New Years Cocktail Round-up

Wondering what to serve on New Years?  Here is a collection of the cocktails I've made this fall.  Cheers!

 

 Clockwise from top left: Pear and Ginger Margaritas, Cranberry Ginger Cider Cocktail, Maple Bourbon Cider Cocktail, Kir Royale.

Clockwise from top left: Raspberry Champagne Jello 'Drinks', Cranberry Ginger Fizz Vodka Cocktails, Apple Pear & Pomegranate Sangria, Pear & Ginger Champagne Cocktails

Raspberry Champagne Jello 'Drinks'

 

So long 2012, bring it on, 2013!   I look back on 2012 with fond memories...it has been a really, really great year for me, both at work, and in my personal life.  It feels great that I have been able to finally find a balance between the two.  And, best of all, I started this blog! 

This blog has pushed me out of my comfort zone and stretched me in both my cooking and my photography...I have learned so much about cooking and photography, and it is so rewarding to see my progress!  I can't wait to see what I learn in 2013. 

In honor of the end of 2012 and to usher in the New Year in style, I wanted a special cocktail.  Something fun and totally different from what I've done this year.  Who could say no to a champagne-jello 'drink'?

Pear and Ginger Champagne Cocktails

I have taken it upon myself to take this time off from work to learn some things that I probably should already know.  Ie: how to use Netflix (turns out it isn't rocket science), how to use my new slow cooker (lesson number one: the high setting is not the same as the low setting, and the two are not equivalent when cooking mac and cheese), and how to use Instagram.

When both of your parents are quicker to adopt technology than you, I think that is a bad sign.  Yes, I have had pocket dials (with the sounds of what I interpret as crows in the background?), and empty text messages...but my parents have embraced the iPhone, and I took this as a sign from the universe that I should finally do the same.  I have had my new iPhone 5 for three months now, but can I actually do anything other than dial a phone number or play Sudoku?  No.

Finally, I have decided to try to use this expensive paper weight that I constantly forget at work and allow the battery to run flat.  I am trying to get better, I swear!  Long story short, I have set up myself a fancy new Instagram account, tried to take a few pictures, and promptly become addicted.  Sigh.  Another internet addiction...just what I need.

Apple, Pear and Pomegranate Sangria

 

I have a confession...I am a picky eater!  My random assortment of dislikes includes the following: mustard, raisins, gold tequila (I have my reasons), egg nog (it has raw eggs in it), bananas, grapefruit and oranges.  

My dislike of oranges is particularly strong, and I'm not even sure how it started!  All I know is that if someone starts peeling an orange around me, I have to leave.  I don't want oranges in my house...not even orange juice!  I can't stand the smell of it, the look of it, any of it!  I am completely and irrationally an anti-orange person.

For this reason, I have traditionally avoided sangria.  Until now.  

Cranberry Ginger Fizz

This year, I hosted my family for Christmas for the first time.  It was a great Christmas full of my family's traditions...there was fondue, the Nutcracker Ballet (my gift to my Mom), stockings (my Dad got actual coal in his stocking this year!), and of course, turkey.  It was a jam packed few days!  My family left a few days ago, and I have to admit that I have spent a couple of days holed up in my basement watching bad TV.  It is nice to have a few days off!

Now that Christmas is over, the immediate shift in focus is on New Years.  Traditionally my New Years eve is spent catching up with old friends in my hometown.  This year I am sticking around in Calgary, and my boyfriend is on call (he was on call Christmas and actually had to go to a job immediately after dinner!).  It is highly likely that my New Years will be very quiet, which actually sounds pretty much perfect to me.

I am using the approaching New Years as an excuse to play bartender.  I have been playing around with some cocktails that will be perfect for a New Years party.  If you are spending a quiet night in like myself, these cocktails would be equally fun.  Just because you're not wearing a sparkly dress does not mean you don't deserve a sparkly cocktail, right?

12 Days of Chirstmas Cookies Day 12: Peppermint-Whopper No-Bake Chocolate Cookies

 

Here we are.  The 12th Day of Christmas Cookies.  And it couldn't have come any sooner...since tomorrow is Christmas! I have learned a lot in the past 12 batches of cookies.  I have learned how to roast chestnuts, and how to make meringues.  I have been seduced by browned butter and salted caramel, and learned that putting booze in things (Kahlua and Bourbon) is always, always the right decision.  

For my 12th and final batch of cookies, I needed something fast and easy.  These cookies don't have any glazes, any filings, or any icing.  They don't require an oven, or even cookie sheets.  All you need is a pot, some simple ingredients, and 15 minutes (plus a few hours for them to set).

