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Organic Elderflower Presse Martini

Written by Viella

It’s cocktail hour!

It’s Saturday night and I’m feeling alright, but that could be because I’ve taste tested an organic elderflower presse martini or two.

In my opinion, elderflower was born to cocktail addition, it blends so well with liquor and brings out or intensifies the flavors of your preferred vodka and gin. Today’s cocktail is gin based and real simple. One part gin, one part extra-dry vermouth, and two parts Belvoir sparkling organic elderflower presse. What’s wonderful about this drink is that it is completely organic. So if you are very nutrition conscious the organic elderflower presse martini will work for you, and if your not – hey, who cares! I am not terribly nutrition conscious, mostly due to the pressure organic foods puts on my purse strings. Although, Birke Baehr, a very young aspiring organic farmer says we should do what we can to eat locally grown organic foods and bear the cost now and “pay the farmer instead of the hospital” – a sobering thought, so I will try to do better. Try my organic elderflower presse martini, it’s good for you…. thin line, I agree.

 

Organic Elderflower Presse Martini

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Simple Mashed Potatoes

Written by Viella

I’m tired of peeling, cutting and watching potatoes boil just to arrive at a simple mash. I love mashed potatoes but the traditional recipe is a little long-winded, especially when you are only making mash for two.

So long as you’re not opposed to microwaves, my simple mashed potatoes is an easier recipe and in my opinion tastes much better. No more lumpy waterlogged potatoes, this mash is smooth and easy and can be amped up into a spectacular side dish in minutes. Add cheese, scallions, bacon, whatever you enjoy in your mashed potatoes. You can also swap out regular potatoes for yams/sweet potatoes.  

Simple Mashed Potatoes

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Potatoes, Side Dishes, ,

Oxtail Soup

Written by Viella
1 Comment

You either need a pressure cooker, or lots of time…

Oxtail soup, a dish that can take years to truly master, as there are so many versions of this one dish.  Dependent upon culture and cooking influences oxtail soup can mean many things, and encompass many flavors.  The recipe I’m sharing with you today, is a bent on the traditional Caribbean style oxtail soup. Split pea, scotch bonnet and root veg or “hard food”, as some Jamaican call it. Oh, and lots, and lots of time.

I recommend that you buy your oxtail from a butcher, and have them trim as much of the fat as they can.  The butcher will slice the oxtail up for you, so ask them to slice the oxtail into 1 inch thick pieces and half the larger pieces.  Also, before starting out with this recipe, make sure to wash the oxtail thoroughly, with lemon, lime or distilled vinegar.  You need to rid the meat of any bone dust that was left behind after cutting.

As I’ve mentioned, you need time to make this wonderful oxtail soup, but it is so worth it. So set aside one Saturday afternoon and make it oxtail soup day!

Oxtail Soup Read More

Meat, Soups, , , ,

Cucumber Smoked Salmon Lollipops

Written by Viella
2 Comments

Cucumber smoked salmon lollipops – something different for a dinner party, something beautiful for your guests to feast their eyes on while you continue to prepare a sensational meal or mix cocktails. Cucumber smoked salmon lollipops are so easy to make and an absolute delight in the mouth. Raw ingredients, which adds very little to your calorie intake and a great alternative to a basic salad – you must make these. 

Cucumber and Smoked Salmon Lollipops

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Appetizer, Raw, , , , ,

Jerk Pork Chops

Written by Viella
2 Comments

The clocks went forward in NY early this morning and I’ve got that spring feeling! So, to promote warmer climes I decided to pull out my grill pan and cook some jerk pork chops. I love me some jerk pork chops – grilled and sizzling.  So now that March has arrived I pray the snow in NY will melt away and the weather will open up to warmer sunnier days so that we can kick start grilling season!

