cocktail

Slow Cooker Little Smokies

This easy and addictive mini sausage appetizer is made even simpler thanks to the crock pot and is perfect for game days and parties.

Every year around this time, it’s the same thing.

The phone rings. Well, it used to ring. Now it just buzzes with texts.

And then I ~~hear~~ read, “Heidi, can you send me your Little Smokies recipe again?”

Yep, like clockwork.

As the big game day draws near I start hearing—make that seeing—the requests. And every year I send the same recipe out to friends who have had these sweet little barbecued sausages in the crock pot (or my new Instant Pot) on game days of years past.

They’re craving them again, but this time in the comfort of their own home where the game day bets are a little looser, and a whole lot more forgiving.

continue to the recipe… about Slow Cooker Little Smokies

A Healthier Sparkling Elderflower Fizz Cocktail

The warm floral notes of elderflower liqueur pair with sparkling juices to create a lower-calorie but perfectly sweetened bubbly cocktail.

This post is brought to you by KeVita, because healthful changes aren’t made only by what you eat, but also what you drink.

It’s the subtle shifts that make all the difference.

Parking in the farther spot instead of circling the lot five times for the closer one will add another 100 steps to your Fitbit. A little less makeup makes you look younger. Simplifying your wardrobe and paring down what’s in your closet takes the guesswork out of what in the heck are you going to wear today and why doesn’t anything fit?

These little changes all add up to a cause for celebration rather than deprivation.

In 2016 I’m making changes in my life, health, and purpose but with thoughtful intention rather than total deprivation. After all these years, I’ve learned I can still be healthy without skipping special dinners, dessert, or drinks, and that as long as I alter my indulgences, there’s still room to enjoy them.

continue to the recipe… about A Healthier Sparkling Elderflower Fizz Cocktail

Pomegranate and Orange Champagne Punch

This festive and fruity punch with bubbly champagne and DIY frozen ice cubes is a crowd favorite that can easily be made non-alcoholic.

We’ve done it for the past 20+ years and I expect we’ll be doing it for the next 20+ years, too.

As the year starts to wane, and now that we’ve given thanks and counted our blessings with turkey, pie and our family’s love, and are beginning to think of what might lie ahead in the sunshine and sparkles of what we hope the new year will bring, my friends and I gather together to celebrate our long time friendship by doing what we did best in college.

Jello shots? Wellllll…sometimes. But not this time around.

Instead, we head back to our sorority roots and plan a philanthropy to give to others who don’t have it as good as we are so fortunate to have it.

continue to the recipe… about Pomegranate and Orange Champagne Punch

Tequila Sunrise Cocktail and Crushing On Latin Twist Cookbook

The vibrant color of this classic Mexican cocktail made with tequila, fresh OJ and grenadine makes for an impressive brunch or evening cocktail.

We’d be lying if we said we weren’t crazy about bloggers’ Vianney Rodriguez and Yvette Marquez’s new book Latin Twist: Traditional and Modern Cocktails. After all, Vianney who blogs at Sweet Life Bakes and Yvette who blogs at Muy Bueno Cooking have devoted entire book devoted to cocktails.

But the love for this book gets personal on my part and goes a few steps deeper than just flipping through it’s pages, because I (Heidi) designed their cookbook.

Latin Twist follows Yvette’s first cookbook collaboration with her mother and sister, Muy Bueno: Three Generations of Authentic Mexican Flavor, in which Yvette designed each page and created every graphic element of the cookbook. Realizing the amount of work that goes into the process, she was ready to have someone take that part over this time around.

That’s when Yvette asked me to design the book for them.

To say I was honored to be considered is an understatement. With Yvette’s keen eye for design and Vianney’s superb flair, I was a little apprehensive about whether I would meet their expectations. But I think I did. And in the end, it was a super fun collaboration to be a part of.

continue to the recipe… about Tequila Sunrise Cocktail and Crushing On Latin Twist Cookbook

Cucumber Delight Cocktail

This cucumber cocktail inspired by Washington DC’s Founding Farmers restaurant will add a bright spot to brunch or dinner, thanks to its refreshing flavors.

