Browsing Tag

orange

Sip

Old Fashioned

December 19, 2014

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My go-to drink for the past few months has been an Old Fashioned, so I was a little surprised to see I’ve never posted about it on the blog!  I know this is a classic, but it is a must have for your cocktail line-up this winter season.

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Old Fashioned 

  • 3 dashes Angostura Bitters
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 orange wheel
  • 1 Maraschino cherry (I use Luxardo)
  • 1 splash club soda
  • 2 oz bourbon
  • Garnish: 1 orange wheel and 1 cherry
  1. Muddle bitters, sugar, fruit and soda in an old fashioned glass.
  2. Remove orange rind and add bourbon.
  3. Fill with ice and garnish with a fresh orange wedge and cherry.

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Sip

The Bee’s Knees

April 11, 2014

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I’m all about classic cocktails, and I find it the easier the better when it comes to creating drinks for entertaining.  With my Meyer lemon tree in full “fruit mode”, I wanted to whip something up that I could add to my “party drink” repertoire.

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A cocktail with a fun name never hurt either…

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The Bee’s Knees 

  • 2 oz gin (I used Hendrick’s for a cucumber infused kick!)
  • 1 oz lemon juice
  • 1 oz honey syrup (1 oz honey + 1 oz hot water)
  1. Mix above ingredients in an ice filled shaker.
  2. Strain into lowball glass and enjoy!
  3. Garnish with an orange slice or halved kumquats.

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Tasty

Green Goddess Bowl

February 24, 2014

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After all my Valentine’s indulgence (which carried over for a couple more weeks… opps), I am trying to get back into health-mode.  I have had a bunch of “detox” meals pinned and wanted to get on trying some of them… first on the docket – a Green Goddess Bowl!

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Green Goddess Bowl

adapted via Lunchbox Bunch

Step One – Layout the following:

  • 2-3 cups cooked grains (I used couscous, but quinoa, barley, brown rice are all great options)
  • 2-3 cups sautéed greens (I used 2 heads of broccoli, 1 head of kale and sprinkled some edamame – you can use any green veggie you like, brussel sprouts, peas, spinach, etc.)
  • Sweet Accent: I used citrus (I used a Cara Cara orange, but grapefruit could be a great option)
  • Garnish: Avocado and fresh chopped green herbs

Step Two – Sauté Greens:

  • Sauté green ingredients on med-high until tender with the following ingredients:
    • 2 Tbsp white miso paste
    • Juice of 1 lemon
    • 2 Tbsp blood orange olive oil
    • 2 Tbsp minced garlic
    • Pepper to taste

Step Three – Fold:

  • Add to large bowl and fold together:
    • 3 cups fluffed couscous (or another cooked grain)
    • Some orange zest and juice of 1/2 an orange if you desire
    • Sautéed Greens

Step Four – Garnish:

  • 1 avocado, sliced
  • Chopped fresh herbs (I used cilantro, but basil, chives or parsley work too)
  • 1/2 cup chopped green onion (red onion would work as well)
  • 1 large orange, peeled and diced

Step Five – Dressing:
*choose one below or use your own – or for lighter version, just use fresh lemon juice over top bowl

Tahini Maple

  • 2 Tbsp tahini
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp maple syrup
  • 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
  • Pepper

Creamy Wasabi

  • 1 tsp wasabi powder
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp mayo or greek yogurt
  • 2 Tbsp seasoned rice vinegar
  • Pepper

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Sip

Bourbon and Blood Orange Smash

January 31, 2014

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So I’m not a big beer drinker and I don’t think sipping on a super fruity cocktail is going to fly for the big game this Sunday, so I wanted to whip up something that is football friendly yet tastes yummy enough for the ladies… here we go!

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Bourbon and Orange Smash

Serves 4 – Adapted from Real Simple

  • Zest of 1 orange, peeled into strips
  • 1 Tablespoon sugar
  • 2 teaspoons bitters
  • 12 oz fresh squeezed orange juice (I threw in a couple blood oranges)
  • 12 oz club soda (1 can)
  • 6 oz bourbon
  1. In a large pitcher, muddle orange zest, sugar and bitters with a wooden spoon.
  2. Add orange juice, club soda and bourbon.
  3. Stir and serve!

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* Feel free to make the drink up to 6 hours in advance – just withhold the club soda, and add right before serving!

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Party

Birthday Brunch

December 26, 2013

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With my mom’s birthday and Christmas morning coinciding, brunch is always a big deal.  The last few years, I have taken the reins, and enjoy putting together a fun menu and figuring out a line-up that is pleasing to everyone and doesn’t result in hours in the kitchen the morning of!

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Menu:

Homemade Bloody Mary’s

Berry Parfaits – Honey Greek Yogurt, Blueberries, Triple Berry Granola

Kale and Maple Sausage Strata

Hash Browns

Halved Grapefruits with Maldon Sea Salt

Here were some of the highlights: