Category Archives: Beverage

Beverage, Breakfast, Healthy, Informative, Less than 5

Green Tea Matcha Latte

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Now, I know matcha powder has been around in culinary circles for a long time, being used in everything from baked goods to ice cream to beverages.  And it has been around long before that in Japan as a highly antioxidant-rich drink of choice.  Matcha goes back many centuries in China and Japan, where it was first made as dehydrated and crushed bricks of tea leaves for storage and travel.  Zen Bhuddists drank this tea in a ceremony prior to afternoon meditations, and found it enabled them greater clarity and sustained energy unlike anything before.

Powdered tea was made in very small batches, such that the expense meant only royalty could enjoy it.  However, a new harvesting method soon enabled more efficient processing, and as the price became more affordable matcha became available to the public.  By the 16th century, all levels of people took part it drinking tea and tea ceremonies to some extent.  To learn more about how to make the perfect cup of matcha green tea, and for a brand review and comparison, check out this site.

Frothy green tea latte

Many claim matcha is a great replacement for coffee because it is so high in antioxidants, yet still packs quite a punch, as one teaspoon of matcha contains 70 mg of caffeine (approximately the equivalent of a half a cup of coffee, which typically contains about 160 mg).  If you make or order a “koika” or “thick tea” this is made with twice the amount of matcha powder, and thus twice the caffeine content.  A high quality matcha powder will be bright green, and smell earthy and complex.  This is a fun drink to serve up for St. Patrick’s Day, or the day after when caffeine is maybe needed…

This recipe is a very simple one, which you could easily make at home, bleary eyed first thing in the morning.  Which is great, because that is when I made it!  I chose to use vanilla flavored milk, you could also use a vanilla bean or vanilla flavoring, or try something else like mint leaves or peppermint extract.  Or you can leave your latte plain and savor the complex flavors of the matcha.  I also used one medjool date as my sweetener, try agave nectar or pure maple syrup for something different.

Ingredients for a sweetened vanilla Matcha Latte

Ingredients:

  • 1 teaspoon quality matcha powder
  • 1 medjool date, pitted
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 3/4 cup almond or soy milk
  • Optional: use flavored milk, or add the seeds from one vanilla bean or 1 tsp of vanilla flavoring

Dates in boiling water

Step 1: Put the water in a small sauce pan with the cut up, pitted date and bring to a boil.  This just softens the date in order to make it blend more easily.  Pour the hot water into the blender and blend on high for 30-45 seconds.

Matcha latte in a blender

Step 2: Add the milk to the sauce pan and bring to a simmer.  Add the teaspoon of matcha to the blender.

Foamy matcha latte

Step 3: Add the hot milk, and blend together for 30-60 seconds to make it nice and frothy.  You can of course whisk it instead, purists use a bamboo whisk, but I am far too lazy for that. 😉

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Step 4: Pour into a mug, and enjoy!  The blender makes a light, bubbly layer on top, and enables the incorporation of the date.  It would be much harder to crush it up yourself, so if you are using a whisk you should probably use a different, liquid sweetener.  This is best enjoyed immediately, still steaming from the stove.

 

 

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:49]

 

Beverage, Comfort food, Dessert, Holidays, Less than 5

Homemade Shamrock Shake

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Can you believe that St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner already!  This year it is on March 17th.  And one of my favorite things about this time of year, though I avoid the place like the plague at all other times, is McDonald’s Shamrock Shake.

Yes, I know they are horrible for you, and probably don’t even contain dairy but “sugar infused plastic“, but damn are they delicious.  And it only happens once a year…

But, the facts remain that they are terrible for your health, so in an effort to swear them off I attempted my own homemade version.  The recipe I used is similar to this one from SparkPeople.  Now I don’t have to wait all year, or hope that the ice cream machine isn’t broken, I can have a Shamrock Shake anytime!

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup frozen Greek plain or vanilla yogurt
  • 1/2 cup skim milk
  • Couple drops food coloring
  • Couple drops peppermint flavoring
  • 2 tbsp honey or sugar

Step 1: In a blender, combine all ingredients.

Step 2: Blend well until smooth.  Add as much green as you want.

Step 3: Pour into a glass and enjoy!

 

Beverage, Breakfast, Finances, Healthy, Informative

Homemade Salted Caramel Creamer

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How many of you start your day off with a nice hot cup of coffee?

I know my hand is raised!  Coffee in the morning is as natural as breathing at this point, and is one vice I will never give up.  Yes, I know that caffeine is a drug, and it is possible to live without coffee, but honestly, … why?  Kidding… sort of.

