Diet Coke®-Bacon Jam

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Diet Coke®-Bacon Jam

I had such a blast creating a recipe pairing for Diet Coke®Feisty Cherry. They have new designs now available at Kroger as well as a few additional new flavors like ginger lime, zesty blood orange, and twisted mango!

I always have Diet Coke laying around the house because it's what my brother drinks every time he comes over. And if I don't have any, we would make sure to grab some before he's here.

The bacon jam recipe is really simple. It's also extremely easy to change it up to your preference as you see fit. 

I used:

  • 1 package of bacon
  • 1 large yellow onion
  • 1/4 cup of medium brown sugar
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon (or so) of balsamic reduction

Make sure to have all the prep work done so you don't have to rush. The steps are few so no stress if you don't have time to do so. I diced my bacon to little strips as it was still semi frozen. The onion is diced, but size doesn't need to be perfect. I sliced a tomato to use for my sliders.

Bacon is dropped into a cold pan and warmed up on medium heat.

Stir occasionally to make sure it's evenly browned.

With a little patience, the beauty foam will appear. When this happens let it go for 30 seconds to a minute. At this point, it will start getting really crispy, realllllyyy fast.

Remove the bacon and drain the fat. Drop in the onions and season with salt and pepper.

1/4 of brown sugar is dropped in when onions start turning translucent. 

Stir occasionally with love and care.

3rd drop. Bacon. IN.

I like it chunky. Stir a little more with balsamic reduction. Set aside. Optional to add herbs and spices like cayenne and thyme. 

form mini sliders. season with salt and peppa.

Enjoy with a freezing cold can of  Diet Coke®Feisty Cherry.

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Marinated Short Ribs - Vons

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Marinated Short Ribs - Vons

So I am OBSESSED with these marinated short ribs you can find at the butcher in Vons. They have 2 flavors. One black pepper and another yakiniku which is considered as a sweet and sour according to the bottle label, but it wasn't sour at all.

I've cooked these in a hot pan before and in a hot oven. Both works fine, but of course a grill would be preferred to get the charred bits of fat.

I decided to bake these because I really want to have a mess free meal after a long day of work.

Brussels were roasted in the oven with a drizzle of olive oil, seasoned with salt and pepper.

All served over a bowl of Jasmine rice. Don't be shy to gnaw on the bones which is one of my favorite things to do.

These short ribs, from what I remember, were around $5/lb which is ridiculously affordable. I highly recommend these!

 

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France at Home

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France at Home

Bonjour! This will be my second round to bring another French Ministry of Agriculture to you.

I've noticed a lot of parties have been themed around different cultures of the world. French and Italian is one that I stand by a lot when hosting a party because I love to serve tons of wine and tons of cheese. This time will be a little different with the 4 different wines paired with some cheese and chocolate.

I love to place everything on my kitchen counter and just have my friends serve themselves. Also getting everybody gathered in the kitchen is something I like doing. I am able to talk about my inspiration for the evening as well as why each products were selects. And honestly, everyone always ends up there anyways.

This butter is freshly crafted from cultured cream made in the heart of Normandy. I let this set at room temperature and leave one out (in a nice dish) plain with coarse salt and cracked pepper on the side, and another mixed with honey. I will pair this with mixed breads from baguettes, sourdough, to even pretzel rolls. Everyone likes variety, trust me.

Istara P'tit Basque is a 100% pure sheep's milk cheese. It is still made the same why by tradition which is handmade by sheperds leftover curds from milking their sheep. This cheese has a hint of sheep’s milk, with a smooth, sweet flavor and a nutty finish. I paired this with sweet, plump, and extremely crispy green grapes that I left in the fridge soaked with ice water.

I'm a huge fan of Mas De Daumas Gassac.

Their white grand cru comes from a dry winter and spring climate, followed by an exceedingly hot summer and just the right amount of rain in August meant they were able to pick grapes at an ideal maturity. The complexity of the wine is multilayered with tons of flavor which is pleasantly enjoyed. Here's a little more background of this white wine:

  • Average age of the vines: 33 years.
  • Yield: 35 hl/ha.
  • Total production: 71 000 bottles and 1000 magnums.
  • Alcohol by vol.: 13,30% Vol.
  • Total acidity (H2SO4): 3,98.
  • Ph: 3,32.
  • Residual sugar: 12g.
Next we have the Rose from Mouilin De Gassac. The scent of this wine has pleasant, yet intense, floral and mineral aroma. The wine on the palate is well balanced with freshness combining red currants and berries.

