Red Velvet Hot Cocoa

I've been gone for a while. Forgive me! While you're doing that, check out my new tumblr page, Content{underRated} at: http://contentunderrated.tumblr.com/!

I saw this yummy recipe for a Red Velvet Hot Cocoa that I had to share from She Knows Food & Recipes. Now is the perfect weather to sip on deliciousness...

Red velvet hot chocolate

Serves 1

Ingredients:

• 2 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate morsels
• 1/2 teaspoon red gel no taste food coloring
• Whipping cream
• Vanilla sugar

Vanilla sugar whipped cream:

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons vanilla sugar (no vanilla sugar? Add regular sugar and a drop of vanilla extract)

Directions:

1. For whipped cream: Add heavy cream and vanilla sugar to a cold metal bowl. Either whip by hand with whisk or with hand-held mixer until soft peaks form.
2. For hot chocolate: In a small pan, combine milk, chocolate morsels and food coloring. Gently simmer until hot and all the chocolate is melted. I like to use a small whisk to make sure everything is incorporated. Top with freshly whipped cream.

(Photo Source: Omgsexyfood)

Men Drink Champagne Too

I saw these cool Moya Champagne Flutes and thought these would look perfect in a bachelor's glassware collection. They remind me of pilsner glasses used for beer. If you don't want dainty looking champagne glasses, these are just the thing, but they are definitely a splurge at $29.00 a flute- but well worth it :-)

Photo: Martha Stewart

I Hate Oatmeal...

But this looks absolutely delicious. I would, however, probably pick the strawberries and cream off the top. This kind of reminds me of life. You pick off all the good stuff on top when, actually, all the gritty, unpretty stuff that you've left at the bottom may actually be good for you- even if it doesn't taste good going down.

Photo credit: Whiskey Soaked Cherries

Beautiful Confections

Because life can be sweet...

Photo credit: That Kind of Woman, i am baker, Sweetapolita

How Will You Set Your Table for the Holidays?

I've mentioned before that setting a table is art. The holidays are a prefect time to display some of your artistic talents, whether it's the decoration you place around the house, dressing a Christmas tree, creating a wonderful meal, or masterfully designing a table for a holiday dinner. I've also said, eating a good meal should also include ambiance. The food always tastes better when you feel comfortable with the environment you're eating in and that environment evokes positive emotions.

Photo Credit: 1. Delish.com; 2,3, 4. HGTV; 5. getmarried.com; 6. Chez Larsson

Boozy Milkshakes and Some More Stuff

Last night I tried the most delectable milkshake ever. The Baileys Caramel Macchiatto milkshake at Ted's Bulletin made my head spin it was so delicious. If you're in the DC area, this is a must try. And The Walk of Shame Breakfast Burrito is the perfect compliment. I left so full and satisfied that I became worried that maybe this is as good as it gets...

What a Great Idea

Lavender water... I will have to try this immediately! Sounds marvelously refreshing.

Photo credit: (Swanky Tables via Kim Gray)

iChocolate

If you wanna buy me chocolate, this would be much appreciated! Love this...



iChocolate from Etsy.


(heads up from Setting the Mood)

The Art of Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables can create such a beautiful display. The myriad of colors, the vibrancy or those colors, and the beauty of their shape just simply make food look good. That's why garnish is so popular. Now that the warm weather is here, try making colorful veggie and fruit salads or vibrant beverages- I bet you'll enjoy your food so much more.

1 & 4. Deb McClean; 2. PicFor.me; 3. My own pic; 5. Grilled Vegetables.

Tao Summer Sangria

I've created a masterpiece! I'm calling it Tao Summer Sangria (Tao = The Art Of :D). Anything with cilantro reminds me of summer.

Here is a rough recipe for:

Tao Summer Sangria

1 bottle of Chardonnay (I used 3 buck Chuck (Charles Shaw wines from Trader Joes, $3) because there is no point in spending a lot of money on a wine that your are going to completely alter)

1 cup of St. Germaine elderflower liqueur (amount depends on desired sweetness)

1 large handful of cilantro

1 large handful of mint

6-8 large basil leaves

1/2 cucumber

*Combine all the vegetable and herb ingredients in a pitcher.