This post, brought to you by Pearl Vodka, is inspired by my recent adventure of heading out solo.

Traveling alone isn’t something I’ve ever been totally comfortable with. Seeing new sights but having nobody to share them with.

Being the single soul at the table built for two, head bent down in pretend immersion in that totally engrossing book you just happened to pick up last minute at the airport’s Hudson News.

Taking selfies that are the true definition of selfies. By yourself. Until a yet-to-be-discovered, wanna-be-oh-so-suave boy band photobombs your monumental selfie.

But I’ve discovered traveling solo provides a bigger opportunity to see and hear what’s going on around me.

I’m not immersed in being a tour guide making sure everyone else I’m with is happy. Instead, traveling alone is the opportunity to do exactly what I want to do with no other opinion seekers along for the ride. To see what I want to see.

I’m not absent mindedly running into others, ignoring cues, flashing lights or missing out on the subtle nuances of the heartbeat of a city. Instead I’m in tune. I’m totally aware. And I see others and hear their conversations.

Eavesdropping? I prefer to call it politely observing.

This spring I was in Washington DC where I spoke at the IACP Conference, aka International Association of Culinary Professionals. The day before the conference started I lit out on my own to explore this nation’s Capital. No family. No blogging friends. Just me and my earbuds walking around DC as I listened to the final episodes of this podcast in hopes of a chance sighting of Michelle Obama with her watering can in the garden or a presidential motorcade.

Unfamiliar with the local eats, it only took a quick web search and a survey of Yelp recommends to land me at the counter of Founding Farmers for lunch. Somehow I wiggled my way to the last seat at the counter and avoided the 1 1/2 hour wait for a table. This is one place you are willing to wait.

Being Thirsty Thursday and just a smidge past noon, I promptly perused their cocktail menu and landed on the Cucumber Delight Cocktail.

You are so happy I did.

Founding Fathers totally delivered on the eats with my order of the deviled egg sampler and the most amazingly smokey shrimp and grits I’ve ever tasted. But the cucumber cocktail is what got me going.

I did indeed order all of that food for one and didn’t have to share one measly bite. That is, until I made friends with my fellow counter surfers Brian and Charmaine, a Canadian chef and his wife who were there with the plans of eating their way through DC. Hey, I couldn’t eat ALL of those eggs by myself. Or could I?

Would I have made those lunch counter friends sharing samples of one another’s lunch had I been with my own traveling companion?

If you know me, its a distinct possibility, but not a foregone conclusion.

I committed the cocktail’s bright, light, summery flavor to mouth memory (the sister to muscle memory) and brought it home with the happy anticipation of sipping it with friends as the warmth of summer days seep from our bones. And what do you know? I already have!

I’ve adapted the original recipe to create a simpler version with Pearl Cucumber Flavored Vodka so I could skip the muddling of cucumbers because the cucumber flavor comes ready to pour straight from the imported vodka’s bottle.

A simple syrup of equal parts super fine sugar and boiling water sweeten the cocktail to counter the punch of spice from a high quality ginger ale. If you prefer even more of a bite, ginger beer works well too. It’s just a bit more pungent.

A splash of sparkling water adds another layer of fizzy bubbles with a slice of cucumber and ball of cantaloupe that add color and a little something to much on. It’s an appetizing drink for sure. And one that’s made it’s way to my home to be shared.

If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a comment below or take a photo and tag me on Instagram or Twitter with #foodiecrusheats.

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Cucumber Delight Cocktail

This cucumber cocktail inspired by Washington DC's Founding Farmers restaurant, will add a bright spot to any brunch or cool off a summer evening thanks to its refreshing flavors.

Servings 1 cocktail

Ingredients

2 ounces Pearl Cucumber Flavored Vodka
1 ounce simple syrup
1/2 ounce quality ginger ale or ginger beer
1/2 ounce lemon juice
1 ounce sparkling water
1 slice cucumber
1 cantaloupe ball

Instructions

Add Pearl Cucumber Flavored Vodka, simple syrup, ginger ale and lemon juice to a shaker. Add ice cubes, cover and shake vigorously.  Strain into an old fashion glass, add ice, top with the sparkling water and garnish with a cucumber slice and cantaloupe.

