twist caught my eye in a Williams Sonoma cookbook called “Potatoes”, which isn’t the same one LilSis cooked from this month.  I made a few substitutions to make this a little lower in fat.  Next time, I’ll boost up the amount of basil in the pesto, and add more garlic.

Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto
(adapted from Williams Sonoma’s “Potatoes”)

1 large clove garlic
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in olive oil, drained
2 Tblsp fresh basil
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
2 Tblsp olive oil
2 to 4 Tblsp hot water

In a small food processor, mix the garlic, tomatoes, basil, salt, pepper and olive oil until a thick paste forms.  If needed, add water, 1 tablespoon at a time, to reach the desired consistency.

Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Potato Salad
(adapted from Williams Sonoma’s “Potatoes”)

2-1/2 lb small red potatoes

For the dressing:

1 7 oz container 2% Greek Yogurt
4 Tblsp sun-dried tomato pesto
1 tsp balsamic vinegar
1 Tblsp white wine vinegar
2 tsp mustard
2 Tblsp olive oil
2 Tblsp dill relish or capers
2 Tblsp chives, minced
Salt and pepper to taste

Cook the unpeeled potatoes in salted water until just done; don’t overcook.  Drain and let cool slightly. Slip the skins off the potatoes or leave them on, depending on your preference.  Cut the potatoes into large bite size pieces, and salt lightly while warm.  Set aside and make the dressing.

Combine all of the dressing ingredients together in a small bowl.  Toss with the potatoes and adjust the seasonings.  Potatoes absorb salt, so more salt may be needed.

Refrigerate for an hour or two to blend the flavors.

Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Potato Salad

This potato salad was really good!  I’m not one to eat a whole big pile of potatoes of any kind, so I served a small amount of the salad on a bed of baby spinach, with lots of grape tomatoes, a drizzle of low fat balsamic vinaigrette and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese. It made for a very delicious, and very summery lunch!  Give this a try for Memorial Day!

~BigSis

May 16, 2009

What the “L” is LilSis up to?

• Loving the beautiful lillies that BigSis sent me. (BigSis, I wanted you to see how gorgeous these ended up being when they opened.) The white ones were as big as the special Japanese Lillies that I always get from Trader Joe’s. They’re my absolute favorite!!

• Lugging around the lovely boot on my right foot. But, I promise I’m not going to whine about that any more.

• Lounging by the pool at a small resort in the desert. SirHoney and  HayHay are in a Father/Son golf tournament, so I tagged along. I couldn’t pass up the chance to sit by a pool in hot, sunny, 90 plus degree weather.

• Looking forward to reading more of my book that I just started. My friend, E, gave me “The Shack” for my birthday. I’m only five chapters in, but it’s definitely peaked my interest.

• Laughing with my friend, V, who also tagged along with her son.

• Listening to some great new tunes on my iPod.

• Leisurely sipping on my favorite, Heineken Light, from the cutest little ding, dang miniature keg. (BigSis, I couldn’t resist. It fits perfect in the cooler!)

• Loving that we can finally have an overnight trip, BUT still

• Longing for our SarahGirl.

After a full blown meltdown last week, I’m taking the weekend off to try to preserve my sanity. I hope everyone has a great weekend! I plan on it!

~LilSis