Fire Swamp Fireball Cocktail | The Princess Bride #FoodnFlix

I'm sliding in last minute with my submission for this month's Food 'n Flix club pick, The Princess Bride. I grew up with this 1987 film, based on the 1973 novel of the same name (which I haven't read yet, but will one of these days), so it's totally nostalgic for me, but the great thing about it is that it stands the test of time—my kids love it, too...and laugh out loud right alongside me.

Dublin Lawyer (Lobster in Whiskey Cream Sauce) | #FishFridayFoodies

Welcome to the March installment of Fish Friday Foodies, where a group of bloggers gets together to share fish and seafood recipes. I'm hosting this month, and since today is St. Patrick's Day, I asked everybody to create Irish recipes, or recipes with an Irish lean.

Whisky Sour inspired by I Am Legend

It's time for another vampire book and a movie challenge, and this month Kimberly has chosen the book I Am Legend by Richard Matheson and the movie The Omega Man to discuss. Want to know the crazy thing? I didn't even realize that I Am Legend was about vampires. We own the newest movie interpretation (I Am Legend starring Will Smith), but for some reason...and I'm guessing it has a lot to do with the times...I equated it more with the zombie apocalypse. This is just one reason that I'm joining Kimberly on her venture—new perspective.

I also didn't realize that the movie was based on a book by the same name (apparently I was not paying attention to the credits) that was first published in 1954. There were actually two movies based on the book the pre-date the Will Smith version. The first being a 60's film starring Vincent Price called The Last Man on Earth (which I haven't seen yet) and the 70's film starring Charlton Heston called The Omega Man.

The Bastille Apple Sour and a #ParisCocktails Book Tour Stop

"...we must stand together and raise a glass to our beloved Paris, may she ever shine bright."

-Doni Belau

As I pondered how to go about sharing my thoughts on a book based in a city so recently shaken to the core by loss and tragedy, I read the latest newsletter from Girls Guide to Paris founder, Francophile, and author of said book, Doni Belau. In a world where I, as an individual, can feel easily overwhelmed and helpless in the midst of something so heavy, her words reminded me that the best thing I can do is hold on to hope, and to light, to practice kindness towards myself and others, and to keep raising my glass—or darkness wins.

With that, I'm happy to introduce you to the newly released book by Doni Belau, Paris Cocktails. Part cookbook (in the sense that it shares 100+ recipes...only they are for cocktails, not food), part Paris Bar guide, this book quenches my thirst for both knowledge and a proper beverage.

Apple Pie Hot Toddy inspired by Broken Homes and Gardens

Today I'm happy to be hosting a book tour stop for the novel, Broken Homes & Gardens by Rebecca Kelley. If you enjoy chick-lit and rom-com's, I think you'll love spending a day with this book. Seriously, I read this book in a day. It was a fun little reality-escape on a pleasantly cool day we had last week.

Set (mostly) in Porland, Oregon, Broken Homes & Gardens centers around young-twenty-something Joanna who returns to the States after a brief stint teaching English to kids in the Czech Republic. Typical of most people that age (at least the ones I know/knew), she doesn't really know what she wants to do with her life...who she is. She falls in love with the city, gardening, and unexpectedly, a guy named Malcolm.

I loved the fact that the characters in this book are flawed, like every real person alive. They try new things and make wrong choices, and sometimes realize too late what the right choices should have been. I won't give spoilers, but this is a great love story that takes twists and turns, and ultimately concludes with a cliffhanger (hurry up book 2!).

Fresh Peach and Whiskey Ice Cream

I've got a double-whammy to share with you today—Eat a Peach Day and this month's round of she made, ella hace with my friend Leslie from La Cocina de Leslie! Two reasons for one delicious post. Well, I guess it's actually two since both Leslie and I are sharing a recipe. Hmmm, so maybe it's a triple-whammy. Or would that make it a quadruple-whammy? I'll let you ponder that (or not) while I turn my attention to PEACHES!