Now cooking jerked meat in a grill pan in your kitchen is ill-advised, you really need to grill jerk meat in a well ventilated area – the fumes from the spices can really catch you in the throat. So if like me, you live in a city with chilly temperatures you should cook your pork chops in the oven or save this recipe for when its warmer. I love the seared meat taste with jerk seasonings so I refused to wait for warmer weather and toughed it out like a trojan, coughing and cooking in my kitchen…No pain, no gain!

Jerk pork is a spicy meat treat which can be added to almost anything, rice, potatoes, veggies, you name it. I plan on featuring my jerk pork chops in some tacos tomorrow, as this dish will taste just as good a day or two later. I will slice, reheat and place in flour tortillas and top with crispy lettuce – yum!

Jerk meat is a veritable sensation of the senses, if you enjoy spicy food this is your dish.

Jerk Pork   Read More

Spicy, , ,

Dill & Blackberry Vodka Cocktail – Dillicious!

Written by Viella

Try this dill & blackberry vodka cocktail with fresh herbs, cucumber and lime.

I’ve always longed to be a mixologist. In my 20s I used to hang out in bars, my brother insisted I go to, and marvel at the head bartenders and mixologists as they did their thing. In the back of my mind I thought, hey I can do that! So here’s my first published creation. I call her “Dillicious”. She’s everything I think a cocktail should be – strong, refreshing, interesting and made with fresh ingredients. Although laced with vodka dill and blackberries are packed full with anti-oxidants and cucumber is 90% water, so the cleansing abilities are limitless – lol. No seriously, cocktails should be well balanced, just as we require our meals to be. Reject your high sugar, juiced filled cocktails and embrace a more refined aperitif!

Vodka Cocktail

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Scones

Written by Viella

So I’m British, born and bred in England and live in NY. So sometimes I yearn for something quintessentially British – bangers and mash, fish and chips, and today its Scones! Scones with plump raisins slathered with butter paired with a cup of extra strong Marks and Spencer’s Gold Tea…. Heaven.

Unfortunately, the scones I described aren’t always easy to find. New Yorkers enjoy chocolate chip scones and cinnamon scones drizzled with frosting, which are fine, but they’re just not British. So to appease my scones jones, I decided to make them myself.

It has been years since I’ve baked these fun treats, so I was excited to get them in the oven so that I could sit in front of the TV and savor their crumbliness. I will continue to hone this recipe, perhaps add buttermilk next time.  

Sones Read More

Cakes, Sweets and Treats, High Tea, Snacks,

Ribeye Shots

Written by Viella

I like to make a splash for the Oscars and often host a fun filled viewing party. Unfortunately, this year crept up on me so it’s just a low-key party for two.  Check out my Oscar-worthy ribeye shots, with truffle scented mash and a touch of chimichurri sauce. If you would like them to star at your next event, know that they are utterly delightful and easy to eat while mingling with friends.

So while my friend and I relax at home watching Oscar winning classic movies, awaiting the red carpet review and then finally the Oscars ceremony itself, we will make our way through these captivating ribeye shots and smile and applaud at their performance on our tongues!

 Ribeye Shots

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Meat, , ,

Chicken and Kale Soup

Written by Viella

Kale has been described as “the world’s healthiest food”.  I can’t confirm that is, but it certainly makes you feel good when you eat it.  It feels like you’re giving your body the nourishment its needs to get you through the day.  My chicken and kale soup will certainly do that – fat free, delicious and nutritious!

Kale_Chicken_Orzo_Soup Read More

Soups, , ,

Classic Bruschetta

Written by Viella

Bruschetta – one of my favorite foods.  I’ve had bruschetta in Rome, Milan, Madrid, Paris, Amsterdam, London, New York, LA, Belgium; I can go on.  But let me tell you, my favorite place to eat bruschetta, the place where bruschetta tastes the best, will always be at home. Test my theory, freshly made bruschetta, with your favorite tomatoes and olive oil – no one can do it better for you, trust me.  

Classic Bruschetta by Diverse Dinners  Read More

Appetizer, Snacks, , ,