Month: August 2016

Italian Spritz

by lebureauetc, posted in Happy Hour, Recipes

This drink is refreshing and oh so good  that you have to discipline yourself to just have 1!

The following recipe is inspired from our recent vacation in Italy.  The spritz itself can be made using different liquors depending on your mood and your taste.

Spritz ingredients:

-3 parts prosceco

-2 parts liquor.  (classic liquor to use is Aperol.  However you can get creative here!  If I want something less sweet I substitute Campari or if I want something more sweet I  substitute limoncello.  Maybe you want it bitter sweet, then add 1 part Campari to one part limoncello).  What do you feel like today?

-1 part soda water

As you see the following proportions gives you the boundaries for the drink.  As I mentioned, classic spritz is made with Aperol.  I personally enjoy Campari as it is less sweet and more on the bitter side.  You can also make the spritz “dirty” by substituting one part liquor such as aperol with gin or vodka.  Play and have fun with this recipe.  I hope you enjoy “cocktail hour” as much as I do!

 

Tangy Garlic Almond Dip

by lebureauetc, posted in Recipes

Ciao Friends,

The following recipe is similar to a hummus without the chickpeas!  It’s something that I tried at Cibreo Trattoria in Florence, Italy that I needed to try and duplicate as it was so good.

The following recipe is without knowing precise ingredients and/or measurements, however I have made it already several times and it is delicious.  Enjoy as an appetizer on bread, veggies etc…I personally enjoy dipping jicama, radish, and cucumbers in this dip!

INGREDIENTS:

-1 cup soaked almonds for a minimum of 6 hours to overnight

-2/3 cloves of garlic or to your liking

-1/4 cup lemon juice

-1/4 cup white wine vinegar

-1/2 cup olive oil

-water to your liking depending on how thick you prefer the texture

-fresh herbs such as tarragon, parsley, chives, basil.  Pick your flavor(s)!

 

Blend the first 2 ingredients in a food processor or blender until consistency is sand like.  Add the following ingredients and blend together until the consistency is to your liking.  Buon appetito!