Monday, December 10, 2007

KEEPING CHRISTMAS 'SPIRITS' ALIVE ~ CRANBERRY VODKA & CRANBERRY SPRITZER / 'BOURSIN' PINECONE

" Christmas is a time when you get homesick -
even when you're home."

~ Carol Nelson
CRANBERRY VODKA
~ Still time to 'steep' before Christmas
_____
2 cups cranberries
2 cups vodka
lemon twist
Pour vodka over washed cranberries in clean glass jar. Cover tightly and hide in cool, dark place at least 2 weeks before serving. Serve on the rocks with twist of lemon.

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CRANBERRY SPRITZER

2 cups cranberry juice

1 1/2 cup chilled Sauterne

1/2 cup Triple Sec

2 cups chilled club soda

cranberries

Combine cranberry juice, Sauterne and Triple Sec. Add club soda before serving. Pour over crushed ice and a few cranberries.


'BOURSIN' PINECONE
~ Rich 'boursin cheese' topped with toasted pecans
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Herb 'boursin' cheese
1 lb. soft cream cheese
1 stick unsalted butter
6-8 cloves crushed garlic
2 tsp. parsley
1 tsp. basil
1/2 tsp tarragon
1/2 tsp. minced chives
1/2 tsp. thyme
1/2 tsp. sage
1 Tbsp. cream
freshly ground cracked pepper
2 cups toasted pecans
Fresh rosemary sprigs
  • Combine thoroughly in blender or food processor. Shape into oval. Chill 2 hours.
  • Beginning at bottom, work upward arranging pecan halves over herb cheese in overlapping rows. Artistically arrange rosemary sprigs at top to resemble pinecone. Serve with favorite crisp crackers.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

The cranberry vodka sounds great and I'm sure it's better than "store bought" if there is one. I am making it tonight to share it Christmas eve with my family. I still have cranberries left from last year but they have been frozen. Can I still use them??

joey said...

Forget wrinkled frozen cranberries from last year ... fresh are best, hunnybunny. Cheers!

GMG said...

Vodka? I'll try that one...
I'll be out from Wednesday through Sunday, but meanwhile leave you in Amsterdam, should you wish to take a break!
Have a great week!

Ewa said...

This is great that it is still Possible to make before Christmas.
I understand that fresh cranberries should be used :)
Thank you for visiting,
Ewa