Summer Cocktails……Pomegranate & Lemon

 

Summer heat calls for something chilled and sweet.

That’s exactly what these two cocktails are all about. They’re beautiful, refreshing, and yummy.

Being super easy to make is just a bonus!

 

VodkaPom

1 oz.  pomegranate juice – chilled

1/2 oz. Vodka – chilled

1/2 oz. simple syrup – chilled ( see mojito recipe to make the simple syrup ):)

3 oz. club soda – chilled

lemon

Run a wedge of the lemon around the rim of a chilled martini glass – you could then dip the rim in sugar, if you like – then add the pomegranate juice, vodka, simple syrup, and club soda. Garnish with lemon zest.  Voila!

 

 

Lemon Drop Fizzy

1 oz. freshly squeezed lemon juice – about half a lemon

1/2 oz. vodka – chilled

1/2 oz.simple syrup – chilled ( see mojito recipe to make the simple syrup ):)

4 oz. club soda – chilled

Run a wedge of the lemon around the rim of a chilled martini glass – you could then dip the rim in sugar, if you like . Next add your freshly squeezed lemon juice, vodka, simple syrup, and club soda. Garnish with  lemon zest .

As you can see they are very similar and easy to make.

The VodkaPom is like a pomegranate martini with club soda. I like the fizz of the club soda. 

Notes: Be sure to chill your ingrediants and keep everyting nice and cold and…

As Always Please Enjoy Responsibly!

 

xoxoxo

Roasted Plantains with Cheese and Guava

 

 

This past winter my friend from Columbia made a great tradional dish for me with plantains, guava, and cheese. In Columbia it is made with queso blanco, a fresh white cheese. It was really good and unusual. Since then I have made my own twist to the original recipe for all of those of  us who don’t have access to a local dairy.

My rendition uses cream cheese with finely chopped jalapeno for an extra layer of flavor. The result is a sweet, smooth, and creamy bite sized morsels that are really filling. Great for a side dish, appetizer, or a snack. All the ingrediants are easy to find and inexpensive so you can serve something unique and stretch your entertaining budget .

Fast, easy, and delicious!

 

Recipe:

4 plantains, peeled

4 oz. cream cheese, softened

2 tbsp. jalapeno, finely chopped

3 oz. guava paste, chopped

Peel the plantains and cut  a deep channel length wise along the plantain.

In a bowl combine the cream cheese with the finely chopped fresh jalapeno ( you can add the jalapeno seeds if you would like to increase the spicey heat). Blend well.

Finely chop the guava paste.

Place the guava paste and the cream cheese mixture side by side into the channel that you cut into the plantain along its entire length.

Wrap the stuffed pantains individually in parchment paper.

Bake the four wrapped plantains in a preheated oven at 300 degress for 30 minutes. When it is finished carefully remove the plantains from the oven. Let rest for 2-3 minutes. Unwrap the plantains from the paper, cut into one inch pieces, and serve.

Enjoy!

 

xoxoxo

Creamy Key Lime Pie

 

    

                  Key Lime pie is like big slice of summer.  Sweet, cool, and tangy. It is such a nice dessert to serve on a warm night.

I have found most recipes to have a bit too much sweet and sour play so that by the end of  your portion you have a complete sensory overload. So, here is my recipe. Creamy and smooth  and mellow enough for those of us who like  to have seconds!

 As always, I have kept it easy as pie. 

 

Crust:

1 3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs

2 tbsp. sugar

8 tbsp. butter, melted

In a 9 inch pie plate, or even a deep tart pan, combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Blend together with a fork and then press all along the bottom and sides of the dish creating an even crust. Put aside into your refrigerator while you combine the next ingredients.

 

Filling:

1/2 cup key lime juice

7 oz. sweetened condensed milk

6 oz. vanilla yogurt

4 egg yolks                                -                               ( NO egg whites )

Combine the lime juice, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla yogurt, and egg yolks into a mixing bowl. Mix until completely blended. Next pour this filling into your previously prepared crust. Cook in a preheated oven at 350 degrees. Cook for 15 minutes. Remove and let cool.

 

Chantilly Cream:

1/3 cup heavy whipping cream

1/4 tsp. vanilla extract

1 tsp. granulated sugar

Combine the heavy whipping cream, vanilla, and sugar into a bowl and use an electric whisk to blend until you have reached soft peaks. ( Be careful here and try not to over whip because this will make your cream turn into butter; not as good as cream on top your pie. )  Add a generous dollop of your freshly made Chantilly cream to each slice of key lime pie and enjoy!

 

xoxoxo

 

INTRODUCING…….. iLusciousLife!

That’s right iLusciousLife is now on the web!

Thank you, for joining me here through this blogging journey. You can expect to lots of great changes to optimize your viewing experience as we develop and grow. The idea here at iLusciousLife is to focus on all the amazing things that help make each and every day more exciting, sensual, and luscious by bring you great ideas for entertaining, life style, recipes, and so much more. There is even going to be a dedication night that I am so excited about! Really focusing on you and those you love, sharing a dedication for the world to see. It’s going to be great!

This is a blog that’s informative and positive, all about the love, happiness, and great times. Where to find it and how to get it. Of course, you are always welcome to come, pull up your keyboard and get your daily dose of good energy right here at iLusciousLife!

Stay tuned, there’s lots more to come. Meanwhile, stick around and drop me note in the comment box below.

xoxoxo