The Moscow Mule

September 1, 2013 By 2 Comments

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I love a good cocktail.  I even enjoy making them!  We are always mixing something new at the Hollister house.  This summer we are especially loving the Moscow Mule.  They are really “on trend” at the moment.  You can read a little history on it here – it’s actually quite interesting.

Traditionally the MM is just vodka, ginger beer and lime.  I think adding mint & and a little simple syrup is what makes it.

Here are the ingredients:

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In your cocktail shaker combine the following ingredients:

2 parts Vodka

1 part simple syrup

Juice of  1/2 a lime

5 large Mint Leaves (rip them up a bit)

 

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Add a handful of ice and shake it like a polaroid picture.  I tend to bounce when I am shaking that cocktail shaker.  Try it… it totally helps.

“Shake it” from The Milly & Grace Girls on Vimeo.

Fill a glass full of ice and pour in the contents of the cocktail shaker.

Finish the Moscow Mule by topping it off with Ginger Beer – about 1/3 cup.  ALWAYS taste test before you serve!

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Note:

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Whenever I host large get togethers I find that serving cocktails is one of the more challenging things to keep up with as they require so much time.  Mixing up a signature cocktail ahead of time makes the party run so much smoother and  you aren’t playing bartender all night!  It makes it even easier to serve your signature drink in a drink dispenser.  Above is the Moscow Mules we served as the signature drink for Tim & Santi’s Welcome Party !

 

 

Filed Under: Cocktails, Emily, Party, Recipes 2 Comments

Summer Nights

August 26, 2013 By 3 Comments

Summer is almost over and it’s beginning to feel a little bit like fall on Nantucket. Fall and winter are my absolute favorite seasons so I’m pretty excited about it. But, I am a little sad that summer is almost over. Especially because it means that it’s almost time to leave Nantucket and my family. So, we have been savoring every last second of summer and our time together.

As you probably already know, my favorite thing to do in the summertime is pack up a picnic and eat dinner on the beach just in time for the sunset. We have been much better about doing that a lot this summer. And that makes me very happy! I sure am going to miss summer nights like these.

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On our most recent beach picnic, I spruced up a lemonade with rosemary and raspberries, made my pasta salad and whipped up Fruity Pebble Treats (just like rice krispie treats but with fruity pebbles..amazing!).

Lemonade:

For the lemonade, I like to buy the individual bottles of lemonade because they can then act as a shaker. All you do is put a sprig of rosemary inside and a few raspberries, shake, and enjoy!

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Pasta Salad:

I used to make this pasta salad all the time for my school lunches in high school, and I thought it would be the perfect summer picnic meal. I put tomatoes, corn, salami, basil, onions, mozzarella, and olives in the salad and drizzle it with Girards Champagne Dressing. It’s really a piece of cake to make!

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Fruity Pebble Treats:

You make these just like rice krispie treats. Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a big pot. Add an entire bag of marshmallows (I like to use the mini ones) and stir until melted. Remove from heat and pour in the entire box of fruity pebbles. Stir until evenly coated. Then, evenly press the mixture into a greased pan. (Tip: it helps to butter your fingers before pressing so the mixture doesn’t stick to your fingers) Allow to cool. And finally, cut and serve!

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Filed Under: Caroline, Nantucket, Recipes 3 Comments

Peanut Butter and Jelly French Toast

August 4, 2013 By 3 Comments

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I have always been more of a salty/savory food person than a sweet food person. To me, a bag of potato chips sounds way better than some chocolate. But, don’t get me wrong…I love chocolate too!

When it comes to breakfast, my favorite dish is Eggs Benedict (as you probably know from Allie’s and my quest for the best breakfast). But, what I have always struggled with is wanting the sweet dishes too. Like pancakes and French toast. And when I do give in to my sweet tooth and order up the French toast, I usually regret it by the second slice of toast because it is too much of the same sweet bite.

However, I am happy to say that I have found a solution to my struggle!! French toast sandwiches. Savory and sweet to fulfill both of my cravings.

For my first attempt at a French toast sandwich I played it safe with a peanut butter and jelly filling. And it did not disappoint! I mean that syrup soaking into the bread mixed with the peanut butter. I could have died and gone to heaven.

 

Here’ what you do:

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Ingredients:

1 cup of half and half

3 large eggs

2 tablespoons of warmed syrup

1/4 teaspoon of salt

Dash of cinnamon

Splash of vanilla

A few table spoons of butter

Peanut Butter

Jelly

Bread (Challah is my favorite to use for French Toast)

Directions:

Mix half and half, eggs, syrup, salt, cinnamon and vanilla into a mixing bowl. Pour the mixture into a baking pan. Slice bread and place the bread into the baking pan to soak for 30 seconds on each side. Transfer the bread to a cooling rack that is on top of a baking sheet (to catch the drips of batter). Keep the bread there for 1-2 minutes on each side. Then, heat up a pan and melt a tablespoon of butter. Cook bread for two minutes on one side. Flip and cook two minutes on the other side. Flip back and cook the first side again for two more minutes. Remove from pan and spread the peanut butter and jelly on the twice cooked side of bread. Put the two pieces of bread together to make a sandwich. Then, place back into the pan to cook for two more minutes on each side. Serve with warmed maple syrup and enjoy every last bite!

(If you are making more than one sandwich, turn the oven on to 375 and place the finished sandwiches in the oven to keep warm while you are cooking the rest of the sandwiches.)

And that’s it! Pretty easy right? I can’t wait to make this again and to try out different kinds of French Toast sandwiches.

 

Filed Under: Caroline, Recipes 3 Comments