This post is in partnership with Pearl Vodka. As always, thank you for reading and for supporting companies I partner with, which allows me to create more unique content and recipes for you. All opinions are always my own.

The Best Coconut Margarita Recipe

A refreshing combination of coconut cream and coconut milk infuse tropical flavors into my favorite reposado tequila margarita, served on the rocks.

Once upon a time I went on a train ride. Sure, I’d been on trains before, but nothing prepared me for this ride of a lifetime.

This train was owned by self-made billionaire John Paul DeJoria, founder of John Paul Mitchell and Patron Spirits, and was deemed by DeJoria as, “the favorite of my 13 homes.” But unlike those other homes from New York to Hawaii, this one just happened to be powered by an Amtrak steam engine.

How in the heck did I end up there?

Lucky me, I know people who are very generous and invited me and my husband along for the ride. It’s also where my love of tequila was cemented in stone.

On the rocks, of course.

continue to the recipe… about The Best Coconut Margarita Recipe

Pomegranate Martini Recipe

This adaptation of Oprah’s Pomegranate Martini has a hint of rosemary and real pomegranate seeds for an added dose of festive flavor.

Are you a garnish-er, or a garnish-less?

I think it’s pretty evident by the looks of the recipes I post on this old bloggity blog that I’ve become a garnish-more type of gal. You may say YAY!, you may say EW!, but either way, the garnish is my go-to, and not quite shockingly, cocktails have yet to escape my embellishing.

A dip of gold sugar here, a drop or two of fresh pomegranates there and a stir stick that’s fresh and fragrant are what make my seasonal Pomegranate Martini totally festive and bright.

continue to the recipe… about Pomegranate Martini Recipe

Friday Faves and Matsuhisa Cucumber Martini Recipe

Ah, nothing like topping off a week of work like a hard, HARD, HARD-shaken cocktail.

Back in the day when I was the Creative Director for a publishing company in Los Angeles, I made plenty o’ trips trans-US—to NYC for photo shoots—that were a total perk of the jobbie job because my husband usually tagged along and we’d make a vacation of it after all of the hard work was done.

On one of our first forays to the Big Apple we both knew we had to experience the best sushi in the City. We had our assignment thanks to our well-heeled L.A./NYC friendlies, who advised there was no place better than Nobu—the crown jewel of everything sushi of the moment—as our destination.

But there was a slight problem: No reservation = no service.

If there’s anything about me and my man that you should know right now, it’s that we don’t always play by the rules. The parking lot is for VIP passes only? We tip the guy to let us in. The line to the bathroom is up the wazoo? We enter through the exit door. Those awesome seats right up front that we didn’t pay $250 for? Well, let’s just say we’ll give it the old college try. It’s just the way we roll, and we usually end up in the winner’s circle and nobody gets hurt in the process.continue to the recipe… about Friday Faves and Matsuhisa Cucumber Martini Recipe

Whiskey Lemonade Recipe with Honey Simple Syrup

I left my heart in Utah. Which makes it convenient since that’s where I’ve returned to roost.

This great state had some pretty great visitors this past weekend thanks to the bloggers who visited Park City for the third annual Evo Conference aka The Evolution of Women in Social Media. Plenty of bloggers, lots of info and some great sponsor suites.

Which is where I fell in love with this little baby.

The ultimate attraction: it’s ingredients were all Utah locals. And I love local.continue to the recipe… about Whiskey Lemonade Recipe with Honey Simple Syrup

Homemade Irish Cream

The day called for a strong cup of coffee with a little something extra.

I should have been cooking the recipe for stufffed mushrooms that I had bought all of the ingredients for and had now been sitting in the refrigerator for the past week and a half. I should have been sifting through my props, setting up my backgrounds and taking photos of that well-intended-but-now-imaginary recipe. I should have been creating my next post. And the other four I had planned to tackle over my Christmas vacation.

But I couldn’t.

It was like I was frozen—in a completely-opposite, turned-around, frenetic and scattered sort of way. That way when you know you have so many different agendas on your to-do list that you just. can’t. focus.