One of several items in my house that has come under scrutiny lately though, is my coffee creamer.  I usually buy the store version of whatever flavor sounds good at the time or is on sale (french vanilla, hazelnut, mocha, peppermint…).  But if you check out the ingredients list, you will find things like: high fructose corn syrup, palm oil, sugar,  carrageenan, and tons of other substances I can’t spell or pronounce (and I’m a scientist).

Do I really want a cup or so of these things every week?  Do I want polysorbitol whatever building up in my body?  Do I know what the long-term effects of all these chemistry experiments (not to mention the cocktails of pesticides & hormones found in CAFO cows’ milk) are going to be?

NOPE.

The alternatives?

Stop using creamer & drink black coffee? HAHAHAHAHAHA… nope.

Make it myself?  Challenge accepted.

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I started with whole, organic milk*.  Then I threw in some sugar (it has to be palatable, otherwise I could just use plain milk.  But my palate is still just a little too young to fully appreciate the “coffee-ness” of coffee).  A dash of vanilla and salt to draw out all the flavor, and we have a winner!

*Note: This is of course not a recipe for those who are lactose intolerant or trying to avoid dairy.  I am experimenting with various non-dairy milks too, and if I create a winning recipe I will share it!

This took me approximately ten minutes, basically just long enough to caramelize the sugar.  Then just mix it all up in a large jar (I use mason jars, but you could use any container, even an empty container from previous creamer) and you’re good to go for a few weeks.  With a waaaay shorter, and completely pronounceable, ingredients list.

sea salt and caramel and creamer

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2-3 tbsp water
  • 1/2 tbsp sea salt
  • 1 tbsp vanilla

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Step 1: Add the sugar and water to a pan.  Slowly bring it to just a simmer, and stir constantly for about 10 minutes.  You don’t want the sugar to burn!

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Step 2: As the sugar caramelizes, it will become thicker and opaque.  Measure out the cream and vanilla, and slowly pour it into the pan while mixing constantly.

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This creates a lovely caramel-like sauce.

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Step 3: Pour the caramel into your jar and let it cool.  If there is some lingering sugar in the pan, either add the milk and whisk until dissolved, or add a few tbsp water and whisk to dissolve.  Pour the milk into the bottle as well.

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Step 4: Add in a few tsp of salt, to taste, and shake it all up.  Done!

Salted caramel creamer ingredients

Now all you have to do is pull this guy off the refrigerator door, shake it up once or twice, and add a few tbsp to your morning cuppa.  It’s so delicious, you may be tempted to drink it straight from the jar… not that I’d know 😉

salted caramel creamer and coffee

Enjoy your healthy, natural creamer!  I will definitely be experimenting with more flavors in the future too.
Anyone have a favorite creamer recipe?  Have you ever tried making your own creamer, or would you consider it?

 

Beverage, Dessert, Holidays, Less than 5

Pumpkin Cheesecake Shots

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With Thanksgiving past, and Christmas looming, the flavors of fall still linger and mix with the onset of winter.  Pumpkins and gourds are in abundance.  Ginger and cinnamon scents fill the air as cookies bake, while the crunch of fallen leaves give way to pine scented boughs and trees.

And pumpkin spice flavored <insert anything here> is still king.

While you are rushing about grocery shopping, house cleaning, gift buying and wrapping, you may need a few moments to yourself amidst the chaos.  Especially if you will be hosting or staying with family (for multiple days), an adult beverage is always welcome.

With the ubiquitous pumpkin spice creamer, plus just a dash of two other players, you can whip up an amazingly delicious sugar-bomb of holiday spirit!  Careful, this stuff is so good, it’s easy to lose track of how many you’ve had!

This recipe makes enough for 4 shots, or 1 large glass over ice.  Feel free to whip them up as needed, or make a large container full and keep it in the fridge.  You know… just in case…

Pumpkin Cheesecake Shot Ingredients

Ingredients:

  • 1 shot cake flavored vodka
  • 1 shot Khalua
  • 2 ounces pumpkin spice creamer

Pumpkin and Pumpkin Cheesecake Cocktail

Combine all ingredients in a glass over ice and mix.  Strain into shot glasses, or drink as a beverage.

I just made up a double batch, and keep it in the refrigerator in the mason jar the creamer was in originally.

I make my own flavored coffee creamer occasionally; you can follow this recipe from The Nourishing Gourmet, or if you’re vegan try this one from Girl Makes Food.

 

 

Beverage, Healthy, Informative, Less than 5

Morning Health Shot

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One of the most consistent recommendations for better health is     always to drink more water.  It is almost certain the majority of        people do not drink as much water as they need.  (Take your weight, divide it in half, and that is how many ounces you need per day. For example, a 200 pound man needs about 100 ounces of water.)  The next most common advice I have found is to drink lemon water, possibly with cayenne pepper and/or honey every day.

