Fall Recipe: Orchard Apple Martini

While fall is a great time for cooking, don't forget about the beverages! This adult beverage mixes the flavors of fall for a simple, delicious cocktail perfect for an evening by the fire. For a virgin version, leave out the vodka and schnapps, and add a splash of sparkling water or sparkling apple juice for a pretty and special-occasion drink the kids can enjoy!

I have a new juicer that I absolutely love, and have been making apple juice with it regularly - it's the best apple juice I've ever tasted!  You just can't beat fresh - so use fresh apple juice if you can.

Orchard Apple Martini
(Serves 1.)

Ingredients:

2 oz. apple vodka
2 oz. apple juice
1/2 oz. apple schnapps
1/2 oz. pomegranate juice

Directions:

• Fill a shaker with ice, add ingredients, shake vigorously, pour into a chilled martini glass.
• Garnish with a crescent cut out of a red apple or with a curl of apple peel.
• Enjoy responsibly!

This makes amazing juice!

Creating A Beach-Style Memorial Day Picnic

Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer for most people, and it's a great time to go to the beach for a picnic. But even if sand, surf, and sun are on your mind, but you can't easily get to the beach this Memorial Day weekend, you can still enjoy the feeling of being there. Why not have a beach-style picnic, complete with food, props, and music to make it seem like you're spending a day with “beach blanket” movie favorites Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello?  Let's take a look at how to spend a day at the beach when water is nowhere to be found:

Create the Beach

Cover of Beach Party

Setting the mood for a beach-style picnic starts with the props.  A day at the beach includes beach chairs, umbrellas, big blankets, beach balls, towels, beach bags, beach pails and shovels, hats, coolers, and music.  A little background music featuring the Beach Boys or other surfin' music really sets the mood.  If you have boogie-boards or surfboards, all the better!  Even if there's not a wave in sight, surfboards make great serving tables and backdrops.

An added feature that's great fun is sand, of course.  Most any building supply house offers clean sand for sale.  Just one bag will provide enough to fill quite a few beach pails.  Stick the little shovels in and set them all around.  Sifting sand through your fingers (or toes) is a great way to relax and enjoy the 'beach.' 

If you have a few seashells sitting around, throw those around the tables and in the pails for more authenticity.  Use more sand in metal buckets to support an assortment of candles.  Use candles in shades of blues, greens, and tans to replicate the colors of the sea and sand.

For a real element of water, a small kiddie pool is the perfect addition to your backyard or park beach party.  All you need is something to splash, even if it's just to dip your feet or hands in.  Cover the bottom of the pool in sand if you're feeling especially energetic.  Pull up your beach chairs, stick your feet in, and you have an instant beach... almost!

Some people's idea of the perfect day at the beach is just sitting under the umbrella sipping a cool drink all day long.  Other people like to stay active.  Providing something to do during your beach-style picnic is relatively simple.  If you are hosting the picnic in your backyard, you already know what you have for fun and games.  Frisbees, badminton, and volleyball are obvious beach games.  A park may offer other distractions like horseshoes and jungle gyms, or even walking trails.  Take advantage of what you have, then gather for refreshments under the umbrellas to cool off.

Feed the Beach Bums

A day at the beach, even the pseudo-beach, can really work up an appetite.  Planning a beach style picnic when you're not going to the beach can actually work to your advantage.  Public beaches don't often allow cooking on the beach.  However, many park facilities, or your own backyard, of course, will offer grilling or even a campfire spot.  With these options, you can  enjoy standard beach-style food for your Memorial Day picnic, like burgers, hot dogs, and, of course, marshmallows and S'mores.

Along with campfire food, you want to include delicious options for foods that satisfy the beach-goer's appetite.  Many folks aim for the simple things when they're deciding on what to bring in their beach coolers.  Finger foods, pre-made salads, sandwiches, and the like are favorites for beach time food.  But, that doesn't mean you can't be a little creative with a few culinary surprises for your hungry guests.

For instance, you could marinate some vegetables in advance in a light dressing for an appetizer. Homemade dips, cold cocktail shrimp, and pate could be served with hearty crackers or pita bread. Try thin-sliced turkey with fresh vegetables like cucumber, avocado, and tomatoes, wrapped inside Armenian flatbread similar to soft tortilla wraps for a filling dish that's easy to eat, and delicious, too.

A fruit salad can provide ample opportunities for creativity, but you want to think outside apples and oranges. Include nectarines, blueberries, and blackberries with a little fresh ginger and a squeeze of lime juice for a simple yet splendidly refreshing treat.  Cut up a real watermelon with seeds for a genuine seed-spitting contest (along with wonderful refreshment) and you've got a real live beach party.

