FRIDAY COCKTAIL - AUTUMN SANGRIA!

I love a good sangria - especially red ones.  This combines such great fruits and molasses to be purely AUTUMN!  I may use this as my signature cocktail for Thanksgiving!

Ingredients:

2-3 fresh figs or 1 cup dried figs
2-3 fresh plums or 1 cup dried plums
2-3 fresh apricots or 1 cup dried apricots
1/4 cup molasses
1 750 ml bottle of light red wine like Pinot Noir or Gamay
1 750 ml bottle of sparkling apple cider or club soda, chilled
1 orange (peeled if you prefer) sliced

Halve or quarter the fruit and combine with the molasses.  Add the wine, stir to combine.  Cover and chill it for 2-24 hours.  When you are ready to serve, add sparkling apple cider and orange slices.  Gently stir and serve.  Makes 8 servings.

WINE TIME!
ENJOY!

FRIDAY COCKTAIL - HOT APPLE PIE!

Yes it is getting colder.  In the 30's here this morning.  It's time to break out the "hot" drinks for that nice Autumn comfort! This charmer highlights Tuaca, a fabulous hidden treasure from Italy with vanilla and citrus flavors.

Ingredients:

2 oz Tuaca
hot apple cider
whipped cream
cinnamon stick for garnish

Pour Tuaca in the bottom of an Irish Whiskey glass.  Fill with hot apple cider and top with whipped cream.  Garnish and sip!!

HOT COCKTAILS!
ENJOY!

WELL DONE WEDNESDAY - ALEPPO PEPPER!

I was trying to find a spice that added a little heat, but milder than cayenne or crushed red pepper.  Aleppo is a Turkish pepper that is used far more internationally than here in the US.

While it offers heat, it is more smoky and actually has a bit of a fruity taste.  I use it in just about every kind of protein especially in a pan fried chicken dish.

Amazingly it is fabulous in brownies and other chocolate desserts.  It makes brownies a little more complex than your average boxed type brownie. 

Great in deviled eggs too!

ALEPPO!
ENJOY!