quick 'rita

Oops - disappeared while I wrote this entry!

Fruit juice, leftover strawberries, tequila in the liquor cabinet - time for a quick 'rita.

I love to order a margarita with friends when we dine out on Mexican - but until last winter, I had never made a margarita at home. The occasion was our book group ... and I was looking for something a little different.  I made a big batch of Ina Garten's Grapefruit Margarita's and they were a huge hit!  The recipe is in her book titled, 'How Easy Is That?' ... you've heard me rave about that one before!  This little recipe serves a weary mom and a friend nicely.  :)

Ingredients:
1/4 c strawberries, macerated in sugar
1 c ice
1 oz Cointreau
3 oz tequila
3 oz strawberry-kiwi juice
1 lime, juiced

Directions:
Blitz in the blender till smooth.  Yum.

10 loves: walnuts

10 Walnut Loves

It is a common trait of my generation - a love of top ten lists.  Did it all begin with David Letterman?  Now they are everywhere: news reports, travel guides, holiday sales, marketing launches, etc.  And our little blog is no different!

This walnut top ten is inspired by a recent gift from our family's DF, Dorothy Quilty.  We came to know Dottie many years ago through DF's Woody, Jen and Anne.  She is a neighbor of ours, living in Winchester for decades with her sisters.  She lives alone now, and we have weekly visits with lots of storing telling, book and movie shares and some produce swaps in summer.  She is an inspiration - a strong, brave, intelligent and witty woman with a love of reading, current events and a little gossip here and there.  This one is a 'shout-out' to her and her amazing spirit!

10. heart healthy walnuts Take a quick peek at this interesting article from Dr. Andrew Weil about the benefits of walnuts.

9. sugared walnuts Leave it to Martha Stewart to have a quick and easy recipe for this classic - great for salads and to munch with cocktails. I also like to quick-toast mine in the oven.

8. blue-cheese walnut cream  Another party classic from Martha, I thin mine with a little cream or 1/2 and 1/2. It is great on top of grape halves or spread on crostini.

7. cranberry, walnut quinoa salad I fell in love with Quinoa this fall. Shout-out to Denise Costello, our local fit foodie, for inspiring me to make this a pantry staple!

6. walnut butter cookies  My kids love making these 'horseshoe' shaped cookies.  Claire has an Italian version, Crumiri, on her blog!

5. walnut cookie molds I covet these - aren't they adorable?  Don't you want to spread a little Nutella between two halves? Or perhaps a little chocolate ganache?

4. salad with pears, pomegranate & walnuts  This recipe from NPR's site gives an alternative recipe for sugared walnuts, but Martha's (see above) is easier. I make a version of this every Christmas.

3. walnut marinated goat cheese  I am a big goat cheese fan and this epicurious.com article was an inspiration for some of our homemade holiday gift giving.

2. walnut-arugula pesto  Yum!  Calling all arugula fans!  This pesto is so versatile; use it on pasta, pizza, sandwiches and to make an amazing potato salad!

1. Our newly, inherited Nut Cracker - Thank you, Dottie!  We love it!

nesting: a shower and a cocktail classic

Jen designed nesting cupcakes for the celebration!

I had the opportunity today to sneak a peak into a delightful occasion - a baby shower thrown by my DF (dear friend) Jenifer.  Winter holiday time can be filled with a bit of chaos - but I can't imagine a more magical season to be awaiting a baby. My grandmother always spoke reverently of times when she anticipated a new grandchild and babies made the holidays extra special for her.  Perhaps that is why she had 30+ grandchildren?  What can I say, except 'Irish-Catholic'. :)

Non-Alcohoic Version
(perfect for expectant moms)
Top w/ Sparkling Water
or Ginger Ale

Back to the event: A baby girl is due in January, the first child for Jen's cousin and her husband. The Trevett's welcomed family and friends to celebrate, to honor the mom-to-be and to share their excitement.  The gathering was festive and graced by her elegant touches (see pics below).

Jen's Pomegranate-Ginger Sparkler is perfect for parties and flexible enough for kids or adults.  She was kind enough to share with me the key ingredient - a pomegranate-ginger syrup. The variations will give you the flexibility to make this your own.  Doubling the recipe is easy - great for a crowd. Thank you, Jen!


Pomegranate-Ginger Syrup
courtesy Jen

This batch would make enough for about 8 cocktails or a medium-sized pitcher.

Ingredients:
2 c pomegranate juice
1 T sugar
2" piece fresh ginger, peeled (grate for more intensity)

Directions:
Boil these ingredients until reduced to approximately 2/3 c remains.  Strain and reserve for cocktails.  Make individually or for ease, in a pitcher. Garnish with pomegranate seeds!

Variations:

Top with ginger ale, sparkling water or fruit juice of your choice for a non-alcoholic punch.

Top with Sparkling Wine for an 'adult-beverage'.  Cointreau or Ginger Liquor would also add extra intensity of flavor.

nesting details

pysansky egg favors

 A wishing tree ...

a family heirloom for Baby Murphy