Holidays & Entertaining | The Latest Dish

Archive for the ‘Holidays & Entertaining’ Category

WORLD’S MOST POTENT COCKTAILS

Posted by coolcookie to Holidays & Entertaining on 28 October 2009, with no comments so far.

From the gourmet to the gauche, these mixed drinks guarantee a smashing time.

Even savvy drinkers are no match for a cocktail that means business, one that transforms us from bon vivant to belligerent hobo: the homemade hurricane, the double-gin martini, the Night of Thirteen Margaritas. We swear off such boozy debauchery the next day, but when it comes time to cut loose once again, we inevitably forget all about the head-pounding aftermath and go straight for the gold — that candylike cocktail packed with a dizzying array of liquors. In the spirit of revelry (it’s the holiday season, after all) and experimentation, we’ve surveyed the world’s most powerful cocktails. From the gourmet to the gauche, our seven top picks will leave you spinning.

TASTE THE RAINBOW

This concoction is delish, pure and simple. It tastes like you’re sipping Skittles! The cherry flavor brings a sweet tartness to the palate. The purple is moodily figlike. The yellow is brisk and citrusy. The green has a nice grassy top note. And by the time you get to orange, well, you’ve decided it’s time you remixed Radiohead’s In Rainbows with the soundtrack of The Wizard of Oz and became the next Danger Mouse! This is a bad idea.

See the Taste the Rainbow recipe

Photo courtesy of mixthatdrink.com

OAXACA OLD-FASHIONED

Created at Death & Co., New York City’s pioneering mixology den, the Oaxaca Old-Fashioned is the sophisticate’s route to getting hammered. The bitters, agave nectar, and citrus twist provide a smoky, lightly nuanced flavor, while the reposado and mescal (which are made of 100 percent agave) quietly wreak south-of-the-border havoc.

See the Oaxaca Old-Fashioned recipe
Photo courtesy of flavorwire.com

AUNT ROBERTA

We’re not kidding around here — this cocktail has eight and a half shots in it, including the hallucinogen absinthe. The history of the Aunt Roberta is a bit murky, but apparently it was invented in the 1800s by a prostitute bootlegger who was responsible for more than a few untimely deaths. Now that absinthe is legal and regulated, you can imbibe without fear. Sort of.

See the Aunt Roberta recipe
Photo courtesy of gamerecoil.com

LONG ISLAND ICED TEA

The go-to beverage for brawny East Coasters and aging frat boys, the Long Island Iced Tea is bound to start trouble. Fights break out, unfortunate hookups occur, lower back tattoos are commissioned. The upside: One’s tolerance for and enjoyment of bad house music will dramatically improve.

See the Long Island Iced Tea recipe
Photo courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens

EVERCLEAR MARTINI

You might want to reconsider that Mad Men-style cigarette with your drink – at 190 proof, this cocktail is actually flammable.

See the Everclear Martini recipe
Photo courtesy of idolvodka.com

ZOMBIE

The Zombie was created in New York City for the 1939 World’s Fair and gained acclaim during the tiki bar craze of the 1950s and ’60s. But don’t let its cheery garnishes fool you — what seems to be just another mellow umbrella drink has the sugar content and rum-brandy-vodka combo guaranteed to hit you with a tidal wave of booziness. Bottoms up!

See the Zombie recipe
Photo courtesy of scienceofdrink.com

BALTIMORE ZOO

We feel a little bad for the PR team at the Baltimore Zoo, because this drink evokes neither the solemn dignity of the rare white rhino nor the feral grace of the African lion. The Chambord does a decent job of masking the staggering volume of competing liquors while the “full beer” kicker will send you to the proverbial monkey house.

See the Baltimore Zoo recipe
Photo courtesy of ehow.com

Posted in Holidays & Entertaining | No Comments »

A Girl’s Guide to Grilling with Beer

Posted by coolcookie to Grilling and Holidays & Entertaining and The Latest Dish on 4 June 2009, with 4 comments so far.