My kids went back to school this past week, but we still have another month of summer to go—that means tons of fresh produce is still rolling in. My kitchen looks a little ridiculous right now. My counters and table are overrun by tomatoes, chiles, zucchini and yellow squash, corn on the cob, and green beans. I'm not even the one with a garden, my neighbors are. Not that I'm complaining (much), but I find myself without any space in my teeny-tiny kitchen to prepare or put it all up!

So what do I do? Hit up the market and roadside stands for deep ruby plums and fuzzy peaches. You know, so I can fill in the tiny gaps and form teetering pyramids. The fruit disappears in a flash, though, so I had to snag a couple of those peaches to make this ice cream. Yeah, I'm still in full-on ice cream mode, too.

Whiskey Caramel Apple Pie inspired by August: Osage County | #FoodnFlix

"My last refuge, my books: simple pleasures, like finding wild onions by the side of the road, or requited love."

August: Osage County is one of those movies I only really wanted to watch once in my life, but wound up watching twice. I saw it when it was first released on DVD. A tragic and heart-wrenching story with moments of humor that soon turned to disgust. The one character that I would have liked to see more of was the one that departed the screen early. I did think that the whole cast was pretty amazing and they played their parts to a T.

In simplest terms, August: Osage County is a drama that hints at dark comedy that is based on a Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the same name. The story takes place in Oklahoma and centers around the Weston family—the main characters being:

• Violet - mother, wife, pill addict with cancer who runs over with piss, vinegar, and a venomous tongue
• Barbara, Karen, and Ivy - the adult daughters, each with their own distinct personalities, paths, and problems
• Beverly - father, husband, poet, and alcoholic whose death brings them all back together

Grilled Pineapple Whisky Smash

Grilled pineapple lends this whisky smash a distinctive summer twist. Thank you to thebar.com for helping me share this cocktail with you.

Although it may not say it on the calendar, summer seems to have officially set in. Bright, sunny days that beg for lake excursions, pool parties, impromptu sessions around the grill, and often beating a path to the nearest shade tree. What's one thing that can enhance each one of these options? A cold drink, glass sweating right alongside you in the heat.

But do you think whisky when you think summer cocktails? Perhaps not. I'd say it's most often considered a warming drink. I admit to wanting a nip of whisky to warm my bones on a cold day. But it also goes really well over ice, which opens it up and invites a host of flavors to drop by for a summer get-together.

Today I'm sharing a whisky cocktail made using George Dickel NO. 12® Tennessee Whisky. George Dickel chills their whisky before they filter it through sugar-maple charcoal, which filters out oils and acids, because they believe that whisky made in the winter is smoother than whisky made in the summer. No. 12 is aged longer than their Classic No. 8 blend, resulting in richer oak flavors. With subtle hints of vanilla, maple, and smoke, the resulting whisky is somewhat sweet and extremely easy to drink.

Angel Biscuits and Tipsy Blackberry Jam inspired by The Godforsaken Daughter

The Godforsaken Daughter is the story of thirty-three year-old Ruby, and how her life is turned upside down and shaken after the death of the father that she was so close to. The story is set in Northern Ireland in the recent past (think IRA and bombings), mainly in a small farming town, with Belfast and the isle of Innisfree playing small roles, as well.

Ruby Clare is a bodacious red-head with a sturdy body and hands from working the fields with her beloved dad. Much reference is made to her size 16 as "fat", which was the one thing in the story that bothered me to no end. You'd think she was Cinderella the way she dealt graciously with a nasty mother and pair of sisters.

Without giving away too much, I'll say that after her father's death, Ruby discovers a mystical box that once belonged to her grandmother (her dad's mammy). Tucked inside was a crystal ball, a deck of tarot cards, a book, and a handful of things that worked with them. With these discoveries came a voice (literally), and a means for Ruby to connect with her spirit.

Don Draper's Old Fashioned | Mad Men

MAD MEN

A term coined in the late 1950's to describe the advertising executives of Madison Avenue.

They coined it.

