National Margarita Day & Margarita Recipes

Yes, seriously, there is a National Margarita Day, every year on Feb. 22! Wahoo a day to celebrate & drink one of my favorite cocktails, like I need an excuse to drink one! Those delicious margaritas are shaken up with so many different concoctions- Mango, jalapeno, strawberry, raspberry, watermelon-basil, and how bout those cornoritas, this is just a tiny list of those luscious cocktails! One main thing the best margaritas are made with fresh ingredients - no premix or that icky bottled margarita mixer & made with 100% agave blanco or reposado tequilla.

Lime Squeezer

If you don't have one, these lime squeezer are the best! Not just for margaritas, but anytime you need a lime squeezed or even small lemons. No seeds will get in.


Margaritas are so so easy to make - Here's a great recipe for your basic Lime Hand Shaken Margarita

2 oz.Blanco or Silver Tequilla (a good one)
1 oz. fresh squeezed lime, (usually that's about 1 whole lime)
1 oz. 100% Pure Blue Agave Nectar
Lime wedge, for rim rubbing
Kosher salt, for rim
Prep Glass; Whether you are using a traditional margarita glass or martini glass; take lime wedge & rub the rim of your glass. Put some kosher salt on a plate, & turn your glass upside down on it to coat.
Mix It:  Take a shaker, put in your tequilla, fresh lime juice & agave nectar. Fill shaker about half full of ice. Now shake it up about 15 sec. Strain into your prepped glass full of ice! Sometimes I put a little topper of seltzer on drink before serving.
Drink up! Sooo delicioso & fresh!  Makes 1 drink.
* Best ice to use is small or broken cubes (sorry pic above does not show that)
*To spice up your margarita, you can add a few sprinkles of cayenne pepper to your salt for your rims!

Sure you guys know, there are so many wonderful margaritas out there, we all have our fave places to go to get your margarita fix! Chef Rick Bayless, owner of Frontera Grill, Topolobampo, XOCO, Tortas Frontera &Frontera Fresco, also is the creator of Frontera gourmet foods & did I mention 8 cookbooks! Besides all this he makes a terrific margarita at his restaurants. This is Rick Bayless' table side margarita recipe

Rick Bayless' Topolo Margarita

3/4 c. fresh lime juice, about 3 large limes                          1c. plus 2 Tbsp. blanco tequilla

6 Tbsp. sugar                                                                    1/4 c. Gran Torres orange liqueur

1 c. water                                                                           Lime wedges & coarse salt

Make Limeade: Combine lime juice, sugar and water in a pitcher. Cover & refrigerate if not using right away (no longer than 24 hr)

To Serve: Add tequilla & orange liqueur to the pitcher of limeade. Rub rims of martini glasses with a lime wedge, dip in a dish of coarse salt. In a large shaker, combine half of the margarita mixture w/ half of ice , shake 15-20 sec. Strain into prepared glasses. Repeat w/ rest of ingredients.       Serves 6

Barbakoa House Margarita

This was a kick ass margarita served at Barbakoa Modern Latin Restaurantt, Downers Grove, Il. Instead of salt on the rim, they had one big swoop of salt on the side of the glass. Wasn't sure what you were suppose to do with it, so just went for it, did a big lick up the glass, and took a drink! Damn it was good! Barbakoa makes their House Margarita with hand squeezed lime, organic agave nectar, bourbon barrel aged 100% de Agave Tequilla D'Oro.

El Carmen Restaurant in Los Angeles, CA, have been serving up margaritas a long time. Pretty sure they know about margaritas; they offer over 420 kinds of tequilla! This one sounded really bueno - the Cilantro Ginger Margarita- shaken up with Tonala Reposado, Ginger Liqueur, Agave Syrup, Fresh Lime muddled
w/ Fresh Cilantro. Served on the rocks.

