Organize More

Don't have the time to organize, invite, shop, clean and cook for a dinner party?  Have a "Happy Hour" instead.  Happy Hours are a great way to get through the January and February winter blahs.  Make it casual.  Pick a signature cocktail to serve, throw together finger foods and appetizers, and voila!!!  You have a party.  

 

Short cuts are great.  Visit the pre-made aisle of your supermarket or local grocery store for goumet olives ans spreads, such as a salty tapenade -- a perfect partner for a Martini.  Many markets also now carry sushi and sashimi, which goes well with Vodka cocktails.  If you are going for cheeses, try washed-rind cheeses like Ardrahan and Saint Nectaire, both creamy with a meaty flavor -- good with whiskey.  For Martinis, try a cheese that is dense, like semi-soft Ossau-Iraty, an earthy Basque cheese with a richness that coats the mouth.  Pecorinos are also a good Martini match.  Goudas and chedders go well with Fruity drinks.  The saltiness tends to counter the sweetness of the cocktail.

 

Here's a pairing to get you started:

 

 

2 oz. Belvedere Cytrus Vodka

1/4 oz. St-Germain Liqueur

1/2 oz. lemon juice

Dash simple syrup

1 oz. pressed apple juice

Ginger Beer

Sprig of fresh Rosemary

 

Shake all ingredients (except ginger beer) in a shaker with cubed ice.  Strain into a high-ball glass.  Top with ginger beer and garnish with Rosemary.

The Food:  Smoked Salmon and Caviar Pizza  (from Joe McAtee, Honey, Doylestown, PA)

 

2 tubs of cream cheese, softened

1 red beet, finely shredded

4 pieces of pita or naan bread

1 package of sliced smoked or cured salmon

1 tin caviar

1 thinly sliced red onion

1/2 cup Italian parsley, torn

Sea salt and pepper to taste

 

In a mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese and shredded beet.  Mix well until thoroughly incorporated.  Warm the pita or naan at room temperature.  Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 2 minutes.  Spread each piece of bread, generously, with the beet cream.  Next, arrange the salmon, onion, parsley and caviar on each "pizza" overlappying and interweaving so that each ingredient appears to have naturally fallen into place.  Sprinkle with sea salt and black pepper.  Cut each piece into eighths and place on a serving platter. That's it.  Delicious!!!

 

 

Let us know how your "Happy Hour" works out for you.