New in “Cocktail Hour Buzz,” July 22-July 28, 2022

New Salon every Friday – and you’re invited

C’mon in and help yourself to tasty resources

Hosted by Barbara J Nosek

 Cocktail Hour Buzz 

sundowner snacks, drinks, chat, and . . .

whenever I can, related resources & goodies on Amazon

whether for a crew, or for two, or just for you

{links within my items go to the sources shown in red – any links underneath items take you to Amazon unless otherwise indicated, and then only ones with the lock icon}

♦♦♦  Don’t be frightened when I suggest as a great party dish . . . sushi. First, as you can see, no wrapping and rolling here. Second, while the prep does call for raw fish, pretty sure the sushi police won’t be showing up if you use only cooked. Like I did – and no knocks on my door! We’ll call it sushi-esque. The style of this particular prep is called Chirashi Sushi, with all the pretty goodies served on a bed of sushi rice.

Also in the good column, this one comes from legendary chef, Jacques Pepin, who I recently saw prepare the dish on his “Heart & Soul” show on PBS/Create. Finding a direct source for the recipe proved elusive, but you can access it on the Pinterest page linked above, and then once there clicking on the recipe name. Meanwhile you’ll find other possibilities just below.  PBS member tv station KQED

Jacques Pepin’s “Heart & Soul” show on PBS/Create

Jacques Pepin’s cookbooks    Jacques Pepin’s DVDs

Youtube video of Jacques Pepin making Chirashi Sushi from PBS/KLRN

Chirashi sushi recipes on Google

21 Recipes for sushi without raw fish on Spoon University

Hmmm, can order online? Not sure how that works but here it is . . .

Chirashi sushi on Amazon

♦♦♦  Wine in the glass . . . and on the plate? Well, not all by itself but rather as a flavor-enhancer in these 17 Simply Delicious Red Wine Recipes. Watch it go to work as a marinade for short ribs, poaching liquid for eggs, cooking liquid for pasta, sauce for veal chops, glaze for lamb chops, secret ingredient for chocolate snack cake, and on and on. As a bonus, many of the recipe pages have links to even more goodies.  Food & Wine

♦♦♦  So, in conjunction with an item on the our 06.10.22 Salon on the beer cocktail Shandy, we included a bonus link for Beer & Food Matching. Now we’ve taken a closer look at this chart and it is quite interesting. The left hand column lists the major types of beers and then the next three columns gives the ideal kinds of companion foods in the categories of savories, cheese, and dessert.  Rounding out the helpful information, recommended glassware and serving temp.

As just one example, Imperial Stout 1} Easily overpowers most main dishes, but stands up to foie gras, smoked goose, 2} Long-aged cheese: Gouda, Parmesan or cheddar, 3} Dark chocolate truffles, chocolate raspberry mousse cake. Then an image of a goblet style glass, and 10–13 °C/50–55 °F.  Brewers Association

BrewersAssociation.org

Some classy, some fun, one even beer-can-shaped, assortments too . . .

Beer glassware, 4 stars and up

♦♦♦  However much we may like to bake, in summer not so much. Which makes all the more welcome these 35 No-Bake Desserts. Citrus, seasonal fruit, ice cream, chocolate, caramel, nuts, even no-bake cheesecake all come to the party. One has a touch of spirits, and some are quite portable, including the Mamie Eisenhower fudge, peach buttermilk popsicles and triple chocolate milkshake.  Southern Living

No-bake cookbooks {including some for kids}

Want to join the Buzz? Enter “Buzz” in the Subject line – sign whatever way you want to be identified

Click here to email your comments, questions, links to fave recipes, or?

STUFF FOR COOKS

Find t-shirts, mugs, dvds, gift collections, plus top chef items, cookbooks

CS Marketplace Directory

♦  ♦  ♦

Appreciate anytime you can visit affiliate partners, linked below or in features above

Amazon

Click link above for Amazon homepage, Below for Echo Show, Echo Dots, Echo Studio, Especially for Kids – 

Browse Amazon Echo styles right here – all a foodster’s dream resource 

Zazzle

Click link above for Zazzle homepage, Below for CS-Designed, Zazzle-Crafted Items {direct Zazzle links on these pages}

Food Lovers T-Shirts page here on CS   Food Lover Mug page here on CS

ETC

Want to be among the first to know about new Salons?

Easy! Just put “Preview List”  in the Subject line, and email me at the link shown above for comments & questions

Looking for something in CS?

Use Search, Archives, Categories OR email me at the same link above with “CooksSalon” in the Subject line

Note

All transactions are solely between the buyer and linked supplier

Cook with passion and a party spirit, whether for a crew, or for two, or just for you

All pages ©2022 CooksSalon.com

FacebooktwitterlinkedinFacebooktwitterlinkedin

New in “Cocktail Hour Buzz,” July 15-July 21, 2022

New Salon every Friday – and you’re invited

C’mon in and help yourself to tasty resources

Hosted by Barbara J Nosek

 Cocktail Hour Buzz 

sundowner snacks, drinks, chat, and . . .

whenever I can, related resources & goodies on Amazon

whether for a crew, or for two, or just for you

{links within my items go to the sources shown in red – any links underneath items take you to Amazon unless otherwise indicated, and then only ones with the lock icon}

