Cayenne Margaritas and thoughts

One of my favorite places to spend my summer days is my parents' shore house.  There's something about salty air, the call of seagulls, and being able to catch your dinner right in the backyard that puts life into perspective.   Every weekend, we leave our troubles in North Jersey, as we drive down the Parkway to Exit 58. Seven of us, my favorite seven people in the world spend each (or most) Friday nights through Sunday nights together.  Between board games, fishing, eating (lots of eating), and drinking, memories are made.

This past weekend, A created a wickedly delicious margarita recipe.   

She always has the best concoctions - so we left it up to her to make the mixings. 

I've been on a super fruit kick, and before we left for the shore, A asked if I like grapefruit. I can say in all honesty, I find them irritating to eat because I can never open them like people say. Instead, I end up squirting myself in the eye.  With that being said, A decided to create a fun mix to ring in Saturday night :)

Cayenne Grapefruit Margaritas

Tequila 12 oz

grapefruit juice 22 oz

tonic water 14 oz

cayenne pepper 1/4 tsp

This should make 6 drinks!

(The original recipe she found called for simple syrup, but I'm not a fan - so she switched to Tonic water which is also no cal)

You can even see the pepper floating on the top. 

It had just enough pop to open your sinuses but not too much that you sneezed (maybe that's just me) or cause you to gag. 

You can either use grapefruit juice OR squeeze fresh grapefruit - which we tried but it was SUPER duper messy. 

Try and let me know what you think!

I love solid and liquid cupcakes

Today is my 3rd favorite day of the week. Simply because I have a little time to myself, and I sample wines for the good of the blog....or the good of me.

After jetting out of my work, and throwing my belongings in the car at a record speed, I nearly crushed the pastry gift my husband had left for me while I was at work. Strategically in the driver's seat. I almost had an accident. Not the kind that you would want to explain to anyone why you have icing in the cracks of your pants. What made it all better was the note attached, "Sweets for my sweetie." **sigh**

However, cupcakes and mini cannolis were my passengers for the ride home. Perfect side dish to my liquid dinner later. Cupcakes and wine.

I discovered Cupcake vineyards a few weeks ago after stopping at a bakery, then a liquor store (probably my two favorite places next to my parent's house and Target). I thought to myself "How clever to eat AND drink cupcakes!" But alas, I only ate cupcakes that evening. So a few weeks later (today), I decided my husband gave me the perfect opportunity to match my two favorite things.

I went home and cozied myself next to drafty window (how poetic), and opened up my bottle of wine for one. Then I peeled a cupcake, and voila! Heaven!

I tried the Cupcake Riesling - which was smooth and citrusy. I loved it. I checked out the website just moments ago, and it perhaps made my love grow. They have cupcake recipes to match with their wines. Seriously. I have attached the recipe from the website, and just as they stated, it "pairs perfectly". **deep sigh**

~ Pairs Perfectly with Cupcake Vineyards Riesling ~

Click here for printable recipe

1 ½ cups all purpose flour ½ teaspoon baking powder ¼ teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt ¼ cup finely chopped toasted hazelnuts ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest

1 teaspoon minced fresh or dried rosemary leaves 1 large egg 1 egg yolk ¾ cup sugar ½ cup extra virgin olive oil 1 ½ cup sour cream Candied flowers or fresh rosemary leaves (garnish)

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Line cupcake pans with paper liners, if using. Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a small bowl. Add the hazelnuts, Parmesan, lemon zest and rosemary; toss to combine.

2. In a large mixing bowl beat the egg and egg yolk and the sugar until very light and creamy, about 5 minutes. Add the olive oil in a thin stream beating constantly until blended. Blend in the sour cream.

3. Using a rubber spatula or the slowest speed on electric mixture add the flour mixture. Mix just until blended.

4. Fill each cup ¾ full with batter. Bake mini cupcakes 18 to 20 minutes and full size cupcakes 25 to 30 minutes, or until pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on wire racks.

5. Spread or pipe icing (1 cup of very cold sour cream) on the cooled cupcakes. Garnish with candied flowers or rosemary leaves.

Makes 12 to 14 standard cupcakes and 48 mini cupcakes

I may have to try this recipe this weekend, and perhaps stop at the store for a fresh bottle of Riesling - and put their cupcakes to the test. Here's to the letter C!

Wino Wednesday

Who doesn't love wine? phooey to you. I am in love with BIG HOUSE PINK wine for not one but TWO reasons.

For starters, it tastes good. That always plays a factor when choosing wine - or really any beverage. Who wants to drink something that tastes like cat poop? Or smells like it?

Secondly, it comes in a four pack. A FOUR PACK FOR WINE?! What would be the point. I orginally, I had no clue. But after finishing one on my own in about five gulps, I came across the reason. Shear satitisfaction. Some would argue - but I think it is so you can say I drank a WHOLE bottle, when really the bottle is no bigger than a can of Cola.

Wino Wednesday

All I can say is I am so thankful for today. Simply that Wednesday gives me an excuse to crack open a bottle and "sample" it for blog purposes. That, and this week is the longest most tiring week. I have no rhyme or reason why - I just simply find myself wanting to curl up every chance, and nap. No matter the amount of cofffee, energy drink, exercise - I don't have the energy. So with that, I will break open a bottle - indulge in a glass or two and then hit the sack.

Today's choice: Ashley Lynn located in Mexico NY.

APPLE CHERRY - Taste the great flavor of the apple with just a bite of the cherry. way better with ice...its like a Ssip juice container :) but better alcohol content. Mr.'s comment was, "It's pretty good for a fruit kind of wine. even better - it's like getting drunk on apple juice." Spoken like a true irish man.

Wino Wednesday

Everyone loves wine!! Tonight I am tasting Purple Moon Merlot for the first time. and what a bite. um. and I don't know if that's a good thing! Though it does have the price beat, at $4 a bottle - it can kinda suck and still be worth it :) For starters, I am a bit biast because I'm not really a merlot fan - but I figured I'd give it a crack! The second sip (smells fruity at first, then I'm overcome with the smell of rubbing alcohol) is better than the first. With a little ice, I am able to finish my glass....gee - I still have the whole bottle ahead of me......

Tonight we are going to register at Macys. I said I don't mind what our main course is, what band we pick, what our color scheme is - I just really would like to eat off of these plates.

I could see every morning, waking up next to Bryan - and then coming down the stairs to a little birdie on my cereal bowl. I would wake up with a smile :)