CHRISTMAS MARTINIS

So I’m a beer drinker by nature, but when it comes to festive drinks for the holiday season, nothing looks more Christmasy than sugar-rimmed  martini glasses.    While a variety of recipes can be used to create that red and green color, two simple crowd favorites that I love is a tasty twist on the classic French Martini and the ever popular Appletini.  Both of these recipes call for vodka which, as an aside, I learned is not a true martini.  Martini purists believe gin makes a martini whereas vodka makes a cocktail.

But,  if you've ever watched a James Bond movie, Double-0-7 himself, has always preferred his martinis to be made with vodka along with his trademark "shaken not stirred".  That said, it appears that James has joined Team Debbie in his movie Skyfall....he ditches his martinis and switches to beer!

Now that you have an anecdote to go along with these recipes, let me just say that they are an incredibly easy way to look like you spent hours on every detail without breaking the bank.  They only require a few ingredients each so you can have your "martini taste" on a "beer budget"!


                                                             INGREDIENTS

                                                  Red Raspberry French Martini

                                                            1 oz.Chambord
                                                          1 oz. Vanilla Vodka
                                                    2 oz. Cran-Raspberry Juice

                                                        1 oz. Pineapple Juice
                                                       Raspberries/Toothpicks

                                                            Green Appletini

                                                    2 oz. Sour Apple Schnapps
                                                               2 oz. Vodka
                                                           2 oz. Apple Juice
                                                      Sour Apple Candy Cane
                          Optional:  For Christmasy green color add  2 drops Green Food Color

                                                      SUGARED GLASS RIM

                                                    3 tablespoons Corn Syrup
                                                       Green Sugar Sprinkles
                                          Wilton's White Sparkling Sugar Sprinkles

                               INSTRUCTIONS FOR RIMMING GLASS WITH SUGAR

STEP 1: Pour 3 tablespoons corn syrup onto dessert size plate.

STEP 2: Place rim of glass upside down into corn syrup.  (I bought these martini glasses at TJMaxx.)

STEP 3:  Sprinkle white sugar onto a 2nd dessert plate that is separate from the corn syrup dessert plate.  I use Wilton's White Sparkling Sugar Sprinkles because it is larger,  more coarse and looks fancier than regular sugar.  Some grocery stores may carry it.  I bought my bottle at Michael's in the Wilton's aisle. Then sprinkle green sugar sprinkles on top of white sugar sprinkles and mix together. I use the green sugar sprinkles from the grocery store baking aisle that you would use to decorate tops of sugar cookies. 

STEP 4:  Then place syrupy rim of glass upside down into sugar mixture.

                           INSTRUCTIONS FOR RED RASPBERRY FRENCH MARTINI

STEP 1:  Using a martini shaker filled with ice, add 1 oz. Chambord, 1 oz. Vanilla Vodka, 2 oz. Cran-Raspberry Juice & 1 oz. Pineapple Juice.  Shake vigorously.

STEP 2:  Using the strainer at the top of martini shaker, pour into sugar rimmed glass and garnish with raspberry filled toothpick.

If you would like to purchase fancy toothpicks from Amazon,  please click below...

Frilled Toothpicks Party Accessory
  
                                   INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUGARED RASPBERRIES

STEP 1:  Pour 3 tablespoons corn syrup onto dessert plate and place raspberry in syrup and roll and coat thoroughly.

STEP 2:  Sprinkle 2 tablespoons Wilton's White Sparkling Sprinkles onto 2nd dessert plate and place syrup coated raspberry in sugar sprinkles and roll and coat thoroughly.

STEP 3:  Place coated raspberry on fancy toothpick.  (You can buy fancy toothpicks at the grocery or wine store.  I buy mine through Amazon because I can buy more for le$$.  But, only when I can get free shipping.)  I use 2 raspberries per toothpick, leaving a space between them so the space balances comfortably on the rim of the glass.

                                         INSTRUCTIONS FOR GREEN APPLETINI

STEP 1:  Using a martini shaker fill with ice, add 2 oz. Sour Apple Schnapps, 2 oz. Vodka &
2 oz. Apple Juice and shake vigorously. 