♦♦♦  This is like nachos and poutine meet up and party on a sheet pan. The basis is Disco Fries which first emerged along with the dance craze, reportedly in NJ as a fortifying dish that became popular in late night diners serving folks who got up and boogied into the wee hours. This version starts with the classic trio of fries, cheese and gravy but then adds toppings. It’s called Breakfast Disco Fries because those toppings are bacon and fried eggs. Mine shown here has a somewhat simpler gravy, but still bacony and creamy and yum. For this prep, a shoo-in for our end of the year fave list, and 20 others, thanks to . . .  MyRecipes

I usually use a lot more gravy but wanted you to be able to see all the ingredients. Btw, I love poutine, making my version with tots or fries or diced baked potatoes, sharp cheddar, and beef gravy. And leftovers are almost always joined by fried or poached eggs. 

21 Sheet Pan Brunch Dishes

Other Disco Fries recipes on Google    Sheet pans in many styles

♦♦♦  Chilled wine + hot day + patio = warm wine. Noooooo. Here’s a  clever fix, though in some households it may elicit a chuckle and, Can’t work for us. The Secret to Chilling Wine Fast on Hot Days, According to a Winery Chef.   Food and Wine

♦♦♦  What I really like about these Best Easy Chicken Croquettes is that the celery, onion, and poultry seasoning give the patties a flavorful stuffing vibe that’s a natural with the chicken. Part of the “easy” is that instead of having to cook up a roux as a thickener, you simply use some cream of chicken soup. Even better the rest of it forms the basis for the sauce. All very tasty. I made them them smaller than the prep specified so they would be a good fit for the snack table.  AllRecipes

Chicken appetizer cookbooks, 4 stars & up

♦♦♦   Well how fun is this, a conversation piece taking up residence right in your cocktail. Round ice cubes! How do they do it??? Well, one way is this clever machine that pops out two large “cubes” {speaking categorically} that the maker says “keep drinks colder, longer, and with less dilution.” As a bonus it also makes air bubbles disappear like magic to create crystal clear spheres. There are other choices too, going roundy by different means, but will just note that the featured one is Amazon’s Choice.  Amazon

All round ice cube options

Want to join the Buzz? Enter “Buzz” in the Subject line – sign whatever way you want to be identified

Click here to email your comments, questions, links to fave recipes, or?

STUFF FOR COOKS

Find t-shirts, mugs, dvds, gift collections, plus top chef items, cookbooks

CS Marketplace Directory

♦  ♦  ♦

Appreciate anytime you can visit affiliate partners, linked below or in features above

Amazon

Click link above for Amazon homepage, Below for Echo Show, Echo Dots, Echo Studio, Especially for Kids – 

Browse Amazon Echo styles right here – all a foodster’s dream resource 

Zazzle

Click link above for Zazzle homepage, Below for CS-Designed, Zazzle-Crafted Items {direct Zazzle links on these pages}

Food Lovers T-Shirts page here on CS    Food Lover Mug page here on CS

ETC

Want to be among the first to know about new Salons?

Easy! Just put “Preview List”  in the Subject line, and email me at the link shown above for comments & questions

Looking for something in CS?

Use Search, Archives, Categories OR email me at the same link above with “CooksSalon” in the Subject line

Note

All transactions are solely between the buyer and linked supplier

Cook with passion and a party spirit, whether for a crew, or for two, or just for you

All pages ©2022 CooksSalon.com

FacebooktwitterlinkedinFacebooktwitterlinkedin

July 8-July 14, 2022, New in “Cocktail Hour Buzz”

New Salon every Friday – and you’re invited

C’mon in and help yourself to tasty resources

Hosted by Barbara J Nosek

 Cocktail Hour Buzz 

sundowner snacks, drinks, chat, and . . .

whenever I can, related resources & goodies on Amazon

whether for a crew, or for two, or just for you

{links within my items go to the sources shown in red – any links underneath items take you to Amazon unless otherwise indicated, and then only ones with the lock icon}

♦♦♦  Look what just three ingredients can do. Unrolled and slightly flattened crescent roll dough is cut into squares, 3-Ingredient Bacon-Guacamole Crescent Cups lightly pressed into muffin cups, baked until golden. The remaining two ingredients in this prep add up to the title, Bacon and Guacamole Crescent Cups, and to a most tasty result.

In this case it’s store-bought guac but no one’s going to complain if you go past three and make your own. And of course all you creative CS-ers will find so many tasty and colorful ways to fill up those adorable cups.  Pillsbury

Photo from Pillsbury site

Other crescent rolls recipes from Pillsbury

Pillsbury cookbooks

♦♦♦  It looks like the new kid in town these days is Kava. A cup of Kava tea. Or a can of Kava drink. Or an alcohol-free Kava cocktail. The root-based beverage, a long-time favorite in the Pacific Islands, is trending here and especially among the younger set but its reputation as a stress reliever, muscle relaxant and sleep aid may hold appeal for all ages. Further evidence of the Kava wave is the emergence now of bars based solely on this specialty beverage. Despite its growing popularity, checking with your doc first is strongly recommended, especially if taking any Rx. Thanks to CS-er BLV for sending the link.  New York Post

And this story in Rolling Stone    Kava alcohol-free cocktail recipes on google

What google has found about about the safety of Kava    Kava products on Amazon

♦♦♦  One of our best ever recipes was featured last year, reprised here not only because it’s such a crowd pleaser but also as a no-bake prep it’s perfect as a summer indulgence. It was actually Alexa that brought to our attention this No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake. Vying for the richness trophy, the melted chocolate chip layer vs the peanut butter/confectioners sugar tier.

