Category: Beverages

Smirnoff Summer Entertaining Extravaganza: Second City Social Media Meetup

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* All photos courtesy of Mystic Image Photography/Kat Fitzgerald

I have to admit, I feel intimidated by thought of cooking for fellow food bloggers and people that follow me via Twitter and Facebook because of my blog. Food Bloggers are a confident, opinionated and sometimes even arrogant bunch in regards to their prowess in the kitchen. I love cooking and baking, but know I have so much to learn, yet still feel miles ahead of the average home cook. Another thing that intimidates me is cooking on a deadline and for a large group. All the “what ifs ” enter my thoughts. But miraculously it always comes off.

My Auntie Mame graciously allowed me to host a Foodbuzz brunch for my fellow local bloggers and social media friends . Most were known to me, but there were some I had never met, yet felt comfortable in inviting. It was chance for us to from behind the computer screen and interact face to face to with food and drink. I invited around 25, and about 15 showed up. August being bad for people with travel plans. I cant get quantities right and as always had way to much food, but it didn’t go to waste as people took some home. The purpose of the Foodbuzz sponsored brunch was to incorporate Smirnoff Tuscan Lemonade and/ or Mojito into our menus and event. I decided to reflect the diversity of Chicago, the Second City, but making dishes for various neighborhoods.
The menu was as follows:
Gold Coast
Marscarpone , port soaked figs, melon ham rolls
Greek town
Greek Quinoa Salad
Smirnoff Tuscan Lemonade Spiked Watermelon, Tomato, Feta, and Pine Nut Salad with Balsamic reduction
Little Italy
Cherry tomatoes stuffed with Ricotta and Basil Chiffonade
Angel Hair Pasta with Tuscan Lemonade Vodka and Shrimp
Pilsen
Corn Tortilla Bar
Smirnoff Mojito marinated chicken with pobalnos
Crock pot Chipolte Carnitas
Roasted Vegetables
Condiments:
Kayce’s Elote Salsa
Salsa Verde
Mango Salsa
Sour Cream
Cojito
Salsa
Limes
Wrigley
Lolli Pies Pops in blueberry, fig, and pineapple
Beverages
Sparkling Raspberry Smirnoff Tuscan Lemonade
Sorrel ( Flor de Jamaica)Smirnoff Mojtio Punch
Wines
Water
Sodas
My good friend Kat Fitzgerald of Mystic Images Photography was kind enough to take the photos for me. Kat was another instrumental one in me meeting Certain Someone. She’s the tarot card reader who was at the dinner the night we met. Unfortunately Certain Someone was away, as he usually is, but Kat could validate he does he exist!

The recipes for the menu are not really complicated , but do take a little prep and time. I will posting the recipes throughout the week. But here are the Smirnoff cocktails to kick of the postings.

Sparkling Raspberry Tuscan Lemonade
*Raspberry Syrup
Smirnoff Tuscan Lemonade
Club Soda or Seltzer Water
*Raspberry Syrup
1 pint raspberries
2 cups sugar
2 cups water
Rinse raspberries. In a heavy bottomed sauce pan add sugar and water. Bring to a boil and continue to cook for 5 minutes. Remove off heat. Take a mesh strainer and pour separating the pulp from liquid. Let syrup cool.

In a glass with ice, add 1/2 part raspberry syrup, to 1 part Tuscan Lemonade. Top off with Seltzer.

Sorrel ( Flor de Jamaica) Mojito Punch
*Flor de Jamaica is dried hibiscus flower and can be purchased at Afro/Carib and Latin markets
Sorrel infusion( Flor de Jamaica infused with hot water and lightly sweetened to taste.
In a glass with ice pour 1 part Sorrel infusion and 1 part Smirnoff Mojito. Garnish with mint.

I cant speak for others, but I had a great time. It was so nice to see various facets of my friends and interests interact in beautiful lakefront surroundings.Each guest brought their talents and charm. In the end we were even given a impromptu belly dance by Diana , a wonderful teacher and lady who radiated goodness and light.Kat,Beth, Ogi, Vicky, Russel,Goody and your guests, thank you for coming and allowing me to feed to feed you. Auntie Mame thanks for opening your home to my world .Foodbuzz and Smirnoff thank you for great products and allowing me to be create this event and meet some new great friends.And for my friends that couldn’t make it, next time perhaps. In my opinion there is no better way to spend beautiful summer afternoon.

Stay tuned for more recipe posts from the menu throughout the week. I will walk you through the Lolli pies ( inspiration from a fellow blogger) which were a hit.

The Real Housewives Cocktail Contest Roundup

I’m finally getting a chance to post the roundup for the Real Housewives Cocktail contest. I’m on vacation right now and attending Pastry Camp( all Chocolate ) at the French Pastry School Chicago. Can I just say I am am having the best time and this course is changing my life. Literally! Stay tuned for some Glamh-a-rous pastries coming.

So back to the purpose of this post. Unfortunately I didn’t get many entries. But they were all stellar! I did try to get prizes for the actual housewives and husbands to no avail. But I did find this great prize to give away to whomever wins the poll,The Williams and Sonoma Bar and Wine Guides. A great set of books for any bar.
Judy from No Fear Entertaining gave us this fabu CelloRita. A sinful yet refreshing concoction go Limoncello and Tequila inspired by the Barneys from Orange County.

Chris from Mele Cotte was obviously inspired by the local flavor of peaches and those sassy Atlanta wives with Sheree’s Sassy Southern Stance.

Michelle from Big Black Dogs gave us the Red Patent Leather Swinger inspired by the most flamboyant honorary ‘housewife’, Simon. Need I say more?


And finally my cocktail The Countess’ Cherry Lime Gin Rickey. I will post mine in the polls, but naturally am not eligible for a prize.

