Pimm's Cup

Pimm’s Cup

Of course this drink is inspired from the Napoleon House in the French Quarter New Orleans.
They make the best trust me on this, but you know I have to try and make my own twist and version of this absolutely wonderful refreshing drink.  So here goes, quite simple!

Purchase Pimm’s #1 at your favorite liquor store, for us in Houston, Texas, that would be Spec’s!

2 ounces of Pimm’s # 1

4 ounces lemonade (Minute Maid will do just fine)
Diet Gingerale, just for topping off, if you prefer not to use diet, use regular gingerale

Cucumber, a must for garnish (My picture is missing a cucumber, I will update)
 

Pour these ingredients in a tall glass filled with ice ad large fresh basil leave.  You determine how much sweet basil you want to add.  Garnish with a cucumber and simply enjoy!

Please remember, drink responsibly, DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE PLEASE!!!!

 

 

Vegetarian Borscht

This is a delicious soup with vegetables and layers of flavor.  Close your eyes and take a bite, experience all the wonderful flavors popping inside your mouth.  There is not one flavor that stands out from all the rest.  Without this recipe I would never know how to flavor this enticing pot of delectable vegetables.   Come on, try it, with a red glass of wine and just have fun!

3 to 4 medium to large beets, leaves and roots removed.  Scrub and wash well.  Make a few holes in each beet with a sharp knife, wrap in foil and bake in a preheated oven at 400 degrees for 1 hour and 30 minutes.  Remove from oven and let cool.  Peel and cube getting ready to add to the stock pot below

In a skillet with 1 stick melted butter, sauté the following;

3 carrots grated
1 turnip grated
1 large onion finely chopped
1 cup thinly sliced celery
Sauté the vegetable in butter until soft about 15 to 20 minutes
Add I can of tomato paste, mix thoroughly, set aside.

 In a large stock pot place 32 ounces of vegetable stock/broth and the vegetables which have been sautéed in butter and tomato paste.  Also add 32 ounces of water and water as needed.  Place on stove and cook on high until hot and cut down low to medium. 

Add additional ingredients;

½ head of finely chopped green cabbage
10 clove garlic peeled and bruised with a knife
4 medium red potatoes – peeled and cubed to desired size
Juice from 2 lemons
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoon brown sugar
3 dry chili peppers, rinsed well with stem and seeds removed
4 bay leaves
6 peppercorns
1 tablespoon of pickling spice
2 teaspoons of seasoned salt
Do not forget the prepared beets above.

Mix all these ingredients cook until tender, simmer slowly.  Be careful not to cook too long, you do not want your vegetables to turn to mush. 

Serve in a bowl with a dollop of sour cream, your favorite bread, I would prefer a slice of sweet southern homemade cornbread and never ever forget that glass of wine!  Enjoy!

 

 

 

Praline Cheesecake Celebrating Thanksgiving 2013

Banana Foster Bread NOLA Style

Hello!  We are going to make Banana Bread that has the essence of New Orleans.  Come on I know we are going to have fun!  Bananas, brown sugar , and rum is just the beginning.  Come on over, let’s have some fun New Orleans style!

1 ½ cups mashed ripe bananas

1 cup of brown sugar packed
6 tablespoons of melted butter, use for 2 parts
1/3 cup of dark rum
1/3 cup of plain yogurt
2 large eggs
1 ½ cups all purpose flour
¼ cup flax seed
¾ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground allspice
Cooking spray
1/3 cup powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine mashed bananas, ½ cup brown sugar, 5 tablespoons butter and 3 tablespoons of drak rum in a non stick skillet.  Cook over medium heat until begins to bubble.  Remove from heat; and let cool.  Place banana mixture in a large bowl.  Add yogurt, remaining ½ cup brown sugar, and eggs.  Beat on medium speed of your mixer.

Measure flour into measuring cups , making sure to level flour with the measuring cups.  Ad flour mixture to the above ingredients.  Mix gently until all ingredients have been thoroughly blended.

Pour into a 9 X 5 inch loaf pan which has been coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350 degrees for an hour until using a wooden pick, inserted batter comes out clean.

Remove bread from pan and place on a wire rack. 

Combine butter, rum, powdered sugar until well blended.  Drizzle over  warm bread.  Enjoy and have some fun!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oatmeal Pancakes

Brown 1 cup of Quaker Oats Old Fashioned Oatmeal – brown lightly in a Teflon coated skillet, set aside and measure the remaining ingredients
¼ cup of flour
1 tablespoon brown sugar
½ teas baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup of buttermilk
3 tablespoons of melted butter
1 large egg
Cooking spray

Mix ingredients as listed.

Heat a non stick skillet Teflon coated).  Spray non stick skillet with a cooking spray.  Spoon 2 ½ tablespoons batter for each pancake onto skillet.  Turn over once when pancakes have bubbled.

This recipe makes 4 pancakes

Enjoy with fresh fruit and pure maple syrup.

Open a bottle of Champagne and serve with orange juice, hence a Mimosa.  Enjoy and have some fun, really have some fun.