Would certainly be good as is. But just to gussy it up a bit, melted another 1/4 cup of chips to drizzle overall.

Btw, I cut this recipe in half and made it in a deep dish pie plate. Used semisweet chips but think bittersweet could work well too. Also, ran both layers through the food processor so they would turn out silky smooth. Note that it needs fridge time in the process and afterward.

And now I’m wondering, hmmm, how would this be made into bite size treats in a mini muffin pan (???)  Tasty

Now for those who prefer their choc/pb treats instead showing up on the doorstep . . .

Chocolate peanut butter goodies on Amazon

♦♦♦  Are you burgundy-curious? We came upon a magnum of information on this wine that The Wine Society describes in such terms as “Intensely fragrant . . . medium-bodied . . . elegant palate redolent of cherries.” In “Everything You Need to Know About Burgundy,” you’ll get all smart about identity, origins, taste, pairing, top selections, collectability, and even why you should drink it.  Food & Wine

The Wine Society

Want to join the Buzz? Enter “Buzz” in the Subject line – sign whatever way you want to be identified

Click here to email your comments, questions, links to fave recipes, or?

STUFF FOR COOKS

Find t-shirts, mugs, dvds, gift collections, plus top chef items, cookbooks

CS Marketplace Directory

♦  ♦  ♦

Appreciate anytime you can visit affiliate partners, linked below or in features above

Amazon

Click link above for Amazon homepage, Below for Echo Show, Echo Dots, Echo Studio, Especially for Kids – 

Browse Amazon Echo styles right here – all a foodster’s dream resource 

Zazzle

Click link above for Zazzle homepage, Below for CS-Designed, Zazzle-Crafted Items {direct Zazzle links on these pages}

Food Lovers T-Shirts page here on CS    Food Lover Mug page here on CS

ETC

Want to be among the first to know about new Salons?

Easy! Just put “Preview List”  in the Subject line, and email me at the link shown above for comments & questions

Looking for something in CS?

Use Search, Archives, Categories OR email me at the same link above with “CooksSalon” in the Subject line

Note

All transactions are solely between the buyer and linked supplier

Cook with passion and a party spirit, whether for a crew, or for two, or just for you

All pages ©2022 CooksSalon.com

FacebooktwitterlinkedinFacebooktwitterlinkedin

New “Cocktail Hour Buzz,” June 10-June 16, 2022

New Salon every Friday – and you’re invited

C’mon in and help yourself to tasty resources

Hosted by Barbara J Nosek

 Cocktail Hour Buzz 

sundowner snacks, drinks, chat, and . . .

whenever I can, related resources & goodies on Amazon

whether for a crew, or for two, or just for you

{links within my items go to the sources shown in red – any links underneath items take you to Amazon unless otherwise indicated, and then only ones with the lock icon}

♦♦♦  So we did a different version of last week’s breakfast pizza boats, using hollowed out bolillos instead of pizza dough.  I first layered a mozzarella and cheddar mix, then some marinara along with garlic salt and Italian seasoning, then pepperoni, then topped with more cheese mix. Into the toaster oven at 375 just until the cheese melted and the roll had crisped a bit. Check after 2-3 minutes. Meanwhile cook the eggs. For an evening version I used the same idea, just replacing the pepperoni with Italian sausage cooked with onion and green pepper, skipping the egg, and cutting into snack size pieces. Btw, used lots of cheese so they’re nice and sturdy{or, any excuse will do}.  CS

You could certainly substitute any boat-y shaped rolls for the bolillos, say sandwich or hoagie rolls. Or go round and just don’t call them boats. Rafts maybe. 😁

Pizza cookbooks, 4 stars & up

♦♦♦  Could this be among summer’s most refreshing drinks? Maybe you’ve already heard of a Shandy? I had not, but now know it’s basically beer, lemonade and fresh lemon, and has British origins. What I like about the linked one above is that it gives you the classic prep including what beers are generally used, and then five international variations. Any I think would be happy beside those pizza boats. Cheers!  thekitchn

All over Shandyland on google

Beer & Food Matching Chart from Brewers Association

♦♦♦  The loaded tater casserole we featured in our 05.20.22 Salon is not only a crowd pleaser but also a crowd filler which is to say it makes A LOT. But that can be quite good news for the next morning and maybe even the next one after that. May we present Exhibits A & B. Topped with a poached egg. And, turned into extra flavorful potato pancakes, based on your own recipe or one of those in the link below. All you creative CS-ers will likely find other ways too, always ready to make leftovers sing a tasty new tune.  CS

Potato pancake recipes on google

♦♦♦  Do you fret about what wine glasses to use? This can make it easy as can be. “If it holds wine . . . it’s a wine glass” – from a current Woodbridge commercial

And the sheer variety of wine glass styles on Amazon sort of verifies that

This is just from the first page

       

Want to join the Buzz? Enter “Buzz” in the Subject line – sign whatever way you want to be identified

Click here to email your comments, questions, links to fave recipes, or?