The reasons for doing so range from boosting the immune system to cleansing the liver, kick-starting the metabolism and weight loss to a burst of natural energy.  Lemon juice itself has several health               benefits associated with it. It is well known as a useful treatment for kidney stones, detoxifying with Vitamin C, reducing diabetes risk, and aiding in alkalinizing the body.  Lemon is antioxidant, astringent, and contains boatloads of vitamins and minerals.

Lemon and Pepper

Cayenne pepper is recommended because it contains capsaicin, a spicy compound which stimulates the circulatory system.  It opens capillaries, aids digestion, and helps to regulate blood sugar levels.  It also kick-starts the metabolism and increases your internal body temperature, which can contribute to weight loss over time.

And finally, honey can also help in weight loss when consumed with warm water and lemon juice. Honey is packed with 22 amino acids and a number of valuable vitamins and minerals, many of which       benefit the body’s metabolism. By regulating metabolic function, food is broken down and utilized properly, fat is converted into usable energy, and overall health is improved. Be sure to use local, raw, unfiltered honey whenever possible.

Heart shot glass

I gave this a try for 4 weeks.  I could not handle the full-glass-of-warm-spicy-water, so I distilled it down into one shot.  I know, the whole drink-a-big-glass-of-water is part of the deal, but I always        followed it with a 16 oz glass of water.  Here’s what I did:

  • 2 tbsp. lemon juice (fresh when I had it, bottled when I didn’t)
  • 1-2 tsp local honey
  • Pinch chipotle pepper (I didn’t have cayenne, but it is basically the same thing)

Mix those in a shot glass, down it, and follow with a big glass of plain water.

The results?

Well, the horrible taste of sweet/acidic/spicy does kinda wake you up a bit.  Overall I didn’t notice a huge variation in energy levels, in the morning or throughout the day. Neither did I notice a big difference in how I felt, health-wise.  This may be because I already eat a pretty nutritious diet full of things that help detox and alkalinize me, but I didn’t notice a big enough difference to stay with it long term.

 

How about you guys? Have you ever tried a lemon water/cayenne detox, or is it part of your daily life? What benefits have you seen? Please share your experience in the comments!

 

Beverage

Sunrise on the Beach

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Sometimes, necessity is the mother of invention. Sometimes it is bored. Sometimes it is curiosity. And sometimes it is all of the above!

Given the ingredients in the house at the time where a cocktail was needed, a combination of a Sex on the Beach and a Tequila Sunrise came about. And maui wowi, it was delicious! I highly recommend catching a sunrise on the beach asap.

Ingredients (makes 2 16oz glasses):

  • 2 oz spiced rum or tequila
  • 2 oz flavored vodka of your choice
  • 2 oz cranberry or cherry juice
  • 24 oz orange juice

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Step 1: Mix the rum and vodkas in a shaker filled with ice. Pour half into each glass filled with ice. You can see I had 1 oz each of peach and caramel vodka, so I just used those, but you can use whatever flavor you have or just plain.

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Step 2: Pour the orange juice into the liquors to mix. (Maybe your hand slipped while measuring 2 oz rum and added 4, who’s to say?)

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Step 3: Carefully, pour the cranberry or cherry juice down the side of the glass. If you have differing densities and pour slowly enough, the two will not mix completely and you will end up with a nice ‘sunrise’ color gradation. If this doesn’t happen, drink the whole thing and promptly mix another batch. (Kidding!)

Have fun & be safe!

Beverage, Healthy, Less than 5

Pearberry Margarita

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As summer winds to a close and hot days continue, fruit trees are bursting with fruit. A neighbor has a pear tree and was kind enough to share some of the harvest. One can only eat so many pears before needing to find something new to do with them…

So why not blend it into a drink? I’m always looking for ways to sneak an extra serving of fruit and/or vegetables into just about anything. And a good way to hide healthy stuff is with liquor! If there’s tequila and sour mix, who care what else is in there right?

(But see if the people who try it don’t love your secret)

This recipe makes enough for 2 servings of about 5 ounces each. You can easily scale this up to make a pitcher full for a party. Also feel free to experiment with different types of berries or mixers to find the flavor combo you like best.

Ingredients:

  • 1 large, very ripe pear
  • 1/4 cup blueberry margarita mix (or 1/2 cup fresh berries)
  • 2 oz tequila
  • 2 oz sour mix
  • 2 oz lime juice
  • Handful of ice

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Step 1: If you want to and feel brave, you can peel the pear. I just threw the whole thing in, skin on. Cut it in half, then into quarters. Slice out the stem, seeds, and core. Put that in a blender.