Meyer lemonade with fresh strawberries and ginger ale (Photo credit: chotda)

An Oasis of Drinks

Summer beach picnics call for plenty of iced tea with fresh mint.  You could also bring freshly squeezed lemonade which evokes memories of long ago... times spent relaxing in chairs lined up to enjoy the expanse of water and the much anticipated sunset.  Go ahead and freeze the lemonade in freezer bags, then set in coolers if you are traveling.  By the time you get to your destination, they will thaw and be ready to enjoy.  The added advantage is the frozen bags of lemonade add chilling to the cooler for your foods.

Of course, depending on the ages and preferences of guests at your beach picnic, you may enjoy sodas or fruit mix drinks as well as spirits like beachy mixed drink favorites for grownups. Remember, you want to create an illusion of sun, surf, and sand, so whatever beverages come to mind are perfect.  If you're thinking of mixed drinks of any kind, freezing the fruit drink beforehand in freezer bags, then mixing with soda or spirits upon arrival gives you infinite options for beverages for young and young-at-heart alike.

Dig Those Crazy Desserts

Keep sweet treats light and breezy, just like a day at the beach.  Try a simple parfait made with yogurt, granola, and the fruit of your choice. Or, try a lighter dessert bread or crumb cake instead of the standard fudge brownies, pies, or gelatin molds found at most picnics.

If frozen treats are part of your beach time memories, go ahead and freeze popsicles or ice cream in any form you like.  Ice cream should be frozen quite a bit harder than you would normally eat it before transporting.  Keep them on the bottom of the cooler, piling your salads or sandwiches on top. For extra protection, wrap them in several thicknesses of newspaper.  Depending on the heat, your frozen treats should stay relatively solid for some time.

Another easy trick for a cold dessert at a beach picnic, whether you're at the beach or doing a faux-beach picnic, is to freeze fruit in the can.  A good choice is canned pineapple or peaches.  Transport the frozen cans (another advantage is they serve as 'ice' in coolers) to the picnic spot.  When ready to serve, open the can and push the semi-frozen or “slushie” fruit out of the can and serve in a paper funnel cup, with a spoon and a straw.  You can pour in a little fizzy clear Cola or Ginger Ale for a real summertime treat.

Head to Toe to the Beach We Go

No matter what you include as a backdrop for your special beach party picnic, it's still the clothes that bring the whole thing together.  Yes, a swimsuit, sunglasses, sarong, sandals, and big floppy hat just scream BEACH!  So be sure you set the mood first with your style. 

Loose flowing garments are just fine if swimwear is not suitable.  Choose caftans or other flowing garments of lightweight gauzy fabrics or linen.  Dig around in your closets to find loose fitting lightweight shirts or pants of any kind. You're going to set the “scene” for your guests and have a lot of fun in the doing.

As you can see, the idea for a beach-style picnic is to be informal and breezy with the setting, table, music, food, drinks, and even the clothing, and it's perfect for a Memorial Day Party!  The success of a beach-style picnic depends on your ability to sway like an ocean breeze and let the mood capture your guests.  Enjoy the rhythm of the islands... and each other this Memorial Day!

Discover Sweet & Savory Surprises with Unusual Pumpkin Recipes

If there was ever a vegetable that evokes the feeling of Autumn, it's the pumpkin. They are everywhere the minute summer starts to fade and fall approaches. No matter where you turn, there is a pumpkin with a candle inside of it, fields of pumpkins to be chosen, piles of pumpkins, people dressed as pumpkins, and even trash bags for your leaves that mimic pumpkins. But of all the pumpkin-related things out there during the fall, my favorite pumpkin is the one on the dinner table.

Unfortunately, when pumpkin is delivered to the table in the same way over and over again, it can result in what I like to call 'pumpkin burnout.'  Just like with any food fatigue or burnout, it isn't the fault of the food, but the way the food is delivered.  When was the last time your pumpkin pie brought exclamations of delight to the family dinner table?  Have your pumpkin muffins and pumpkin bread been met with a less than enthusiastic welcome?

It's time to get creative and avoid 'pumpkin burnout' this fall.  Let's switch things up a bit and create some sweet and savory surprises with this healthy super food.