12 Days of Christmas Cookies Day 11: Caramel-Stuffed Bourbon Balls

I am really cutting it close to Christmas with this second-to-last 12 Days of Christmas Cookies recipe.  Is this really a cookie?  Meh...I'm not sure it qualifies technically as a cookie, but I am in too much of a rush to argue technicalities right now!  What these Bourbon Balls are is this:  fast, easy, and delicious.  Just what we all need this time of year!

12 Days of Christmas Cookies Day 10: Peppermint and Mocha Meringues

Have you ever had a simple recipe go so wrong it made you feel completely inept?  Well that was these meringues.  It took me...a few attempts to get them right.  Good thing I am stubborn!  After three failed attempts and resorting to watching a YouTube video, I can now proudly say I have conquered these meringues, and can tell you exactly what NOT to do.

Don't let my experience scare you!  Meringues are actually quite simple...and downright EASY to make.  Once I figured out what I was doing wrong, I could whip up a batch in a few minutes (they do have to bake in the oven for around an hour though!)  These are hands down the easiest cookies I have baked for my 12 Days of Christmas Cookies.  Come to think of it, these are the easiest cookies I've made...ever!

12 Days of Christmas Cookies Day 9: Soft Ginger Cookies with Browned Butter Frosting

It is Day 9 of my 12 Days of Christmas Cookies bonanza, and I have found heaven.  And it is in the form of a cookie.  I warn you: if you eat these cookies, you will become addicted.  There is no going back.  You will dream about them at night, and think about them all day long.  You will yearn for another hit of browned butter and gingery cookie heaven. 

12 Days of Christmas Cookies Day 8: Cranberry Walnut Thumbprint Cookies

My house is full of cookies.  I have been very busy baking since I fell behind on my 12 Days of Christmas Cookies last week-end with a bunch of duds.  My luck seems to have changed, because this week-end I hit a series of great cookie recipes that I am excited to share with you!

I love cranberries.  Cranberry cocktail, cranberry sauce, craisins, crantinis....the list goes on and on.  Cranberries are so red and pretty and tart and sour.  And cranberries are the most important component of Christmas dinner.  They bring the pizazz.  Just like they do to these cookies.

Malaysian Curry

These days, the sun is setting so early here in Calgary.  When I go to work, it is dark...when I get home from work, it is dark.  It is a depressing time of year.  I find in these cold, dark winter nights, I crave the opposite in my food...something bright, something spicy, and something out of the ordinary.  This Malaysian curry is exactly those things.

Butterscotch Spiked Coffee

Time is flying by!  I cannot believe that next week is Christmas.  I have so much to do!  I haven't even started Christmas shopping, I have five (yes five!!) more batches of cookies to go for my 12 Days of Christmas Cookies bonanza, and have to get my house organized for when my family arrives this week-end.

No matter how many things I have to do on my list, I love this time of year.  The Christmas lights are so beautiful, the holiday treats are plentiful, and everyone just seems to be in a good mood.  I don't even mind that the sun sets at 3:30!  There are holiday parties a-plenty!  I get to wear sequins!

Sorry for all the excitement, I did just drink the delicious, buttery-rich coffee in the photo above.

Today I spent a good chunk of my day crossing things off my list.  I was pretty well exhausted when I got home, and in need of a big old cup of coffee to re-energize myself.  Then I wondered how I could spice up my typical cup of coffee for a late afternoon/happy hour drink.  This is what I came up with...

12 Days of Christmas Cookies Day 7: Cherry, Almond and White Chocolate Cookies

Hi my name is Denise and I am a girly girl.  I am the girl who insisted on wearing my dress and tights when I went downhill skiing (rather than the more practical and warm long underwear) when I was a kid.  I am the girl who thought her stuffed animals should wear lipstick (that one didn't go over well).  I wore sequins to work this week.  I made pink cookies.

There is something about maraschino cherries that makes my inner girly girl so happy.  They are so bright and colorful, and so sweet!  

Maraschino cherries seem very under-appreciated to me.  They go in things like Christmas cake.  Blech.  They act as a garnish for many cocktails, (I have used them a few times, here, and again here).  When is the last time that the maraschino cherry made a real contribution to a dish?  

Here is a fun way to enjoy maraschino cherries in a cookie.  Yes, they are pink, which is sure to satisfy the girly girls and the pink princesses out there.  They are also a fun way to celebrate Christmas!

