MOJITO - COLUMBIA HOUSE STYLE

We recently visited The Columbia House in Ybor City, Florida. While I have a much more in depth restaurant review planned, I thought I might share how much we enjoyed the mojitos.

They prepared them at the table, and served them in beautiful blown glass pitchers and glasses. I first told the girls I was going to do an internet search for a Columbia House knock-off recipe, but discovered I did not have to since they have the recipe listed on their web site.

Visit their web site for this recipe and others. Make sure you use fresh lime and they even include a recipe for the mint simple syrup they use. The only thing they do not include is the fact that they add a stalk of sugar cane to each glass.

Part of the appeal of these drinks is the presentation. While we all can't have a server from the Columbia House recreate these drinks at out dining room table, we can use pretty blown pitchers and glasses. Check out the glassware below.

PEANUT BUTTER PIE

A no bake pie, rich in chocolate and peanut butter flavors. It is a dense pie, due to the cream cheese.

FILLING

1 (8 ounce) package of cream cheese

1 cup of sugar

1 cup of creamy peanut butter

1 tablespoon of melted butter

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

1 cup of heavy cream, beaten until stiff

 1 (9 inch) chocolate cookie crumb crust

hot fudge sauce

TOPPING

1 cup of semisweet chocolate chips

3 tablespoons of brewed coffee

chopped peanuts for garnish

First, melt about 3-4 tablespoons of the hot fudge sauce in the microwave. Spoon it over the bottom of the pie crust. If you must spread it, be careful; those pie crusts are very delicate.

Beat the cream cheese, sugar, peanut butter, butter, and vanilla in a large mixer bowl until creamy. Fold in half of the beaten cream. Then fold in the remaining cream until blended. Then place filling into the pie crust.

Combine the chocolate chips and coffee in a microwavable container. Microwave until melted and smooth. Cool slightly, and then pour over top of pie. Place chopped peanuts on top of chocolate. Carefully place plastic lid from pie crust onto the pie and refrigerate over night. Yes, really . . . over night.

Take that pie traveling!

ASIAN CUCUMBER SALAD

You should really "sweat" your cukes before using them for this salad. What does that mean? Peel them first. Then slice in half. Take a spoon and scoop out the cucumber seeds. Lay cukes on paper towels and salt them. The salt will cause the excess water in the cucumbers to "sweat' out. Turn them over after about a half hour and salt the other sides. Allow them to sit for another half hour. You may need to change the paper towels occasionally.

3/4 cup seasoned rice vinegar
1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
4 large cucumbers, peeled and sliced
2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted

Stir together first 6 ingredients in a large bowl. Add cucumbers, tossing to coat. Cover and chill 1 hour. Add sesame seeds, and toss; serve immediately.

Having problems finding sesame seeds or sesame oil? Check out the sesame seeds and oil below.

KING OF SNAKE COCKTAIL

A rant before the recipe - I had a heck of a time finding chile pepper vodka. You can get Swedish fish flavored vodka, but good luck trying to find pepper vodka. Is this a Florida thing? Sheesh.

You'll have to really like ginger to enjoy this one.


1 inch piece of peeled fresh ginger, first crushed, then chopped
2 tablespoons of brown sugar
1/4 cup of vodka (I used Absolut)
1/4 cup of fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons of chile pepper flavored vodka ( I used Stoli Hot)
2 tablespoons of orange liqueur (I used Cointreau)

2 cups of crushed ice


Muddle the ginger and brown sugar together in a cocktail shaker. (I got to use my skull shaker!) I allowed it to sit for about 10 minutes too. I wanted the sugar to liquify. Add all remaining ingredients except the ice. shake for about 20 seconds. Fill 2 old fashioned glasses with the crushed ice. Strain cocktail into glass and serve.

And then be prepared to sit. Because it's a butt kicker.

Need a cocktail shaker? Look at some of these.

FIZZY CHERRY LEMONADE

With alcohol or not. Your choice. Make the right one.

This recipe yields 8 10 oz. servings.


2 lbs. of Bing cherries
1 cup of fresh lemon juice
3/4 to 1 cup of sugar
1 1/2 cups of vodka
chilled sparkling water


Take the stems off the cherries. You do NOT have to pit them. Put the 2 lbs of stemmed cherries into your blender. (I have a pretty good blender.) I put mine on the maximum speed and power for a few moments. Then pour the cherry mixture into a sieve over a pitcher. Add the lemon juice to the cherries in the pitcher quickly because the cherries will start to discolor almost immediately. Then add your sugar and stir until the sugar is dissolved.


This is when I add my alcohol.


Fill a glass with ice in it about half way full with the cherry lemon mixture and top with sparkling water.