Pretty Petal Pusher

Think this is the prettiest margaritas I've ever seen! This is Colleen Mullaney's margarita recipe

Pretty Petal Pusher

4 oz tequilla                                                                     4 oz. pear nectar

4 oz Lanique rose petal liqueur                                         1 lime, squeezed

In a cocktail shaker filled w/ ice, pour all ingredients & shake well. Let stand to chill, up to 5 min. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with an edible flower, such as a pansy.

Saw this margarita recipe on a spirit website- looked too good not to share

Berry Delicious Margarita

Blend 8 oz. Silver Tequilla, 4 oz Chambord Liqueur, 4 oz. Limoncello, 1 oz. fresh squeezed lime juice, 2 c. mixed berries (blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, & Strawberries) in a blender with 3 c. crushed ice. Pour into 4 margarita glasses rimmed with sugar.

Don Julio's Jalapeno Margarita

1 1/2 oz Don Julio Reposado Tequilla                                    1/2 oz Grand Marnier orange liqueur

1 oz. fresh lime juice                                                             Splash of agave nectar

1 jalapeno pepper, muddled                                                  1 Jalapeno pepper for garnish

In a shaker muddle the jalapeno. Add to shaker rest of ingredients with ice. Shake well. Strain into a highball glass over ice. Garnish with the jalapeno pepper.

*Depending who you are serving this to & if they can take the heat, you might consider taking out a few of the seeds from the jalapenos! 

Recipe didn't call for it, but for sure, this chick would add salt to the rim!

Lots of specials going on out there, Sat Feb 22, for National Margarita Day - On The Border Restaurant  is serving their 12 oz House Margarita for $1.00! Or you might head over to  Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville 3PM-4PM- having a complimentary margarita making class, then 5'o clock (somewhere) will have a toast to the official beverage of Margaritaville "The Margarita"!
So whether you like your margaritas on the rocks or frozen; go out & enjoy a margarita (or 2), or even stay home & shake up one of these fabuloso margaritas, Feb. 22 National Margarita Day!

This chick loves National Margarita Day & loves these margarita recipes!

Super Bowl Party Food

Well it's almost here, Sunday Feb. 2, Super Bowl XLVIII ( Super Bowl 48), Seattle Seahawks against those Denver Broncos! They're going to play for that National title, at Brrrr the open air MetLife Stadium in New Jersey (such the Jersey / NY argument because stadium is home to NY Jets & NY Giants)
Super Bowl Sunday is a fun partying day, full of all day noshing! No calorie counting today, for real!!! You can see what this chick is talking bout when you see this Denver Broncos Brownie, sooo sinfully chocolatey rich, with fun sprinklings of M&M's on top, popping out a little blue& orange (Broncos colors). Another recipe, this chick came up with Seattle Seahawks Spicy Wings, so easy and no frying mess like most wing recipes! Both of these recipes are so easy, takes the stress out of hosting a Super Bowl Party!

Seattle Seahawks Spicy Wings

1- 4lb. Bag of  chicken wings
2 pkg. onion soup mix
1/2 c. Soy Sauce  ( I used low sodium)
1 c. Lemon juice
1 c. Dark corn syrup
1/2 c. Sriracha Sauce
1 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
Prep is done the night before.
Like to rinse off chicken wings, pat dry with paper towel, & set to side. In a bowl, mix up rest of ingredients. Pour some of the marinate in another bowl, enough for coating wings, can add more if  needed. Toss wings in marinate to coat heavily. Cover & marinate overnight. Cover & refrigerate
remaining marinade to use later
Preheat oven 400. Place the wings in a single layer on a large
 cookie sheet or jelly roll pan. Pour some of the marinade on top of each wing, make sure each wing has some sauce on it. DON'T use all the marinade because you need more for basting later on. Put wings in oven, don't cover, Bake 25 min. Take out of oven,  keeping wings on the pan, drain off the majority of all that liquid in the pan. Turn the wings. Now with the reserved marinade, baste wings heavily, & put bake in oven. Bake 15-20 more minutes. Take out of oven, turn on broiler, when heated up, put those wings under the broiler to brown up a little, about 3-4 min, don't burn! Put these babies on a platter, and they are ready to serve.
These wings have a little spice kick & such great flavor, no need to cover it up with a creamy dipping sauce. The only dipping sauce this chick is serving with her wings, is setting out a bottle of Sriracha Sauce, for those who want to bring on more heat!

