Category: Eating In


May
2016

The “Big Apple”…Manhattan

categories: Eating In, Travel & Leisure

     A few weeks back, if you recall, we paid a visit to Spiritopia just outside of Corvallis, Oregon.  While we were there we picked up some Bourbon Style Apple Brandy and have been tinkering with different ways to enjoy this wonderful liqueur.  Now, on occasion Nancy and I like to enjoy the classic cocktail known as a Manhattan.  A friend of ours introduced us to the Manhattan a couple of years ago at our Christmas get together.  We were quite smitten with the drinks complex flavors and the warm afterglow it provided after sipping through it.  We use Bourbon in our Manhattans so I thought–hey with the flavor of the Bourbon Style Apple Brandy–they just might go well together.  Well I’m happy to report they did!  We tweeked our standard Manhattan recipe and came up with a cocktail that we called a winner, the “Big Apple” Manhattan.  Here is what you will need to make your own “Big Apple” Manhattan…

–One ounce Buffalo Trace BourbonBig Apples and flowers

–One ounce of Spiritopia’s Boubon Style Apple Brandy

–One ounce of Dry French Vermouth

–A couple of dashes of Angostura bitters

–One Italian Toschi Sour Black Cherry (this is a must have as Maraschinos just don’t compare or cut it)

–And a twist of lemon

     To construct your “Big Apple” Manhattan you’ll need one of those liquor measuring things otherwise known as a jigger, a cocktail shaker to mix things up in, and a long mixing spoon. Start off by placing two or three nice sized ice cubes in the shaker. Next, measure out and pour in the Bourbon, Apple Brandy, and Vermouth.  Then add in a few dashes of bitters.  But not too much as they will overpower the final result!! Four maybe five shakes is all it takes.  Now give it all a nice vigorous STIR. Hee hee, he said vigorous stir.  We have been told by a very qualified expert (whom we will name in a later post) that a Manhattan should be stirred and not shaken.  Given the uber high quality results of this persons cocktail craftsmanship we hold that stirring is a truth in this arena.  Finally pour your “Big Apple” Manhattan into your favorite cocktail glass and enjoy! Cheers!!

–Mike


Feb
2016

Eating in…

categories: Eating In

Quiche Love...     Now I am probably a tad biased when it comes to the posts that will appear in this category but I have never in all my days had so many wonderful things come out of a kitchen that I’ve lived under the roof of in all my life.  In short, Nancy is a Jedi Master when it comes to making wonderful meals and treats appear as if like magic from the same room in our house where the best performance I manage is making kick ass  cup of coffee in!

     I think where her greatest strength lies is in being able to take an existing recipe and make some little change to it that makes what would be a good result turn out great.  It baffles and yet delights me every time!  I’m not the only one so impressed either.  Our son has remarked on numerous occasions while devouring his dinner or a tasty desert  “we should open a (fill in the blank) restaurant”!  Those suggestions have included a Taco Salad restaurant, a Pancake restaurant, as well as a Beef Stroganoff restaurant among many others.

     So in this section we will attempt to share some of those dishes that are sure fire winners from our kitchen.  It should be fun.  And, oh yeah, my old family recipe for Tuna Noodle Casserole simply can’t be beat either!

–Mike