SPINACH DIP IN A BREAD BOWL

1 package (10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry 1 container (16 oz.) sour cream 1 cup mayonnaise 1 package Knorr Vegetable recipe mix (And yes . . . you do NEED Knorr) 1 can (8 oz.) water chestnuts, drained and chopped Mix all ingredients together. Allow to sit in refrigerator at least 1 hour before serving. To make a bread bowl - buy any round loaf of bread. I use to special order a round rye. Now I just buy whatever is available, usually whole wheat. Whatever is your preference.  Take a serrated bread knife and cut out center of bread. Be careful so you do not cut through bottom of loaf. Brush the inside of the cut loaf with melted butter and put in 300 degree oven until it reaches the desired crispness you want. While the loaf is in the oven, you can either rip or cut the center of the bread into pieces for dipping. **I also use celery, carrots, and tortilla chips for dippers.

CREAMSICLE MIMOSAS

We make them every year during the holidays and at the Annual Bike Week Brunch to rave reviews every time. Even by people who don't like champagne. As you can see we drink the cheap crapola.

2 1/2 cups freshly squeezed orange juice
1 cup half-and-half
1 cup sugar
1 bottle sparkling wine or Champagne (use sparkling fruit juice or sparkling cider if you wish)
Strawberries, for garnish

Directions

Put orange juice, half-and-half, and sugar into a blender and process until the sugar has dissolved, about 30 seconds. Pour this mixture into a shallow pan and freeze until hard, 4 hours or overnight.

Remove the frozen orange mixture from the freezer and let it sit to soften slightly, about 10 minutes. With a scoop or tablespoon, scrape out a small scoop and put it into a Champagne glass. Slowly fill the glass with Champagne and serve garnished with strawberries.

Look below. And then you can smash the glasses with no remorse.

TANGERINE BEEF

1 1/2  pounds London Broil

2     tangerines

8     scallions, sliced, plus more for garnish 1/4 cup soy sauce

4     tablespoons toasted sesame oil

4     teaspoons sugar

4     tablespoons chopped peeled ginger

6    cloves garlic, minced

Pinch of red pepper flakes

2 – 3 additional tangerines for sauce

Pierce the steak with a fork several times on each side. Remove a 2-inch strip of zest from the tangerines, halve the fruit and squeeze the juice into a resealable plastic bag. Add the zest, scallions, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, ginger, garlic, pepper flakes and a cup of water to the bag and mix well. Add the meat, seal the bag and turn to coat. Refrigerate overnight.

Preheat the broiler or grill. Remove the steak from the bag and reserve the marinade. Pat the meat dry and place on the preheated broiler pan or on the grill. Cook until the meat is golden brown and a thermometer inserted in the thickest part registers 130° for medium-rare, about 10 minutes. Let rest 5 to 10 minutes before slicing; reserve the drippings.

Meanwhile, boil the marinade in a small pot over medium-high heat. Stir in the juice of 2-3 tangerines and the drippings from the meat. Reduce by half or until thickened. Slice the meat against the grain and top with scallions. Serve with the sauce.

APPLE CRISP

A simple, uncomplicated crisp. I use a mix of apples.

4 medium tart cooking apples, sliced (4 cups)

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup quick-cooking or old-fashioned oats

1/3 cup butter , softened

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Heat oven to 375ºF. Spray bottom and sides of 8-inch square pan with no stick baking spray.

Spread apples in pan. In medium bowl, stir remaining ingredients until well mixed; sprinkle over apples.

Bake about 30 minutes or until topping is golden brown and apples are tender when pierced with a fork.

Makes 6 servings.

FRIED RICE

Finally . . . I've found a great fried rice recipe!!

3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided

2 large eggs, lightly beaten with a pinch of kosher salt

4 scallions (white and green), thinly sliced

1/4 cup grated carrot

3 large cloves of garlic, minced

Pinch red chile flakes

1 tablespoon of minced peeled fresh ginger

2 tablespoons soy sauce (sometimes I substitute a tablespoon of kecap manis)

1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil

3 cups cooked jasmine rice

1 cup cooked meat cut in 1/2-inch cubes, such as pork, ham, beef, or chicken

1/2 cup frozen peas, defrosted in a strainer at room temperature

It may be worth your while to have EVERYTHING prepped to go BEFORE you start cooking.

Directions

Heat 1 tablespoon of the vegetable oil in a well-seasoned wok or large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Swirl to coat the pan. Pour in the eggs, swirl the pan so the egg forms a large thin pancake. As soon as the egg has set, turn it out of the pan onto a cutting board. Cool, cut into 1 inch pieces.

Wipe out the pan with a paper towel and heat the remaining vegetable oil over high heat. Add the scallions and carrots and stir-fry for 1 1/2 minutes. Add the garlic, chile, and ginger, stir-fry for 1 minute more. Add the soy sauce, sesame oil and rice and stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the meat, peas, and reserved egg, cook, stirring until heated through, about 2 to 3 minutes. Serve immediately.

RANDOM THOUGHTS

I haven't really made anything new and/or exciting lately. Since I have a three day weekend, I guess I should figure out what I want to make. Any suggestions?

I am trying to get pics on all my old posts and recipes. I made Asian Flank steak last weekend. It turned out quite well and now I have a pic of that. I also made the pasta with the balsamic reduction sauce with roasted cauliflower instead of the asparagus. That was pretty tasty too, but alas . . . the pic was not pretty.

PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE WITH GINGERSNAP CRUST

I make this every year for the holidays, always to rave reviews. One year my husband dropped it on the floor and they still ate it.

Crust

• 1 1/2 cups ground gingersnap cookies
• 1 1/2 cups pecans (about 6 ounces)
• 1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted

Filling

• 4 8-ounce packages cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 2/3 cups sugar
• 1 1/2 cups canned solid pack pumpkin
• 9 tablespoons whipping cream
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 4 large eggs

• 1 tablespoon (about) purchased caramel sauce

For Crust:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Finely grind ground cookies, pecans and sugar in processor. Add melted butter and blend until combined. Press crust mixture onto bottom and up sides of 9-inch-diameter spring-form pan with 2 3/4-inch-high sides. 

For Filling:
Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese and sugar in large bowl until light. Transfer 3/4 cup mixture to small bowl; cover tightly and refrigerate to use for topping. Add pumpkin, 4 tablespoons whipping cream, ground cinnamon and ground allspice to mixture in large bowl and beat until well combined. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating just until combined. Pour filling into crust (filling will almost fill pan). Bake until cheesecake puffs, top browns and center moves only slightly when pan is shaken, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Transfer cheesecake to rack and cool 10 minutes. Run small sharp knife around cake pan sides to loosen cheesecake. Cool. Cover tightly and refrigerate overnight. 

Bring remaining 3/4 cup cream cheese mixture to room temperature. Add remaining 5 tablespoons whipping cream to cream cheese mixture and stir to combine. Press down firmly on edges of cheesecake to even thickness. Pour cream cheese mixture over cheesecake, spreading evenly. Spoon caramel sauce in lines over cream cheese mixture. Using tip of knife, swirl caramel sauce into cream cheese mixture. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.) 

Release pan sides from cheesecake. Cut and serve.

HOT ARTICHOKE DIP

1 (15 oz.) can of artichoke hearts

1 c. Parmesan cheese

1 c. mayonnaise

8 oz. cream cheese

Drain then chop up artichokes. Mix all ingredients together. Put into a 9" baking pan and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour, stirring at mid-point.

ROASTED GRAPES AND SAUSAGE

• 2 large yellow onions, halved and slivered
• 2 cups black grapes (Concord, Globe, or any other ripe black variety -I use whatever is on sale or whatever looks the best), rinsed well
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• 4 to 8 sweet Italian sausages (1 or 2 sausages per person), cut into bite-sized pieces

Preheat oven to 375°F. 

In a large roasting pan or skillet mix the slivered onion and grapes together with your hands. Drizzle some oil over them and sprinkle with several generous pinches of salt and pepper. Mix again and spread out the mixture evenly. Nestle the sausages in the onion-grape layer, but don't let them be completely covered. 

Put the pan in the oven and roast for 30 to 40 minutes, until the onions have cooked down considerably, the grapes are soft, and the sausages are plump and browned on top, even a little bit crusty. Pierce one of the largest pieces of sausage. They are ready when the juices run clear. Spoon a bed of onions and grapes onto a serving platter or individual plates, top with the sausages, and serve.

ORMOND WINE COMPANY - RESTAURANT REVIEW #2

I've been a horrible slacker as of late. Judy and I went to the Ormond Wine Company a few weekends ago and I never wrote up the review. So here it is. Please note - this is my second review of this restaurant. You may view the first review here. Also please excuse the quality of the pics. They were taken with my cell phone and the restaurant was rather dark. Take my word for it - the pics do NOT do the food justice.

We stopped by for lunch on a Saturday afternoon. We were the only people there at first, although a couple came in and did have lunch at the bar a little later. For the high quality of food the place puts out and for the beer and wine selection - this place should be packed. Even on a Saturday afternoon. Our server was wonderful and very informed on the wine and beer lists. She answered Judy's wine questions and my beer questions. We started off with the House Blue Chips. Although quite salty, the chips were delicious and crunchy. They were topped with blue cheese and blue cheese dressing, along with truffle oil and a kalmata olive sauce that upped both the saltiness and taste factor. The appetizer was more than ample for two people. 

We both decided on salads. Judy chose the duck breast salad (duck, field greens, blue cheese, dried cherries, red onion, mixed nuts and a raspberry walnut vinaigrette.) I went with the steak and mozz salad (grilled sirloin, field greens, fresh mozzarella, fresh basil, roasted red peppers, Roma tomatoes, and a balsamic vinnegarette.) We don't usually choose salads, but we had seen the dessert menu and had ulterior motives. 

We couldn't choose which dessert to share so we of course ordered two. The white chocolate coconut creme brulee was one of the best creme brulees I had ever eaten. The top was caramelized just right and the dish was flavorful without being too strong, as I often find coconut desserts. We also split a truffle tasting plate. We had their truffles on our first visit and were eager to try more. The flavors included on the plate included: caramel with Fleur de Sel; dried cherry; Grand Marnier; and espresso. We also enjoyed a freshly brewed coffee.

All in all - another great meal at the Ormond Wine Company! And they have a web site now!