Category: Weekly Whet (Page 16 of 16)

While Heidi is hard at work in the studio this Sunday (and by “hard at work” we mean schmoozing and boozing with cool chefs and guests), this writer is heading to the pumpkin patch.

This is going to be the year that I actually utilize the whole pumpkin; you know–toast the seeds for a yummy snack, neatly scrape out the guts to use in a recipe, and carve an elaborate design that would take Martha Stewart’s breath away. Unfortunately, the only recipe I found that really interests me is this cocktail, and after one or two of these, my black lab will probably be scarfing down the gooey pumpkin seeds as I admire yet another lop-sided and snaggle-toothed jack-o-lantern. Oh well. We all have our dreams.

Pumpkin French 75

The original French 75 was created during World War I, and named for the 75-millimeter artillery gun. This version still packs a wallop, while adding a hint of fall flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 oz Plymouth Gin
• 1 oz pumpkin puree
• 1½ oz fresh lemon juice
• 1½ oz simple syrup
• Champagne

Shake all ingredients except champagne in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a champagne flute. Top with chilled champagne and serve.

You can find this recipe and many others at CocktailTimes.com

Last week on the radio, Heidi invited one of the Dining On A Dime girls over to play. Since Julie was too busy tearin’ it up at the Greek Festival, Emily had to make an emergency appearance in the studio.

Still jittery from all the delicious caffeine she consumed at Village Coffee Roastery a few WEEKS ago, Emily waxed nostalgic about the layered espresso shot (and House favorite) she enjoyed at the great little joint.  The shot is called “The John Wayne” and it comes with guns a-blazin’!  In its honor, we offer up this cocktail by the same name. It might not make you feel like pushing your car home (in fact, we insist that you leave the operation of ANY heavy machinery to one of your fantastic, non-drinking friends), but it might make you want to kick back, relax, and enjoy an evening of spaghetti western films in the safety of your home.

Ingredients

• 2 oz Bourbon
• ½ oz Amaretto
• 2-3 dashes Bitters
• ¼ oz Orange Juice

Pour all of these ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake thoroughly and strain into a glass. You can garnish this drink with an orange slice, but John Wayne would probably make fun of you.

Our Registered Dietitian, Katie Haarala, might approve of this one. Just in time for the season of over-indulgence, we bring you a cocktail that is only about a quarter of the calories of a regular martini AND it’s made with real apple juice!

Ingredients

• 2 oz Apple Vodka

• 3 oz Light Apple Juice

Make a fancy rim for your martini glass by lightly wetting the rim of the glass with water or apple juice and dipping it in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar. You can use a cinnamon stick for a festive stirrer.

Then, add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake for 10-15 seconds. Strain this mixture into your fancy glass and enjoy.

Find more recipes like this one in the book Heidi reaches for when she’s in the mood:

Skinnytinis: All The Fun For Half The Calories  

By Teresa Marie Howes