Tuna Tartare, Passion Fruit Martinis and a Magical Night at Le Colonial, Chicago!
Posted by Shelly Perry (06/18/2010 @ 8:55 am)
Le Colonial, Chicago is a treat for the senses.
The exotically luxurious atmosphere is the first hint that you are in for something special.
These Passion Fruit Martinis were incredibly fresh and delicious! Floral and fruity yet light and refreshing on a warm summer night.
Tuna Tartare with wonton crisps was light and satisfying and tasted fantastic with our cocktails….round 2!
Romance was in the air so sharing an entree of vermicelli and seafood in coconut curry seemed like the right thing to do!
What put this dish over the top for me were the copious amounts of fresh basil and cilantro; a garnish, I know, but for me a side dish or side salad!
The aroma of fresh herbs and the delicacy of the spicy coconut broth made my tastebuds tingle!
The music, the martinis, the warm summer breeze…
Posted in: Chefs and Restaurants, Indulgences
Tags: asian fusion, basil, Chicago restaurants, cilantro, coconut, coconut curry, exoctic drinks, exotic restaurants, fruit cocktails, fruit martinis, Le Colonial Chicago, lobster, martini's, passion fruit, passion fruit martini, shrimp, tuna tartare, vegetarian, vermicelli, Vietnamese food, Vietnamese French fussion, Vietnamese restaurants
Pink Girlie Cocktails and Hot Smoked Salmon Spread!
Posted by Shelly Perry (06/08/2010 @ 11:29 am)
Hot smoked salmon is the key ingredient to this light, savory dish that is tasty and sooo girlie!
We topped whole wheat crackers with the delicate creamy and sublte flavors of the salmon spread.
My dear, BFF shared her favorite recipe with me and I will share it with you.
Ingredients
6-8oz hot smoked salmon finely chopped
1 Tbspn fresh dill finely chopped
1 Tbspn fresh parsley finely chopped
1/4 cup red onion finely chopped
1/4- 1/2 cup of Hellman’s Real Mayonnaise
1 large garlic clove crushed
A sqeeze of fresh lemon
Salt and pepper to taste
The real secret to the success of this recipe is to mix the mayo, garlic and lemon together very well before adding to the salmon.
Mix well and serve chilled!
Pink and girlie all around when friends just want to have fun!
This delicious pink cocktail was inspired by a magical elixir we had at Le Colonial.
We tried to approximate the light tropical flavors of the passion fruit martinis we ordered and serve them “family style”!
We mixed a high quality, low sugar coconut pineapple juice with a light berry juice mix, and added vodka and fresh lime.
The result was sublime!
Posted in: Cocktails, Indulgences, Ingredients, Recipes
Tags: Chicago restaurants, coconut, dill, Hellman's Real Mayonnaise, hot smoked salmon, Le Colonial, Le Colonial Chicago, lime, martini recipe, martini's, parsley, pineapple, salmon, salmon recipe, salmon spread, tropical fruit drinks, vegetarian, whole wheat crackers
Gaea Organic Olive Oils and Olives; Nectar of the Gods!
Posted by Shelly Perry (01/12/2010 @ 8:12 pm)
This healthy snack is not just nutritious but makes for sexy, tasty cocktails as well!
Gaea award winning Olive oil is “Purely Greece and Purely Gaea”. Try all the varieties of high quality certified Carbon Neurtral Extra Virgin Olive Oils.
The truth is in the taste!
Gaea Organic Olive Oil and Olives are a treat for the palate and way fun at parties! The garlic stuffed green olives make the best dirty martini’s.
2 oz. Vodka or Gin
3/4 oz. Dirty Martini Olive Juice
1/2 oz. Dry Vermouth
We were sopping up the oil with focaccia bread and making fast work of the Kalamata olives. (my personal favorite).
Olives are my go to snack for a salty low-cal treat.
The Gaea Organic Olive Oil tastes great on its own with bread and makes a great salad dressing with your favorite balsamic vinegar or lemon juice and herbs.
Not all olive oils are created equal. Make sure that yours is 100% olive oil and organic.