STUFF FOR COOKS

Find t-shirts, mugs, dvds, gift collections, plus top chef items, cookbooks

CS Marketplace Directory

♦  ♦  ♦

Appreciate anytime you can visit affiliate partners, linked below or in features above

Amazon

Click link above for Amazon homepage, Below for Echo Show, Echo Dots, Echo Studio, Especially for Kids – 

Browse Amazon Echo styles right here – all a foodster’s dream resource 

Zazzle

Click link above for Zazzle homepage, Below for CS-Designed, Zazzle-Crafted Items {direct Zazzle links on these pages}

Food Lovers T-Shirts page here on CS  ♦  Food Lover Mug page here on CS

ETC

Want to be among the first to know about new Salons?

Easy! Just put “Preview List”  in the Subject line, and email me at the link shown above for comments & questions

Looking for something in CS?

Use Search, Archives, Categories OR email me at the same link above with “CooksSalon” in the Subject line

Note

All transactions are solely between the buyer and linked supplier

Cook with passion and a party spirit, whether for a crew, or for two, or just for you

All pages ©2022 CooksSalon.com

FacebooktwitterlinkedinFacebooktwitterlinkedin

New in “Cocktail Hour Buzz,” May 27-June 2, 2022

New Salon every Friday – and you’re invited

C’mon in and help yourself to tasty resources

Hosted by Barbara J Nosek

 Cocktail Hour Buzz 

sundowner snacks, drinks, chat, and . . .

whenever I can, related resources & goodies on Amazon

whether for a crew, or for two, or just for you

{links within my items go to the sources shown in red – any links underneath items take you to Amazon unless otherwise indicated, and then only ones with the lock icon}

♦♦♦  Well, this is certainly an easy snack, just four ingredients plus pre-baked shells. And the way I made it, even easier than the recipe since I did not cook it. But, ummmm, it’s about that quartet in the filling . . . they sing sort of funny. I did find it interesting, and loved the jeweled top created by the bit of cranberry. You just might want to taste-test a couple of these Cranberry, Crab Meat and Cream Cheese Appetizers before serving to others.  Ocean Spray

The prep did inspire some possible variations . . .

  • shredded chicken or turkey in place of crabmeat
  • cocktail sauce instead of cranberry
  • a smooth blend of cream cheese and cranberry, maybe a touch of orange juice

Ocean Spray recipe pages

♦♦♦   Pinot fan? This cred-laden mag identifies “16 Great Oregon Pinots for Springtime Pouring.” They provide full descriptions for these Willamette Valley reds. And one after the other makes you want to run to your favorite store and take a glass with you.  Food & Wine

That same F&W posting also offers this . . .

“There’s Never Been a Better Time to Join a Wine Club”

♦♦♦  I just LOVE this new toy, even though not exactly using it for its intended purpose. But it sure does serve a purpose for cooks who are also readers, and also usually have a lot going on in the kitchen. So, in my case I like to take a break outside with a book or magazines, but want to be alerted when it’s time to, e.g. . .

 See if the Italian sausage for tomorrow’s pizza snacks is cool enough to go in the fridge

     Set out eggs for the chocolate fudge brownies I’ll be making later

     Come back in for a particular cooking show

Then, it’s the digital bookmark with a countdown feature to the rescue! Right there, peeking above the reading material. Also with a clock and a count-up feature.  Cool designs too, mine is the wolf and the 3-D makes it look like I could pet his nose.

Of course you can use it for a whole bunch of other circumstances, too. Or give one to a child for its intended purpose – tracking time for reading assignments.  Amazon

Make sure the one you select has all the features

Mark-My-Time Digital Bookmarks

The instructions are quite clear, except for covering reset – this Google video does

How to use the reset feature

♦♦♦  So, what does your basic award-winning, French-trained celebrity chef do in his spare time? One that in fact is already busy running multiple restaurants, authoring cookbooks and novels, hosting cooking shows first on PBS and then on Food Network. For David Ruggerio it was, ahhh . . . mob enforcer, credit card fraudster, kidnapping for fun and profit. The tale becomes a bit more familiar when you see what his real surname is. There’s enough cocktail chat in this Mob Chef interview to carry you through several get-togethers. It draws on a feature that first appeared in Vanity Fair.  New York Post

David Ruggerio’s books

Thanks to imdb, you can see clips of Ruggerio’s Food Network show here

Want to join the Buzz? Enter “Buzz” in the Subject line – sign whatever way you want to be identified

Click here to email your comments, questions, links to fave recipes, or?

STUFF FOR COOKS

Find t-shirts, mugs, dvds, gift collections, plus top chef items, cookbooks

CS Marketplace Directory

♦  ♦  ♦

Appreciate anytime you can visit affiliate partners, linked below or in features above

Amazon

Click link above for Amazon homepage, Below for Echo Show, Echo Dots, Echo Studio, Especially for Kids – 

Browse Amazon Echo styles right here all a foodster’s dream resource 

Zazzle

Click link above for Zazzle homepage, Below for CS-Designed, Zazzle-Crafted Items {direct Zazzle links on these pages}

Food Lovers T-Shirts page here on CS    Food Lover Mug page here on CS

ETC

Want to be among the first to know about new Salons?

