Weekend Cocktail: Go to the Islands with a Goombay Smash

My friend Terri Merren, who lives in the Cayman Islands, sent me a beautiful cookbook she produced featuring wonderful recipes from the Cayman Islands. I'm ready to jump a plane for the islands right now. So, with her inspiration and memories of a favorite trip to Harbour Island, Bahamas a few years ago with my dear friend Kenny, here's this weekend's cocktail recipe, the Goombay Smash. I didn't catch a fish on that trip but I did get the recipe for this drink from the bartender at Valentine's Marina. Watch out, this one goes down really easy and can leave you with a heavy head the next day!

GOOMBAY SMASH 

1 oz spiced rum

1 oz. Malibu coconut rum

¼ oz apricot brandy

2 oz. pineapple juice

2 oz. orange juice

Mix all of the ingredients in a shaker with ice until frothy. Pour over ice and garnish with an orange. My own version substitutes an equal part of Grand Marnier for the brandy. For a party, I mix a large quantity in a plastic jug and put it in the freezer for an hour or two before guests arrive so it gets a little frozen--- then just shake well and pour over ice to serve. Add a splash of club soda, if desired to lighten it up a little.

The Perfect Bachelorette Party Idea: DIY Spa Party

Do you have a wedding or birthday coming up? I've gotten several questions this week about ideas for a bachelorette party that wouldn't break the bank or get anyone in trouble. Our bachelorette spa party fits the bill! We got a licensed mobile massage therapist and set up our fun right by the pool. If you don't have a pool, no worries. You can recreate this party anywhere!  Your friends can schedule a massage or other treatment and all of you can soak up the sun or just relax. It's a great mini-break or backyard getaway. And this one's not just for a bachelorette party-- it's perfect for a girls' get together or a BIG birthday, too! 

Check out the details: BACHELORETTE SPA PARTY

  

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Update on Thursday, August 13, 2009 at 10:43PM by Martie Duncan

Hey Everyone! I've had several emails asking where I got some of the items in the photos above. Beach towels were used for the tablecloths-- got them at Target and Wal-Mart for around $5 each. Since it's the end of the season, now is a good time to buy!

The inflatable palm trees are from Oriental Trading Company. We love them!! Get the inflatable palm tree with the beverage cooler in the bottom-- it helps keep the tree from tipping over when you load it with ice and drinks. They are only $12.99 each and really set the mood.

We got all of the supplies for the favors and the bags for the favors at the dollar store. Just rove around and see what you can find. Flip flops, lotion, sunblock, chapstick, etc., are all good for party favors for your friends.

The drink garnish is a candy Ring Pop. You can find these almost anywhere candy is sold.

Send us some pictures from your party!!

Easy Party Starters: Fresh from the Garden Tomato Recipes

Don't know where you live, but the tomatoes are ripe on the vine in the South right now and they are so juicy and delicious! Hit your local farmers' market to get the freshest, summery goodness! Here are a few ideas for easy appetizers that you can make with your homegrown (or store bought) tomatoes.

Tipsy Cherry Tomatoes

Marinate your tomatoes in Absolut Peppar vodka for a couple of hours in a large bowl. Just cover the tomatoes with the vodka. Before serving, drain the tomatoes and toss with a little olive oil and very coarse sea salt and just a pinch of black pepper. You can add a little finely chopped herbs like basil or parsley if you like. These little bites are fresh and delish!

Mini BLT Bites

Use cherry tomatoes or a small, one bite tomato. Cut the top off and to hollow them, taking out the seeds. Set them upright (you may need to slice a little off the bottom to get them to stand) on a baking sheet-- and lightly sprinkle the inside with a little salt. Quantities depend on the size of your crowd. This is for about 4 cups of cherry tomatoes. 

Mix the stuffing mixture in a large bowl:

4 slices of Applewood smoked bacon: put this on a sheet pan and cook it in the oven @ 350 for about 10-12 minutes depending on thickness or until done. Break it into small pieces.

1 cup chopped arugula: sub lettuce or fresh spinach leaves if you don't like the peppery flavor of arugula.

1/4 cup mayo

Squirt of fresh lemon juice

Salt & pepper to taste

Combine and gently stuff each tomato. These can be served warm or cold. For a hot day, I like them chilled. If you want to serve them warm, just drizzle a little olive oil over the top and put them under the broiler for a few minutes. It doesn't take long. 

Caprese Kabobs

This one's a cinch and looks beautiful on the table.

Fresh mozzarella

Tomatoes

Basil

Very good quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Salt/Pepper

Slice your tomatoes and cheese into chunks that you can skewer. Use any tomatoes-- the small ones can go right on the skewer. Alternate tomato, cheese, basil on the skewer. Once you've finished, drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper.

I serve these with a little pool of balsamic vinegar on the platter and finish them with finely chopped basil or arugula leaves.

Weekend Cocktail Time:Try a Cool (as in cucumber) Pimm's Cup!

When I go to polo in the UK, it's tradition to enjoy a Pimm's Cup before, during and after the match. Here in the US, I find most bartenders will make a Pimm's Cup with an extra shot of vodka (nothing wrong with that) and garnish with mint instead of the traditional cucumber. But since I've got a ton of cucumbers in my garden right now, this seems like the perfect cocktail to kick of the weekend.

PIMM'S CUP

1 ½ ounce Pimm's #1

4 ounces lemon-lime soda-- 7-Up or Sprite

1 ounce club soda

Wedge of lemon

Cucumber spears

Optional: shot of premium vodka

 I like to mix these in a pitcher and serve over ice in a tall glass. They're really unique and refreshing but watch out! They really sneak up on you.  

More Backyard Getaways: Go Camping!

If you love to camp but really can't find the time or money to go this year, why not bring the elements of a camping trip to the backyard! Pop up a tent, roll out your sleeping bags and build a campfire (if you can) and you're just one ghost story away from really camping!

We talked about backyard camping on our recent Better.tv appearanceand have been delighted at the response! Wooohoo! In case you missed the segment, here are some easy, peasy ideas you can use to create a faux-camping trip right in your backyard!

Hobo packs make cooking easy and are easy serve and easy clean-up, too! If you can't build a fire, you can do these on the grill or in the oven. Take two 12" squares of aluminum foil; one for the top of the pack and one for the bottom. Put your "fixins" onto the bottom square and put the top square on and fold the edges to seal and throw them on the fire or grill. Shrimp, chicken, hamburger patties, sausage--- you are almost unlimited with options for ingredients for your hobo packs.

If you need seating, ask your friends to bring a lawn chair or if you have enough room, ask everyone to set up a campsite and give a prize for the best!

Make sure to have a “summer survival” kit handy for backyard entertaining: include bug spray, sunscreen, wipes, cheap sunglasses and flip-flops so your guests can be comfortable.

You HAVE to have s'mores at a camping party. We exchanged Nutella for the traditional Hershey bars and added raspberries to create super s'mores that are so addictive, you'll be making them over the kitchen stove! Here's the recipe:

• Cookies or Graham Crackers (I love using Biscoff cookies-- the kind they serve you on Delta. You can find them at Costco and Kroger!)
• Nutella (most grocery stores have Nutella these days-- it's chocolate hazelnut spread. Look for it close to the peanut butter and jelly)
• Marshmallows--- only Jet Puffed will do. I like them very toasted but not burned, but to each his own.
• Fresh raspberries (strawberries are also very good but you have to slice them)

Spread Nutella on your cookie. Add raspberry. Toast your marshmallow. Assemble. YUM.