Category: Beverages

No. 624Recipe Card Posted on by — Leave a comment

Just Like that, the Holidays are Here

Just Like That…|Bijouxs Little Jewels

Just Like that, the holidays are here. Bijouxs Liittle Jewels has got you covered!  My best Don’t Break the Bank cocktail party published a while ago. Here we go!

BIJOUXS NO. 1 SERVE A HOUSE COCKTAIL

Forget the full bar – keep it simple for guests and yourself by serving a house cocktail.  For larger group, consider serving a simple, modern, not so sweet punch, like the Sea of Rubies Punch (recipe tab), or a budget-friendly sparkling wine served with a beautiful zest of orange.

Sea of Rubbies Punch | Bijouxs Little Jewels

BIJOUXS NO.2  SERVE SIMPLE EASY TO HANDLE FOOD

Offer foods that are easy to eat while wielding a drink and remember it’s not dinner. Serve just enough food for guests to enjoy with their cocktails. Easy go-to party favorites Gougères (recipes tab) are a simple savory puff that are versatile and can be made ahead (recipe to follow): an impressive but uncomplicated French pastry. Thin, crunchy, fresh asparagus spears that have been lightly steamed and cooled in an ice bath, are wonderful and beautiful to serve, when dipped in Remoulade Sauce. A few more favorites, add a substantial dip like Roaring Forties Blue Cheese (recipe tab) served with celery spears, or maybe some great mini-sausages from a local deli, grilled (another make ahead) and served with Grey Poupon mustard. There you have it, a classic cocktail faire!

BIJOUXS NO. 3  TAKE PANTRY CLASSIC SNACKS AND MAKE THEM YOUR OWN

Potato chips and nuts are always party favorites. Purchase them plain and flavor them to create your own house version. Start by heating up thickly sliced kettle chips in the oven (recipe tab). Toss the chips with a simple homemade spice mixture, or flavor them hot out of the oven with your own spice combination like a BBQ dry rub, curry powder mix, or even finely grated Parmesan cheese to create your own homemade Bijouxs.  House Flavored Chips (recipe tab) Nuts work well with any custom seasoning and my salt and pepper cashews are an all-time favorite.  Take salted cashews and place them on a foil-lined baking sheet. Heat in the oven for 5 – 7 minutes. Toss with freshly cracked black pepper and add salt to taste.

Link to original issue here:https://bijouxs.com/bijouxs-bites-bijouxs-featured-in-pasadena-magazines-november-food-wine-issue/

 

No. 258Recipe Card Posted on by — 3 Comments

Blackberries in Liqueur

Blackberries in Liqueur | Bijouxs Little Jewels

Mid-July – the quintessential Dog Days of Summer. Time to simply savor the little jewels of summer with Blackberries in Liqueur.

Summer in the desert Southwest – here, summer is my new winter. Hunkering down inside whenever possible. Waiting out fast moving summer storms of pouring rain with the most spectacular lighting I have ever seen. Overall, a time spent inward.

I have long referred to this hot period of summer, where ever I resided, as the Dog Days of Summer. However, I did not know the Dog Days range from about July 3 to August 11 and were named in early times by observers in countries bordering the Mediterranean, the period was extended from 20 days before to 20 days after the conjunction of Sirius (the dog star) and the sun. Brilliant.

So perfectly beautiful are the berries of summer. This recipe is as easy as it gets for a grown-up treat. Marinating ripe summer fruits in liqueurs is a classic method (think peaches or cherries in brandy) and this recipe yields both a dessert or an apéritif, or both.

These blackberries have long been a go-to when baskets of ripe berries abound, lovely for an entertaining no-work dessert with ice cream or simple sponge cake. The berries can also work their magic as an apéritif, making a great base for a refreshing summer cocktail – either way, savor the jewels of summer.

Happy July from the Bijouxs kitchen.

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