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RECIPE: Lemon Basil Margarita

February 22, 2013 at 9:03 am · Filed under Cocktails & Spirits, Recipes

We couldn’t resist one more special recipe for National Margarita Day. This one was developed by Cointreau Mixologist Kyle Ford.

Many people use generic triple sec in their recipes to save money; but the inventor of the Margarita, Margarita Sames, said that “a Margarita without Cointreau is not worth its salt!” We agree!

LEMON BASIL MARGARITA RECIPE

Ingredients For One Drink

  • 1-1/2 ounces blanco Tequila
  • 1 ounce Cointreau
  • 1/2 ounce lemon juice
  • 1/2 ounce lime juice
  • 3 basil leaves (we prefer them as a chiffonade,
    cut into long, thin strips)
  • Ice
  • Garnish: lemon wheel
    		•   
    Lemon Basil Margarita. Photo courtesy Cointreau.
     
    Preparation

    1. COMBINE all ingredients in a mixing glass and add ice. Optionally, for more basil flavor muddle a few basil leaves in the bottom of the mixing glass before adding the other ingredients.

    2. SHAKES and strain over ice in a rocks glass.

    3. GARNISH with basil and lemon wheel.

     
    FIND MORE OF OUR FAVORITE MARGARITA RECIPES.

      

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    TIP OF THE DAY: A New Take On Margaritas For National Margarita Day

    February 22, 2013 at 8:42 am · Filed under Cocktails & Spirits, Food Holidays, Recipes


    Something different: a Pineapple Cilantro
    Margarita. Photo and recipe courtesy Sauza
    Tequila.    		   Today is George Washington’s birthday. It’s also National Margarita Day.

    Washington (1732-1799) never had a Margarita: The cocktail wasn’t invented until 1948, as the prevailing story goes (history of the Margarita).

    But that doesn’t mean you can’t toast to both Washington and National Margarita Day, with two specialty Margarita recipes from Sauza Tequila: Pineapple Cilantro Margarita and Banana Margarita. Yum!

    PINEAPPLE LIME CILANTRO MARGARITA

    Ingredients For 6 Cocktails

  • 2 cups pineapple juice
  • 2 tablespoons (1/8) cup minced cilantro leaves
  • 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
  • 1/4 cup orange juice
  • 6 parts blanco-silver Tequila
  • 2 parts orange liqueur (Grand Marnier, triple sec, etc.)
  • 2 cups ice
  • 1 lime and 1 orange for garnish
  • Coarse sea salt or kosher salt for rim
    		•
     
    Preparation

    1. RIM glasses with salt: Rub the rims with a lime wedge, then dip into a plate of salt.

    2. COMBINE in a shaker the pineapple juice, cilantro, lime juice, orange juice, Tequila, orange liqueur and ice. Shake until cold. Serve up or on the rocks. Salud!

     

    BANANA MARGARITA

    Ingredients For 9 Cocktails

  • 1 13-ounce can of frozen pineapple-orange-banana concentrate
  • 13 parts reposado Tequila (the different types of tequila)
  • 4 frozen bananas
  • 1 can of light beer
  • Juice of 3 limes
  • Optional garnish: brown sugar-broiled bananas
  • Optional glass rim: brown sugar

    •  
    Preparation

    1. PREPARE optional banana garnish: Roll banana in brown sugar, slice and broil for 2-3 minutes on each side or until sugar caramelizes.

    		  
    And now for something completely different: a banana Margarita with beer. Photo and recipe courtesy Sauza Tequila.
     
    2. COMBINE the first 4 ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a pitcher, add beer and stir.

    3. RIM glasses, if desired. Serve with or without ice.
     
    GEORGE WASHINGTON’S FAVORITE FOODS

    A wealthy gentleman farmer, George Washington “kept a bountiful table,” as the saying went. And he kept it daily: According to TheFeastingQuest.com, he and Martha entertained constantly during his presidency; and during the 20 years after Washington left office, George and Martha only dined alone twice!
     
    Washington was extremely fond of fish, eating it almost daily, served in many different ways. At breakfast he favored hoe cakes, cornmeal pancakes served with melted butter and honey (the name references the original way of cooking them, on a hoe that had been heated in a fire). Also appearing regularly on the Mount Vernon table:

  • Mashed sweet potatoes
  • String beans with almonds
  • Steak and kidney pie
  • Fish Muddle
  • Tipsy cake (trifle)
  • Martha Washington’s Whisky Cake
     
    And to drink? Washington was very fond of porter, a strong, dark ale; Madeira, a fortified Portuguese wine made in the Madeira Islands, and other wines were also served. He loved pickles and other condiments, particularly mushroom ketchup (which was popular long before tomato ketchup was first made, and it’s still available).

    And yes, Washington did love cherries in every form, including cherry pie. But he did not chop down a cherry tree—his biographer made it up (here’s the legend of the cherry tree).
      

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    WASHINGTON’S BIRTHDAY: Blue Cheese Salad With Dried Cherries

    February 22, 2013 at 8:12 am · Filed under Cheese-Yogurt-Dairy, Recipes, Vegetables-Salads-Herbs, Washington's Birthday


    Cherries, apples and blue cheese combine in
    a delicious salad. Photo and recipe courtesy
    EatWisconsinCheese.com.

    		   George Washington, our first President, was born 280 years ago today. It’s been pretty well documented that he did not, in fact, chop down a cherry tree. But we can still be grateful for the opportunity to enjoy luscious dried tart cherries as we celebrate his birthday (fresh cherries are a summer fruit).

    Not only do the deliver terrific flavor; cherries are nutritious and one of the foods highest in antioxidants (here’s a list of high antioxidant foods).

    While we enjoy this delicious chocolate chip cookie recipe with dried cherries, the more healthfully inclined should consider this refreshing salad recipe that combines dried cherries with other fruits and blue cheese—a great combination.

    Tart and chewy cherries pair with the heat of grated fresh ginger and piquant blue cheese. If you prefer, you can substitute iceberg wedges for the mixed greens.

     

    APPLE BERRY SALAD WITH LEMON GINGER CREAM

    Ingredients For 4 Servings

    For The Salad

  • 4 cups mixed greens, washed and patted dry
  • 1 tart apple, sliced
  • 1 cup strawberries, sliced
  • 1/4 cup dried tart cherries
  • 1/4 cup red onion, sliced
  • 1/4 cup pecans, toasted, chopped
  • 1/2 cup (3 ounces) blue cheese, crumbled
    		•

     

    For The Dressing

  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon milk
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
    		•   
    Dried cherries available from MurraysCheese.com.
    Preparation

    1. WHISK together sour cream, milk, lemon juice, zest, vinegar, ginger, honey, salt and pepper; refrigerate dressing until ready to serve.

    2. PORTION greens onto four plates. Divide apple slices and strawberries among salads. Garnish with cherries, onion and pecans.

    3. DRIZZLE dressing over salad and sprinkle with blue cheese; serve immediately. Cover and refrigerate extra dressing up to 3 days.
     
     
    FIND MORE OF OUR FAVORITE SALAD RECIPES.
      

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