FOOD HISTORY: The History Of Toasting To Your Health

  Do you toast to the New Year? If you’ve wondered how the practice originated: It began in pre-history and evolved over the millennia. And for many centuries, a piece of toast was floated in the punch bowl. The scoop:     AN ANCIENT PRACTICE The practice of toasting to someone’s health goes back to…
Continue reading “FOOD HISTORY: The History Of Toasting To Your Health”

TIP OF THE DAY: Bloody Mary Garnishes

[1] Surf & Turf Bloody Mary with bacon and shrimp from The Wayfarer in New York City. They call it “Fully Loaded,” with a celery stalk and a cocktail pick with cheese, olive and cocktail onion (photo © The Wayfarer). [2] The Hanako San Bloody Mary features an octopus tentacle and a skewer of raw…
Continue reading “TIP OF THE DAY: Bloody Mary Garnishes”

TIP OF THE DAY: Biscuits Roses de Reims, Cookies For Champagne

Is there a cookie to serve with Champagne? Absolutely: Biscuits Roses de Reims (i.e., pink cookies from Rheims) were made to dip in a glass of Champagne (although you can nibble them without dipping, and can serve with any other sparkling wine). You can buy them online at Amazon and Walmart. Note that there are…
Continue reading “TIP OF THE DAY: Biscuits Roses de Reims, Cookies For Champagne”

A Mimosa Cocktail Bar For Brunch, New Year’s Eve, More

[1] A Mimosa with orange juice, plus Pomegranate, Pink Grapefruit and Mango Mimosas (photo © Pampered Chef). [2] Transfer the juices into carafes before adding them to the ice bucket. Amazon has four 750ml carafes for less than $30. [3] A Grapefruit Mimosa is special when made with pink grapefruit juice. Here’s the recipe from…
Continue reading “A Mimosa Cocktail Bar For Brunch, New Year’s Eve, More”

TOP PICK OF THE WEEK: Sekt, Sparkling German Wine

Whenever the topic of Champagne comes up, for special occasions, gifting or fizzy cocktails, we like to remind everyone that there are delicious—and less costly—alternatives to Champagne. Consider these more affordable bubblies at half the price or less: Asti Spumante, Moscato d’Asti‡, and Prosecco from Italy. Cava from Spain. Crémant from France. Espumante from Portugal.…
Continue reading “TOP PICK OF THE WEEK: Sekt, Sparkling German Wine”