Ready or not, the final season of Mad Men kicks off in just over a week. Me? I only have a handful of episodes under my belt. You see, back when Mad Men first started, we were not yet living in the land of cable television. Crazy, right? I don't know what I'd do without it now. They were already into season twp by the time we did finally crawl out from under our rock. And can I just tell you, I hate walking into a show once it's already begun; much like starting a book series at the second or third book—I just can't do it. So, I put it off and put it off and...yeah...I put it off.

I would catch moments here and there, but I'd be sure to flip the channel before I gave myself any spoilers for my future binge-watching sessions. Now that the final season is getting ready to begin, I've finally started watching it. I did the same thing with Breaking Bad. I didn't watch a single episode, but then caught a marathon on a few weeks before the final season was going to begin. I was hooked. Let's just say that Netflix was on my tablet, which I carried with me everywhere I went, until I caught myself up. I did that in approximately four days. I know I probably shouldn't admit that, but it's truth.

So, I started Mad Men a few days ago, competely clueless to the fact that this show has a boat-load of food and drinks in it. Maybe somebody whose mind isn't trained to spot food inspiration at every corner wouldn't even notice, but really—it's almost all that catches my eye. The show itself opens with the handsome Don Draper scribbling on some bar napkins, trying to figure out his next great ad pitch, empty glass next to him. When the waiter asks him if he can get him another drink, he says:

Whiskey Raspberry Glazed Duck Breasts

Silly me, I got married on Valentine's Day, therefore condemning myself to a lifetime of anniversaries with over-booked, over-crowded restaurant dinners. Fortunately, the husband and I are resourceful. Instead of fighting those dinner crowds, we opt instead for eating out for lunch; {knock on wood} we've never once had to brave a crowded restaurant.

It was late morning when we said our vows, and afterwards, all the friends and family who were there (which were not many) headed over to a local Mexican restaurant for a celebratory lunch. It's sort of become a tradition for us to eat at that same restaurant for lunch every year on our anniversary. It's unspoken, but that's where we always end up.

Spiced Pear-Pumpkin Whisky Fizz + Ideas for Hosting a Gift Wrapping Party

Soon the floor will be littered with brightly colored paper, torn hastily from boxes. Trash and recycling bins will be stuffed to the brim. Sounds of new gadgets and devices will be filling every room in the house. As you walk the room, offering a trash bag to anybody who will add to it, you'll remember the care you took putting on all that pretty paper, those shredded bows. Hours to wrap, minutes to destroy. But that's half the fun, don't you think?

Today I'm here to offer some last minute ideas for holding a gift wrapping party! If you can carve out an afternoon or evening with some of your friends the week before Christmas, one of these parties can be a much-needed break from the madness. These are just a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

Ideas for Hosting a Gift Wrapping Party

PICK A THEME: You can go as basic or specific as you like. Change it up each year!
Some ideas are snowflakes, Santa Claus, Natural (think raffia and jute, pine cones and sprigs, holly and pointsettias, etc), Snowmen, Christmas Trees, Birds, Jingle Bells, Musical, Nativity, ugly sweater, cartoon. The possibilities are endless!

PICK A COLOR SCHEME: Something that matches the theme. I've included a few ideas to get the juices flowing.

• Snowflakes = blue, silver, and white
• Santa Claus = red, green, and white
• Natural = browns, pine greens, other colors found outdoors
• Birds = golds, reds, yellows

Again, endless possibilities. I'd stick with about 3 colors at the most for most themes.

Ginger and Rye Truffles

This is a sponsored post written by me on half of Templeton Rye and Simply Organic on behalf of The Baddish Group. All opinions are my own.

My grandparents have a turntable cabinet in their kitchen, and I was fascinated by it when I was little. It's where they kept boxes of cereal, snacks...and liquor bottles. I didn't really think anything of it, but it gives me a good giggle now. I suppose we use our space the best we know how.

The liquor bottles always stayed in the same spot (that I knew of) until the holidays rolled around, then they were pulled out and set on the counter with a big bottle of gingerale. I know now that those were bottles of whiskey.

On the other side of the counter were plates and extra tins full of chocolates, candies, and cookies that my grandma had made all week long. The family would gather at my grandparent's house, chocolate and whiskey-ginger cocktails in the appropriate hands as the day wore on.