12 Days of Christmas Cookies Day 6: Drunk Gingerbread Men

 

It is Day 6 of my 12 Days of Christmas Cookies, and I must tell you, I am starting to experience cookie fatigue.  I know, I'm only halfway there!  I have to keep going, right?  If it wasn't for some flat, pancake meringues, and some not quite right maraschino cherry cookies, I would be right on track.  However, I hit some snags this past week-end.  I have some catching up to do!

These Drunk Gingerbread Men are perfect for Santa Claus.  You know what?  Santa works so hard all year round.  Wrapping all those presents and filling all those stockings is really hard work!  On Christmas, maybe Santa doesn't want some regular old cookies.  Maybe he doesn't want a regular glass of milk either.  You know what Santa probably needs after all that hard work?  Kahlua.

Chili con Carne with Jalapeno Cheddar Biscuits (USA)

This is my 9th Sunday where I've cooked a dish from the Epicurious site Around the World in 80 Dishes.  So far, I've been to Korea, El Salvador, Cuba (in real life too!), France, Italy, the Philippines, India and Israel.  This week, I went somewhere very exotic.  The USA.

OK, OK, so maybe I'm being a little sarcastic, cooking chili con carne isn't exactly an exotic culinary adventure for me.  Here is how this decision came about:  I was going to cook a Malaysian curry, but at the grocery store I A) could not find lemongrass and B) forgot macadamia nuts entirely.  #FAIL.

It was -15 celsius outside.  There was no force on Earth that was going to get me back to the grocery store.  I looked in my freezer, my pantry, my fridge, and my decision was made for me:  I am cooking chili con carne!

12 Days of Christmas Cookies Day 5: Rosemary Lemon Shortbread Cookies

It wouldn't be Christmas without shortbread cookies, now would it?

After several sweet and decadent batches of Christmas cookies, I wanted to make something a little more mellow and not so sweet.  Something that goes perfectly with a cup of tea.  But I also wanted something non-traditional.

I always associate rosemary with savory flavors, and have never heard of rosemary in a cookie before. When I found this recipe, I was intrigued.  Rosemary has a kind of piney flavor, which is perfect for Christmas.  The lemon in these cookies balances out the rosemary flavor so the cookies don't end up being too piney and bitter.

12 Days of Christmas Cookies Day 4: Salted Caramel & Chocolate Espresso Thumbprint Cookies

 

Guys, I have found them.  The world's most amazing cookies.

I am absolutely CRAZY for these cookies.

Chocolate?  Yes!  Coffee?  Uh huh!  Caramel?  You betcha!  I'm pretty sure that is the ultimate, decadent, delicious most amazing combination possible.  Possibly even better than chocolate and mint.  Maybe even better than almonds and chai.  Maybe.  

12 Days of Christmas Cookies Day 3: Chai-Almond Cookies

 

I am an adult, and make somewhat-responsible decisions.  I finally did my laundry.  I did the groceries for the week.  I even did the dishes!  

Since I am soooo responsible, I'm allowed to choose what I eat for lunch.  Even if said lunch involves cookies, right?  

Yes....I ate cookies for lunch.  I refuse to feel guilty.  These cookies are so good, you would have eaten them for lunch too!

France: Ratatouille

 

I am now officially a week behind.  Last SUNDAY, I made Ratatouille.  I have not written up the post until now (an entirely different Sunday).  While I love the kitchen part of having a food blog, and even the photography part of it (although I have officially outgrown my point and shoot camera and am eagerly anticipating the arrival of my new DSLR), I really am not that good at the photo-editing and post-writing part of things.  The surprising thing is that the photo-editing/writing part of the blog takes at least as long, and maybe longer than the cooking part! 

Now that I have that out of my system, let's get down to Ratatouille.  Unfortunately for me, I did not have a mini rat chef friend to help me out with this dish.  Zut alors!  I had to do it all myself.  

This French recipe originated in Nice, according to Epicurious, which as far as I can tell, looks like absolute paradise.  Definitely on my must visit list.  Ratatouille is a vegetarian stew that is made by individually preparing the vegetables, then combining at the last minute to make a thick, chunky stew.  It was surprisingly easy, very flavorful, and perfect for the cold winter weather.

The Naughty Girl Scout

 

This week was a long week!  It was a week where I spent a lot of time spinning my wheels, but not a lot of time getting anywhere.  I was ready for the week-end.  Most of all, I was ready for a TGIF cocktail!  I came across this recipe on Cosmopolitan's Pinterest account...I'm pretty sure I actually laughed out loud when I read the title.