Back before I met Danny DeVito and even before I attended the Wicked Wine and Brewfest, I was in Vermont with friends on Labor Day. Our normal tradition would be to visit the Woodstock Inn Brewery and enjoy food and beer, but this year we were in Vermont and decided to hit up Long Trail for something different.
I had been to Long Trail a few years earlier, and it was nice to return. The ride up Route 4 to Bridgewater Corners was a scenic one, and the weather was great to boot. We arrived at Long Trail and noticed a long wait. This was due to the fact that kitchen couldn’t handle the large crowds, so if you wanted a beer that was cool but if food was in your future you’d be waiting. We waited. (more…)
Although last Sunday was the second weekend of the NFL season, it was the first weekend that my husband and I were able to make snacks and spend the afternoon lounging.
We had a great menu of Teriyaki Steak, Broiled Tomatoes & Cheese, and Hot Corn Dip. Our menu had no theme, we simply chose appetizers by themes: a meat dish, a veggie dish, and a dip. With no theme for our food, we had unlimited options for our drink making.
I decided to take a look in our liquor cabinet to begin my brainstorming. I had purchased cherry vodka recently, and it sounded like a tasty part of our drink-to-be. I wasn’t craving a multi-fruit drink, so I continued my search through our cabinet for a different flavor to accent the cherry.
I spied our vanilla liqueur, and inspiration struck. I could make a vanilla-cherry combination. Not wanting the drink to be syrupy or too sweet, I would add seltzer to give the beverage a lighter taste and feel. Garnished with a maraschino cherry or two, it made a beautiful drink for a Sunday afternoon.
Vanilla-Cherry Delight
1-1/2 oz. cherry vodka
3/4 oz. vanilla liqueur
3 oz. seltzer
maraschino cherries
Fill a martini shaker with ice, and add vodka and liqueur. Shake well. Pour into a cocktail glass, add seltzer, and stir gently. Garnish with a cherry.
It may not always be sunny in Philadelphia, but Saturday the 19th there was plenty of sun in Nashua. With his own line of limoncello to promote, Danny DeVito spent some time at the New Hampshire State Liquor Store in Nashua to sign autographs and take pictures for fans.
I may be the resident ‘beer guy’, but seeing how I am Italian, limoncello is within my jurisdiction. Limoncello is a lemon-flavored liqueur hailing from Sorrento, Italy. All limoncello, including Danny’s, is made in Sorrento, so you know it isn’t a knock off made in a bathtub. Served ice cold, this thick looking shot goes down like candy. It is the perfect after dinner drink and can calm your stomach if you feel kind of queasy. (more…)
We had the pleasure of my mom’s company for a couple weeks at the end of summer. While I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with her and my family, I think the best part of the trip was an evening I spent with just her. As my husband was away on business and the kids weren’t home, the two of us were left to our own devices.
I had told my mom about Tapas Night dining that my husband and I enjoy on most Mondays. She always seemed interested in the dishes, so I decided that she and I would have our own girls only tapas night. Food was the easiest part to plan. I purchased some marinated steak tips from our favorite butcher and made Pineapple-Mango Chutney to accompany baked brie and homemade lavash chips. (more…)
Despite a little rain and some overcast conditions, Mel’s Funway Park was bustling with eager patrons attending the second Wicked Wine & Brew Fest. The event had been held last year in Hollis, and this year was changed to a more central location near Manchester. Either way, people were out in droves, and the goodness was flowing.
Aside from the obvious wine and beer, there were vendors from: Cozy Tea Cart (great tea), Tastefully Simple (with beer bread mix), Kettle to Keg (way better than Mr. Beer), The True Nut Company (awesome almonds) and other local vendors getting their names out about local products and services. (more…)