Dessert

Pumpkin Marble Cheesecake (Photo credit: texascooking)

A plate of pumpkin cookies is a surprising sweet treat after dinner.  Just looking at them, your guests may not be able to tell what exactly is on the plate.  But, they will soon find out when they bite into this scrumptious flavor favorite.  Pumpkin pie won't even be missed when you serve up a variety of desserts like pumpkin dip with ginger cookies, pumpkin mousse, pumpkin torte, pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin cheesecake, or even a pumpkin souffle.

You can make pumpkin chips by roasting thin pieces of a sugar pumpkin, sprinkle them with cinnamon, and serve with a cream cheese dip flavored with nutmeg and allspice and other pumpkin pie flavors.  And don't forget pumpkin fudge.  With all these surprising options to pumpkin pie, you can't possibly suffer from pumpkin burnout!

Casseroles

When you think about serving pumpkin in something other than a dessert, a casserole comes to mind almost immediately.  And when you're thinking about casseroles, you should think about Kürbisauflauf. Yes, I know it is a mouth full, but this German pumpkin casserole is something that will definitely not contribute to any kind of pumpkin burnout.  This casserole is made with potatoes, apples, breadcrumbs, and pumpkin as the main ingredients and usually served with fruit compote.

Even though this is a sweetened casserole, it is not overly sweet. You add sugar if you want, but much of the sweetness comes naturally from the apples and raisins, if added.  Also, you are using pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, so the spices are not there.  Pumpkin does not taste like pumpkin pie until you add the spices.  In this German casserole favorite, you'll be tasting more of the apple and enjoying the moistness of the pumpkin.

Breakfast

You are probably familiar with pumpkin muffins. But we're going to skip the familiar and go with something you may not have tried yet.  Pumpkin is a wonderful ingredient to add to pancakes or waffles. Pumpkin offers moisture as well as lots of fiber for a nutritious and delicious breakfast.  You may want to add pumpkin to your favorite yogurt and granola parfait for breakfast.

If doughnuts are your favorite breakfast treat, why not add pumpkin?  It is a simple matter of combining your doughnut ingredients with pumpkin pie filling and cooking them up as you normally would. That plate of doughnuts all of a sudden is very seasonal and festive.  Is a hot bowl of oatmeal your go-to breakfast?  Why not perk it up with some cooked diced pumpkin!  Add your favorite spices, some raisins, and you have a hot breakfast that kicks the nutrition level up a notch or two.

Pumpkin Burger (Photo credit: The Facey Family)

Savory

If sweet isn't your thing, you may want to turn your sights on savory flavors.  Remember, pumpkin puree has very little flavor of its own.  For that reason, pumpkin is the perfect vehicle for other flavors.  And, because pumpkin is packed with nutritional fiber, vitamins and antioxidants, it's a great choice for healthy diets, as well.  Pumpkin puree, either homemade or canned, can be mixed with other pureed root crops like rutabaga, turnips, carrots, potatoes, or parsnips, to make hearty soups.  For the savory twist, fry up smokey bacon with onion, leeks, garlic, and herbs like rosemary, thyme, and marjoram.

Roast diced pumpkin with other fall vegetables, season with cumin, cayenne pepper, and other savory seasonings to create a side dish suitable for beef, pork, or chicken.  Layer sliced pumpkin, onions, potatoes, eggplant, and tomatoes with spicy Italian sausage to make a baked dish that's sure to please your hungry family, and without a bit of pumpkin burnout.  Once you get beyond thinking of pumpkin as only a sweet dessert, you will easily move your pumpkin from the sweet side of the pantry to the savory side.

Drinks

Pumpkin Munchikhan Cocktail (Photo credit: waferboard)

Pumpkin drinks are an instantaneous hit anywhere they are served. Some pumpkin beverages are simply pumpkin desserts cleverly disguised as a drink.  Pumpkin pie smoothies and pumpkin cheesecake shakes are two that come to mind.  Whipping up these drinks is as simple as getting out your blender and making your favorite dessert with a little added milk or ice cream.  Of course, pumpkin pie hot chocolate is another favorite.

You can even go the adult beverage route with many recipes that combine pumpkin puree or pumpkin liqueurs.  Some drinks simply play on the flavors we associate with pumpkin pie; the spices, that is.  But others do actually call for combining pumpkin pie filling with ingredients like Kaluha or rum, and whipping it all up into a frothy drink topped with whipped cream.  This would be a sort of dessert drink with a pumpkin twist.  Certainly, these drinks won't lead to pumpkin burnout!

