Finishing up the Bartending Posts on Bases

I've finished my review of alcoholic bases in a three-parter.

Find Part II (rum and gin) here, and Part III (tequila and whiskey) here.

Expect an update on mixers and what not soon, as well as crepes recipes and others.

Also expect a more politically-influenced post in the near future.

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Recipe: Osso Bucco Inspired Chicken

Here's my take on a very traditional, very delicious dish, Osso Bucco. I typically have a hard time finding veal shanks around here, so, I've adapted it to chicken.

Enjoy!

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New Blog. Food Blog.

So Steph and I have started a new food blog, primarily revolving around our own culinary adventures, but which will also include reviews of restaurants and kitchen gadgetry. Instead of totally reposting things from there, I'll merely post links here.

Thus, post one in what I imagine will be a long series on bartending, to be found here.

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In Which I'm an Idiot

So, sometimes I feel like an idiot. This is one of those times.

See, last year I went to this amazing Mexican restaurant and tequila bar with my friend Mary, one of her friends, and her ex-husband. It was...interesting, but the food and tequila was absolutely amazing (thanks again for driving and taking us, Mary!). Since that time last year (it's been almost a year), I have been trying to remember the name of this place, because I got a little tipsy that night and wasn't driving (I tend to not memorize directions or names if I'm not driving...)

So, for an entire year, I have been struggling with this and asking people about it, trying to describe it and hoping to get someone who knew what I was talking about. I'd narrowed it down to Blue Agave, Salpicon, and Salud and had simply reconciled myself to the fact that I'd have to go to each and check them out. Then, last week, I was making bananas foster at Steph's house (yeah, that's right, I cook a lot). I asked her for some matches, because I didn't want to use my lighter and get that close to the alcohol (yeah, that's right, I've also burned myself a few times). She's like "Yeah, I've got some matches that you left here at the beginning of the year."

Not remember this at all, I say, "Wait...whaaaat?"

So, she brings out this matchbook emblazened with "!Salpicon!" on the front.

I immediately feel like an idiot, and then it all comes rushing back. I had grabbed the matchbook on my way out of the restaurant so I'd remember the name and put it into the coat pocket of my leather coat. Since it warmed up soon afterward, I hung up the coat and didn't use it for a long time. Then I wore it only briefly this winter before I got a long wool peacoat and had totally forgotten about the matchbook by that point, when I gave it to Steph to use at her house...

Ugh.

At least I know what the place is now.

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