Fig Cocktail + Gruyere Baked Olives | Friday Night Bites

A well engineered cocktail transports you to a different level. When you pair it with a nibble that is simple yet sophisticated, you have hit nirvana.  As many of you know, I am simply obsessed with figs.  This year I discover tiger figs at Trader Joe's and made 40 pint jars of my infamous Balsamic Fig Jam.  I have discovered a passion and appreciation of a great cocktail.  I decided to create a signature fig cocktail to celebrate the beginning of fall, since figs are the quintessential sign fall is around the corner.

"The Aviator" Cocktail + Kicked Up Chex Mix | Friday Night Bites

Yippee Skippee .... it is finally FRIDAY!  I think that means it is time for Friday Night Bites and this week I thought I would share another sublime cocktail with all of you.  Noted for its stunning purple color, this old-school gin cocktail is a standout. It is a cocktail that was created before Prohibition by a bartender at the Hotel Wallick in New York.  It is made with gin, maraschino liqueur, creme de violette and fresh lemon juice.  The creme de violette is such a unique addition and makes this cocktail a true standout and often referred to the "forgotten classic".  It is flowery, assertive yet sweet but a liqueur worth trying.

Sublime Bar Nuts + "The Last Word" Cocktail | Friday Night Bites

There is something special about enjoying a craft cocktail with sublime bar nuts.  The bar is raised even higher (no pun intended) when you are sitting at a swanky, hip bar with cool music playing and having your significant other or close friend next to you.  You could even simply be sitting at the counter in your kitchen with the lights dimmed and have a bar experience.

"The Bridgett Cocktail" | Cocktail Hour

Milestones are epic moments in life that are unforgettable. Whether it is the birth of a baby, high school graduation, college graduation, first real job, marriage or buying your first house – they are all milestones. Milestones are locked in your memory forever and pave the way through this journey we call life.

Baby Kale, Banana and Pineapple Smoothie + 2 Bonus DOLE Smoothie Recipes

With each New Year, come those resolutions that we all make – right?  The typical list is to lose weight, work out more and eat better.  Those are all great and now the challenge is to stick to these goals and make them happen.  They say it takes at least 30 days to create a new habit and I also believe that you need to really commit to yourself that you are going to make that change and stick to it.  Like many, these are among the list of resolutions that I made for 2015.

Click "read more" below to continue post

Gin & Tonic Sorbet | Friday Night Bites

At our last book club get together, we had the most amazing dessert.  We alternate between the 10 ladies in the club as to who will be the hostess (with the mostess). A couple weeks ago, Cindy opened up her lovely home to all of us to discuss our book selection – Transatlantic by Colum McCann.  The overall majority enjoyed the book and we had some lively discussion, which is a good thing. Sometimes the book doesn’t resonate with everyone and that is okay; just means the discussion is shorter.

(Click "Read More" below to continue post)

Classic Sangria + Wine Fridge Review + Wine Storage Tips

Recently I have been enthused by Spanish food and wine.  The idea of Tapas and Pintxos along with sipping some fragrant Sangria is quite inspiring. Perhaps I feel as though I am being transported to Spain or better yet, I think I need to add to my bucket list.  In the meantime, I can create the food and sip on handmade Sangria.  I have a classic Sangria recipe to share with all of you today along with some wine storage tips but first I wanted to share a product review that Staples asked if I would do.

About a month ago the wonderful folks at Staples reached out to me to inquire if I would be interested in reviewing one of their unique products.  As I continued to read the email, I realized that due to my love of wine, the inquiry was for a small wine refrigerator.  Now my eyes lit up like the new lights on the Bay Bridge.  It was an instant YES!

(Click "Read More" below to continue post)

Virtual Wine & Appetizer Party for 4 Year Blogoversary + Avocado Toast with Chili Flakes and Lemon

How does time go by so fast?  Someone please explain.  Smile.  Today is my 4 year Blogoversary. I remember the day that I hit the button to click my first post live to the internet – a bit scary but moreover super exciting.  Little did I know; how that first click would change and enhance my life in such a positive way. Big smile.