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Step 2: Add the liquids and tequila, and blend until the pear is completely mashed. Add the ice, and pulse or blend until it reaches your desired consistency.

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If you have blueberry sugar, you can rim the glasses by first dipping them in water or lime juice, then rubbing the rims on a shallow plate covered in the sugar. (Or use normal sugar with a few drops of blue food coloring for the same effect.)

I don’t recommend this over ice unless you also strain it. Blended, the grittiness inherent to pears isn’t as noticeable. You could try this basic recipe with any number of fruits, but I recommend softer types (like pears, peaches, berries) over harder or mushy fruits (apples, bananas).

Salud!

 

Administrative, Appetizers, Beverage, Comfort food, Informative, Review

Review: Three Sheets

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Tucked away on Elm Street in New Haven is a tiny unassuming “friendly neighborhood gastropub” called Three Sheets.

It has gone through many changes over the years, under different names and different locations, but today it is a cozy, welcoming dive bar with a creative atmosphere. I had happened upon it during  a ‘brunch and board games’ meeting. Always a fan of good food and new friends, I welcomed the opportunity to try some local flavor.

IMG_9388Open Monday to Thursday, 3 p.m. to 1 a.m.; Friday, 3 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.

With typical dive-bar murkiness, this place was at once sketchy and friendly. Tattooed and pierced bartenders and servers abounded, and there were handfuls of clear regulars grouped around the bar and at tables, despite it being 1pm on a Saturday.

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The menu behind the bar immediately intrigued me. With plenty of good old bar-eat standbys like burgers and wings, they also have a ton of creative and unique choices, such as “Stuffies”, fried pickles, “Koolickles”, and a Banh Mi. They also offer oodles of tasty sounding sauces and toppings for anything your heart desires, like smoked catsup, remoulade, yellow BBQ, or kimchi. Plus rotating chef’s and drinks specials.

This is my kind of place.

Their Facebook page has periodic updates about what bands are playing (always NO cover and 21+) and what the daily house specials are. They say: “the following items which are all made IN HOUSE. Smoked clams, chicken pastrami, ham, bacon and pulled pork. Our jalapeno poppers are slow roasted and hand stuffed. We pickle our own vegetables and eggs. Our beef, breads, and clams are locally sourced… Oh, did I mention hand rolled sushi?”

Yes please.

I had to start the night (afternoon?) with a local craft beer. The bartender suggested Two Roads Hefeweizen, made right here in Stratford CT.

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The No Limits Hefeweizen was a nice, fruity wheat beer, perfectly refreshing for a hot summer day. I enjoyed the can, and the fact that they gave me a chilled glass to go along with it. I had tasted the Two Roads “Road Jam” previously as well, and it is even more powerfully berry flavored.

However, the “Lil Heaven IPA” is the opposite of my taste preferences, and I ended up tossing out half a six-pack because I just couldn’t drink it. Those who like extremely bitter beers would totally love this type. All the same, this brand is a great New England brewery, and I will keep trying their beers as long as I’m here.

The front area is the bar, right next to a cozy room containing several tables & chairs, and a tiny elevated stage area. I have not attended any free concerts here yet, but it is now on my New Haven to-do list. We played several games with a group of about 20, with multiple games on-going simultaneously.

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Through the hallway, you are led to a back room with more seating, a food-order area leading to the kitchen, pool tables, and a large chalkboard wall. There is plenty of chalk provided to indulge your creative side. I believe there is a back door, but we did not investigate if there was a porch area or not.

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It has that ‘dirty’ in a ‘gritty dive-bar’ way, but was well-kept. From what I could see through the kitchen window, everything was in fact being freshly prepared in house. Speaking of food…

While there were many tempting items on the menu, the Beet Reuben in particular called to me. Roasted beet slices on whole grain rye bread (which I believe is from another CT local, the tasty bread experts WholeG Bakery), with kimchi, thousand island dressing & Swiss cheese. I’m not a huge fan of swiss or 1000 island, but they are requisite for a proper reuben. And I adore kimchi.

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BEET REUBEN                                                                      $10

roasted beets sliced and served on whole g rye bread with kimchi, thousand island, and swiss.

The bartender took my order and told me ‘ok it will be out in a few minutes’. I don’t know if they are all just that good, or I got lucky & it was a slow day. But I sat down, played some games, and as I was halfway through enjoying my hefeweizen another waitress magically appeared and handed me a steaming plate.