STEP 2:  Using the strainer at the top of martini shaker, pour into sugar rimmed glass and
garnish with sour apple candy cane balanced on rim of glass.

OPTIONAL:  For Christmasy green color, add 2 drops Green Food Color otherwise it will be lime green in color.

Want more recipe ideas?  Please click below...

Pineapples & Palm Trees

                                                               ~ Cheers ~
                                                               ~ Debbie ~
                                                              

SNOW CONE MACHINE - GREAT GIFT IDEA STRAIGHT FROM THE NORTH POLE

One of my favorite memories as a kid was the treat of an ice cold snow cone on a hot summer day.  Mixing several flavors together made it even more of an adventurous treat!  As it melted the sticky syrup would start running down my arm and my mother and I would race as to who would catch it first - my tongue or her dish rag.  But, snow cones are not just for summer anymore.  With the advent of the kitchen snow cone machine it can now make memories year round. 

This was one of the most utilized presents I think I ever bought my daughter.  When her friends would come over, they would spend hours having fun in the kitchen concocting different flavor combinations.  The best part is it's not just for kids anymore in our house.  Now that she is grown and has a home of her own, I inherited it and we use it when entertaining to make Margaritas and Daiquiris.  Same concept, just as much fun! 

I found this Snow Cone machine on Amazon.  If you would like to read more about it, please click below...

Hawaiian Snow Cone Machine - Ice Shaver #S700

Want more gift ideas?  Please click below...
Pineapples & Palm Trees

                                                                 ~ Debbie ~

MERRY CHRISTMAS PASTA SHRIMP SALAD

This salad is a fun contemporary complement to a traditional Christmas dinner.   It can be made ahead of time and is as colorful and festive looking as it is great tasting!   It can also be used the day after as a nice change-up to turkey sandwiches.  Just pull out the turkey platter and the pasta shrimp salad from the fridge and "voila" you have lunch!

This is such a yummy salad that I don't need Christmas as an excuse to make it.  It is especially refreshing in the summertime.   When my husband and I sit on the lawn at concerts I make this and it is a dinner unto itself on a warm summer night.                                                                     
                                                             INGREDIENTS

                                                        1 Pound Box Pasta
                                           1 Pound Small Size Shrimp (Cooked)
                                                  1/2 Green Pepper (Chopped)
                                                   1/2 Red Pepper (Chopped)
                                                  1/2 Cup Carrots (Shredded)
                                                    1/2 Cup Onion (Chopped)
                                                             Salt & Pepper
                                                                  Paprika

                                                             Salad Dressing

                                                       1 1/2 cup Mayonnaise
                                                       4 Tablespoons Sugar
                          1/2 Cup Evaporated Milk (Comes in small can in baking section)
                                              4 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar

Makes approximately 12 servings as a side dish, 6 servings as a meal.

INSTRUCTIONS:

STEP 1: Boil 1 pound of  pasta according to instructions on box.  Then drain and cool.

STEP 2:  Chop 1/2 green pepper, 1/2 red pepper, 1/2 cup carrots & 1/2 cup onion.

STEP 3:  Make salad dressing mixture.  Mix1 1/2 cup mayonnaise and 4 tablespoons sugar until well blended.  Pour in 1/2 cup evaporated milk and mix well.  Add 4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar and stir well.  Mixture will become thicker.

STEP 4:  Add salad dressing mixture to cooled pasta and blend thoroughly.   If you like your macaroni salad to be creamier and well coated by the dressing, you may need to use less noodles than recommended..  If you like it to be less creamy and thinly coated,  you may need to use the recommended amount of noodles but less dressing than recommended.

STEP 5:  Add chopped red and green peppers, onion and shredded carrots to pasta and stir well.

STEP 6:  Add 1 pound cooked shrimp. (I buy the 2 pound frozen bag of cooked, deveined, tail-off, peeled,  100-150 count shrimp from Costo) and stir.

STEP 7:  Add salt and pepper to taste.

OPTIONAL:  Garnish with parsley and paprika.