*Pour in wine followed by the St. Germaine.

*Chill for several hours.

*Strain and pour into wine glass and garnish with mint.

Enjoy!

The Kyocera adjustable slicer is such a great kitchen tool. It works like a mandolin and sliced my cucumbers perfectly.

Buddha Bar

A Buddha Bar restaurant is opening in Washington, DC, and Metrocurean has the sneek peek at the interior. It is located at 455 Massachusetts Ave, NW, and plans to open May 10th.

Kumquat Digestif- The Morning After; The Art of Preparing a Meal

A little while back I told you I was making a Kumquat Digestif. It finally finished infusing, and I was able to try it. First I prepared a delicious meal of Thai Steak with jasmine rice and and a spicy cabbage salad; and a Tomato-Cucumber salad with mint, almonds and feta cheese (I substituted the feta with ricotta salata cheese because of my distaste for feta).

After the meal was over, we finally tried the digestif- la raison d'etre. My dinner guest really liked the Kumquat Digestif and said that it tasted like Grand Marnier. It was a bit too sweet for me, so I have since added some more thyme, kumquats, and vodka to cut the sugar a little bit. Yummy.

Of course, with my obsession to all things relating to a dish or a glass, I had to set the table appropriately. I've previously discussed a few of my dinner pieces here, here, and here. I was glad to be able to bring them together in this attractive, yet not too overstated table setting. It is great to have a dinner like this every once and a while, where you actually prepare an extensive meal and organize a more elaborate table for your guests. You feel accomplished and satisfied that you're actually capable of something artistic, because cooking and setting a table is art.

Great food, great environment, great company. You have to enjoy the little things... and all of this simply because I wanted to try the Kumquat Digestif. I guess bigger ideas start with the small ones.

Monkey Say, Monkey Do, Monkey Pick Tea For You

Head on over to ThinkGeek for tea hand picked by monkeys. Huh?? According to the manufacturers:

The legendary flavor is something that can only be tasted to be believed. Monkey Picked Tea is truly in a class by itself. Full of antioxidants, this tea will calm your soul, temper your spirit, and put you in divine touch with your monkey ancestors.

Huh? Well, there is also a legend behind this "divine" tea and how this monkey tea came to be. Check it out, or buy it for $19.99... if you so desire.

Anyway, this is the perfect (ha!) segway into a cool find I want to share. Thanks to a fellow tea drinking friend of mine, I discovered the best tea thermos around from Teavana. Teavana is the perfect store for tea drinkers. It has any tea you can think of, and it truly is quality tea.

I'm a huge green tea drinker, and I always buy it loose leaf (my favorite is Jasmine Pearl green tea), so this Harmony Glass Tea Tumbler with Infuser, is perfect because it has a removable infuser and you can take it anywhere on the go. A bit pricey starting at $19.95, but so worth it if you're a serious tea drinker. I will have this item for years to come, and I use it avidly.

I'm Going Back to Cali...

I have been traveling all over the country for work, and so far the highlight of my travels has been Santa Monica, CA. I only spent a few hours there before I had to catch a flight, but it is definitely worth a re-visit.

I ate an amazing lunch on the Santa Monica pier at The Lobster. The food was as amazing as the view. If you're ever in Santa Monica, I would stop by The Lobster.

I ordered the Pan Seared Scallops with lobster hash and shrimp bisque sauce. Delicious.

And for dessert, I had the Chocolate Bread Pudding. I'm still reveling...

The Promenade had all the shops you would find at a major mall, but with the benefit of outside views and beautiful weather.

There was even a Z Gallerie! I love, love this store. They closed down the one in my area, so I'm only left with online teasers. I got a few pics of the store inventory before I was told I couldn't take pictures. Boo!

I must go back!