Monday, December 31, 2012

Vodka Spritz with Cucumber...

Vodka spritz



When the weather is warmer and you are lazing in the sun, you want to keep your cocktails light and refreshing.  For me, it's about using lovely bubbly mineral waters and refreshing garnishes.

Something as quick and simple as this Vodka Spritz with Cucumber is perfect in warm weather and looks like Summer in a glass to me.  It's about using a good quality vodka to make this mix perfect.

I use...

shot of Belvedere vodka
several slices of cucumber
mineral water
ice


Pop all ingredients in a tall glass, combine well with a stirrer (this will bring out the cucumber intensity) and enjoy!  


Things don't need to be complicated, keep the pace slow and easy!

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Festive Season Food...

Christmas Nowaks style!
It isn't a party unless there is cheese, kabana and cocktail onions on toothpicks!


We hosted Christmas at our place this year and we kept it pretty low key.  There was only four of us and in many ways, I wanted to have things that everyone loves and also things that we always have at Christmas too... like Mum's wine trifle!


Christmas appetizers are on!
a brunch spread...
 

We didn't have a breakfast, instead we opted for a brunch of delicious cheese and cold cuts and dips to graze on while having a few glasses of bubbly.  It meant we could all sit around the table together and catch up and laugh.

When cooking for a big or even a small group of people, you want things that are delicious yet don't have you slaving away in the kitchen - away from the fun!  Cheese platters are always loved in our family and it is nice and easy!


@elgatogrande made raspberry sorbet for a palette cleanser between courses! Yum!!! #marimekko
Mark's amazing sorbet shooters.
 

 We had a simple menu for our Christmas lunch. It meant that we could spend more time together.  It was a combination of delicious bought deli items and special treats that we had prepared earlier on such as the desserts and Mark's amazing home made raspberry sorbet.  We are lucky that our local butcher prepares our chickens butterfly style, so they can go on the BBQ outside, without making an Australian kitchen hot!

Menu
the menu...
 

It was pretty relaxing all in all!  No stress and we weren't left with loads of left overs either!  Naturally we did eat a little too much and none of us ate dinner on Christmas night but I think it was a successful and chilled out Christmas!

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Christmas Gingerbread Trees...

Gingerbread


I was getting my festive season bake on this weekend! I love Gingerbread anytime of the year but it is even better at Christmas time. You can find my recipe here.


Gingerbread trees iced...these are my Kris Kringle gift... We have a handmade/ recycled/ regifted policy for work! Naturally I'm a handmade kinda gal!
 

This year I went with some trees as I was making them for my Kris Kringle gift at work. The team that I am currently sitting with have a recycled, re-gifted or hand made policy for the Kris Kringle which I think is fantastic! Hopefully they will be enjoyed!

UPDATE:  My Kris Kringle recipient guessed that they were from me!!!  They got a thumbs up!

You may also find this delicious!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...