     

Love, Love Sriracha Sauce! That's a whole other blog! Make sure you get the bottle with a rooster on it, usually can be found in the Asian food aisle.

Denver Broncos Brownies

These brownies are so insanely rich. Love the chunky topping, it's a real man's dessert real rugged like!
So easy peasy, can be made day before just cover up so they don't get dry.

1 box Ghiradelli - Dark Chocolate Brownie Mix
1 box Ghiradelli - Double Chocolate Brownie Mix
2 eggs
1/2 c. water
1/3 c. vegetable oil
1 stick + 1 Tbsp. butter, softened
1/2 c. salted peanuts (not dry roasted), coarsely chopped
1 c. Peanut Butter M&M's
1 c. Peanut M&M's

Preheat oven 325. Generously grease 13x9 baking dish.

Coarely chop Peanut M&M's. Basically just chop them in half, be careful they are slippery suckers when you try to chop them (can do this days in advance & put in a ziploc baggie till ready to use). Set aside.
In a large bowl, put in brownie mixes, then add everything except all M&M's and peanuts. Mix thoroughly with a large spoon. Pour into greased baking dish. Now sprinkle on the salted peanuts, next sprinkle on Peanut Butter M&M's, and lastly those chunks of Peanut M&M's. Bake about 45-50 min. Don't overbake. Wait till completely cooled to cut. Enjoy- Love the saltiness of the peanuts with the sweet chocolate!

This chick is loving the Super Bowl Party food!

























            Denver Broncos Brownies

Champagne Toast to NYE 2013

It's almost time to ring in 2014! Time for the countdown & champagne toast, but 2013 will not go out without a bang! Lots of happenings going on everywhere. One fun little FYI, Belvedere Vodka is ringing in the New Year with its "Silver Saber" complete with a lighting element that will illuminate for 8 hrs. It will officially launch in Feb 2014, but Silver Saber will be showcased NYE 2013 at SLS Hotel, South Beach and a few select venues in NYC & LA. Speaking of venues, this chick has been checking out some hot spots for NYE 2013. Lets go ahead and go to South Beach, Miami where they are going to blow NYE 2013 out with the ultimate poolside parties!
SLS Hotel hosting Robin Thicke's NYE 2014 with Skylar Grey. Tickets start @ $500.  Tables &Cabana's $4,000-$25,000
FountainBleau Hotel -Miley Cirus & Pharrell Williams cohost poolside with DJ Afrojack. Gen Admin $325.  VIP Tables & Cabanas $3,000- $30,000
NYC- NYE in NYC is the classic must visit places for NYE celebrations. The city is electrifying! Besides the ball dropping & countdown in Times Square, Pier 36 will have 5 explosive DJ's-Cedric Gervais, R3HAB, Sander VanDoory, Show Tek,& Tommy Trash. Tickets $165-$10,000.  Cipriani 42 St.-Voted #1 NYE Grand Gala.Toast with Cipriani's own Prosecco. Tickets $150 -$325.
Las Vegas- Vegas is a party everyday, but NYE it's off the charts, parties everywhere  especially in TAO & XS. Haze @ Aria-Glittery Extravaganza with John Legend & DJ E-Rock.Women admin $55. Men $132. The Bank @Bellaigio-Hip hop artist Common is performing with DJ IKON. Ladies VIP $55 Men $137.50  Premium seating $2,500-$12,800.
LA- Bootsy Bellows-Sunset Strip's hipster modern day Rat Pack bash is hosted by owner David Arquette- music by DJ Politik with some crazy burlesque, marionette puppetry & surprise performances. Gen Admin $95.  VIP $105- $6,000
Chicago- The Crystal Garden at Navy Pier-Most spectacular fireworks display in the country! Live DJ & much more. Tickets $155-$175
OKC- Chevy Bricktown Events Center-OKC Thunder's Kevin Durant & Angela Simmons hosting the NYE Bash with DJ Keilo. Gen Admin $35.   VIP. $75-$200.
Dallas-The DFW Soirée Countdown 2013 @ Omni Downtown Dallas-Voted best NYE celebration in DFW last year & doing it again this year. Live DJ and a Vegas style casino lounge. Tickets $99.  Tables start @ 1,500.
Wow- that's a lot of celebrating & champagne toasting going on! This chick will definitely love her champagne toast this NYE!