Easy! Just put “Preview List”  in the Subject line, and email me at the link shown above for comments & questions

Looking for something in CS?

Use Search, Archives, Categories OR email me at the same link above with “CooksSalon” in the Subject line

Note

All transactions are solely between the buyer and linked supplier

Cook with passion and a party spirit, whether for a crew, or for two, or just for you

All pages ©2022 CooksSalon.com

FacebooktwitterlinkedinFacebooktwitterlinkedin

New in “Cocktail Hour Buzz,” May 13-May 20, 2022

New Salon every Friday – and you’re invited

C’mon in and help yourself to tasty resources

Hosted by Barbara J Nosek

 Cocktail Hour Buzz 

sundowner snacks, drinks, chat, and . . .

whenever I can, related resources & goodies on Amazon

whether for a crew, or for two, or just for you

{links within my items go to the sources shown in red – any links underneath items take you to Amazon unless otherwise indicated, and then only ones with the lock icon}

♦♦♦  Today’s “catch” has a possibility for each week of the year. This story, Our Best Seafood Recipes {52 in all}, showcases treasures of the sea many of which are appetizer ready, including the one I couldn’t wait to make, the Carolina Seafood Stew, rich with shrimp, fish, aromatic veggies, bold seasonings and . . . okra. ‘Fessing up, in my prep shown here {in 9 oz hot/cold cups}, what might look like okra is actually sliced pickled jalapenos. Also have on my radar the whole fish drizzled with hot ginger-scallion oil which I’ve thoroughly enjoyed in Asian restaurants but have yet to make. Might be time.  Food & Wine

Carolina Seafood Stew recipe

Whole Fish Drizzled with Hot Ginger-Scallion Oil recipe

♦♦♦  So I saw in the grocery store Oreo popcorn. There’s a way to upgrade family movie night or a eveningside viewing party. But wait . . . could we make this ourselves? Turns out, yep! Alternatively, some preps that seem similar are called cookies & cream popcorn. It kind of all adds up to Oreo Popcorn, and your choice of ways to make it.  Google

Why stop there???

Flavored popcorn recipes on Google

Popcorn Recipe books, 4-star & up

Prefer the ready-made & delivered to your door?

♦♦♦  Nothing wrong with wine as its own pure self, but can also turn into fun in a glass when it’s transformed into fruity or fizzy or spicy cocktails. In this list of “Wine Cocktails for All Seasons,” I was drawn to the Classic Kir, a longtime personal favorite that may no longer be in the top 10, but its elegance keeps it in style for the long term. Their prep actually does deviate from the classic by serving over ice and in a different kind of glass. Another choice, the Chardonnay-based Sonoma, interestingly taps into something we mentioned in our 04.15.22 Salon, the how & why of using salt or salt water in cocktails, which is exactly what that drink does.  Food & Wine

Classic Kir drink recipe

Sonoma drink recipe

All of them – 20 Tasty Wine Cocktails

♦♦♦  As we all pretty much know, fabulous as French food can be it’s seldom heavy on spicing. Could this be the reason? “We want to have your mouth open to all the flavors” – Dominique, French chef, on Guy’s Grocery Games  Food Network

Want to join the Buzz? Enter “Buzz” in the Subject line – sign whatever way you want to be identified

Click here to email your comments, questions, links to fave recipes, or?

STUFF FOR COOKS

Find t-shirts, mugs, dvds, gift collections, plus top chef items, cookbooks

CS Marketplace Directory

♦  ♦  ♦

Appreciate anytime you can visit affiliate partners, linked below or in features above

Amazon

Click link above for Amazon homepage, Below for Echo Show, Echo Dots, Echo Studio, Especially for Kids – 

Browse Amazon Echo styles right here – all a foodster’s dream resource 

Zazzle

Click link above for Zazzle homepage, Below for CS-Designed, Zazzle-Crafted Items {direct Zazzle links on these pages}

Food Lovers T-Shirts page here on CS  ♦  Food Lover Mug page here on CS

ETC

Want to be among the first to know about new Salons?

Easy! Just put “Preview List”  in the Subject line, and email me at the link shown above for comments & questions

Looking for something in CS?

Use Search, Archives, Categories OR email me at the same link above with “CooksSalon” in the Subject line

Note

All transactions are solely between the buyer and linked supplier

Cook with passion and a party spirit, whether for a crew, or for two, or just for you

All pages ©2022 CooksSalon.com

FacebooktwitterlinkedinFacebooktwitterlinkedin

New in “Cocktail Hour Buzz,” CooksSalon, May 6-May 12, 2022

New Salon every Friday – and you’re invited

C’mon in and help yourself to tasty resources

Hosted by Barbara J Nosek

 Cocktail Hour Buzz 

sundowner snacks, drinks, chat, and . . .

whenever I can, related resources & goodies on Amazon

whether for a crew, or for two, or just for you

{links within my items go to the sources shown in red – any links underneath items take you to Amazon unless otherwise indicated, and then only ones with the lock icon}

♦♦♦  In last week’s Salon we talked about the McCarthy salad, found in actress Sharon Gless’ memoir and named after her famous granddaddy –  and promised a follow-up tale about his wife’s foray into the culinary world. Marguerite Gilbert McCarthy would not give Neil the requested divorce, but he left her anyway. Did she sit home weeping and wailing? Nope. Moved herself to Hillsboro NH, and turned her attention to writing cookbooks, and one {Gless didn’t say which} became a national best seller. Of the three, two are are still available and the third says limited availability.  Amazon

A note about the 1-star rating for the “Queen” one – turns out it’s based on the seller not the book, and it’s not even totally clear if the person actually bought the book. But I couldn’t see what the commenter was talking about and, further, I looked up the seller and found a 93% approval rating.

