Tinkerblue

Olympic Themed Cocktails

Who knew?

First the Fairmont Hotel in Whistler created its Olympic themed cocktail with Victoria gin, Crystal Head vodka, whiskey maple syrup (I didn't even know whiskey maple syrup existed) and ice wine. Served in the Mallard Lounge.

 image Victoria Spirits

The Four Seasons Resort in Whistler has the '2010 Torch' cocktail.  A mix of pear puree, Monavie energy drink and lemongrass infused vodka served in a torch inspired glass.  I think I'll probably skip this one, the presentation is impressive, but I'm not a fan of Monavie.

And now the YEW Restaurant and Bar at the Four Seasons Hotel in Vancouver has announced their trio of Olympic themed cocktails. Concocted by mixologist Justin Taylor they pay tribute to the 3 Olympic Games that have been held in Canada, Montreal 1976, Calgary 1988 and of course Vancouver 2010.

Bronze Montreal 1976 - Canadian rye whiskey, Quebec maple sugar, slices of granny smith apple, crusted with brulee (this is the one that appeals to me most)

Silver Calgary 1988 - A Caesar with smoked buffalo infused Crystal Head vodka. Served with a buffalo jerky swizzle stick in a cowboy boot glass.

Gold Vancouver 2010 - Victoria Gin, lemon juice, and cane sugar juice. Garnished with smoked salmon and cucumber.

When you're in Vancouver you could have a cocktail or two and then head down to Coal Harbour to see the Olympic Rings.  Don't drink too many or the rings could have a certain fuzziness to them and don't drink and drive.

The 14 metre tall rings were lit on Wednesday of this week to mark 100 days to go.  The rings contain thousands of LED lights and are programmed for various light shows that will play when Canadian athletes win medals

This is the 2nd set of rings, the first are at Vancouver International Airport.

(photos of the rings will be posted later!)

Holy Cow Cake

I have a friend who says she doesn't like cake mix cakes, only cakes made from scratch.  If only she knew that most of the cakes I make are made from mixes.  I am working my way through the Cake Mix Doctor.

I made the Holy Cow Cake for absolutely no reason, other than I felt like baking.

This is very rich. What do you expect the recipe calls for devil's food cake mix, caramel topping, sweetened condensed milk, 4 bubtterfinger bars, whipped topping and cream cheese?  But it's so good. Next time I'll have to make sure we are having friends to visit.  A whole pan of this is not good for our waist lines.

The 2nd cake - raspberry dacquoise

I saw this recipe on Chocolate and Zucchini.  I emailed it to my mother in law, cause she's more likely to make it than I am.

And I was right.  She made it for my welcome to Canada party.  It was awesome.  Absolutely delicious. You should try it.  Thanks Barb.

Crafting Adventures - Lemon Drop Cookies

Kelli and Finny set a new adventure for 2009.  Each month they'll select a challenge to two from Craft Magazine's website.

January - Lemon Drop Cookies or Men's Hoody.

I can't see hubby wearing a hoody.  He owns one or two and doesn't wear either very often.  In fact in 10 years I don't really remember him wearing either of them.

So Lemon Drop Cookies it was.

Cream butter, sugar and cream cheese:

Combining sugar and lemon zest:

1" balls ready for baking:

All baked and cooling.  This recipe made almost 48 cookies.  And my kitchen smelled all lemony good.

I think I overbaked them a little.  The are more crispy than chewy.  But they are still good.  I like having one with a cup of tea as a late afternoon snack.

Hey Kelli or Finny, what's the challenge for February?

It's only January and already it's Easter

I'm still getting over Christmas.  We still have to take the lights down. But the stores are already getting ready for Easter.  

I had hot cross buns for breakfast. Store bought.  I have a recipe for them somewhere, in Australia Ithink.  Sure I could google one, but hey they were cheap.  And good.

And a Cadbury Creme Egg for dessert.  

I have a weakness for these.  

I really wish they only came out the week before Easter, not months before.

Yum, Double Chocolate Rum Cake

From the Cake Mix Doctor by Anne Byrn.

Chocolate Devil's Food cake mix, chocolate pudding, rum and chocolate chips.  Topped with more rum and raspberry jam.  The recipe calls for gold rum, we didn't have any, so I used dark spiced rum.  

Ooey, gooey, chocolately goodness.  This cake didn't last very long.

Duqqa, Duqa, Dukka, Dukkah? However you spell it, it's good.

Dukkah is originally an Egyptian dish.  It's full of nuts and spices and is so good.  Serve it with french bread and olive oil and vinegar.

I made a big batch before Christmas.  We had a secret santa exchange at work.  I gave a jar of Duqqa, a french stick, a bottle of olive oil, and two white dishes.  I think the recipient enjoyed it.  I had a lot left over, so quite a few people received a jar at Christmas.

We still have some in our fridge.  I like to snack on it.  It's also good on scrambled eggs, sprinkled over salad, or as a crust on chicken (and probably salmon).

1/2 cup Macadamia or Brazil nuts (I prefer Macadamia)

1/4 cup hazelnuts
1/4 cup sunflower or pumpkin seeds (I use both)
1/4 cup unsweetened desiccated coconut
1 cup sesame seeds
1/2 cup coriander seeds
1/4 cup cumin seeds
1/2 teaspoon salt (I use a pinch)
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

On large baking sheet spread hazelnuts and sunflower seeds in single layer. 

Roast in 350 degrees oven for 9 minutes. 

Sprinkle with coconut and bake for 3 minutes or until nuts and coconut are golden brown. 

Let cool and chop in food processor.

In a large pan over medium-high heat heat sesame, coriander and cumin seeds, stirring often, for about 8 minutes or until sesame seeds are golden brown. Finely chop. 

Mix nuts and seeds together.

Add salt, ground cumin, pepper, cinnamon and cayenne; stir to combine. 

Refrigerate in airtight container for up to 2 weeks or freeze  for up to 1 month.

I'm dreaming of a white christmas

Not so much dreaming going on.  We will definately be having a white christmas.  It snowed again today, and there is still more in the forecast.  It's not going away by tomorrow.  So a white christmas it is.

Today is more of the same - shoveling snow, building snowman, snowball fights, sledding, hot tubs (and snowball fights in the hot tub) and baking.

 

5 minute chocolate mug cakes:

Reindeer brownies:

Happy Anniversary/Happy Thanksgiving

Canadian Thanksgiving was at the beginning of October, however today is Thanksgiving in the US.  Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends.

Happy 9th Wedding Anniversary to hubby.

Tonight we went out to dinner at a Mexican restaurant, and we split deep fried ice-cream for dinner.

Love you bugalugs!

The perfect dinner for a rainy, dismal night.

It has been cold, wet and ugly here for the last week.  One of those weeks where everyone feels more tired than usual. The beginning of going to work in the dark and coming home in the dark. The beginning of winter.

We invited a friend and her daughter for dinner - hubby is out of town for three months.

On the menu:

cheese fondue with bread and ham

wine

and raspberry smores for dessert.

Nothing like a quick, easy and social dinner. We need to do this more often.

The fondue set was a gift/loaner from my mother in law. When we were there on the weekend, I mentioned the plan was for fondue and that involved digging my set out of an unknown box in the garage.  She disappeared for a few minutes and came back with her old set. 

I like it.  It's nice and heavy, cast iron, le creuset and has blue flowers on it.  No idea how long my mother in law has had it, but it's mine now!  Thank you.