So what did I do? Oh, I decided that I should de-clutter the closeted cupboards in my laundry room/office. FOR TWO DAYS. Um, why? No, not because anyone else but me sees inside them nor was I looking for something I couldn’t find.

Or was I?

After an insanely intense 9-month period that included working at a full-time job, teaching as an adjunct professor one night a week, creating another start-up business, working on freelance gigs (including my first paid photo shoot), launching the blog, launching the magazine and still trying to be a semi-present mom, wife, daughter and friend, I now realize I was just plain burnt. Burnt out. Rubber on the road. Done.

I thought I could do it all. Afterall, I always had.

continue to the recipe… about Homemade Irish Cream

Kentucky Derby Inspired Mint Julep Recipes

Like most events, its not always about the event itself, its about the food and the fashion. And nothing says Derby style like the classic Southern Mint Julep and those fantastic hats.

Food first.

Traditionally served at Churchill Downs in a pewter or metal tumbler and often engraved with your pedigreed monogram, the classic Mint Julep is sipped in an oh-so-civilized manner as wild beasts pound past the the be-hatted crowd in a rampant stampede. And that’s just the line for the bar (da-dum-dum).

Since I won’t be joining the elite this year at the Downs (not that I ever have) the following recipes will add a touch of grandeur to my weekend. So look for me with a refreshing minty julep in hand, as I cheer on Cindy Napravnik one of only five women jockeys to ever compete in the Kentucky Derby and who this year riding Pants on Fire (how great is that name!) has a real shot at the roses. My money’s on the ladies this weekend.

photo > Brown Eyed Baker

Chocolate. Bourbon. Nuts. Pie. Is there really anything else to say? Only that I’d have to make one substitution to Michelle at Brown Eyed Baker‘s Chocolate Bourbon Walnut Kentucky Derby Pie recipe: switch out walnuts for pecans to keep the dreaded canker sores at bay.

photo > Jeffrey Morgenthaler

If you have any questions at all about this classic Mint Julep cocktail, this post by bartender, mixologist and Saveur magazine Best Cocktail Blog nominee Jeffrey Morgenthaler will provide the answers. With 3 great videos giving plenty of background and advice, all you’ll need is a jug of smooth brown water, fresh spearmint, a little sweetness and a mighty steed to get your Derby started.

photo > Fake Food Free

Here’s a way to kill two weekend event birds with one ~~stone~~ scone: Get mom in the Derby spirit by baking up a batch of Lori’s Mint Julep Scones from Fake Food Free and add them to your mother’s day brunch. Can’t. Resist. Mint. Sugar sprinkles…

photo > Bunky Cooks

Although this recipe doesn’t follow the mint julep theme, I couldn’t pass up adding it to the mix because, really, who can say no to mornay sauce, bacon and tomatoes all baked into gooey, yummy breadiness? Bunky Cook’s Hot Brown post also gives a true insider’s look at the historic Brown Hotel, it’s kitchen and a how-to cooking video from the Brown’s Chef Géroli. Regardless of whether you use the Hot Brown baking dish or instead opt for the au gratin dish like she does, Bunky Cooks delivers a hearty addition to the Derby menu. And for lighter (?) alternative, check out her panini version.

And now, onto the fashion and more amazing hats.

Thanks for reading. If you liked this post, please subscribe to foodiecrush and follow me on twitter.

cocktail

Slow Cooker Little Smokies

A Healthier Sparkling Elderflower Fizz Cocktail

Pomegranate and Orange Champagne Punch

Tequila Sunrise Cocktail and Crushing On Latin Twist Cookbook

Cucumber Delight Cocktail

Cucumber Delight Cocktail

Ingredients

Instructions

The Best Coconut Margarita Recipe

Pomegranate Martini Recipe

Friday Faves and Matsuhisa Cucumber Martini Recipe

Whiskey Lemonade Recipe with Honey Simple Syrup

Homemade Irish Cream

Kentucky Derby Inspired Mint Julep Recipes

Follow @foodiecrush on Instagram

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