“The Cook Is in the Parlor”

“The Queen Is in the Kitchen”

“Aunt Ella’s Cook Book” {this is the limited one}

“Apparently There Were Complaints” by Sharon Gless

♦♦♦  Well here’s an interesting promise. “36 Snacks That Taste Better Homemade.” Most seem to fit a busy lifestyle too. Here are just some that beg to be on the to-make list: Birthday Cake Puppy Chow, Double Chocolate Cereal Treats, 2-ingredient {plus choice of garnishes} Pimento Cheese Crackers, Brown Sugar Spiced Nut Mix, we could go on.  MyRecipes

36 Snacks That Taste Better Homemade | MyRecipes

♦♦♦  Pizza and calzones are pretty much always welcome additions to the Happy Hour table. In fact set out some variations {make, buy, order}and nothing else is needed, unless you’d maybe like to set out say some dishes of olives, pepperoncini, pepper flakes, e.g. But now for the wine-loving group, what to serve alongside? Look who’s got that covered.  Food & Wine

The Perfect Wine and Pizza/Calzone Pairings

Homemade pizza on AllRecipes  ♦  Homemade calzones on AllRecipes

Pizza cookbooks, 4 star & up

♦♦♦   Turns out tequila and spring make a pretty good match, especially with refreshing add-ins and generous ice. The link opens on a page with Añejo and soda and some helpful tips plus a tequila-y version of a Moscow Mule. But now don’t miss this – the dots at the bottom take you to even more pages of recipes, one more appealing than the next.  Patron

Tequila Cocktails for Spring

From our 04.22.22 Salon   Good Housekeeping’s easy “25 Appetizers for Cinco de Mayo {and beyond}”

Want to join the Buzz? Enter “Buzz” in the Subject line – sign whatever way you want to be identified

Click here to email your comments, questions, links to fave recipes, or?

STUFF FOR COOKS

Find t-shirts, mugs, dvds, gift collections, plus top chef items, cookbooks

CS Marketplace Directory

♦  ♦  ♦

Appreciate anytime you can visit affiliate partners, linked below or in features above

Amazon

Click link above for Amazon homepage, Below for Echo Show, Echo Dots, Echo Studio, Especially for Kids – 

Browse Amazon Echo styles right here – all a foodster’s dream resource 

Zazzle

Click link above for Zazzle homepage, Below for CS-Designed, Zazzle-Crafted Items {direct Zazzle links on these pages}

Food Lovers T-Shirts page here on CS    Food Lover Mug page here on CS

ETC

Want to be among the first to know about new Salons?

Easy! Just put “Preview List”  in the Subject line, and email me at the link shown above for comments & questions

Looking for something in CS?

Use Search, Archives, Categories OR email me at the same link above with “CooksSalon” in the Subject line

Note

All transactions are solely between the buyer and linked supplier

Cook with passion and a party spirit, whether for a crew, or for two, or just for you

All pages ©2022 CooksSalon.com

FacebooktwitterlinkedinFacebooktwitterlinkedin

April 8-April 14, 2022, “Cocktail Hour Buzz,” CooksSalon

New Salon every Friday – and you’re invited

C’mon in and help yourself to tasty resources

Hosted by Barbara J Nosek

 Cocktail Hour Buzz 

sundowner snacks, drinks, chat, and . . .

whenever I can, related resources & goodies on Amazon

whether for a crew, or for two, or just for you

{links within the my items go to the sources shown in red – any links underneath take you to Amazon unless otherwise indicated, and then only ones with the lock icon}

♦♦♦  From the number of times I’m coming across this dish, it just might be an exploding trend {sorry,  sorry, sorry}. It’s food volcanos {some really do erupt}. How fun would that be on either the brunch or happy hour table. Lots of festive volcano variations on these google pages . . .  🌋

May I suggest that you take a look at the directions from start to finish before any preparation. Also might want to tap into the Misc page, as the pix before the recipe list shows some interesting ways you can decorate or even landscape your volcano.

Want just the shape? And note these items likely have uses beyond the title words.

Volcano chocolate molds

Princess doll cake pans with & without the center stem

♦♦♦  How about this for perfect timing? Volcanic Wines! The grapes are literally grown on the slopes of volcanos. Why, and do the workers collect hazard pay? The answer to the first part, as the story says, is that “volcanic soils seem to help impart a distinctive character to wine, both red and white, not found in other places.” There’s more to the tale, including the flavors these grapes yield and the best ones to buy now. Nothing about pairing but guess we could figure this out from the profiles shown for each selection. Just maybe something perfect to create a tasty Volcanic duo.  Food & Wine

Photo by Volcano Winery, Big Island, Hawaii

Want to see for yourself?

