Summer is here…well, almost… and now is the time to put together some planning. This is a slaw that goes so well with pulled pork, hamburgers, steak – almost everything you can barbecue. I admit you have to like bell peppers so give it a try. The addition of a jalapeno pepper gives it a kick.
- 2 cups shredded cabbage
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1 each – red, green, yellow and orange bell peppers – seeded and thinly sliced
- 1/2 – 1 jalapeno (depending on how hot you like it), seeded-sliced fine
- 2 tbsp. white wine vinegar
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- pinch of salt and pepper
In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients. Mix together the vinegar, oil, salt and pepper. Shake gently to combine.
Drizzle over the salad and toss to coat.
Keep refrigerated until ready to use.
Chocolate Cake Martini
I have generally (translates to always) given our guests a martini as our signature drink. A friend sent me this one that was posted in the paper over a year ago and, going through a box of ‘treasures’, I re-read it and thought you would like to try it.
- 1 1/2 oz. Citron Vodka
- 1/2 oz. Creme de Cacao
- berry sugar
- 1 lime
Okay, I know it has only 2 ingredients, but when you finish the martini glass as below noted, you will see that finishing the drink makes it so special.
Place the martini glass in the freezer while mixing the vodka and liqueur over crushed ice. Discard the ice.
Wipe the entire rim of the glass with a wedge of the lime and then only drip one half of the glass into the sugar.
The tartness of the bare lime side will counter the sweetness of the drink and, if you desire, sip from the sugar side as well.
It has been a while since I posted a martooni, so try it. Hmmmm…tastes like two.
Summer Cucumber and Fresh Pineapple Soup
Oooooh! I love it when I can surprise people with a new chilled soup. This is my version of a recipe that is used in a hotel in Bankok, and is very refreshing.
- 2 1/2 cups of cubed, fresh pineapple
- 1 seedless cucumber, peeled, cored and seeded, chopped
- 1 large yellow bell pepper, seeded and chopped
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup whipping cream
- 1 tsp. Worchestershire sauce
- pinch of salt and white pepper
- diced fresh pineapple for garnish
Blend the pineapple, cucumber, bell pepper and water in a food processor until thick and smooth. Add the cream, Worchestershire sauce, salt and pepper and pulse until well combined. Pour through a fine sieve into a bowl, pressing hard on the solids.
Chill, covered until very cold for about 1 hour. Ladle into pretty bowls and garnish with the diced pineapple.
Yummy! Add a glass of chilled Chardonnay (NK’Mip makes a great one).