Have Plate Will Travel : September 2014

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Friday, September 26, 2014

National Coffee Day, celebrate with a coffee infused cocktail

To celebrate National Coffee Day, coffee lovers can toast the day morning, noon and night with a variety of drinks. From a latte in the morning to a cocktail after dinner, coffee can be a great beverage to enjoy throughout the day.

Here are a few facts to think about coffee on National Coffee Day on September 29.
Lattes before Love: 42% of coffee drinkers say that their last cup of coffee was more satisfying than their last “intimate experience”
The Real McSteamy: 59% of coffee drinkers agree that coffee drinkers are more attractive than non-coffee drinkers
Our Beverage BFF: 57% of coffee drinkers can’t imagine getting through at least one life experience without coffee – like starting a new job (34%), moving (25%), college (22%), having a child (15%) and getting married (15%).
Cup O’Smarts: On average, coffee drinkers think they gain 25 IQ points after they have a cup of coffee – and 14% of drinkers think they gain 55 to 99 points.
Armed with this coffee knowledge, it is time to raise a glass to National Coffee Day. Nescafe Gusto is a lovely way to enjoy a coffee beverage any time of day. From a bold espresso to a delicate latte, the Nescafe Gusto can create coffee house beverages at home.
Set up your Nescafe Gusto, brew a delicious cup of coffee and unwind with these beverages.

Carajillo 43
  • 1-1/2 oz Licor 43
  • 3 oz Espresso, chilled
Directions:
  • Pour ingredients in a glass over ice and serve. Pretend it was harder to make.
Orange You Glad It's Got Tequila?
  • 1-1/2 oz. Reposado tequila
  • 3/4 oz. Orange liqueur
  • 3/4 oz. Espresso, chilled (we used NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto)
Directions:
  • Add all the ingredients to a tall glass or a cocktail shaker. Add ice. Stir with a long spoon (don't shake) for 30 seconds to a minute, and strain into an up glass.
  • Garnish with a strip of orange peel, spiraled inside the glass.
Spicy Chai Affogato
Ingredients
  • 1 NESCAFE Dolce Gusto Chai Latte
  • ½ cup scoop French vanilla ice cream
  • 1.5 oz spiced rum
  • Dash cayenne pepper
  • Crack of fresh black pepper
Directions
  • Add ice cream and spiced rum into glass and pull one NESCAFE Dolce Gusto Chai Latte over it.
  • Top with a dash of cayenne pepper and a crack of fresh black pepper.

Monday, September 22, 2014

Weeknight dinners are quick and easy with Cuisinart

Friday, September 12, 2014

Healthy eating while traveling has hidden pitfalls

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Cuisinart SmarTrack Storage System, changing how food is stored