National Geographic reveals here 9 volcanic vineyards you can visit

Book – “Volcanoes & Wine: From Pompeii to Napa”

♦♦♦   Pizza + Slider = Boffo cocktail companion. It starts with slider rolls, or parker house rolls, or any small rolls that pull apart, which are then sliced horizontally while remaining intact. In goes pepperoni, of course, plus sauce, cheeses, and seasonings. Did we mention garlic butter all over the place? In the oven, out of the oven, and voila! Pepperoni Pizza Sliders! Slice along the handy guidelines and serve. Really good and a definite crowd pleaser!  Southern Living

Pizza fan? Take a look at our these fun CS- designed, Zazzle-produced items . . .

“Yay! It’s Pizza O’Clock” tee    “Yay! It’s Pizza O’Clock” mug

♦♦♦  Here’s a bit of food-related chat for your next get-together. We’re all going to have the chance to discover the origin of Pop-Tarts. Yay? Well the real news about this movie, which will presumably reveal all, is its origin, its star, director, producer, and co-writer – Jerry Seinfeld! Called “Unfrosted,” it has, as quoted in the story, “pure silliness . . . a giant, crazy, comedy movie.”  Food & Wine

And Eat This, Not That treats us to . . .

35 Funniest Food Moments from “Seinfeld”

Want to join the Buzz? Enter “Buzz” in the Subject line – sign whatever way you want to be identified

Click here to email your comments, questions, links to fave recipes, or?

STUFF FOR COOKS

Find t-shirts, mugs, dvds, gift collections, plus top chef items, cookbooks

CS Marketplace Directory

♦  ♦  ♦

Appreciate anytime you can visit affiliate partners, linked below or in features above

Amazon

Click link above for Amazon homepage, Below for Echo Show, Echo Dots, Echo Studio, Especially for Kids – 

Browse Amazon Echo styles right here – all a foodster’s dream resource 

Zazzle

Click link above for Zazzle homepage, Below for CS-Designed, Zazzle-Crafted Items {direct Zazzle links on these pages}

Food Lovers T-Shirts page here on CS    Food Lover Mug page here on CS

ETC

Want to be among the first to know about new Salons?

Easy! Just put “Preview List”  in the Subject line, and email me at the link shown above for comments & questions

Looking for something in CS?

Use Search, Archives, Categories OR email me at the same link above with “CooksSalon” in the Subject line

Note

All transactions are solely between the buyer and linked supplier

Cook with passion and a party spirit, whether for a crew, or for two, or just for you

All pages ©2022 CooksSalon.com

Frambled Eggs Are Like Scrambled with More Attitude Recipe | MyRecipes

FacebooktwitterlinkedinFacebooktwitterlinkedin

“Cocktail Hour Buzz,” Feb 25-March 3, 2022

®

New Salon every Friday – and you’re invited

C’mon in and help yourself to tasty resources

Hosted by Barbara J Nosek

 Cocktail Hour Buzz 

sundowner snacks, drinks, chat, and . . .

whenever I can, related resources & goodies on Amazon

whether for a crew, or for two, or just for you

{any links under these items take you right to Amazon unless otherwise indicated}

♦♦♦   So, last week {02.18.22 Salon, recipe included} we referred to a cocktail called Izzy Bizzy that was featured in both Food & Wine and Food Network Magazine , and both gave a nod to its creator Tom Bullock, active in the “spirits” world in the early 1900s. As bartender at the St. Louis Country Club, a fave of local notables, he created other drinks as well, eventually gathered into the 1917 book, “The Ideal Bartender,” available in reprint in hardcover, paperback and Kindle, 4+ stars, Prime eligible.  Amazon

Other books of vintage cocktails on Amazon

♦♦♦  How cool is this. Wine  classes you can attend from the comfort of home. You’ll even find some that  guide you through a virtual tasting party. Some are free, some have a fee, some require memberships, and you’ll find choices for different aspects of this juicy subject. Online wine classes. Google

Or go directly to . . .

Top Ten Free Online Wine Classes

♦♦♦  When brunch is on the agenda, cocktail hour moves up the clock. The food offerings span the gap between the traditional first and and second meals of the day, and also likely evolve into something a little hardier. Just imagine how a nice icy glass of Champagne would pair with this sweet treat with a breakfast-y vibe. Nutella®-Filled Donut Muffins! Donut texture, baked in a muffin tin, with a nutty surprise inside.  AllRecipes

So, quite sure I’ll make these sometime, but meanwhile I had a package of jumbo biscuits loitering in the fridge and used these to make a version of those ^. Baked according to directions, sliced off most of the top, cut out the center of the top as you see here. Then sliced off most of the bottom of the removed piece, leaving just a thin piece of the golden top. Placed the ring back on the bottom, filled the center with Nutella, and then replaced the cap. You could also just leave the caps off and use them separately as mini biscuits. Really good lightly warmed.

Also, I used chocolate Nutella®, in your market, or here on Amazon, singles & packs

♦♦♦  Everybody party! Sure you can offer your non-drinking friends water, soda, iced tea, etc etc etc. But why not let them also enjoy the flavors and aromas and nuances of vino with 2022’s “10 Best Non-Alcoholic Wines.” You’ll find in this list all the usual suspects, Rose, Cabarnet, Chardonnay and more. Cheers!  Liquor.com

Want to join the Buzz? Enter “Buzz” in the Subject line – sign whatever way you want to be identified

Click here to email your comments, questions, links to fave recipes, or?