On Twitter I got a great recipe from a non Food blogger, Nadiart inspired by the not one of Bravos Housewives, but a a more Desperate one Bree. Perfection in a glass. Rose Lemon Drop Martini in under 140 characters. She then advises how to garnish:

” it looks pretty garnished w/ rose petal, slice lemon & pinksugar rimmer – if I had the ingredients I’d make one and send u a photo”

So here are some great cocktails for the weekend. Enjoy and go vote for one on the left sidebar.

Real Housewives Cocktail Contest…The Countess’ Cherry Lime Gin Rickey


If I had to relate to anyone on Bravos Real Housewives franchise it would be the Countess. What can I say, she’s great, Like a tall glass of lemonade that keeps going even when life throws some merde her way and her cast mates aren’t always the most gracious. LuAnn gets a lot of flack in democratic America for supposedly flaunting her title. But come on, most people would. Some old Glamah lore is that I hung around a few titled folks in my Paris school days, and the allure is there no matter how nonchalant you try to be. Its fascinating when one can trace their families achievements and scandals for hundreds, even thousands of years.The Countess earned that title being the consummate wife while her Count was off wheeling and dealing for the most part. Another aspect I relate to heavily as Certain Someone spends a great amount of time away for his work.
I chose to make a Gin Based drink with the Countess as my muse.Gin has been produced commercially for over 400 years and goes well with fruit.When I think of Gin I think of Old Line, Class, and another era. Naturally I used Gordon’s which is by Appointment to her Majesty Queen Elizabeth , the grandest title of them all.I made the drink more fun and common with the addition of lime juice and cherries. I can see The Countess drinking this while watching the polo at Bridgehampton or even sitting by her pool as she plots out the next chapters of her life without the lowdown Count.So raise you glass to the housewife with the most class.
There is still time darlings to enter The Real Housewives Cocktail Contest. You have until June 20th!
(Absolutely no affiliation with Bravo TV, just good ole food blogging fun).

The Countess’ Cherry Lime Gin Rickey
*thanks to Kayce for the inspiration and advice
6 organic cherries pitted
Juice of 1 organic lime
1 shot glass of Gordon’s Gin
2 tablespoons of simple syrup
Crushed ice
Club Soda or Seltzer Water
Muddle the cherries, lime and simple syrup in a tall glass. Top with Crushed ice.Pour in Gin and top off with Club Soda. Garnish with a slice of lime.

Historical Trivia on the origin of the Countess title.

Real Housewives Cocktail Contest

I have a dirty secret. I am addicted to Bravo’s Real Housewives series. I admit it and not ashamed! And I have found other foodies like me via Twitter who are obsessed too.”And let me tell you something…we are as thick as thieves” .Watching the girls from the OC, Atlanta, NYC,and now New Jersey makes us all laugh and cringe at the same time.
So we decided in Tweetville to come up with a cocktail contest. Let any of the housewives from the series be your inspiration. You know Kim and Ne Ne loved their white wine. Ramona cant get enough of her Pinot Grigio. Tamara’s husband started a tequila business. And who has not heard of Bethenny’s Skinny Girl Margaritas at this point!If you need more research go here and check out all the shows, blogs, and recaps.
So come up with your best drink reflecting your favorite character.
Deadline June 20! We will all vote after the round up and the prize will be a book of cocktails or something TBD.
Get Mixing!
Send me your entries, links, and photos to cococooks(AT)hotmail(DOT)com by June 20.
* Not affiliated with Bravo TV.

I.O Organic Sicilian Blood Orange Juice, A Chicken Dish,and a Cocktail

I stuck up a Twitter correspondence with the owner of I.O Organics ,Organic Blood Orange Juice. He kindly sent me two bottles for review. I love Blood oranges and to see a product like this naturally intrigued me. Produced on his families farm in Mineo, Sicily, the juice provides 40% more than the FDA recommended amounts of vitamin C. That’s more than the average orange. Potassium, fiber, iron,calcium, and Vitamin A round out the health benefits.

I was worried this would be a sugary drink. Absolutely not! The flavor was crisp and tart, while naturally sweet. One can drink this alone, or make a wonderful cocktail.
Of course my unoriginal self immediately used some of the juice for a healthy orange chicken.This chicken is not fried and cooks slow to produce a slow reduction of Blood Orange Juice , molasses, and brown sugar, Toss in some fresh Broccoli to roast and you have a healthy version of Orange Chicken.
Glamah’s Not Your Food Court Orange Chicken
1 cup I.O ORGANICS Blood Orange Juice
4 chicken thighs ( bone in)
1 head of fresh broccoli
1.3 cup molasses
1/3 cup rice wine vinegar
1/2 cup brown sugar
sea salt to taste
Fresh ground pepper to taste
pinch of Cayenne Pepper
1 tsp ground Ginger
In a heavy duty enameled cast iron pan toss all ingredients and add chicken. It will be liquidy. Slowly roast uncovered at 350 degrees F until liquid starts to reduce and thicken. It will take approx 45 depending on your oven. At the 30 minute stage you can add Fresh Broccoli to the pan to roast in the liquids and with the chicken. When the chicken looks about done, you can turn up the oven temp to 475 to help the juices/liquid caramelize and glaze the chicken. Remove from oven and enjoy. Serve with rice.
I also made a cocktail. Its sub zero here in Chicago and the Blood Orange Juice evoked feelings of sunshine for me.
Banana Blood Orangetini
2 parts I.O Blood Orange Juice
1 part vodka
1 part Banana Rum
Combine all ingredients in a martin shaker with ice and serve in a frosted glass.
You can find more information of I.O Organics Blood Orange Juice here.