Whether you're looking for new recipes to serve pumpkin in sweet ways, or you're trying to steer your pumpkin away from sweet and into savory, all it takes is a bit of creativity.  Experiment with a variety of flavors, both savory and sweet, to bring out the very best of everything pumpkin has to offer.  Remember, pumpkin does not taste like pumpkin pie on its own.  That means, you can start fresh!  Surprise your family and your guests with something new this fall – serve dishes that will show a new side of pumpkin.

Beat the Heat With Cool & Fresh Citrus Summer Beverages

Nothing says summer like a nice cold citrus drink. Maybe it's because the citrus flavors just scream “Summer's here!”  Or perhaps it's because of the clean and refreshing taste.  No matter what the reason, summer and citrus go hand-in-hand with a warm summer night. So sit back and relax with these mouthwatering drinks that feature citrus at its finest.

Refreshing Drinks for All Ages

These drinks have no spirits, but they have lots of 'spirit!'  (If you prefer the adult version, simply add alcohol of your choice - or see more recipes below.) They are easy to make, and very tasty.  With these recipes, you will never go back to processed powdered or canned drinks again.

Limeade. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Limeade

This is one of the all time classics when it comes to summer.  Limeade is a sweet and tart drink that not only refreshes, but makes a sunshine-drenched day even better.  If you're looking forward to making a giant batch of limeade to share with your friends and family, this is a super simple method.

Juice four to six fresh ripe limes, then combine with one liter of lemon-lime seltzer water, which can usually be found on the soda aisle of your local grocer.  Add in some superfine (castor) sugar to taste. Once you have everything mixed, throw some ice in a glass and fill it up with this over the top refreshing concoction.

Lime Sherbert Punch

Looking for something fun the kids can enjoy on a hot summer day? How about a lime sherbert punch? Not only does it taste great, the green foamy drink makes for a pretty amazing party drink when the neighborhood decides to stop by for some fun in the sun.

Grab a big bowl and combine a quart of lime sherbert, one liter of ginger ale, a can of sliced pineapples including the juice, and sliced rounds of lemon and lime. So pretty and so delicious.

Sparkling Italian Lemonade

Not your average lemonade, this drink is a basil-infused lemonade that will knock your swim-floaties off!  There are certain flavors that play off each other, and lemon and basil are two of them. You won't ever go back to a plain old lemonade once you try this.  But, before you get too far, you'll need to make the simple syrup.  Don't worry; it's simple just like the name says.  In a saucepan, put two cups of sugar, one cup of water, and a handful of washed and chopped fresh basil leaves. Over medium heat, cook this until the sugar melts and the liquid reduces just a bit. Then set aside and let the syrup cool.

To make the lemonade, take about 12 to 15 lemons and juice them.  You want about two cups of freshly squeezed lemon juice.  Put the juice into a pitcher and add in two cups of the basil infused simple syrup - or to taste. Then pour in two cups of sparkling water, add ice as desired, and serve immediately.

Refreshing Drinks for Adults

These are the 'spirited' drinks meant for adults.  The freshness of the ingredients make these adult drinks stand out from the rest.

Mimosa Punch


Citrus Punch. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As the dew rolls off the freshly cut grass, there is no more delightfully refreshing drink than a tall flute of mimosa punch. Mimosa punch is easy to make and even easier to drink at a brunch with your friends and family. Grab a can of orange juice concentrate, a bottle of club soda, and a bottle or two of sparkling wine or champagne.

Combine the thawed orange juice and about four cups of ice cold club soda and stir until they are well mixed. Once those two ingredients are together in a punch bowl, start adding the sparkling wine or champagne to taste, pour into flutes and serve with a fresh twist of orange and a sprig of mint.

Lemon Cucumber Gin Punch

Can you really combine something fun, something refreshing, and something healthy?  That sounds like the perfect drink for summer.  Of course gin is not considered healthy, but the lemon and cucumber are so cleansing, it's hard to not give this drink a little nod to healthy cocktail status.

Simply combine the juice of four lemons, along with the rinds, cut up a bit, into a bowl.  Add about a cup of sugar, more or less as desired. Let this 'steep' for about half hour to one hour, then strain, discarding the rinds.  Slice a large washed and unpeeled cucumber into thin rounds and put them to a pitcher.  Pour in the strained lemon juice.  Then pour in a full bottle of gin and let it steep for two hours. To serve, fill a tall glass with ice and pour punch into glass.

Whether you have a brunch planned at your house, or a pool party, or picnic, a refreshing citrus drink just fits.  Summertime is the right time to enjoy these fresh, cooling beverages.  Tweak them as you wish to suit your taste, then sip and relax!