Winter Waltz cocktail + The North American Whiskey Guide

What's your favorite kind of whiskey? Do you know the difference between a Bourbon Whiskey and a Tennessee Whiskey? Would you be able to pinpoint if a whiskey was made with corn, rye, wheat, barley, or a combination? Not sure which whiskey pairs well with that Arturo Fuento Lost City cigar?

I don't  know many people who have definitive answers to all of those questions. Well, perhaps other than the first one—but I'm willing to bet even that one would be open for debate were hundreds of bottles lining the shelves before you. There are hundreds of North American varieties of whiskey alone. I'm partial to Scottish whisky. I have some Irish recommendations, as well. But you can also find whiskey being made in Australia, Sweden, and even Japan (I have a few on my to-try list right now). So really, I think the quest to find the next greatest whisk(e)y is always on the forefront.

I recently received a copy of The North American Whiskey Guide from Behind the Bar, the newly released book by Chad Berkey and Jeremy LeBlanc (who between the two have over 40 combined years behind). They chose over 250 different varieties of North American Whiskey (the ones most frequently ordered by their patrons) to feature in the book. They asked 4 professional bartenders to join them in blind tastings of each whiskey, and combined their feedback with their own tastings and reviews, and feedback from the patrons in the bar, to offer honest and thoughtful insight on each type in the book.

New York Strip with Whisky Herb Butter inspired by Moonstruck

This month's Food 'n Flix pick is an oldie, but a goodie. Moonstruck is another one of those movies that, at first glance, may not be considered a foodie flick. But go back and watch it a second time. The movie centers around an Italian family, and opens to the strains of That's Amore (which can't help but conjur up images of pizza pie and pasta "fazool"). Pay attention to the way the family gathers in the kitchen, and the way food is used as a way to show love and comfort.

One of my favorite lines comes when Loretta comes home late one evening and says to (her) pop "I got news". His reply? "All right, let's go to the kitchen."

So, our main character, Loretta, is a widow in her late-30's who becomes engaged to Johnny  after a salad and Manicotti at the Grand Ticino restaurant.

Rose (Loretta's mom) makes eggs in a nest with some roasted red peppers alongside the morning after Loretta gets engaged. I guarantee you'll wish you had a plate in front of you.

Whiskey Mussels en Papillote for Two

Is it just me, or do the places that you visit become a part of you? Since St. Paddy's Day is almost here, let's use Ireland as an example.

I have always looked forward to St. Patrick's Day, but in the way that a non-Irish American girl with an appreciation for food and culture does. More years than not, I've made Corned Beef and Cabbage. If I get a good enough head start, I'll even cure my own brisket so that we have homemade corned beef. I've been known to eat Reubens all week long, just to get in the spirit.

Beef and Guinness Stew? Oh yes. Champ? You bet. Bangers and Mash? Of course! Don't forget the Soda Bread, Brown Bread, and the Cabbage and Bacon Soup. But then it happened. In 2012, I hopped onto an airplane for the very first time in my life, and 8-1/2 hours later, I landed in Dublin.

On Whisky Stones, Tumblers, and Finding that Perfect Gift...

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Uncommon Goods.  All opinions are my own.

I'm one of those people who thinks long and hard before giving a gift.  There's no better feeling than finding just the right fit.  I love something to scream out a person's name.  The more unique, the personalized, the more individual...the better.  I want the receiver of the gift to want to use what I give them.  I want them to want to show it off, keep it close, use it, cherish it.  I may not always succeed, but I always try.

Those are my favorite gift to receive, too.  You know, in case you were putting your holiday gift list together.

Half of the time, that is why I like to make my gifts by hand.  But in all honesty, not everybody loves food and cooking as much as I {gasp}.  So, I begin the hunt.  Locally, I love searching the farmer's market, flea markets, vintage shops (ahem, that's a nice way of saying second-hand store), and smaller shops that feature artisan made goods.  But online, there is a whole world of possibilities; Uncommon Goods is one of those possibilities.

