Why not add a little POP to your New Year’s Celebration with these great ideas! Love these New Year’s Eve Poppers featured on HGTV Toast from Around the World with these Great Champagne Flutes from Zodax In Spain it is Good Luck to eat a Dozen Grapes at Midnight, Why not add Some to Your Champagne with this Great Idea from MarthaStewart.com My Mother being from the South we always had Black Eyed Peas for Good Luck on New Years. Try this recipe for “Hoppin’ John” From Emeril  Happy New Year and Sante’ to a Fabulous 2012! From All of [Read more...]

We are always like to find an new and exciting Summer Drink.  We came across this wonderful cocktail at Beatrice and Woodsley in Denver Colorado.  If you are thinking the name Violet Beuregarde sound familiar, she was the girl in Charlie and The Chocolate Factory that the gum and turned into a giant blueberry. Q+E’s Summer Cocktail of 2011 – Violet Beauregarde is so refreshing and the bonus of antioxidants, you will enjoy it all Summer. What you need 1/2 – 1 Shot Vodka 1/2 – 1 Shot St Germain (Elderflower Liquer) 6+ Blueberries 1 Slice Lime Ice Club Soda [Read more...]

Hurricane was invented during the World War II at Pat O’Briens bar in New Orleans and was named after the shape of a hurricane lamp. Pat O’Briens bar is still open today in New Orleans’ famous French Quarter and sells their original Hurricane cocktail mix at the bar. Ingredients: - 2 oz light rum - 2 oz dark rum - 2 oz passion fruit juice - 1 oz orange juice - 1/2 oz fresh lime juice - 1 tbsp simple syrup - 1 tbsp grenadine - Garnish: orange slice and cherry Shake all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with [Read more...]

This recipe comes from my Aunt Ruth and Uncle John who live in Jackson MS.  It is wonderful and can be freezed.  The recipe below for microwave roux makes it all that easier.  Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez! 1 Stick Margarine 1 Pound Crawfish Tails or Shrimp Peeled (Raw) 1 Medium Onion, Chopped 2 Ribs Celery, Chopped ½ Bell Pepper, Chopped 1 Tbs Paprika ½ Tsp Salt ¼ Tsp Black Pepper Pinch Thyme 1 Bay Leaf 1 Cup Chicken Broth 1 Clove Garlic, Crushed ½ Bottle Beer (Optional) Hot Fluffy Rice 1 Tbs Parsley, Chopped 1 Tbs Green Onion Tops [Read more...]

Made this last weekend for the first time and it was quite simple and amazing! Very elegant dinner without a lot of work. Serves 2 INGREDIENTS: 400g / 1 Lb Beef fillet roast 400g / 1Lb Mushrooms 4 slice Parma ham Colman’s English mustard for brushing meat 200g / 1 Sheetpuff pastry 2 Egg yolks Salt and pepper Olive oil METHOD: Pre-heat the oven to 200c / 375f Heat some oil in a large pan, dry and season fillet with salt and pepper and quickly fry the beef all over until it’s brown. Remove and allow to cool. The point of this [Read more...]

Wondering what to do with that leftover turkey?  Turkey Tetrazzini is a quick easy dish that can make that last bit of leftover turkey from Thanksgiving disappear! 2 -3 C Turkey Shredded or in Small Pieces 1 Pkg fettuccine, Cook to al dente 1/2 C Diced Onion 1 Tbs Minced Garlic 1 C Sliced Mushrooms 1 + 3 Tbs Butter 4 Tbs Flour 1 – 1/2 C Chicken Broth 1/2 C Heavy Cream or Milk 1/4 Tsp Nutmeg Salt & Pepper to Taste 1/4 – 1/2 C Bread Crumbs 1/4 – 1/2 C Shredded Parmesan Heat oven to 350 degrees and [Read more...]

Well we had the whole “Duke” crew over Sunday for some 2nd round hoops watching.   During their time at Duke of course they ate at Bullock’s Bar-B-Que in Durham, so thought I would whip up some of their yummy Brunswick Stew.  I was lucky to find a recipe online which required a few modifications since it was based on 240Qt Kettle and something about using a boat oar to stir while cooking This recipe is easy but it does take time to cook to ensure the right consistency, but well worth it!  Makes Approx. 2.5 Gallons, freezes well. 1.5 – 1.75lb Chuck Roast, cut into big [Read more...]

Made this last weekend for the first time and it was quite simple and amazing! Very elegant dinner without a lot of work. Serves 2 INGREDIENTS: 400g / 1 Lb Beef fillet roast 400g / 1Lb Mushrooms 4 slice Parma ham Colman’s English mustard for brushing meat 200g / 1 Sheetpuff pastry 2 Egg yolks Salt and pepper Olive oil METHOD: Pre-heat the oven to 200c / 375f Heat some oil in a large pan, dry and season fillet with salt and pepper and quickly fry the beef all over until it’s brown. Remove and allow to cool. The point of this [Read more...]

This recipe comes from my Aunt Ruth and Uncle John who live in Jackson MS.  It is wonderful and can be freezed.  The recipe below for microwave roux makes it all that easier.  Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez! 1 Stick Margarine 1 Pound Crawfish Tails or Shrimp Peeled (Raw) 1 Medium Onion, Chopped 2 Ribs Celery, Chopped ½ Bell Pepper, Chopped 1 Tbs Paprika ½ Tsp Salt ¼ Tsp Black Pepper Pinch Thyme 1 Bay Leaf 1 Cup Chicken Broth 1 Clove Garlic, Crushed ½ Bottle Beer (Optional) Hot Fluffy Rice 1 Tbs Parsley, Chopped 1 Tbs Green Onion Tops  [Read more...]

Wondering what to do with that leftover turkey?  Turkey Tetrazzini is a quick easy dish that can make that last bit of leftover turkey from Thanksgiving disappear! 2 -3 C Turkey Shredded or in Small Pieces 1 Pkg fettuccine, Cook to al dente 1/2 C Diced Onion 1 Tbs Minced Garlic 1 C Sliced Mushrooms 1 + 3 Tbs Butter 4 Tbs Flour 1 – 1/2 C Chicken Broth 1/2 C Heavy Cream or Milk 1/4 Tsp Nutmeg Salt & Pepper to Taste 1/4 – 1/2 C Bread Crumbs 1/4 – 1/2 C Shredded Parmesan Heat oven to 350 degrees and [Read more...]