December 12, 2023

Blissful Pear Martini

Ingredients

4 fl oz pear juice

2 fl oz La Poire Vodka

splash of freshly squeezed lemon juice

splash of unflavored sparkling water

sparkling sugar to rim glasses

Directions

Rim the edge of a chilled martini glass with water. Add the sugar to a bowl. Tilt the glass at a 45 degree angle and roll it in the sugar.

Fill a martini shaker with ice. Add the pear juice, vodka and lemon juice. Shake it to combine. Strain into sugar rimmed martini glass. Top with a splash of sparkling water and garnish with pear zest.

NOTES:
I have used unflavored Pellegrino and Pear Sparkling Water in this martini. Both are wonderful. The drink is a little less sweet with the unflavored water though.

~ Marla Meridith

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December 22, 2020

Recipe: Snow Queen Cocktail

Ingredients

3 fl oz white chocolate liqueur

2 fl oz vodka

1 fl oz peppermint schnapps, plus extra for rim of glass

2 tbsp heavy cream

⅓ cup white, red or green sanding sugar for rim

Directions

Using some peppermint schnapps, wet the rim of a martini or coupe glass. Dip in sanding sugar until rim is coated.

In a cocktail shaker, combine white chocolate liqueur with vodka, schnapps and heavy cream.

Fill shaker with ice and shake well.

Strain mixture into the prepared glass and serve.

~ Marla Meridith

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June 22, 2020

Recipe: Mason Jar Ice Cream (No-Churn!)

Ingredients

Base Ingredients (Vanilla Ice Cream)

½ cup chilled heavy cream

2 tsp granulated sugar

¼ tsp pure vanilla extract

1 salt

Chocolate

1 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder

Maple Walnut (Omit Granulated Sugar)

1 tbsp pure maple syrup

¼ cup chopped walnuts

S’mores

¼ cup chopped chocolate, crushed graham crackers, mini marshmallows

Mint Chip

¼ cup chocolate chips

¼ tsp peppermint extract

Strawberry (or any fruit)

¼ cup chopped fresh strawberries

More Mix-Ins

nutella, caramel, dulce de leche, m&m’s, fruit jam, peanut butter, instant coffee, etc.

Directions

Pour all of the ingredients for the flavor you want into a clean pint-sized (8 ounce) mason jar. Shake for 3 minutes. Freeze for at least 3 hours. Let sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving.

~ Marla Meridith

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June 19, 2020

Recipe: Orange Basil Margaritas

Ingredients

1 Navel orange, juiced

1 fl oz silver or anejo tequila

½ fl oz Cointreau (orange liquor)

1 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice

a few sprigs fresh basil leaves

salt to rim glass if desired

Directions

If you are rimming your highball glass with salt do this now. Fill the glass 1/2 way with ice.

Rub the basil leaves in clean hands to release the fragrance. Place in a cocktail shaker. Add the orange juice, tequila, Cointreau and lime juice. Muddle together with the back of a spoon.

Fill the cocktail shaker 1/2 way with ice. Shake until well combined. Strain into prepared glass. Add more ice if needed. Garnish with orange slices and a basil leaf.

~ Marla Meridith

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November 10, 2019

Best Ever Homemade Italian Vinaigrette

Best Ever Homemade Italian Vinaigrette recipe, use this salad dressing on everything from pasta salads to green salads to marinating vegetables, meats and seafood.

Ingredients

3/4 cup olive oil

1/8 cup red wine vinegar

1/8 cup white wine vinegar

2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice

1/4 cup finely freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1 tsp of EACH dried parsley, drained oregano, dried basil, garlic powder, onion powder

3/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp EACH black pepper, paprika

1/2-1 tsp agave or honey, or add more to taste

Directions

Add all ingredients into a mason jar, tighten the lid and shake until well combined. You can also add all ingredients to a bowl and whisk until well combined.

Store in an airtight container up to two weeks. Shake or whisk each time before use. If the oil becomes a solid in the fridge, just lettuce dressing sit out a few minutes for it to become room temperature.

~ Marla Meridith

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November 10, 2019

Recipe: French 75 Cocktail

Ingredients

Directions

~ Marla Meridith

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November 10, 2019

Recipe: Appletini Cocktail

Ingredients

Directions

~ Marla Meridith

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November 10, 2019

Recipe: Smoky Watermelon Jalapeño Margaritas

Ingredients

Directions

~ Marla Meridith

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November 10, 2019

Recipe: Strawberry Feta Salad with Balsamic Dressing

We love this simple, fresh and healthy Strawberry Feta Summer salad with a delicious homemade balsamic dressing. Enjoy as a side dish or main course.

Ingredients

‘–for the salad

6 cups artisan lettuce, rinsed, dried and coarsely chopped

2 cups fresh strawberries, chopped

1 1/2 cups feta cheese, cut into 1/2 inch cubes

1 cup toasted pecans, chopped

for the dressing

3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

1/4 tsp garlic powder

salt to taste

freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Directions

Combine the salad ingredients in a large bowl.

To make the dressing: Add all ingredients into a mason jar. Shake until well combined. Using a piece of lettuce for tasting, dip it into the dressing and add salt and pepper to taste.

Toss the salad with dressing to taste before serving.

This dressing will last for a few weeks stored in the refrigerator, simply shake before serving to emulsify it again.

~ Marla Meridith

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November 10, 2019

Recipe: Blueberry Cosmopolitan Cocktail

Ingredients

Directions

~ Marla Meridith

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November 10, 2019

Recipe: Asian Chicken Salad

Ingredients

Directions

~ Marla Meridith

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November 10, 2019

Recipe: Blood Orange Margaritas