Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Ina Garten the "Barefoot Contessa" to get sexy and violent on the Food Network to attract ratings?

My wife and I enjoy watching the Barefoot Contessa show.  Ina Garten may not be the most exciting and entertaining cook on television, but as Anthony Bourdain said... "She knows how to cook. Her mashed potatoes are dead-on professional. I can’t believe she’s still on the Food Network."

Her cooking show is frequently punctuated by visits from her fabulously rich gay friends, and cute kisses with her often-not-at-home-but-loving husband.

So I had to laugh out loud when I saw this little programing error from Time Warner Cable.

Perhaps someone at Time Warner is envisioning a cat-fight breaking out at one of her fabulous dinner parties.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Another "Ladies Night Out" experimental drink: FAIL

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Olde Thyme Lemonade Cooler

My wife was having eight lady friends over for dinner and wine.

"What do you think, should I have a welcome drink for when the girls arrive?" she asks, at the last minute.  "Maybe something lemon-y and herbal-y and light," she says.
"Can you make something with limoncello?  But not so strong?"

"Well, I don't have much of my homemade limoncello left,"  I answered,
not really looking forward to using the last of my precious limoncello in a mixed drink.
"How about something with lemon, and thyme?  Thyme would complement the Mediterranean menu."

So I get going with another of my 1:00 AM  last-minute experimental concoctions...

Filled  one 16-oz glass canning jar with...
a very large sprig of fresh thyme
the peel of 2 lemons
2 oz.  160 proof vodka
muddled the heck out of it.
added...
8 oz. citron vodka
4 oz. fresh lemon juice
2 oz. simple syrup
2 oz. Lillet Blanc
1 oz. St Germain
8 dashes orange bitters
filled the last 1/2 inch of the bottle with more 160 proof vodka, and sealed it up.

The next morning...  
Left instructions to pour 1 oz over crushed ice and top with 3 oz of sparkling water or lemon soda.

The verdict?
While everyone was polite, this drink was not a big crowd-pleaser that left the ladies begging for more.
Comments like:
"I thought it was pretty good."
and  "It could have been more lemon-y"
told me this probably needs to be re-worked.