I said to one of my co-workers that I had a goal to become more technically savvy and learn something new.  That was a few months before the birth of Authentic Suburban Gourmet.  Several, several months later she said to me – you did it!  You accomplished your goal and she was right.  Along with that I pushed myself to continue to learn about photography, finding my voice and mastering the whole social media trend.  I have to say that my photography has improved significantly since day one.  (I quiver a bit looking at the old photos, but it keeps me humble and pushes me to continually strive to the next level)  I understand the social media influence and benefits to helping my blog and connecting with new readers and friends.  Always learning about new things, and that is the fun part.

(Click "Read More" below to continue post)

Cocktail Hour: Mandarin Blossom Breeze

Do you have a cocktail hour at your house? Do you serve signature drinks for your parties? If you answered yes – this just might be the cocktail of choice at your next soiree.

I think it is fun to be a bit of a mix-o-logist when you throw a party. Or if you have a friend who loves to create drinks, enlist them at your next event. Sometimes it is fun to go beyond just serving wine and beer. Nothing wrong with either, but it definitely adds a bit of flair to your event. You don’t have to stock a full bar, just get the ingredients for the one signature drink and start mixing.

If you live in the Bay Area or are going to visit, and you enjoy artisan vodka – then you need to take a trip to Hangar One in Alameda. It is across the bay from San Francisco. The distillery literally is housed at a retired naval base’s airplane hangar. They offer tours and include a tasting room. Yes I said tasting room.

Hangar One’s method is different. They start by distilling fresh fruit on the same day it’s picked. Periodically they will work through the night so that the flavor captured in the still represents the fruit at its peak flavor. They make an eau de vie, using centuries-old European methods, in a copper still. Each bottle of vodka Hangar One makes will begin the same way. The fresh fruit is hand picked from farmers they know by name and hand crafted vodka made in small batches.

They produce such wonderful vodka flavors as: Kaffir Lime, Spiced Pear, Fraser River Raspberry, Mandarin Blossom, Buddha’s Hand Citron and Chipotle. Their website is super creative and very interactive. It gives information on the tasting room hours, how to best book a tour plus a lot more. Enjoy!

Mandarin Blossom Breeze

1 ½ oz. Hangar One Mandarin Blossom Vodka
1 oz. Limoncello
5 kumquats
4 fresh mint leaves
3 to 4 dashes orange bitters
Splash of club soda

Muddle 3 sliced kumquats, 3 mint leaves, limoncello & bitters in the bottom of a martini shaker. Fill the shaker with ice & add vodka. Shake vigorously. Fill a glass one third of the way with fresh ice cubes, drop in two sliced kumquat & add more ice. Add the remaining kumquat and cover with ice. Strain the cocktail into a glass and finish with a splash of soda. You can also take the muddled kumquats and scoop into the drink. Garnish with a kumquat and a mint leaf. Serves 1

Tangerine Cocktail

Tangerines have been cultivated for over 3,000 years in China. The season is from October to April in the Northern Hemisphere. Most commonly you will peel and eat right away. They have a vivid orange color and are so sweet.  Today we hit almost 80 degrees in the Bay Area and this cocktail was perfect to ring in the first warm day of the year!

Why not create a quick, simple and tasty cocktail to celebrate this beautiful citrus gem. You could certainly substitute the cognac for vodka. It is refreshing and celebrates the change of seasons from Winter to Spring.

Tangerine Cocktail

3 oz fresh tangerine juice
1/2 oz  fresh lemon juice
1 oz ginger simple syrup
1 1/2 oz Cognac

Put all ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice & shake well for 15-20 seconds. Strain into cocktail glass. Garnish with a tangerine wedge.

Ginger Syrup

2 C. Water
2 C. Sugar
1 - 2 large ginger root, cut into one inch pieces

In a small saucepan add the water and sugar. Bring to boil while stirring a few times. Reduce to a simmer and add the ginger. Let cook for about one hour. When ready, strain and transfer to a glass container and allow to cool to room temperature.

Russian Tea

Memories are something that is uniquely special to each person. They are like a mini movie that plays in your mind whenever you want to hit the play button. Sometimes memories come to the surface from seeing a photograph, smelling a scent or hearing a song. It is amazing how these can catapult you right to that moment in time and experience a memory.