Next we have the Rose from Mouilin De Gassac. The scent of this wine has pleasant, yet intense, floral and mineral aroma. The wine on the palate is well balanced with freshness combining red currants and berries.

Les Vignobles André Lurton, is currently one of the largest wineries in the Bordeaux region. These wines are produced from the prestigious Bordeaux appellations.

Les Vignobles André Lurton, is currently one of the largest wineries in the Bordeaux region. These wines are produced from the prestigious Bordeaux appellations.

Château Bonnet White 2016 - Has a very distinct flavor of what you would find in a Sauvignon Blanc. Sauvignons always reminds me of a dry crisp pear. I would serve this with fresh seafood outside from grilled to raw. This is a nice white to drink during this time of year.

Château Bonnet Red 2014 - This wine has notes that features raspberry, vanilla, and spice. Also has velvety tannins and good acidity that finishes. Some would tastes flavors of black currant which I'm not surprised about. An easy wine to drink.

THe Dulcey 32%, baking bar has a DELICIOUS notes of caramel that I've never had before. The color of this bar was also gorgeous. Nicely golden. I can make some great desserts with this, but I think I would rather enjoy this as is with the tines.

Same with the Orelys baking bag. These chips don't have the caramel flavor, but has a distinct deep milk chocolate flavor followed by licorice. I would also serve this as is with the wines. Such a dangerous treat.

Enjoy!

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What to Make For Your Next Cocktail Party

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What to Make For Your Next Cocktail Party

There's absolutely nothing like have a nice cold margarita during the day. The joy of the sun beating on your skin or being indoors surrounded with good company to the sound of Buena Vista Social Club. All of this can be taken away if your choices of a perfect margarita doesn't include the best ingredients.

Before I go on, click here to find out where you can locate Agavero Orange Liqueur.

Agavero Orange Liqueur is a blend of 100% blue agave tequila, infused with the essence of oranges and pure agave nectar. The distiller, Lazaro Gallardo, created Agavero in 1857 in the region of Jalisco Mexico. This is great served either in a blended drink or on the rocks which is what I prefer.

For this recipe, I've decided to use Gran Centenario Tequila - Reposado. Since Agavero Orange is infused with the natural orange flavor and agave nectar, I was inspired to create a recipe with ginger, peaches, and agave syrup.

 

 

1.5 parts Gran Centenario Reposado (I like darker Tequilas.)

.75 parts Agavero Orange Liqueur

1/2 of 1 peach. Slice up the other 1/2 and freeze.

3 slices of ginger

1 tablespoon agave

1 lemon wedge

Muddle your peach, ginger and agave in your mixer. After, poor in your Agavero Orange and Gran Centenario. I like to give it a quick stir before dumping in the ice for the quick shake. Having a glass ready to go filled with ice, quickly fill your shaker with ice and give it a rapid shake for a good 10 seconds.

Strain your drink into your glass with ice and a squeeze of lemon on top before enjoying. Ginger is always optional. I've just been using it a lot because of its nutritional properties. If you want to not use ginger, try adding a few taps of cayenne pepper for a different type of heat.

The Agavero Orange was definitely a nice touch to this fresh fruit cocktail. I love the subtleness it brings and the orange oil essence you normally find in the peel.

As always, please drink responsibly and remember that this is intended for ages 21+!

Enjoy!

 

 

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Kimchi Pork

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Kimchi Pork

This dish never fails to please a hungry crowd. There are days that I crave stuffing my face with white rice. Kimchi Pork falls right in the arena to eat with white rice (as well as my ginger pork from the post prior to this). It's also an item you can most likely find at an Izakaya or Japanese diner like the ginger pork.

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Ingredients are simple: 

  • 1.5lbs of pork belly or shoulder
  • 1 14oz(I believe but I'll double check) of mat kimchi
  • 1/2 white onion thinly sliced
  • kewpie mayonnaise
  • shichimi pepper (optional) 
  • sesame seeds (optional) 
  • minced green onions (optional)  

You'll start my sautéing the onions w a little oil till they are halfway cooked. The pork will go in after seasoning lightly w salt and pepper. When the pork is cooked, you will dump in the jar of kimchi and give it a quick mix. I normally cook the kimchi in for 1-2 minutes. I drizzle kewpie mayonnaise on too then give it another toss. 

The final touches will be another drizzle of mayonnaise, sesame seeds, shichimi pepper, and green onions. 

Eat this over a hot bowl of steamy rice!  

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