Ice Cube Shot Glasses

Saw this idea over at Zoom Yummy blog (http://zoomyummy.com/2010/07/01/ice-shot-glasses/)
and began imagining the many amazing possibilities. Tequila shots in a mint/lime/cucumber shot glass? Chilled soup shots? Mini Ceviche Amuse Bouche? A bloodmary oyster shooter in a tomato juice and horseradish shot glass? 

Soak your nuts...

Vegan Chive Cashew Nut Ricotta

 For the full recipe, including instructions on how to soak and grind and pulse the nuts...
plus additional variations such as...
Black and Blue: Add a few drizzles of a thick balsamic, throw in a few grinds of mixed color peppercorns and maybe even some sweet fresh or dried figs.
Sweet Peach: Fold in chopped fresh peaches and maple syrup for a sweet twist on this ricotta dip.
Thyme and Citrus: Grind some orange zest and crush fresh or dried thyme into your ricotta....check out http://kblog.lunchboxbunch.com/2010/06/vegan-chive-ricotta-nut-cheese-spread.html

Dinner success

 At the moment, we're poor. Living on eggs, sad pasta, more sad pasta, and stale matzoh leftover from passover.  Tonight...we eat like kings!!!!!

Beer Battered Chicken
2 boneless chicken breasts
1 cup of beer (i used blue moon, still left over from our wedding in Sep. 09)
1 cup of flour (i used self-rising cause that's all we had)
1 cup olive oil (didn't have a full cup, used a smidgen of corn oil to make up the difference)
2 eggs beaten
Splash of milk
(all the following to taste)
Roasted Red Pepper Flakes
Paprika
Salt
Pepper
Celery Seed
Thyme
Chives
Oregano

Step one: Slice boneless chicken breasts into one inch strips
Step two: Mix flour with the various herbs, salt, pepper
Step three: beat two eggs in a bowl with a splash of whole milk and one cup of beer
Step four: Add flour/herb mixture to egg mixture and mix well
Step five: Heat oil until smoking hot
Step six: Dredge chicken strips lightly through flour and then into beer/egg/flour/herb mixture, allow to drip and add to pan
Step seven: have a few sips of beer, you deserve it
Step eight: turn chicken in oil after 2-3 minutes, should be golden brown
Step nine: brown other side and remove to a pan lined with paper towels
Step ten: serve with sauce of your choice, ours was honey mixed with sambal olek(pictures), chopped basil, a tiny splash of lemon juice, salt & pepper
yummy yum yum yum.

Accompanied by green bean/onion saute and instant (but real!) mashed potatoes

Mint Juleps

 Mint Julep recipe from The Kitchn
http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/ingredients-herbs/mint-juleps-for-kentucky-derby-day-083439

The Kentucky Derby reminds me of mint juleps (obviously).  And mint juleps remind me of the scene in The Great Gatsby where on a stiflingly hot day they rent out a room at the Plaza Hotel so they have a place to drink mint juleps.  If I won the lottery, that's the first thing I'd do.




Great American Writers & Their Cocktails
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6624971

Mint Julep Cupcakes (not sure how I feel about these)
http://www.erinsfoodfiles.com/2009/04/mint-julep-cupcakes.html

Grilled Cheese Academy

I should've gotten my Masters here.
If you feel like looking at some cheese based food porn, follow the link to a grilled cheese sammich slide show of epic proportions
http://www.grilledcheeseacademy.com/lisamarie#&disp=83987