Limoncello Cooler

picture source same as recipe source

This was my attempt at finding a signature drink.  I don't have a signature drink...I feel lost and empty.  I need to find a drink that is "me" that is easy to make and doesn't require half a liquor cabinet and a bunch of different juices and a blender.  I love my girly blended drinks, but I need something quick and easy to whip up...something I am defined by.  

This is the problem...I can't really drink beer anymore, wine gives me heartburn and I don't like rum and coke.  What does a girl drink if she wants to go somewhere and have a few drinks but doesn't want to drag her entire kitchen with her.

And don't suggest coolers or palm bays....I don't like those either.

It's a sign.  Quit drinking.

Anyways...

This was a fail for me.  HUGE fail.  I blame myself and not the recipe.  

My first attempt I did it with club soda and left the mint out.  I didn't mind it this way and my sister enjoyed it too.    I did have to cut back how much Limoncello I added to how much club soda.  I don't measure, but I know I added too much Limoncello the first time.  A few glasses later I did have it balanced better.

This is when things went downhill...

You know me...can't just leave a recipe alone...I have to mess with it.

Girl's weekend.  Friday night.  I tried variations of adding apricot brandy or pineapple juice or both.  I also tried it with a bottle of Prosecco instead of club soda.

It wasn't good.

I drank the entire bottle of Prosecco with the Lemoncello in a matter of a couple of hours, trying different ways to improve it.  None worked and all I was left with was a huge cut and bruise on my knee from where the coffee table attacked me, a night of random weird texts to friends...and people who aren't friends but on my contact list, embarrassing stories told to my girlfriends, passing out early before everyone else and dealing with the apology texts the next morning.

This is not acceptable behaviour of a 36 year old.

Lesson learned.

On the upside, I did not throw up and did not suffer a hangover...maybe I have learned a trick or too with my old age.

Please try it and get back to me.  I have another whole bottle of Limoncello in my freezer that I'm afraid to drink and would love some ideas that don't involve Prosecco.

Go to Creative Culinary to try it. 

What Your Favorite Mexican Dish Says About You

I found this article in the July issue of the magazine, First for women.




It's no secret that I love LOOOOOOVE Mexican food.  It's my number one ethnic choice for meals out...or in....or wherever...I love it.




Naturally, I found this interesting.  I'm a sucker for all personality tests or studies or quizzes or any sort of those "self enlightening" things.  I'm a total dork like that.




So...what does your favorite Mexican dish say about you??




Is it QUESADILLAS? 

source

If it is...it means you are reliable. 

"Like this impossible-to-mess up meal, you can be counted on to never let anyone down - and you do it without seeking praise or accolades."

Is your favorite TACOS?

 source

You get things done.

"The do-it-yourself assembling of a taco appeals to your take-charge personality because you can make it anything you want to be."

 How about TACO SALAD? 

 

source

You're a true friend.

"The combination of tasty and healthy foods in this dish appeals to your practical side.  You recognize the need for balance in life, and your food choices reflect this.  You are laid-back and always keep your cool no matter the situation.  That's why you're such a great partner, parent and friend."

Are BURRITOS your number one pick? 

source

You're a trendsetter.

"The mix of ingredients stuffed into a burrito means that every bite is a delicious surprise.  Always on the hunt for something unique, you're the first person to try a new restaurant, sport a new style or pick up the latest tech gadget."

and lastly.... NACHOS

source  

You are independent.

"All the toppings on nachos make them the snack that could be a meal - and just like this hearty choice, you're more than capable of standing alone.  In fact, you truly excel when you have time to yourself to think and prepare."

I've always been a sucker for tacos and taco salad...it's a toss up between those two as to which one is my favorite.

How about you?  What's your favorite Mexican dish?

 

 

 

 

Raspberry Peach Sangria

recipe source same as picture source

Hello summer drink! 


Warning:  Don't pour yourself a cup if you're only allowed one.   You will become an angry person because you will want more.


I found this one on Momtastic...mama's need their drinks!