Blackberry Sage Whiskey Fizz + @NotSoSimpleSyrp giveaway

Snatch up the last of those blackberries hanging from the plants.  You know the ones I'm talking about; they're big and fat, and seedy.  They are also hauntingly sweet, as if summer's faint whisper was saying "don't forget me".  But they're also few and far between, so if you see 'em, grab 'em!  They are perfect for turning into jam, or for blending into cocktails.  I found a few husky scragglers the other day, and just knew that they were meant for me!

My plan was to incorporate them into a cocktail using this amazing new line of simple syrup's that was developed by Heidi (you may know her from  her blog, Young Grasshopper), and her catering-partner, Barbie.  Together, they came up with a line of all syrups that will "inspire and stimulate your pension for amazing mixed drinks...".  They use high quality ingredients and a local bottler, as well as testing each and every batch for quality.  These syrups flavored with lemon, mind, strawberry, blackberry, or orange may fall under the category of "simple syrups", but the care and thought put into each bottle makes them so much more, hence the name, Not So Simple Syrup.

"Big House" Cherry Bourbon Sour

Did you know that tomorrow (August 25th) is National Whiskey Sour Day?  True story.  But since I already have a delicious post coming your way, I decided that I needed to start celebrating a day in advance.  Yes, needed.  Ah, the things I'll do to honor a day for honoring booze...

And not just that.  I'm shaking things up a bit in the process {pun intended}.  In the form of cherries.  Mmm-hmm, the #10lbCherryChallenge wages on!

I had a bunch of cherries that I knew were just begging for a Bourbon bath.  Psssh.  You can hardly blame them.  I know several people who wouldn't mind a Bourbon bath.  So I pitted enough cherries to fill a jar, and then I added enough Big House Bourbon to cover.

There's not really a specific recipe, or even ratio.  Basically, just be sure your cherries are completely submerged.  Put on the lid and refrigerate for a week.  At this point, you can pop a drunken cherry in your mouth.  IF you like being slapped in the face, that is.  Because they do that.  They slap you in the face.  And they're really strong.

So really, just strain your cherries out.  Go ahead and keep them in a separate jar.  Store your Cherry Bourbon in the fridge.  Take it out to make cherry-tinged Bourbon cocktails.  Or add simple syrup, to taste, and turn it into a liqueur.  That's good stuff, baby.

As for the cherries, I'd go ahead and cover those in:

          a) the aforementioned Cherry Liqueur
                                    OR
          b) simple syrup

Store them in the fridge and eat them with a spoon every time you pass by over ice cream, with crepes, on a flourless chocolate cake.  Or something like that.  If you're going to make the liqueur, pull out 2 ounces of cherry-tinged Bourbon to make one of these cocktails first.

Cherry Bourbon Sour

yield: 1 cocktail

2 ounces Cherry-tinged Big House Bourbon (see above)
1.5 ounces freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 ounce simple syrup, or to taste

Fill a glass with ice and pour in the bourbon, then the lemon juice, then the simple syrup.  Throw a couple of extra drunken cherries in as garnish.

Enjoy National Whiskey Sour Day!

I received a bottle of Big House Bourbon at no charge.  I received no monetary compensation for this post, and all opinions stated within are my own.

Irish Coffee and Irish Memories

In truth, I always thought that the first place my international travels would take me would be Italy.  Most likely, Tuscany.  It's just a dream I've had for as long as I can remember to see rows of grapevines stretching over waving hills as far as the eye can see.  I imagined fat lemons and olive groves and "creepy Italian trees".  In the land of make-believe, I even envisioned finding my very own Bramasole.

Then again, maybe Mexico would be my first destination.  Sure, I've been there... when I was approximately too young to remember.  Being born a southern California girl in the mid-seventies, strolling leisurely across to border for a plate of good food and continued expanses of sandy beaches was just what you did.  Or so I hear.  Plus, I married myself a Mexican.  Surely we would one day have our own colorful hacienda, complete with a hand-crafted iron entryway and an open courtyard in the middle where we would sit with our cafecitos under the gentle morning sun.