One such lovely memory from childhood is enjoying a piping hot cup of Russian Tea. My Mom would create this beautiful concoction of tea, tang and spices. Yes – I said Tang. It is the secret ingredient to this sweet and spicy delight. Where the name "Russian Team" came from, I do not know. I must admit as a kid, Tang was quite popular and my Mom would buy it for us. To this day, I sometimes crave a tall, icy glass of Tang – although the sugar count is out of this world, so I must resist.

For the holidays this year, I decided to give and share my canning projects that I had been creating for close to seven months with my friends and family. For my family, I chose a theme straight out of London by using what they call hampers. Fortnum & Mason is known world wide for selling outstanding luxury food hampers. Each time I have been to Fortnum & Mason, we carefully select unique chutneys and jams to ship home. Quite frankly, we probably spend more in shipping than the actual items.

I found “hamper like” baskets from Pier One which was just about what I envisioned. After adding cushioning on the bottom of each hamper with crumpled newspaper, I packed each hamper with about fourteen various items from my canning adventures and tied it up with beautiful ribbon. As each year passes, purchasing gifts seems to be more challenging. This year I wanted to personalize and give gifts of love – thus the hamper idea was born. Our family has an affinity with London and appreciates gifts from the heart, so it was a perfect idea.

I wanted to add a bit of nostalgia to the hamper, so I added the Russian Tea. My Mom, sister and brother all instantly knew what it was and there was a smile from ear to ear on their faces. I hope that my sister and brother will share with their children and the tradition will continue. Thank you Mom for creating such wonderful memories – I love you!

Russian Tea

2 C. Tang
1 C. Instant Tea
1 Pkg. Lemonade Mix
½ C. Sugar
1 t. Ground cloves
1 t. Cinnamon

Mix all together and keep in an airtight container. Use approximately two heaping teaspoons for one cup of tea.

Ginger Zen Martini

“Shaken, not stirred” is the well known catch phrase from James Bond and his preference for how he liked his martini prepared. Whatever method you prefer, a good martini is hard to beat.

Last night we hosted our annual ornament exchange party at our house. Not sure exactly how long we have had this traditional event. Each year this is the party that kicks off the holiday party season. In years past it has been a very large event which has leveled to a much more intimate group. Smaller venues are much more enjoyable in my opinion since it gives you the time to visit with each person and truly catch up.

I adore the idea of creating a signature cocktail for a party in addition to serving wine and other beverages. Last night was no exception. The Walnut Creek Yacht Club serves a Zentini which they have been quite infamous for. It is a blend of ginger simple syrup, mint, and lime and of course vodka. The marriage of these flavors is absolutely magical.

My friend Helen’s husband Phil, is one heck of a great bartender. Knowing that he would have that special touch for making the Ginger Martini, I asked him if would be the mixologist for the evening and he graciously obliged. About half the guests indulged into this adult libation and experienced this down right delightful concoction.

Even if you are not a martini drinker, you might want to give this a try. You just might convert over. If you do love martinis, I hope this quickly becomes your next favorite cocktail.

Ginger Martini
1 ½ ounces vodka (Grey Goose)
½ ounce Ginger syrup
3 to 4 Mint leaves
½ Lime, cut into 4 small cubes

Add all of the above ingredients to a martini shaker with ½ cup crushed ice. Using a muddler, break down the mint and lime. Then shake the ingredients together and pour through the strainer portion of the shaker into a chilled glass.

Ginger Syrup

2 C. Water
2 C. Sugar
1 - 2 large ginger root, cut into one inch pieces

In a small saucepan add the water and sugar. Bring to boil while stirring a few times. Reduce to a simmer and add the ginger. Let cook for about one hour. When ready, strain and transfer to a glass container and allow to cool to room temperature.

Salty Dog

My friend Phil introduced me to the "Salty Dog". This cocktail is really refreshing with the tart grapefruit juice and the salty edge. Enjoy on a warm summer day or by the fire with spicy nuts.

.

Ingredients:

2 oz. Vodka

4 oz. Fresh squeezed pink grapefruit juice or the best store bought version

Salt for rimming

.

Rim a highball glass with salt. Fill glass with ice cubes. Add vodka and grapefruit juice and stir.