Oh Mercy, Mercy Me. . .

Did you know that a beer can be a double, or triple or I think even quadruple (I could be exaggerating this one)? I may not be cooking but I am learning so much from my DC beer loving friend...

This Friday we were enjoying the roof top deck at Marvin* when I had my first triple Belgium beer. As it was explained to me, when a triple, the brewster starts with three times the ‘normal’ amount of malt in her brew kettle, he starts with more starches, he has more sugars after boiling and will end up with more alcohol after fermentation. All I can tell you is that the flavor was bold, I liked it and I probably should have stopped there!

*As a music lover I also loved Marvin--- located in the U St. District and themed after the late, great and talented Marvin Gaye. A seductive as his tunes, the inside is dimly lit with dark wood and the rooftop patio had the same feel with candles, velvet curtains and painted brick adorned with mirrors. The food is deemed amazing but we had already eaten. A very cool scene... possibly my favorite place (thus far) for a Friday evening out...

Ode to the Bloody Mary. . .

So, I have gotten a few emails in response to my Beer vs. Bloody Mary entry...
1- By ordering a Bloody Mary, I was not in anyway saying it was more refined... that is just my choice of beverage. It was merely an observation to Sunday morning drink specials

2- Sorry, beer lovers, based on my responses most people feel that Bloody Marys and Mimosas are more appropriate due to the nutritional value of the drink. Again, we all have our opinions. Today in the Washington Post there was a great adaption on a Bloody Mary recipe I wanted to share that not only is deemed "a health drink" but also a cure all for a morning after over indulging. Again, like opinions, we all have had one (hangovers).

Vampiro
1 serving
Created by Wayne Curtis of the Atlantic and John Myers of the Grill Room in Portland, Maine;adapted from "Stir Your Soul: Tales of the Cocktail Recipe Book" and vodka added by Chaos!

Ingredients:
Ice
2 1/2 ounces tomato juice
1 ounce freshly squeezed orange juice
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
1 ounce vodka
1 teaspoon honey
1 tablespoon finely chopped onion
3 thin crosswise-cut slices hot chili pepper, such as jalapeno
1 dash Worcestershire sauce
Salt

Directions:

Fill a highball glass with ice.

Combine the three juices, vodka, honey, onion, pepper slices, Worcestershire sauce and salt to taste in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake vigorously, then pour (strained) into the glass.

*PS- I am cooking tonight so stay tuned for a Chaos made and tried recipe. I know... sounds more like an urban legend*

Scott's Gone + Seafood + Mojitos= Too Much Fun

This Saturday, Kate and Jess came over for Seafood and Mojitos.

Yum! Yum! Yum! Though I am not quite ready for a Mojito tonight

I will recreate the scallop dish now that Scott is home. . .

Summer Seafood Soup

Ingredients

Sea Scallops

Chopped Tomato

Basil

Garlic

Butter

Olive Oil

Lemon

Salt, pepper and lemon the scallops. Sautee Scallops with Garlic in Butter. At the same time, reduce tomatoes with olive oil and chopped basil. After scallops are brown then add the rest of mixture and remaining lemon juice. Serve with Crusty Bread and Salad!

Stacey Style Mohito

(Since I do not like rum, I make my mohitos with Vodka... A special thanks to Linda H for all the mint :))

Muddle mint in fresh juiced limes. Mix with equal parts vodka, simple syrup, tonic. Serve with a splash of champagne on top

*Warning- engaging in Mohito drinking might lead to dancing, crying and charades... Oh, and hangovers :)*