Tag Archives: vodka recipes

Bloody Mary Mix with Candied Bacon

 I recently rediscovered the Bloody Mary at brunch a few weeks ago.  The reason I abandoned this wonderful drink was due to all the poor tasting versions I had over the the years.  You can only drink watered down tomato juice with a splash of vodka so many times before giving up. The Bloody Mary I drank a few weeks ago was something completely different. It had the best quaility ingredients and as we know that can make all the difference!! So I set out on the happy task of making my own bloody mary mix and then to make it extra special I added a candied strip of bacon to stir the cocktail. The mix is peppery with from the fresh horseradish, with some heat from the cayenne and a freshness thanks to all that lemon juice. Make sure the Bloody Mary is icy cold to really enjoy all the flavors. Dipping that sweet crispy candied bacon into the cold spicy Bloody Mary and taking a bite  really is heaven!  I suggest a pitcher for your next lazy weekend!!

From by the bay, wishing you Bloody Mary food memories and don’t forget the bacon!

Maryann

blog bloody mary

Bloody Mary Mix with Candied Bacon

Makes approximately 32 ounces of mix

Ingredients

  • 1 (25-ounce) jar tomato passata,  preferably San Marzano or best quality tomato juice
  • 3 tablespoons freshly grated horseradish or best quality prepared grated horseradish
  • 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice from 4 to 5 lemons
  • 3 celery stalks, cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon fine grey sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon celery salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh ground black pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 8 slices bacon, 1/4 inch thick, best quality
  • 1/4 cup dark brown sugar

Directions
Place tomato passata in a bowl. In a food processor add the celery and 1/4 cup water and blend. Strain liquid into a cup.  You should have about 1/4 cup liquid. Discard the solids and add the celery infused water to the tomatoes.  To the tomato base add horseradish, lemon juice, remaining 1/4 cup water, vinegars, salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper and cayenne. Refrigerate until ready to use. About an hour before serving preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place bacon, brown sugar and 1 teaspoon black pepper in a bowl.  Mix well. Place slices  bacon flat onto the parchment paper. Sprinkle any remaining sugar on the bacon. Cover bacon with a second sheet of parchment. Place a second baking sheet on top of the parchment. This will keep the bacon flat while cooking. Place in the oven and bake for 20 minutes, remove top baking sheet and parchment paper and let continue to bake another 10 minutes or until crispy and a dark brown color. Remove from oven and place on rack to cool immediately.

To make Bloody Mary:

Take 3 parts bloody mary mix to 1 part vodka. Mix well. Serve chilled or over ice. Place a slice of candied bacon into each bloody mary just as you serve.

 

 

Watermelon Lemonade

blog watermelon lemonade

In the dead heat of the summer, nothing is more refreshing than an icy cold fruit drink. Lemonade is  the most traditional of these beverages. Considered the quintessential American drink, it’s made with a simple syrup of sugar and water  mixed with more water and lemon juice. By adding other fruit purees you can make all kinds of variations . My favorite is watermelon lemonade, the ultimate refreshment. With the height of summer upon us, have an ice cold pitcher ready to serve to quench your thirst. 

From by the bay , wishing you refreshing food memories!
Maryann



blog watermelon lem 2

Watermelon Lemonade
 Ingredients
4 cups watermelon, cubed without the rind
4 cups cold water
1/2 cup fine granulated sugar
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
Directions
In a  food processor add the watermelon with 2 cups of water and puree. Strain into a bowl. In a medium sauce pan make a simple syrup by bringing the sugar and 1/2 cup water to a boil. Once the sugar is dissolved remove from heat . Add to the water melon mixture with the remaining water and lemon juice. Mix Well. Place in a jar and refrigerate until cold before serving.Serving options:
1. with a splash of vodka for a hard lemonade
2. with a splash of sparkling water
3. with a sprig of mint or basil
4. with sparkling wine
5. with some berries
6. Freeze into a slush or popsicle

Cocktails by the Bay – Forever Blue

Article first published as Cocktails By the Bay – Forever Blue on Technorati.

My parents were of the Mad Men generation, where cocktails were the standard and they always had a name. My parents had an interesting library of books, among them were exercising with Jack Lalanne , Betty Crocker Cookbooks and Better Homes and Gardens – the Garden Book. Tucked in the corner there sat two tiny  pink books called  A Guide to Pink Elephants. I loved to flip through these little books looking at pictures of cocktails, not really understanding a thing about them. As an adult I rejected the idea of  mixed drinks with names as corny and old fashioned,that is, until I arrived to Hong Kong for the first time. There I was sitting at the hotel bar with sweeping views of the Hong Kong Harbor and a menu just filled with cocktails that had names. It changed my whole perspective. It appears that mixed drinks are making a resurgence, so how could I resist coming up with a few cocktails for summer here by the bay? Of course, they needed to have blue curacoa as an ingredient. What could be better than sipping on a cool drink that looks as cool as the water you are sitting next too. Move over Don Drapper.

From by the bay wishing you the bluest of food memories!
Maryann
blog forever blue
 
Forever Blue Bay Cocktail
 
Take one champagne flute, add 2 teaspoons blue curacoa, 1 squeeze of orange juice and top off with champagne. Give a quick stir and enjoy!
blog blue drink
Cool Blue Bay
Take a glass and add 1 tablespoon blue curacoa, 4 tablespoons vodka, 1/2 cup limeade and 1/2 cup club soda. Add a slice of lime. Make sure all ingredients are cold , stir and drink!