Italy and Mexico were definitely the top two destinations on my itinerary.  But the rest of the world had its spot on my list of "one day".  Never did I imagine that instead, my first airplane ride would bring visions of lush land in every shade of green imaginable, parceled off with vegetation and stones and trees.  From my window seat high above I would be stunned into watery-eyed silence by the sight of row houses and farmland and quiet, winding roads.  The sparks of dormant Irish locked up in my DNA began to awaken.

My time in Ireland was a whirlwind of buses and whiskey distilleries, mash pots and drams, magpies and beautiful scenery passing by at a clip.  I longed to scream STOP THE BUS!  How badly I wanted to spread out a blanket and breathe in the bustle of Monday morning in Dublin or the enveloping hush of the late Monday afternoon in County Cork.  I found it utterly dizzying how the soil under my feet (and all over my shoes) felt so comfortable.

That whirlwind left me longing for more.  I met fabulous people.  I tasted amazing food.  I learned a whole awful lot about the process of making whiskey.  And then I jetted off to Scotland (love story part two).

And now, just remembering, I feel the a tug at my heart that threatens to pull it straight from my chest.  One day I will return to Ireland, and I will take it slow.  I'll drink leisurely in the pubs.  I'll take photos of the streets and the countrysides.  I'll chase off the evening chill with an Irish Coffee.  And I'll wave at the buses going by from my blanket in the park.

My favorite Irish Whiskey seems to be the one I'm drinking at any given moment.  I love the small nuances each distiller adds to their amber liquid.  While in Ireland, I visited several distilleries and sampled several more types of whiskey.  Concannon was not one that I tried until back home in the states, though.  But as fate would have it, this Concannon Whiskey is distilled in collaboration with Cooley distillery, which is located in County Louth at the foothills of the Cooley Mountains.  Cooley I was familiar with!  Concannon combines both malt whiskey and grain whiskey, blended by Master Distiller Noel Sweeney, whom I met and had a whiskey tasting with while at Kilbeggan distillery.  (You can catch a glimpse of him in this post.)

Concannon is aged in bourbon casks for a minimum of four years (Irish whiskey must be aged for at least three years to be authentic Irish whiskey) before being transferred to barrels that previously held Concannon wine to allow for mellowing and maturing of the whiskey, which results in some sweet, fruity notes in the finished product.  To me, Concannon's nose is fruity with hints of light caramel and vanilla.  When tasted, I pick up those same notes, but it also blooms on the tongue sort of soft and floral-like.  It's mellow and smooth enough that you can kick back and enjoy a dram, but I can see some tasty cocktails coming out of it in the future, as well.

In honor of St. Paddy's Day, I went traditional.  It's soft sweetness made it a welcome flavor in my Irish Coffee.  Have you tried Concannon Irish Whiskey?  What would you use in your Irish Coffee (or what is your favorite type of Irish Whiskey)?

Erin go bragh...you will forever have a piece of my heart, Ireland.

Irish Coffee

by Heather Schmitt-González

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: n/a

Keywords: beverage alcohol coffee whisk(e)y St Patricks Day tailgating Irish

Ingredients (2 coffees)

• 4 tsp. brown sugar
• ¼ c. Irish Whiskey
• 1 c. freshly brewed, strong, hot coffee
• heavy cream

Instructions

If you can, warm two clear mugs in a very low oven for a few moments before making and serving this coffee.

Carefully set the two warm mugs down and add 2 teaspoons of the brown sugar to each. Add 2 tablespoons of the whiskey to each mug. Next, add ½ cup coffee to each.

Adding the cream is the last step. In order to achieve that layer floating on top of the coffee, turn a spoon upside down and but it up to the inside of the mug, just slightly above coffee-level. Slowly pour the cream over the back of the spoon, letting it run down and hit the side of the mug and gently drizzle into the coffee until you have a good layer of the cream.

Serve immediately!

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I received a free bottle of Concannon Irish Whiskey for the purpose of tasting.  All opinions stated in this post are my own.