Changes I made:

- don't measure anything...just pour!
- I used pomegranate cranberry juice
- I used lemon juice from a bottle...bad...I know, but I'm a rule breaker.
- We added 2 of each fruit to one bottle of wine, but when the Sangria was done, we just added more wine and peach schnapps to the fruit from the previous mix.
- I couldn't find raspberry flavoured soda, so I just used plain club soda
- I did freeze the raspberries, but forgot to add them when serving the drinks...I was too excited to start drinking this beautiful drink....sorry.
- You can totally eliminate the club soda
- After we had a few bottles of wine and wanted to keep going but had ran out of peach schnapps we did add peach vodka.  I can't give you an honest review on how that went because by that time, my taste buds were not in the same place as they were when we started the evening.


Overall...everyone loved it...LOOOOVED it!


Enjoy!

Black Bean and Rice Stuffed Peppers

picture source same as recipe source

I recently had a girl's night at my house.  I was craving a Mexican fiesta, but didn't want to make something I always make...I wanted to try something new.

Enter...stuffed peppers.

Okay...these were so good and you know what....they were even better heated up as left overs for lunch a couple of days later.

When I made mine, I made way too much filling, so guess what us ladies made for breakfast the next morning...

That's right!  Breakfast burritos.  We put the filling in a large skillet and cracked in a bunch of eggs.  Then we heated up corn tortillas and cheese in another skillet, added the filling, some fresh salsa and guacamole...DELICIOUS!  

So you get two meals out of one...who doesn't love that?

Go visit Simply Life for the recipe.

I did make some changes...of course, right?

- I used white basmati rice and cooked it in my rice cooker.

- I forgot to add the corn and lime juice

- I did broil step in the oven earlier in the day and when I went to take the skin off, it wasn't coming off as easy as it normally does, so I left it on.  Next time, I would skip this entire step

- Instead of doing mine in the oven, I bbq'd them....who doesn't love a good char?

That's it!

Enjoy!

Garlic Lemon Shrimp with Arugula and Spaghetti

No picture source.


No recipe source.


If this is your picture, please...lemme know and I will link it back to you.


I saw this on Pinterest and pinned it right away, I mean...look how good it looks!!  When I went to go to the actual recipe, the pin I had didn't work.  Pinterest kept going to a grey page saying "sorry blah blah blah" (not in those exact words).


Since I'm pretty awesome, I decided to try and make my own version of it anyways.


This might kill the people who need to follow a recipe, but for the free spirits like myself, here's how I made mine.


I put a bit of butter and olive oil in a large skillet...I really could have omitted the butter...not too sure why I even used it, I never use butter.


I added thinly sliced onions, minced garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, sea salt, and pepper.  When the onions were sort of cooked, I added the shrimp. 


I live life on the edge and had a little bit of plain greek yogurt left, so I decided to add that too.


I tasted it and it needed more flavour, so I added more salt, pepper, and lemon juice.


When all it was all cooked and smiling at me, I added whole wheat spaghetti and a bunch of arugula.


Mixed it all and served it.


It was really good!!  I also had it left over the next day for lunch...still good!!


See...you don't need a recipe...just play....take risks....be craaaazy.


Or not.


Whatever works for you.

Asparagus with Tomatoes and Feta

taken from recipe source

I saw this picture on Pinterest and didn't even look at the recipe, I just went home and made my own version.


I will link up a recipe for you reciper lovers (Tracey...)


I tossed my asparagus with olive oil, sea salt and pepper and grilled it on heat...just enough to cook it slightly and char it up a bit.


In a bowl I mixed chopped tomatoes, feta, green onions, garlic, and balsamic vinegar.


Topped the asparagus and served.  The next day, I had just put the mixture over my asparagus before heating it all up in the microwave...still delicious!


For You Recipe Lovin People

Cilantro Chicken

picture source taken from recipe source

 

Easy.


Delicious.


And get this...I hate chicken left over...I loved this one the next day as much as I did straight off the grill.


I didn't pound the chicken breast flat...I just left them the way they were.  I mixed all the ingredients in a bowl and then put it in a large ziploc bag with the partially frozen chicken breasts and left it overnight.


I didn't measure...surprise surprise.


Seriously...so good!


Recipe Source