It happens every summer. Your guy breaks out the spatula and goes into king-of-the-grill mode. He won’t even let you light the charcoal. This year, you’re putting your foot down–why should guys have all the fun? Sure, he knows how to fire up some saucy ribs and juicy burgers, but so do you. So take back the tongs and spatula and get ready to grill up a summertime feast featuring his favorite ingredient: beer. After all, beer is a great marinade and tenderizer, and it adds an amazing amount of flavor to meat. Beer is also cheap. Our greatest hits resemble guy food at its finest (but you’ll love it, too). Tempt his taste buds with these delish eats, and he’ll get over sharing his grill master status. We promise.

Beer-Marinated Pork Chops with Cheese Topping

Some people think flavored beers are lame. They’re wrong, and these pork chops marinated in honey wheat beer prove it. The beer makes them extra tender, and the irresistible topping of walnuts and cheese makes them fancy enough for a summertime get-together or special dinner for two.

See Beer-Marinated Pork Chops with Cheese Topping recipe

Lone Star BBQ Ribs

Texans sure know how to make finger-lickin’ ribs. These beefy ribs are extra-delish thanks to a sweet and spicy glaze made from beer, hoisin sauce, and balsamic vinegar. They’re so good you’ll make them all summer long. Don’t forget the ranch dipping sauce. Yum!

See Lone Star BBQ Ribs recipe

Super Spicy Ribeye Steaks

Holy habanero! You’ll need a kegger to mellow the heat in this fiery recipe. Smothered in a sauce of light beer, chopped chipotles, and hot pepper sauce, this steak recipe is as hot as it gets. Can you take the heat? Try this spicy recipe to find out.

See Super Spicy Ribeye Steaks

Beery Beef Burgers

Few of us can resist the combo of salty and sweet. It’s what makes this burger recipe, which blends the crunch of crushed pretzels, the tang of beer and pickle relish, and the sweetness of roasted red peppers and onions into a new classic.

See Beery Beef Burgers Recipes

Beer Can Chicken

As gross as it seems, sticking a beer can up a chicken’s butt leads to a dynamite dinner. You drink half the beer, add some spices to the can, and then perch the bird on it on the grill rack (using its wings to help it balance). A sweet and spicy rub (brown sugar, paprika, and garlic) does the rest. The result: a tender, flavorful chicken everyone will love.

See Beer Can Chicken

Easy Beer Brats

Nothing will impress him more than these crispy brats, soaked in brewski. Beer, which is naturally bitter because of the hops, is a great complement to any kind of fatty sausage. When you add grilled onions or peppers, it’s impossible to have just one.

See Easy Beer Brats

Spicy Beer-Brined Ribs

It’s doesn’t get much better than this. Pork ribs are soaked in a foamy, salty brine, then brushed during cooking with an irresistible honey-beer barbecue sauce. Triple or quadruple the recipe; you’ll want plenty on hand for late-night munchies.

See Spicy Beer-Brined Ribs recipe

Posted in Grilling, Holidays & Entertaining, The Latest Dish | 4 Comments »

On the Menu this Summer? Cupcakes and Cocktails

Posted by coolcookie to Baking and Desserts and Food & Wine Pairings and Holidays & Entertaining and The Latest Dish on 29 May 2009, with 4 comments so far.

Bye-bye, boring eats. For a soiree that dazzles, serve our exquisite cupcake and cocktail pairings.

Everyone knows that wine and chocolate are fabulous together. But if you crave a dessert-and-drink pairing that’s a bit more exquisite, here’s a fresher idea for summertime entertaining: cupcakes and cocktails. Think ganache-filled vanilla cupcakes with syrupy tawny port, pineapple-and-coconut cupcakes with frothy piña coladas, and PB&J cupcakes with creamy chocolate martinis. Of course, these couplings are just for starters; there are millions of ways to pair luscious mini cakes with your favorite cocktails. To get your imagination going, we’re offering some of our tried-and-true favorites, all with plenty of flair. We also have tips on the ideal parties for each pairing. Try them out, and then share your own creative matches on MixingBowl.com’s Cupcakes Take the Cake group.