The bread was perfectly crispy, everything was exactly the right temperature. The spicy kimchi mixed with the creamy tang of the thousand island, the sliced beets were soft and sweet like candy, and the whole thing made me look at Ruebens in a whole new light. I don’t think the usual roast beef & coleslaw combo will have quite the same magic anymore.

The fries were also the right amount of salty, and were so good that even though my fiance hadn’t wanted to order any food, after he tried one, he ended up eating almost the whole order! If I’d been more hungry, or not completely enthralled with my sandwich, I would have gotten a second order. As it was, this sandwich was more than enough to satisfy, and I had to stuff down the last bite. It was totally worth it.

All in all, this is a cute little gem that during the day is tame enough to bring the kids, but has it’s rough side too. The food prices vary in affordability, but are reasonable given the taste standard and the portion sizes. With entertainment, public events all the time, great drink specials and killer food, this is a gastropub I’d be happy to re-visit again and again.

  • Taste: 8.5
  • Atmosphere: 7
  • Value: 7

Resources & Further Reading:

New Haven Register Review
Three Sheets Website
Their Facebook Page

Address: 372 Elm St, New Haven, CT 06511
Phone:(475) 202-6909
Beverage, Healthy, Vegan, Vegetarian

Bok Choi – Ginger Juice

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For those who are unfamiliar, bok choi or pak choi is a type of Chinese cabbage. It is about the size of a fist, and has tight, dark green leaves forming a cluster similar to celery. They contain a good amount of vitamin A and C, as well as glucosinolates, substances believed to protect against cancer in small doses.

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Bok choi is delicious lightly steamed or stir-fried, with some lemon juice & salt alongside a filet of fish or rice. However, I had a large amount from a recent trip to my favorite Asian grocery, and wanted to use its delightful vitamin content and phytochemicals to make a green juice in lieu of spinach.

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Ingredients:

  • 2 1/2 cups bok choi
  • 2 medium apples
  • 1 cup sprouts
  • 1/4 green cabbage
  • 2 large carrots
  • 2-3 inch piece fresh ginger

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Rinse and chop all vegetables, and run them through your juicer. Alternate the soft greens and harder carrots/apples. If you need it sweetened up even further, you can mix in some store bought apple juice, or add another cup of fruits to the mix.

This juice is full of awesome vitamins and nutrients, enzymes, phytochemicals and chrlorophyll. It is lightly sweet, and has a nice tang from the ginger.

But why is it ‘foamy’ on top?

Good question, I wondered that myself. When you juice, the juicer produces some amount of foam by inserting air bubbles into the juice. The type of juicer makes a difference; slower “masticating” juicers will cause less foaming than high-speed “centrifugal” juicers. Also higher-fiber produce makes it bubblier than low-fiber produce.

You can scoop or skim off the foam before consuming without losing nutrients. It is mostly air bubbles and oxidized fiber. You can also strain your juice prior to enjoying. I usually just stir it well a few times to mix as thoroughly as possible, and if the foam is still thick I’ll skim off a tablespoon or so before drinking it down.

Administrative, Beverage, Informative, Less than 5

Mango Cherry Hurricanes

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As a souvenir from my first visit to N’awlins, I had to bring home some hurricane mix. A little bit ironic now… anyways, this double-rum juice-heavy cocktail is a crowd pleaser and a sure party starter. It is the recognized ‘signature’ drink of the Big Easy. However, there are those that protest today’s Bourbon Street foot-long pitchers of syrupy sweet mixtures.

But as always, to heck with expectations. I had some hurricane mix waiting to be enjoyed, some spiced rum, a can of mango and a sunny day calling my name.

Try your own version at home with whatever type of juice you enjoy. Pineapple, mango, guava, lemon, orange, cherry, or passion fruit (the true original) are all delightful choices. You can even mix and match multiple. As long as there’s rum! Preferably 1:1 light and dark, but dark is all I had, so I just doubled up 😉

Ingredients:

  • 1 can mango + juice
  • 1 package hurricane mix
  •  1 cup spiced rum
  • Optional: cherries or other fruit for garnish

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Step 1: Mix the hurricane mix & water in a large container. Depending on how many you are making, adjust recipe. This is for four drinks’ worth.

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Step 2: In a blender, blend the mango in its own juice until smooth.

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Step 3: In a large glass, add crushed ice 2/3 way full. Pour in 1/2 cup mix, 2-3 shots of rum (depending how strong you want it), and top with mango.

To make a large pitcher full, you won’t get the pretty layers, but simply mix 1 cup rum, 2 cups mix, and 1 cup mango. Adjust up to whatever volume you want. Then pour at will.