Monday, September 8, 2014

Guacamole and Margaritas are perfectly paired for National Guacamole Day

September 16 is National Guacamole Day. Whether you scoop up some delicious guac on a chip or top a savory quesadilla, guacamole is a yummy treat. This classic Mexican inspired dish is easy to make at home. For your avocado craving, the experts at Dos Caminos are easy for even the novice chef to create. Of course, a delish guacamole needs a special drink to wash it down. Sauza Tequila has some sweet and spicy margaritas that can pair with the guacamole.
While classics never go out of style, traditional guacamole can stand up to some inventive twists. Chef Ivy Stark takes the classic and created some out of the box creations. Options like Lobster Guacamole, Chipotle Goat Cheese Guacamole and Artichoke Guacamole might make your next party even more interesting.
While snacking, don’t forget the margaritas. Below are a few guacamole and margarita pairings with all the recipes to make your favorites. When is the party starting?
Pairing 1
The sweet and fruity flavors of the Marvelous Mango Margarita provide the perfect complement to the smoky heat of the Chipotle-Goat Cheese Guacamole.
Pairing 2
Turn your cocktail up a notch this National Guacamole Day with the Spicy Sauza®-Rita. This spicy cocktail brings the heat with red and chili pepper flavors and pairs well with the mild flavors of the Artichoke Guacamole with Toasted Pine Nuts.
Pairing 3
Try the Strawberry Sparkler with the Lobster Guacamole for a fresh take on the traditional lobster/champagne pairing.
Recipes:
Pairing 1
Marvelous Mango Margarita
  • 1 part Sauza® Blue Silver 100% Agave Tequila
  • ½ part JDK & Sons™ O3 Premium Orange Liqueur
  • ½ large ripe mango
  • 2 parts fresh orange juice
  • ⅔ part lime juice
  • ½ part simple syrup
  • 4 parts ice
Preparation: Peel, seed and chop your mango. If you have time you can freeze your prepared mango at this point. Otherwise, put all ingredients except for the ice into your blender and blend until smooth. Then add the ice. Pour the margarita into a glass and enjoy!
Chipotle-Goat Cheese Guacamole
  • 2 tbsp. finely chopped cilantro leaves
  • 2 tsp. finely chopped white onion
  • 2 tsp. minced jalapeño or Serrano chilies (Optional: remove seeds and membranes)
  • ½ tsp. teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 2 large ripe avocados, peeled and seeded
  • 1 small plum tomato, cored, seeded, and finely chopped
  • 2 tsp. freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 4 oz. crumbled goat cheese
  • 2 tbsp. chopped canned chipotle chilies
Preparation:
  1. In a medium size bowl, use the back of a spoon to mash 1 tablespoon of the cilantro, 1 teaspoon onion, 1 teaspoon of minced chile, and ½ teaspoon salt together against the bottom of the bowl.
  2. Add the avocados and gently mash them with a fork until chunky-smooth.
  3. Add 4 oz. crumbled goat cheese and 2 tablespoons of chopped canned chipotle chilles.
  4. Fold the remaining cilantro, onion, and chile into the mixture.
  5. Stir in tomatoes and lime juice, taste to adjust the seasonings.
  6. Serve with warm corn tortilla chips.
**Makes 4 Servings
Pairing 2
Spicy Sauza-Rita
  • 1 part Sauza® Blue Silver 100% Agave Tequila
  • 2 parts beer
  • 1 part frozen limeade concentrate
  • 1 part water
  • A dash of hot sauce
  • Sugar (for garnish)
  • Salt (for garnish)
  • Red pepper (for garnish)
  • Chili pepper (for garnish)
Preparation: In a glass, combine all ingredients. Chill and serve in glasses rimmed with sugar, salt and red pepper. Garnish with a chili. Enjoy!
Artichoke Guacamole with Toasted Pine Nuts
  • 2 tbsp. finely chopped cilantro leaves
  • 2 tsp. finely chopped white onion
  • 2 tsp. minced jalapeño or Serrano chilies (Optional: remove seeds and membranes)
  • ½ tsp. teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 2 large ripe avocados, peeled and seeded
  • 1 small plum tomato, cored, seeded, and finely chopped
  • 2 tsp. freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 1 cup marinated artichoke hearts, chopped
  • ¼ cup toasted pine nuts
Preparation:
  1. In a medium size bowl, use the back of a spoon to mash 1 tablespoon of the cilantro, 1 teaspoon onion, 1 teaspoon of minced chile, and ½ teaspoon salt together against the bottom of the bowl.
  2. Add the avocados and gently mash them with a fork until chunky-smooth.
  3. Add 1 cup of marinated artichoke hearts chopped with ¼ cup of toasted pine nuts and stir.
  4. Fold the remaining cilantro, onion, and chile into the mixture.
  5. Stir in tomatoes and lime juice, taste to adjust the seasonings.
  6. Serve with warm corn tortilla chips.
**Makes 4 Servings
Pairing 3
Strawberry Sparkler
  • 1 part Sauza® Blue Silver 100% Agave Tequila
  • ½ part DeKuyper® Strawberry Liqueur
  • ½ part (chilled) rose champagne
  • ½ part limeade
  • 3 strawberries
  • 1 tbsp. sugar
  • 1 lime wedge
Preparation: Wash, stem, quarter and freeze strawberries for at least 1 hour (can be done the day ahead). Run a wedge of lime around the rim of your champagne flute and dip in a plate of sugar to coat rim. Place 3 frozen strawberries in the bottom of the prepared flute. Pour champagne into the glass. In a shaker filled with ice, combine tequila, limeade, and strawberry liqueur. Shake and pour into glass. Add a squeeze of fresh lime if desired and serve immediately.
Lobster Guacamole
  • 2 tbsp. finely chopped cilantro leaves
  • 2 tsp. finely chopped white onion
  • 2 tsp. minced jalapeño or Serrano chilies (Optional: remove seeds and membranes)
  • ½ tsp. teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 2 large ripe avocados, peeled and seeded
  • 1 small plum tomato, cored, seeded, and finely chopped
  • 2 tsp. freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 1 lb. whole lobster or 4 oz. lobster meat, steamed, cleaned and rough chopped
  • Japanese pickled ginger for garnish (Optional)
Preparation:
  1. In a medium size bowl, use the back of a spoon to mash 1 tablespoon of the cilantro, 1 teaspoon onion, 1 teaspoon of minced chile, and ½ teaspoon salt together against the bottom of the bowl.
  2. Steam, cool and pick meat from lobster and rough chop. Then add to bowl.
  3. Add the avocados and gently mash them with a fork until chunky-smooth.
  4. Fold the remaining cilantro, onion, and chile into the mixture.
  5. Stir in tomatoes and lime juice, taste to adjust the seasonings.
  6. Add Japanese pickled ginger for garnish (optional).
  7. Serve with warm corn tortilla chips.

Friday, September 5, 2014

Stubbs, a legend of Texas barbecue in the home kitchen

Monday, September 1, 2014

Homemade coffee ice cream is a scoop above