To get into the winter season or escape from the winter blues its fun to plan parties, events and gatherings to look forward too. We are starting the tradition of a holiday cocktail party. This can really be done at anytime. To prep look up some of your favorite drink recipes, have them poured and ready to go on platters. Add a few easy and quick appetizer foods to mix in and your ready to go. Our tip is to keep it simple. For our party we are only making about 4 different appetizers but spreading them out all over the house on cutting boards and festive platters.
On the menu tonight; smoked salmon with capers, lemon and arugula, bruschetta crostini paired with pesto and sundried tomato crostini, flank steak crostini and a mix of grapes, cheeses and nuts. That’s it and all you need for a fun and successful holiday party. Cheers.

Hot Pepper Sauce “ Bomba”

• Ingredients:
• 4 cups hot we use habanero –any kind will work
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• salt/pepper

To assemble:

In a food processor pulse peppers until finely chopped. Take peppers to skillet and add oil. Turn stove top on to medium heat and light cook for about 5 minutes. Make sure not to burn peppers. Turn off heat add a dash of salt and pepper and let cool until caning. Peppers will last in your fridge for months or in a dry cool place. Enjoy

Rustic Green Salad

Ingredients:

• 3 cups mixed greens
• half english cucumber
• 2 green onions
• 1/2 red pepper
• olive oil
• balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 fresh lemon

To assemble add washed lettuce to salad bowl. Cut cucumber, red pepper and green onions and add to salad. For dressing use about 1/4 cup olive oil and 3 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar. Squeeze 1/2 lemon onto salad with salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy.

• 2 oranges
• 2 limes
• 1 lemon
• 3-4 peaches
• 1 container of fresh strawberries
• 1 bottle of red wine
• 2 cups orange juice
• 1 cup club soda
• 3 dashes of triple sec or any orange liquor
• 1/2 cup sprite

Instructions:

Lightly chop up all of the fruit and add to a pitcher, than add one bottle of red wine, any kind that you prefer. Next add 2 cups of orange juice and 1 cup of club soda. Three dashes of triple sec or any orange liquor of your choice and 1/2 cup of sprite to add some sweetness. Can serve immediately or let chill for about an hour to let all of the flavors combine.

Salsa Recipe

• 3 to 4 jalapeno peppers
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 5 plum tomatoes
• 1/4 white onion
• handful of fresh cilantro

Add peppers, garlic and tomatoes to a bbq on medium high heat. Let brown, make sure to turn and rotate the ingredients so all of the sides get browned. Brown for about 10 minutes.
Next let ingredients cool and add to a blender with the white onion, cilantro and salt and pepper. Lightly pulse ingredients together until mixed. Serve with tortilla chips and enjoy.