Pop Rockin' Shooters

These little shooters will bring the New Years' in with a bang! While you're shooting this shooter, the pop rock candy is exploding in your mouth! A definite hit for your party!

Pop Rockin' Shooters

1 small box Knox unflavored gelatine

1 cup boiling water

1/2 cup clear liquor, chilled

1/2 cup + 2 Tbsp. Welchs white grape juice

1 oz. clear plastic shot glasses

Pop Rock candy

In a bowl, dissolve the gelatin in the boiling water, stirring with a fork. Add the liquor and white grape juice. Stir. Pour into your little shot glasses. Set on tray and refrigerate 2-3 hours. Just before serving & I mean just before serving, sprinkle your pop rock candy on top of shooters. The pop rock candy dissolves really fast. Makes about 2 dozen shooters. 

Liquor choices- Vodka, Tequilla, or Rum

This chick found the clear plastic shot glasses @Partycentral.

This chick loves these little pop rockin' shooters!

Glitzy Shooters

New Years' Eve is coming up quick! These glitzy shooters with the champagne color and the silver sprinkles on top will bring in the glitz to any New Years Eve Party!

Glitzy Shooters

1 small box Knox unflavored gelatine

1 cup boiling water

1/2 cup + 2 Tbsp Welch's white grape juice, chilled

1/2 cup clear liquor, chilled

Clear plastic1 oz shot glasses

Wiltons  silver pearilzed Sprinkles

Wiltons Edible Accents silver stars

In a bowl, dissolve gelatine in boiling water stirring with a fork. Add liquor and white grape juice. Pour into your clear little shot glasses. Set shooters on a tray and refrigerate for 2-3 hrs. Add sprinkles before serving. Makes about 2 dozen shooters.

*Sprinkles & accents should be added right before serving because they start dissolving and get watery on top! 

Liquor choices- Vodka, Tequilla, or Rum

This chick found the clear plastic shot glasses @Partycentral. Found the Wiltons silver sprinkles & edible accents @Joanns Fabrics.

This chick is loving the Glitzy Shooters!

Georgetown Winery

Where else but Texas can you find Jalapeño Wine??? Georgetown Winery is a local Texas winery that makes all kinds of wines. They do make your Chardonnay and Cabs, but they make some novelty  wines. If you are in to sweet wines, they make several, even one called the Funky Monkey! They also make some dessert wines, several kinds of Port wines; their Raspberry Port wine sounds delish! If you're not in the Texas area, you can find them on their website@georgetownwinery.com. This chick is loving the wine!

Serving Bowl

Looking for festive holiday serverware?? Look
no further! Found the cutestest little chic serving
bowls at Dollar Tree!! Yes, can you believe these
chic little bowls were only a buck? They are silver metallic
on outside and white inside about 7 in. sq., which make
them perfect for dips, nuts, or little munchies. These little

bowls are plastic which make them even more perfect, nothing

gets broke & you can take to your xmas party and not worry

about dragging it back home after a few cocktails. Plus they

look super chic! This chick loves the bowls!!