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Happy Hour: Fall Fizz

partysugar — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 16:15:08 -0700

Recently I attended a female-only cocktail competition hosted by Nirvino. While I've been to many cocktail competitions, I always look forward to Nirvino's monthly contest because the crowd gets to taste each cocktail and ultimately decides the winning drink. Nirvino is an exciting social networking community where drinking is the common denominator. You can rate drinks, bars, bartenders, wine, beer, and different kinds of liquor.

Its a fun concept that makes for an interesting event. After tasting each cocktail everyone gets on their iPhones or Blackberrys to rate the drink. This competition featured Square One Cucumber vodka and the winning bartender was Brooke Arthur from Range restaurant in San Francisco.

Her Fall Fizz delightfully combined the fresh flavors of cucumber, apple, and pear. Lemon juice adds an acidic balance and a dusting of cinnamon gives this drink a holiday feel. Like the gin fizz, it includes egg whites. I can't promise you won't get salmonella, but your drink will be deliciously frothy! To check out Brooke's recipe and a video of her mixing at the competition,

Happy Hour: Sueño

partysugar — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 16:00:16 -0700

Cucumber haters beware. This tart yet refreshing cocktail might make you rethink your distaste. When muddled with rosemary, lime juice, and simple syrup, the flavor of the cucumber is subdued, and what remains is the essence of the cool vegetable — well, technically a fruit, but you know what I mean.

I usually associate vodka with this sort of herbaceous, earthy concoction, but tequila makes a surprisingly sublime match for the woody herb and crunchy cuke. A tonic float adds a bubbly, carbonated finish. To think outside the bartending box, make this drink and

Icy, Spicy Cantaloupe and Cucumber Paletas

YumSugar — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 10:15:56 -0700

With the end of Summer fast approaching, I made a Popsicle inspired by Mexican paletas, a mostly pureed frozen fruit dessert that's either ice- or cream-based. After chopping up a cantaloupe last week, I wanted to combine it with a crisp cucumber and spicy jalapeño to create a refreshing yet snappy paleta.Zealous with my jalapeño, I chopped up an entire thing, seeds and all, and threw it in the blender. The result was too spicy for my taste, so I balanced the heat by adding a touch of sugar. Depending on your personal taste, I would recommend removing the seeds and the white flesh, the spiciest part of a jalapeño, before blending. These peppery paletas are perfect for a scorching hot day, so to learn how to make them,

Fast & Easy Dinner: Steak Salad-Stuffed Pockets

partysugar — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 06:45:31 -0700

This recipe gives the classic steak sandwich a healthy makeover. Broiled steak is tossed with a crunchy cucumber-romaine salad before being stuffed into a whole wheat pita. A simple dressing made with mustard, lemon juice, and olive oil adds a fresh moistness to the sandwich. For a vegetarian variation, substitute mushroom caps for the steak. A great on-the-go meal, these pitas are perfect for those nights when there isn't time to sit at the table. To learn how to make it,

'Wich of the Week: Benedictine Cheese Tea Sandwiches

YumSugar — Wed, 07 May 2008 13:15:02 -0700

I love the tiny sandwiches, scones, and petit fours served at afternoon tea, but rarely do I make dainty crustless sandwiches at home. So for today's 'Wich of the Week, I used the Kentucky Derby as an excuse to make some teatime treats. These ladylike sandwiches are filled with Benedictine cheese, a creamy cucumber-and-scallion spread that's native to Louisville and often served on Derby Day.

The Benedictine is a twist on the usual cucumber and cream cheese sandwich, which is by far one of my favorite teatime combos. These sandwiches benefit from the added kick of scallions; in fact, they were so flavorful that no one even complained about the low-fat cream cheese. The only somewhat odd ingredient is green food coloring, but since that's the tradition, I went with it, and it gave the spread a nice pastel hue. To see how I made them, including a step-by-step photo gallery,