Lovely Luau

Your idea of the ultimate summer party: a luau. Next to the roast pig and grilled veggies on the buffet table: irresistible cupcakes. Topped with a luxurious cream cheese frosting (dyed vibrant hues of pink and yellow), these moist vanilla cupcakes feature hints of pineapple and banana. Finish with shredded coconut, fresh fruit, and a festive little umbrella. Serve with: Pineapple-infused vodka

See Island Drink Cupcakes recipe

Porch Party Perfection

You’re hosting a casual potluck party on your porch, which means you could serve a typical summer dessert like ice cream. But why be boring? Shake things up with these root beer float-inspired cupcakes, which feature a fluffy vanilla frosting and tender root beer-infused cake. Serve with: A spicy Pinot Noir

See Rootbeer Float Cupcakes recipe

Swanky Soiree

Forget boring cocktail party eats. A luscious chocolaty dessert, such as these ultra-decadent cupcakes, paired with a rich tawny port, is much more fabulous. Featuring swirled vanilla bean and chocolate buttercream frosting, these spiced chocolate cupcakes taste as exquisite as they look. Serve with: A 10-year tawny port

See Chili Cacao Mayan Cupcakes with Vanilla Bean Icing recipe

Retro-Chic Loft Party

Kick it old school with a sweet spin on your fave childhood sandwich. The creamy peanut butter frosting, swirled with your favorite jelly, is so simple to make. We like this recipe best with vanilla cupcakes, but chocolate will work, too. A luscious jelly filling makes it impossible to stop at just one. Serve with: creamy chocolate martinis

See PB&J Cupcakes recipe

Art Gallery Affair

You’re throwing a chic party in an art gallery. Your dessert needs to be equally striking, and these Maple-Walnut Cupcakes are just the ticket. Luscious vanilla cupcakes spiced with cinnamon are topped with candied walnuts and creamy maple frosting. Serve with: A crisp sparkling wine; we love Prosecco

See Maple-Walnut Cupcakes with Candied Walnuts recipe

Modern Dinner Party

Your in-laws are coming for dinner, and you’re a novice in the kitchen. Luckily, you don’t have to be an expert baker to pull off these delish cupcakes. They’re filled with a sugary mixture of bourbon-spiced apples and topped with a creamy bourbon-buttercream filling that’s hard to resist. We dare you to eat only one. Serve with: Ginger and Apple Hot Toddies

See Bourbon Apple Pie Cupcakes recipe

See Ginger and Apple Hot Toddy recipe

Whimsical Garden Gathering

Flowers are blooming, so why not celebrate with a garden party? We’re thinking a light luncheon of chicken salad, mixed greens, and watermelon-infused lemonade. For dessert, try these easy vanilla cupcakes topped with a cinnamon-honey buttercream frosting. Be a real show-off by topping each one with a pretty edible butterfly. Serve with: A fruity sparkling rosé

See Butterfly Cupcakes recipe

Wonderful Wedding Shower

Classic, elegant–red velvet is a surefire crowd-pleaser. With these mini cakes, each guest gets a decadent dessert all to herself. Moreover, this recipe goes beyond red velvet bliss with a luscious cream cheese frosting coated in rich chocolate. Scrumptious! Serve with: A spicy Syrah

See Red Velvet High-Hats recipe

Bachelorette Bash

All the goodness of the popular, potent American drink is tucked into a delicious cupcake. Featuring Jameson’s and Bailey’s, this sinful sweet could be mistaken for one of the shots you’ll toss back at your best girlfriend’s bachelorette party. But in this case, we’re talking about a dessert that comes with a wickedly sugary, boozy frosting. Serve with: Irish Coffee

See Irish Car Bomb Cupcake recipe

Beachy Affair

Nothing says summer like a frothy piña colada. Make this tropical cocktail even more fabulous by serving it with a cupcake featuring the same flavor notes as the beachy drink. Topped with an easy-to-make coconut-rum icing, these cupcakes start with a vanilla cake mix and get a tropical punch from pineapple juice. They’re so easy to make, anyone can mix them up. Serve with: Frothy Piña Coladas

See Piña Colada Cupcakes recipe

See Piña Colada recipe