Let's Get Punchy!

punch [puhnch] –noun

1. a beverage consisting of wine or spirits mixed with fruit juice, soda, water, milk, or the like, and flavored with sugar, spices, etc.
2. a beverage of two or more fruit juices, sugar, and water, sometimes carbonated.

Make your holiday hosting a BREEZE by preparing a punch or other big batch beverage for your next gathering. Read More and Click on the beverage for the link to the recipe.



Mulled Red Wine (adapted from Barefoot Contessa and Gourmet)
- Main Tastes: Red Wine, Citrus, Kirsch,
- Serve Warm - will make your house smell delicious!

Admiral Russell's Christmas Punch (Bon Appetit)
- Main Tastes: Lemon, Cognac and Sherry

Sherry Eggnog (Esquire)

Homemade Hot Chocolate
- great to have on hand for the kids
- keep a bottle of peppermint schnapps handy for the adults

How to be "A Good Wife" (a la 1954)

Betty Draper must have missed this class in high school.

"plug and play" tool for Thanksgiving Dinner

This is a must to check out! A simple quiz to see how exotic or traditional, easy or gourmet, many or few people - all to kick out a great menu for the great fall get together.

Coke Addict

I'm sitting in a library, trying to write. There are two things that will help me here - some caffeine, and to just start writing something, anything (like a blog post.) Big LEGAL MEMO on Defamation and Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress is due on Tuesday. I sometimes wonder if law profs are trying to find the line of IIED - and go right up to it. They all say that you can't really win an IIED case - I think it's their way of protecting themselves...

OK - so I'm writing now. Words are starting to dance around in my head - that's a good thing. Now - caffeine... but, I've decided to give up artificial sweeteners whenever possible... so, my FIRST COKE! No diet today! I ran over to the little deli near school and grabbed a wrap for lunch - and a can of Coca Cola. Coke Classic. I don't even know the difference between Coke, Coca-Cola, Coke Classic. Is there a difference? Whatever - it won't change my claims of actionability for defamation.

Want to bake something with Coke? Check out this Coke Cake.

There - I think I've just accomplished my two goals of the moment. Now, back to writing something legally smart.

Law School Prep: Drinking down a Patty Melt

Law School. 1L. I can count the number of days of summer left on my fingers.

The best way to ease the anxiety is to make dinner with my husband, dear H. What better way to deal with stress than to EAT and drink?!?

TV Dinners: Mad Men 3 anyone?

From Epicurious.com comes such a great idea - TV dinners to coordinate with your favorite TV shows. I don't care about Lost, CSI, Gossip Girls or the Office (only sometimes) - but Mad Men - it's my FAVORITE!

Season 3 is set to air this summer (although the date is a little hazy at this time) with encore presentations of the smokin' hot end of season 2 throughout the build-up. Not familiar with this must-see show? Check out some trailers on AMC's site for a peak.

For your Mad Men TV Dinner Party

Menu from epicurious.com

Spicy-Smoky Peanuts

Fillet of Beef Wellington

Creamed Spinach

Golden Potato Gratin

Baked Alaska

Find the perfect 60's Cocktail:

Jackie O

Vodka Martini

Emma Peel

Looking for the perfect table setting? Check your local Target for some killer Orla Kiely retro inspired home goods. check out the original posting on Apartment Therapy for some great photos like this one. I found that my Target had the goods - but moved it to the back storage room because there wasn't enough to fill the endcap. All I had to do was ask a nice red-shirt and I got my table cloth plus some really cool serving dishes.

So - it looks like i'm all set for my Mad Men party. I can't wait!

Homage to Mad Men

new drinks

Do you have a favorite drink? Or maybe just the standby that is safe - you know you like it, you know what to expect - so even though you WANT to try something new - you don't want to be disappointed.

My 'winter' drink has been a 7 and Ginger (Seagram's 7 and ginger ale) for the same amount of time. My big change: i move to a vodka tonic when the temperature moves above freezing. It's not only alcoholic drinks - it's my coffee drink too. I go up to the counter thinking - even reading the menu - seeking out something new, something exciting, something that I am sure to enjoy... and i order my medium skim half shot of caramel latte not too hot - EVERY TIME.

So, I'm out with H last night - celebrating 3 years of bliss. We went to one of our favorite places - the bar at La Belle Vie. It's cozy, it's pretty, it's fancy - but still casual. Perfect for a weeknight dinner to celebrate. As I scanned the somewhat short menu - I was seeking something new. There it was - I almost missed it - the Kasparov. Sounds sexy, sounds like a good winter drink. And look - it has Jamison Whisky (similar to 7 - only better) and "tastes of orange, ginger, and..." something else that I can't remember and wasn't exactly memorable. If you know it - please let me know so I can replicate.

So - here is my best guess at this drink. I had 2 - just to make sure that I could remember the drink.

