Nibbles & Sips

Fun with food and beverages: recipes and opinions about what, how, and why we eat.

How Many Ways Do You Grill Your Cheese?

Nibbles
150 Best Grilled Cheese Sandwiches by Alison Lewis

image via amazon.com

A grilled cheese sandwich is pretty far up there in my book as a great comfort food. Toasty, butter bread; gooey, molten cheese; with maybe some brown mustard or a slice of ham tucked inside for variation.

Perfect for a quick supper, an accompaniment to soup, or a warming snack on a cold winter day.

You can change up your bread (white, wheat, rye, potato), you can change up your cheese (provolone, cheddar, gouda, swiss) but I’ll bet that’s as far as many of go as far as rethinking the humble grilled cheese sandwich.

So when I heard about 150 Best Grilled Cheese Sandwiches by Alison Lewis, I was intrigued.

Lewis expands upon the idea of, at it’s simplest, 2* slices of bread and a slice of cheese. Bread is not limited to sliced–tortillas, pitas, and bagels are all fair game–and cheeses are ranked primarily by meltability, though flavor does come into play, of course. and it’s not just for lunch or dinner, anymore! The grilled cheeses in this book will take you from breakfast to dessert, offer flavor combinations with meat, fish, seafood, and poultry, as well as more veggie-centric ones. Just take a look as some of these recipe names and tell me you don’t start to salivate:

  • Grilled Goat Cheese and Figs (p.20)
  • Strawberry and Marscapone Sandwich (p.26)
  • Grilled Cheese Sliders with Carmalized Balsamic Onions (p.55)
  • Open-Faced Spinach and Havarti (p.67)
  • Grilled Swiss, Artichokes, and Olives (p.88)
  • Pastrami and White Cheddar Grilled Cheese (p.108)
  • Grilled Turkey and Brie with Apricot (p.127)
  • Grilled Spinach, Pepper Jack and Bacon (p.141)
  • Muffuletta Grilled Cheese (p.150)
  • Crab Mushroom Melts (p.172)
  • Tiramisu Grilled Cheese (p.202)
  • Dark Chocolate and Banana Grilled Cheese ( p.208)

We decided to try out a few different sandwiches the week surrounding Thanksgiving. Incidentally, many of these grilled cheeses would be perfect for using up leftovers and a great way to stretch your budget!

jwalker_150gc_grilledhuevosrancheros

We started out with the Grilled Huevos Rancheros (p.32). In this case the bread was a flour tortilla and the cheese shredded cheddar, joined by eggs, black beans, olives, and other savory companions. Grilling was done quesadilla-style in a frying pan and, really, what more can you say about a flavorful breakfast burrito. Since it was so obviously a breakfast-inspired dish, we paired it with hash brown potatoes.

jwalker_150gc_broccoliheesepitas

The next recipe we tried ventured a little further afield. The Broccoli Cheese Pitas (p. 73) are part of the Light and Healthy chapter, using whole wheat pitas pockets and a mixture of ricotta and feta cheeses along with the titular broccoli. It made for a very filling supper along with quinoa cooked in chicken stock.

jwalker_150gc_grilledturkeyandbriewithapricot

Finally, in a fitting  tribute to Thanksgiving leftovers, we used some of our delicious turkey for a Grilled Turkey and Brie with Apricot (p.127) sandwich. I adore brie in pretty much any situation, but the combination of the brie with apples, apricot preserves, and turkey on a hearty sourdough bread felt like an indulgence rather than mere leftovers. Definitely our favorite, among the three, it was also the messiest to eat as the apples tend to slide around a bit and not meld with the creamy brie.

At least once a week we have a night where a quick supper is called for and a grilled cheese is definitely a great alternative to take-out. I have a feeling we’ll be delving back into 150 Best Grilled Cheese Sandwiches for inspiration on a regular basis.

*The earliest grilled cheese sandwiches were open-faced, almost more like cheese toast than what we’d commonly call a sandwich. The second slice of bread became the rule rather than the exception sometime in the 1960s

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I was provided a copy of 150 Best Grilled Cheese Sandwiches by Alison Lewis for purposes of review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

AlcoHOLidays | National Lemon Cupcake Day | Lemon Cupcake Martini

Sips

Lemon Tree loaded down with fruit

Lemon tree very pretty
And the lemon flower is sweet
But the fruit of the poor lemon
Is impossible to eat

—chorus from Lemon Tree, as sung by Peter, Paul, & Mary

Of course there are plenty of people who love the tart pucker-power of fresh lemons. There are probably just as many, though, that enjoy this yellow citrus in sweeter ways, like lemon curd or, in honor of the December 15th “holiday”, lemon cupcakes.

Lemon Cupcake Martini

This is totally one of those made-up holidays–not by me, but by someone who shouted loud enough at some point to make it onto a variety of daily holiday sites. And, hey, why not? Now, you might think it’s odd to have a lemon-related in the middle of December, but as my neighbor’s tree up there exhibits, now is the time for lemons galore. [Seriously, that tree is totally out of control–my friend said on Sunday she feels like she needs to click it to harvest (Farmville joke).] You could also look at it as a palate cleanser sort of holiday before the peppermints and eggnogs totally take over the rest of the month.

