The Manhattan!
If I am going to drink some sweet, I will order a Manhattan. Sweet libations are something I rarely get into. I am a simple gin and tonic, or gin martini kinda girl. Gin has been my choice of drink for as long as I can remember.
So, a Manhattan is something I really never tried or thought to try until recently. My fiancé enjoys Maker’s Mark Bourbon and I suggested he try a Maker’s Manhattan a few months back. We were at a nice bar in San Jose with my Parents celebrating our recent engagement, and I thought that instead of ordering Maker’s and Coke, or Maker’s straight-up he should try this Maker’s Manhattan. I watched the bartender make it and was truly pleased to see how simple it was and how it did not cover up the quality of the Maker’s. I mean why buy good booze if you are going to drown it in sugar?
Full RecipeBanana Bread and Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day weekend was very busy for us. We started out Saturday with a Birthday party for darling Sadie who was celebrating her 2nd birthday. Aaron and I made our way across the Dumbarton Bridge and finally arrived at my Cousin’s house in Menlo Park for the party. It is a pain to get to Menlo Park from the East Bay. It could have been my iPhone’s instructions but either way it’s a pain. I honestly think it would be faster to somehow get on 280 and come in the back way.
It was really warm over the weekend in the Bay Area. The sun was out and it was in the 70’s. I am not really a sun girl but I found plenty of shady spots at the party to hang out and chat in. After hanging out at the party for a few hours we decided to head over to Stanford Mall, and set up our wedding registry at Macy’s. We had been to a few Macy’s already looking to see if they stocked some specific items we had spotted online; so many of the Macy’s we went to did not have properly stocked flatware, china, or crystal section. So I figured we needed to hit up the bigger stores in either Stanford, or San Francisco.
Full RecipeGreek Lamb Meatballs
For me lamb meatballs are a nice change from the standard Italian style meatball. I like the idea of using lamb as it seems to lighten the dish up and really lets the fresh herbs sing. I was inspired to make a lamb style meatball Gyro dish after having one at the Northern California Renaissance Faire. Now I know this is not a Gyro, but these meatballs along with fresh tzatziki sauce bring many of the same flavors and textures to the plate. The only trick to this is you have to let the meatballs rest in the refrigerator over night before you can cook them.
Tzatziki Sauce
This was inspired from my trip to the Northern California Renaissance Faire. Yes, I ordered street food at the Faire, but it was well worth it. I fell in love with the way the sauce tasted, and how well it complimented the lamb. This sauce is so light, healthy and delectable. For an easy appetizer serve this as a dipping sauce with some Greek lamb meatballs, or you can turn it into a meal with some pita bread and vegetables. The recipe for the tasty lamb meatballs will be up shortly.
Brioche
I love brioche! I make two different types, one is full bore butter brioche rolls and the other is light brioche bun for hamburgers. The brioche recipe I want to share today is the Sunday morning holiday special treat full butter brioche. So yes, I love brioche!
Full RecipeKeep in Touch!