Kasparov (as served at La Belle Vie)

Glass: double old fashioned with ice

1.5 oz Jameson whisky

fill remaining glass with half ginger ale and half orange juice

garnish: orange slice

College Night!

Another fun Friday night party - this time the theme was college night. Everyone wore garb from the alma mater, favorite college 'games' were played, and the menu - well see below. It was so much fun to see the elder crowd learning how to play flippy cup - i mean, when you learned how to play drinking games could you play with people in their 50's or 60's? 

Menu: 

Papa John's pizza

bologna sandwiches

Cosmo Jello Bites/Jello Shots

Sugar cereal "snack mix"

Cosmo Jello Bites

4 packages raspberry jello

1 1/2 cups boiling cranberry juice

1/2 cup pom (or more cranberry)

1/4 cup fresh lime juice

1/2 cup vodka

Adjust liquid proportions to taste (if you want them stronger - decrease the juice)

Cut into triangles and stick in a popsicle stick for the 'martini' look. 

These were really tasty! I didn't have enough room on the plate to make them all into martini glasses, so i just stacked the extras in the middle. These are just like jigglers - and easier to eat than a jello shot.

Punch Recipes: Homemade Hot Chocolate

See Post: Let's Get Punchy!

Homemade Hot Chocolate
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
2/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup unsweetend cocoa powder
1/2 cup water
Pinch of Salt
3 cups whole milk
1 1/2 cups half and half
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup chilled whipping cream

Prep:
Using the tip of a small knife, scrape seeds from vanilla bean into processor; reserve bean.
Add sugar to processor and blend 10 seconds. Transfer 3 TBSP vanilla sugar to small bowl and reserve.

Transfer remaining vanilla sugar from processor to heavy medium saucepan.

Add cocoa pwd, 1/2 cup water and salt and whisk until smooth. Whisk over medium heat just until beginning to bubble. Whisk in whole milk and half and half. Add reserved vanilla bean; bring mixture to a simmer. Remove from heatl whisk in vanilla extract.
Discard vanilla bean.

Beat cream and reserved 3 TBSP sugar in a medium bowl until medium-firm peaks form.

Divide hot chocolate into 6 mugs, top with whipped cream and serve.

Great with peppermint schnapps!

Punch Recipes: Sherry Eggnog

See Post: Let's Get Punchy
Sherry Eggnog
Serves 24

12 eggs, separated
6 oz. sugar
half of a nutmeg, grated
Pint Oloroso Sherry (such as Lustau Don Nuno)
1/2 gallon whole milk

Beat the yolks together with the sugar and grated nutmeg until smooth and creamy.

Stir in sherry.

Then, beat the egg whites until they form soft peaks. Fold into the yolk mixture. Stir in milk.

Keep refrigerated.

I usually make this in a big bowl, and transfer it to a pitcher for the fridge. It will have a nice layer of froth at the top - very tasty!

Punch Recipes: Admiral Russell's Christmas Punch

See Post: Let's Get Punchy
Admiral Russell's Christmas Punch
Bon Appetit

6 lemons
1 cup of raw sugar
1 750-ml btl VSOP-grade Cognac
1 cup lightly sweet oloroso or amontillado Sherry (such as Dry Sack 15 yr old or Sandeman Character)
Freshly grated nutmeg

Fill 4 cup metal bowl with water. Freeze overnight for ice mold.

Remove peels from 4 lemons in strips. Place in medium bowl. Add sugar and muddle. Let stand 30 minutes, muddle again.

Cut peeled and unpeeled lemons in half. juice enough lemons to get 1 cup of lemon juice. Bring 1 cup water to boil in small saucepan; pour over lemon peel mixture and stir until sugar dissolves. Strain syrup into large bowl; discard peels. Mix in lemon juice. Add cognac, sherry, and 4 cups of cold water. Cover punch and refrigerate until cold (at least 2 hours, up to 6).

Dip ice mold in hot water to release. Turn ice block, rounded side up in punch bowl. Add punch, sprinkle with nutmeg.

Punch Recipes: mulled red wine

see post: Let's Get Punchy
Mulled Red Wine
ingredients:
8 whole cloves
4 whole black peppercorns
4 whole star anise
4 strips (3x1/2 inch strips) fresh lemon zest
4 strips (3x1/2 inch strips) fresh orange zest
* put all of the above on a square of cheesecloth and tie to close, leaving string to dangle over edge of pot

4 cups dry red wine (two 750 ml bottles)
1/2 cup kirsch or other cherry flavored brandy
1 1/2 cups apple cider
3/4 cup honey
Juice from Oranges that were used for zest
1 cinnamon stick
1 vanilla bean, halved lengthwise
Combine all of the above in a 4 qt saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring. Keep at a simmer, serve warm.