Either way, in honor of National* Lemon Cupcake Day, I have tried to distill the essence of a heavenly lemon cupcake into liquid form. It’s good now, and it’s probably just as tasty in the heat of summer when a plain ol’ lemonade just isn’t gonna cut it.

Lemon Cupcake Martini

1 1/2 oz Whipped Cream Vodka
1 oz Limoncello
3/4 oz Pineapple Juice
1/2 oz Butterscotch Schnapps

Combine all ingredients in a shaker glass half-full of ice and shake until cold and frothy. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish at will.

Now, I opted to go with a small sprig of mint floating on the top of the cocktail. After making basil chicken last night, a sprig of basil would also lend a lovely scent to the presentation along with the pop of color. You can, of course, go with a lemon twist but it’s sort of dull, don’t you think? Unless you decide to candy some lemon peel and let a looooong strip hang in a curl off the side of the glass. Now that would be festive.

The pineapple juice could be omitted, I suppose, but it makes for a slightly more balanced drink. Even with it the drink is very potent, so sip it slowly and savor it or you’ll find yourself under the table instead of dancing upon it.

Not that lemon cupcakes inspire table-dancing. Necessarily.

Cheers!

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*Fun fact time, while there are federal holidays and observances, there’s really no such thing as a true “national” holiday as each state has dominion over its holiday calendar. National this-or-that Day just sounds better, so that’s what people call them.

Gifting Wine is Mighty Fine

Sips

Once again the holidays are upon us and, once again, the invitations are flowing and you–being a polite guest–want to bring something nice for your host or hostess.

Unless you’re specifically asked to bring something to be a part of the event, understand that your host is under no obligation to use or consume your gift that night. In fact, a hostess gift is meant to be enjoyed after the guests have departed, as a thank-you for a pleasant time or a way to unwind.

Flowers can send a hostess into a tizzy, trying to find a vase and a place for them while she’s greeting guests, not to mention potential allergies. If you want to send flowers after the fact, that would be a nice gesture along with a nice thank-you note–seriously, the common courtesies are falling by the way-side, it’d be nice to revive them. Still, it’s nice to show up with something in your hand.

Consumables are the best, and wine is considered quite the gifting commodity. Even if your host doesn’t drink, they can always regift it or keep it around for others that do, so it’s a nice, safe choice unless you know they have moral objections to wine or spirits.

Here are some bottles to be on the look out for, at a variety of price points to fit any occasion and budget (my notes are the ones in italics):

Villa Pozzi Pinot Grigio is perfect for the female friends in your life. Whether it is a coworker or a cousin, let them know you’re thinking of them. This unique Sicilian wine produced by the 4th generation winemakers of the Pozzi family, is ideal for the modern woman with its refined aromatic, well balanced taste profile and simply-elegant packaging. SRP $9.99

White wine has no gender. If you know your friends prefer bright white wines, go for it. We found this Pinot Grigio to be an excellent example of the varietal, nice and fruity and it went pretty well with the chicken and wild rice I was serving last night. It’s also a fabulous wine to cook with, especially if they like risotto.

Girard Artistry is the ideal wine for the important men in your life. Perhaps for your father-in-law who enjoys the finer things in life, or your uncle who likes to unwind after work? It is produced by Girard Winery has been producing world-class wine since 1975 that truly and faithfully represent the unique terroir of the Napa Valley. Girard Artistry is stylistically diverse with elegance, balance, power, and finesse. SRP $39.99

A table wine is a blend of many different varietals that make it a great choice for a range of meals. This particular wine seemed on the medium-bodied side to us, which is what we like. Did we consider it a $40 bottle? Not really. But that doesn’t mean it’s a bad choice if you’re looking to impress someone who finds those sorts of things important.

Ruta 22 Malbec is the gift for the adventurous, travel-lover on your list. Have them explore South America, take them on a journey to Patagonia, which produces the finest Malbec in Argentina. Ruta 22, hand harvested wine, will delight them with its dark ruby red color and fruit forward and elegant taste. SRP $12.99

You might remember we shared this one last year, too. It’s tough to go wrong with a South American Malbec.

[ yellow tail ]  bubbles rosé is for that bubbly person who keeps you smiling! Maybe your girlfriend who brings a smile on your face, or your best friend who is the one you’re sharing laughs with and celebrating life with. SRP $9.99

Sparkling wine is the perfect choice the closer we get to New Year’s Eve–providing the Mayans were wrong, of course, and the world doesn’t end on the 21st. Sweet sparklers are growing in popularity (which is fabulous in my book) and a rosé is a nice stepping stone between the dry and sweet. Yellow Tail is a very affordable tipple, perfect for stocking up for the countdown or any cause for celebration.

I can’t imagine the host, coworker, or Secret Santa that wouldn’t love to receive any of those bottles.