Want more recipe ideas?  Click below.
Pineapples & Palm Trees

                                                               ~ Debbie ~

SWEET GIFTS TO GIVE - CANDY SUNDAES

If you are really crunched for time, a delightful gift idea that is easy to make is a sweet "sundae"  of festive candy.  Using a clear glass, fill it full of your favorite holiday candy, top it off with ribbon and a stick of candy and "Voila" you have an eye-popping gift!

The glasses I used were tall beer glasses.  But, ice cream sundae or ice cream soda glasses would be fun also.  The candy can be bought at any local grocer during the holiday season.  But, I have found WalMart  to be one of the more competitive in price.   

Want more creative ideas? Click below...
Pineapples & Palm Trees

                                                               ~ Debbie ~

OLD-FASHIONED CARAMEL POPCORN

Skip the cold and crowded shopping frenzy by giving a homemade gift with this old-fashioned popcorn recipe.  Besides being inexpensive and easy,  you get to spend your holiday time in the peace and quiet of your warm and cozy kitchen.  I found this recipe on Allrecipes.  Starting with fresh homemade popcorn, it is covered with a salty/sweet coating of caramel, chocolate and roasted peanuts.  Once the popcorn coating sets, you can package it festively in a fun container dressed up with cellophane and ribbon.  I found the Popcorn container as well as the cellophane and ribbon at the Dollar Tree.

Allrecipes - Caramel Popcorn

                                                             INGREDIENTS                                                       
                                                 
                                                    16  Cups Popped Popcorn
                                                      1  Cup Roasted Peanuts
                                                         1  Cup Brown Sugar
                                                              1/2 Cup Butter
                                                     1/4 Cup Light Corn Syrup
                                                    1  Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
                                                              1 Teaspoon Salt
                                                     1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda
                                                    1  Cup Milk Chocolate Chips
                                                        1  Teaspoon Shortening

                                                           INSTRUCTIONS:

Step 1:  Grease cookie sheets.

Step 2:  Pop popcorn.

Step 3:  Place popped popcorn (make sure there are no kernels) and roasted peanuts in a microwave safe bag.

Step 4:  Combine sugar, butter, corn syrup, vanilla and salt in a microwave safe bowl.  Microwave for 4 minutes until bubbly.

 Step 5:  Stir baking soda into bubbly mixture.

Step 6:  Pour bubbly mixture over popcorn and peanuts and shake bag to coat.

Step 7:  Roll down edges of bag and place in microwave and heat for a total of 2 minutes, shaking bags 3 times to mix.

Step 8:  Spread mixture onto sheets to cool.

Step 9:  Combine chocolate and shortening in a microwave safe bowl.  Microwave 90 seconds total, stirring once until melted.

 Step 10: Drizzle over popcorn mixture and let cool to set.

Step 11:  Break popcorn mixture apart and enjoy!!                                                                    

Want more recipe ideas?  Please click below...
Pineapples & Palm Trees

                                                                 ~ Debbie~

GOD'S GUEST LIST - INSIGHTS REGARDING DIFFICULT RELATIONSHIPS

How would your life be changed if every person you met you asked yourself, "Why has God invited this person into my life?   What blessed influence am I to give or receive?"  Well, that's what Debbie Macomber inspires you to think about throughout this book.  The premise being that God makes no mistakes when inviting people into your life whether they be family, friends or rivals.  The challenge is to pay close enough attention as to why He feels they are important enough to be on the guest list He has created for you.  Thought provoking and encouraging, this book will help you embrace not only the lessons the "easy to love" people bring into your life but the more difficult ones as well!

My Book Club decided to read this newest non-fiction of Macomber's after having read her "One Simple Act" which we found just as inspirational.  Both books are great for gift giving and "God's Guest List" is especially great for anyone struggling with a difficult relationship.

I usually purchase books through Amazon for convenience although any local bookstore should carry this one.  If you are interested in purchasing from Amazon please click below...