Happy Hour: Cucumber Cocktail

partysugar — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 16:11:33 -0700

Last week, FabSugar and I went to an Elle party at the new Rugby by Ralph Lauren store. The place was packed and the music was bumping, but most importantly the cocktails were flowing freely. Besides your standard white wine by the glass, pitchers of a cool green cocktail were being poured. Served in a stemless martini glass, these cucumber cocktails went down like water. The green color is festive and fun for a Christmas or St. Patrick's Day party. It's easy to mix a big pitcher of these babies, making them perfect for a large event. Take a look at the recipe when you

Happy Hour: Cucumber Cocktails

partysugar — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 12:13:39 -0700

If you are in need of a refreshing, summer cooler for your next barbecue, think about a cucumber cocktail. Light, tasty, and unexpectedly delicious, this recipe is similar to that of a mojito. I first came across it when I was a bartendress — I thought cucumbers were for salads not drinks. I was in for a surprise because the cocktail worked perfectly with a delicate fresh balance of tart and cool. Sip these while relaxing on your deck, front porch, or patio. Please give this drink a try; you won't be disappointed. To get the recipe, just

Sunday BBQ: Spice-Rubbed Grilled Salmon with Spicy Cucumber Salsa

partysugar — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 00:08:05 -0700

As much as I love a delicious grilled steak and a juicy bbq chicken, sometimes I get a little tired of the classic standbys. A whole salmon screams summer and makes for a perfect dinner party dish. Serve with a side salad and grilled tomatoes for a scrumptious, healthy well balanced meal. Pour a chilled white wine, sit back and relax because it's Sunday. Anxious to start your grocery shopping now? Well to get the recipe:

Refreshing Cucumber Salad in Minutes

YumSugar — Thu, 31 May 2007 15:04:23 -0700

When my friend Kari last prepared her amazing kefta with egg, she paired it with this light and simple cucumber salad. The cool crispness of the salad complemented the earthy spice of the meatballs and I found myself reaching for seconds and thirds. This dish is great as a side, but during the summer I tend to crave easy, fresh dishes, so I think I'll enjoy it on its own. To see just how simple it is, check out the recipe - just

Pepsi Ice Cucumber

YumSugar — Mon, 28 May 2007 03:19:30 -0700

Japan gets all the interesting limited edition flavors. This time it's a limited edition Ice Cucumber flavored Pepsi. Yep, cucumber. I'm wondering if it will actually taste like Pepsi, maybe something along the lines of clear Pepsi, only fresher? The limited edition flavor will be released in Japan on June 12th. It's unclear how long it will stick around, but if it's a hit I imagine it will be on the shelves for a while.

Source: Neatorama

TV Dinners: Eat Drink Man Woman - Chicken Cucumber Salad

YumSugar — Wed, 23 May 2007 10:58:31 -0700

Have you ever seen the film Eat Drink Man Woman? It's got a great opening scene where the father, a senior chef who is losing his sense of taste, is preparing a large dinner for his daughters. In four and a half minutes you see at least seven different dishes being prepared - that's seven of the 100+ recipes used throughout the film! Every time anyone mentions this movie, I start drooling and need to have Asian food asap! To see the foodilicious opening scene for yourself, and get a recipe for a simple cucumber chicken salad,

Definition: Pepino

YumSugar — Mon, 14 May 2007 03:43:19 -0700

Pepino
A fruit native to South America that is also known as the melon pear or "melumber" as they are said to taste like a cross between a melon (honeydew or cantaloupe) and a cucumber. Pepinos are high in potassium and are full of vitamin A, B and C. Pepinos are smooth and round/ovaly - similar to a large goose egg - and are known for their light yellow skin with purple lines. They are found often in Peru and Chile, and have been exported to many other countries - they have just recently found their way to Britain.

Source: This is London

Happy Hour: Limelight

partysugar — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 12:58:12 -0800

Have you ever had a cocktail with cucumber as one of the ingredients? If not, you must shake up this cocktail for yourself pronto! I first experienced a cucumber flavored martini back when I was a bartender and was testing out specialty cocktail ideas. Don't be afraid of experimenting with savory vegetable flavors in your drinks, think about how classic the Bloody Mary has become over the years. Surprisingly refreshing, cucumber not only spices up a cocktail, it can also turn an ordinary glass of water into a cooling taste treat. To see how cucumber is muddled with mint to release the essence and aromas to create a revitalizing drink,