Happy Holidays, my friends. Please remember to celebrate responsibly, use a designated driver or call a cab–jail or the hospital is no way to start the new year!

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I was provided samples of the above wines for purposes of review. All opinions expressed are my own.

May I Offer You Some Plopp*?

Nibbles

image via Amazon.com

It seems so strange to be reviewing a book that’s not a cookbook here, but bear with me–there’s some juicy food content to be had.

In my reading list for an alarmingly long time has been Found in Translation: How Language Shapes Our Lives and Transforms the World. Having finally started and finished it, all I can say is I’ve learned way more than I ever expected about translation and interpretation.

Well, maybe I can say a few more things.

You’ve probably heard the old joke about how the Nova never sold well in Mexico as, in Spanish, “no va” means no-go? Turns out that’s total fiction (the inflection between the two is different and the car actually sold well, there. But it is true that you could make an international meal of Bimbo, Bra, and Pee Cola.

As our collective inner 12-year-olds giggle, allow me to explain that Bimbo is a type of Mexican sandwich bread, Bra is a Swedish yogurt, and Pee Cola is a soft drink in Ghana (which I’ve yet to find out what it’s supposed to taste like–how can you not wonder?!).

Not that other countries are the only ones as the butt of the joke in the U.S.–many of our own cultural favorites face quite the quandary when trying to market their products in other, non-English speaking countries.

In addition to the amusing culinary foibles, movie titles, product marketing, and television interpretaion take their place among the weightier matters of national affairs, religion, and 911 translations. While it reads, at times, as here’s-why-we’re-important propaganda, perhaps the fervor is necessary. After all, unless you know a translator or interpreter personally, how often do you think about their work and how it affects your daily life?

Parts are serious, parts are scary (the 911 call where a woman, fearing for her life, with a weapon-wielding someone coming her way springs immediately to mind), and parts will make you laugh out loud. But all will open your eyes to an under-appreciated field. I think this book would also be interesting to those who appreciate the history of words (etymology) and a career guide for those who find learning languages a fun pastime.

*Plopp is, according to the authors, a Czech chocolate candy (though Wikipedia identifies it as Swedish).

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I received a copy of Found in Translation for purpose of review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Give it a Shot: Denizen Aged White Rum

Sips

Denizen Aged White Rum

You may recall I mentioned an aged white rum (back in the Bluebird of Happiness celebration) a few months back. The time is way passed that I give you a better picture of this particular spirit and share a couple of season-appropriate cocktails courtesy of Denizen Aged White Rum.

While many base spirits (whisk(e)y, tequila, etc.) have pretty specific standards to meet x, y, or z classifications, rum standards vary from among countries of origin and local custom. Still, we do generally know that a white rum tends to be younger, and distinctly brighter in flavor, than a deeper aged rum. And while pretty much all distilled spirits are aged for a given length of time, white rum generally has a short aging period (sometimes as few as 8 months, like in Mexico) and uses uncharred barrels to prevent color from developing (and what color there might be is often filtered out).

Denizen combines the qualities of a 5-year aged rum from Trinidad that is then blended with 15 types of Jamaican rum (these latter rums benefit from the more varied flavors–cogeners–that come from pot-distillation) to get to their final state: a white rum with a broader, richer flavor of an aged one.

When I tasted the rum I was impressed with the breadth of flavor but still noticed that particular rum bite at the back corners of my mouth. In cocktails it adds a certain depth of flavor without muddying up the color of the drink (as sometimes that can be a bit of an aesthetic downer).

Denizen was kind enough to share these recipes which you might consider if you’ve got a party coming up.

Hot Apple Rum Cider

4 oz Denizen Rum
16 oz Apple Cider
1 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
3 Tbsp Cane Sugar
3 Cinnamon Sticks
5 Green Cardamom Pods
2 Star Anise Pods
1/2 tsp Grated Fresh Ginger
1/4 Vanilla Bean
1/4 tsp Angostura Bitters

Add all ingredients except Denizen to a saucepan or slow cooker and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally for about 15 minutes or until hot. Remove from heat and stir in Denizen. Strain into an insulated container or serve from pot. Garnish each much with a cinnamon stick.

Carnivale Hot Chocolate

8 oz Denizen Rum
12 oz Whole Milk
3 oz Water
6 Tbsp Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
3 Tbsp Cane Sugar
2 tsp Ground Cinnamon
2 tsp Ground Ginger
1/2 tsp Ground Cloves
1/4 tsp Angostura Bitters

In a small saucepan, stir together the cocoa powder, sugar, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and water until they form a paste. Add the milk and place over medium heat, stirring constantly until it simmers. Remove from heat, stir in Denizen and bitters, and pour into an insulated vessel. Serve warm in a mug. Marshmallows optional.

I’m guessing these would serve 4-6, depending on serving size (they, unfortunately, didn’t give a yield either of them).

However you choose to celebrate the season, please celebrate responsibly.

Cheers!

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I was provided a sample of Denizen Aged White Rum for purposes of review. All opinions expressed are my own.Â