God's Guest List: Welcoming Those Who Influence Our Lives

Want more creative ideas?  Please click below...
Pineapples & Palm Trees 

                                                            ~ Debbie ~

CHEERS TO A SELF-SERVE WINE BAR

                                           

One of the ways that has helped me to enjoy my own parties and make my guests feel more "at home" is a self-serve wine bar.  When stocking the bar I like to offer both "dry" and "sweet" in both red and white wines.  The best way to know how much to stock for your party is to watch what guests drink at parties you attend.  Pick up on what they rave about and then take note to buy the same for your next party. 

At the end of this post I have included a popular wine from each grouping that I have found to be crowd pleasers as well as suggested temperatures to serve.   Since temperatures vary according to individual tastes, an easy rule of thumb is sweet red and white wines should stay refrigerated until the guests arrive, dry red wine should be refrigerated 20 minutes before the guests arrive and dry white wine should be taken out of the refrigerator 20 minutes before the guests arrive.
 

 

                         
                                                          BEVERAGE TUBS
                                                   (Purchased at Home Goods)

While most red wine should be served at room temperature, white wine needs to be kept chilled.   A metal or plastic beverage tub filled to the brim with ice is perfect for keeping drinks cold throughout the evening.  A trick I learned from my son if your beverages are room temperature and you want to make them ice cold fast is to fill the tub with half water and half ice.  Place the bottles in the ice water up to their necks and they will chill much quicker than if they were sitting in ice only.  If chilled bottles weren't invitation enough, add greenery to the tub to make it even more inviting.

                                                    BEVERAGE DISPENSERS
                                                    (Purchased at Home Goods)

An apothecary beverage dispenser is another way to serve wine. Although it is great for serving red wine at room temperature, it can be challenging to keep white wine cold .  Some dispensers actually have the middle of the inside of the glass molded so you can place ice cubes in it.  This enables the beverage to stay chilled without touching and being diluted by the ice as it melts.  The dispensers I have do not have that wonderful feature so what I do is make my own wine ice cubes to add to the dispenser.

What I do is buy an extra bottle of wine that I will be serving in the dispenser.  Then I fill a couple of plastic ice cube trays with this extra bottle of a wine the day prior to the party.  Being alcohol it doesn't totally freeze, but instead becomes halfway between an ice cube and a frozen slushee.  Right before guests arrive I pour the chilled wine into the dispenser and then drop the slushee cubes into the dispenser also and the wine stays cold for hours!!

                                                             GLASSWARE
                                                       (Purchased at TJMaxx)

More than once I have underestimated how many wine drinkers there will be and have had to scramble in the cupboards for extra glasses in the middle of the party.   Having learned my lesson I now put out more than enough to satisfy a thirsty crowd. 

                                                    CORKSCREW & NAPKINS

In addition to glasses, remember to put out a corkscrew and napkins for the convenience of your guests!  All of this takes a little more up front organization to create a self-serve bar, but the convenience to the hostess as well as the guests, is well worth the extra preparation in advance. 

                                                      ACCESSORIES NEEDED

                                                                      Wine
                                                               Wine Glasses
                                                     Wine Bucket or Dispensers
                                                                  Corkscrew
                                                                    Napkins

WHAT WINE SHOULD I SERVE: 

Dry White Wine - Chardonnay (Chilled-Serve at 55 degrees-Refrigerate until 20 minutes before serving)

Sweet White Wine - Riesling (Chilled-Serve at 40-45 degrees) - Make sure the label on the bottle does not specify "dry".  If it does say "dry", then it will not have a "sweet" taste.  

Sweet Red Wine -White Zinfindel (Chilled-Serve at 40-45 degrees)

Dry Red Wine - Cabernet Sauvignon (Serve at 65 degrees - Put in refrigerator approximately 20 minutes before serving - Uncork before guests arrive in order to breathe)

New Year's Eve - Champagne (Chilled) or *Gloria Ferrer Sonoma Brut Sparkling Wine (Chilled - Serve at 40-45 degrees)

*Gloria Ferrer Sonoma Brut is my personal favorite as it is slightly sweeter than traditional champagne.  It is also slightly pricier at $15/bottle at my local store but on those special occasions it is worth the splurge!

Want more creative ideas?  Please click below...
Pineapples & Palm Trees
                                                           ~ Cheers ~
                                                           ~ Debbie ~