STUFF FOR COOKS

Find t-shirts, mugs, dvds, gift collections, plus top chef items, cookbooks

CS Marketplace Directory

♦  ♦  ♦

Appreciate anytime you can visit affiliate partners, linked below or in features above

Amazon

Click link above for Amazon homepage, Below for Echo Show, Echo Dots, Echo Studio, Especially for Kids – 

Browse Amazon Echo styles right here – all a foodster’s dream resource 

Zazzle

Click link above for Zazzle homepage, Below for CS-Designed, Zazzle-Crafted Items {direct Zazzle links on these pages}

Food Lovers T-Shirts page here on CS  ♦  Food Lover Mug page here on CS

ETC

Want to be among the first to know about new Salons?

Easy! Just put “Preview List”  in the Subject line, and email me at the link shown above for comments & questions

Looking for something in CS?

Use Search, Archives, Categories OR email me at the same link above with “CooksSalon” in the Subject line

Note

All transactions are solely between the buyer and linked supplier

Cook with passion and a party spirit, whether for a crew, or for two, or just for you

All pages ©2022 CooksSalon.com

FacebooktwitterlinkedinFacebooktwitterlinkedin

This week’s Cocktail Hour Buzz in CooksSalon, Feb 11-Feb 17, 2022

New Salon every Friday – and you’re invited

C’mon in and help yourself to tasty resources

Hosted by Barbara J Nosek

 Cocktail Hour Buzz

sundowner snacks, drinks, chat, and . . .

whenever I can, related resources & goodies on Amazon

whether for a crew, or for two, or just for you

♦♦♦  Will you be clinking glasses this Valentine’s Day? How about something extra special in those glasses. Say, like one of these Champagne Cocktails. Fresh fruit, citrus, bitters, spices, syrups, liquors & liqueurs bring their own special enchantments to this bubbly party.  Food & Wine

All About Champagne from Whole Foods

And then along came this one . . .

Ina Garten’s strawberry/raspberry champagne cocktail

♦♦♦   For the chocolate component of that special day, we’re bringing back into the spotlight a CS favorite – Chocolate-Filled Chocolate Chip Sandwich Bars. Depending on how much is on the Happy Hour table, you can leave them normal size as shown here, or cut them into candy-size pieces. These are really, really, good.  Food & Wine

More information in the original o4.26.19 Salon

♦♦♦  Prepping a game day table? Here’s an idea  – how about letting the crockpot take over some of the work. If you have more than one, even better. Because may we present for your tasting pleasure, 40 Big Game Crockpot Appetizers. Get ready to scoop out, e.g., Peach & whiskey wings, Cheesy pizza fondue, Peppered meatballs, Hot crab or ham & cheese dip, Party mix or party nuts, Buffalo chicken dip, sliders or egg rolls.  Taste of Home

Are slow cookers safe? Yes if . . . says Univ of Minn Ext

Top rated slow cooker cookbooks on Amazon

♦♦♦  Planning to start the party early? How about Bloody Marys. Or better, a Bloody Mary Bar. Whichever, the beverage can turn into a conversation piece with this Bloody Mary Backstory about its origins in Paris, theories about the name with one involving Hemingway and also why he wanted tomato juice, and the essential ingredients.  Food & Wine

Google page of “best bloody mary” recipes    Top rated bloody mary mixes on Amazon    Bloody Mary Bar in our 08.06.19 Salon

♦♦♦  Woohoo for Iowa State University for giving us all this – “a first-of-its-kind large scale analysis that connects specific foods to later-in-life cognitive acuity.” But the thank you is in the results. Cheese best by a long shot – and alcohol {specifically red wine} was related to actual improvements. You can find all the details here in this story on the U site, that also btw mentions a couple of other findings. We also have to thank a top tier food read for pointing us to the study.  Food Network Magazine

Top rated Wine & Cheese pairing books

{The Swatchbook one is particularly clever}

Want to join the Buzz? Enter “Buzz” in the Subject line – sign whatever way you want to be identified

Click here to email your comments, questions, links to fave recipes, or?

STUFF FOR COOKS

Find t-shirts, mugs, dvds, gift collections, plus top chef items including cookbooks    CS Marketplace Directory

♦  ♦  ♦

Appreciate anytime you can visit affiliate partners, linked below or in features above

Amazon

Click link above for Amazon homepage, Below for Echo Show, Echo Dots, Echo Studio, Especially for Kids – 

Browse Amazon Echo styles right here – all a foodster’s dream resource 

Zazzle

Click link above for Zazzle homepage, Below for CS-Designed, Zazzle-Crafted Items {direct Zazzle links on these pages}

Food Lovers T-Shirts page here on CS    Food Lover Mug page here on CS

ETC

Want to be among the first to know about new Salons?

Easy! Just put “Preview List”  in the Subject line, and email me at the link shown above for comments & questions

Looking for something in CS?

Use Search, Archives, Categories OR email me at the same link above with “CooksSalon” in the Subject line

Note

All transactions are solely between the buyer and linked supplier

Cook with passion and a party spirit, whether for a crew, or for two, or just for you

All pages ©2022 CooksSalon.com

FacebooktwitterlinkedinFacebooktwitterlinkedin