Beany has been feeling kinda sick the last few days. Not too bad, but not good enough to partake in her favorite consuming activity: drinking. Today is the celebration of gluttony, and Beany's heart is ready to have a few cocktails, even if her body isn't.
In a couple hours I will be joining family to eat, talk and complain. Unlike you polite, thoughtful ladies out there, I wont bring a side dish or dessert. What I will bring is my smile and martini shaker.
Cinnamon is my favorite seasoning. It goes with almost everything (well, I think so) and it's especially beneficial in creamy beverages. Who doesn't like a sprinkle on their soy cappuccino? Today, Beany will be making Cinn-Vanil Pumpkin tea. This might sound like a rip off of my Cinderella Shot, and it is, except this is going to be a a strong drink disguised as a health tonic. Brilliant, yes? This way Beany's mom cannot scold her for not taking care of a cold!
Brew a couple bags of vanilla tea in boiling water (any kind will do. Bigelow makes some, as does Republic of Tea). Add dashes of cinnamon to your taste, and use Pumpkin Spice Silk as a creamer. Then pour as much whiskey or brandy in your mug as you can take!
Drink to your health, and if you eat meat, thank the turkey for giving its life for your dinner. Or, rather, thank the farm worker for murdering the bird for you. Beany wont be eating a turkey, but her family will, so we need to purge our judgements now.
Drink Well, Thanks for Giving, no matter what it is or who you give it to.
Love Always,
Beany
Beany has her opinions, which she fiercely defends, sometimes even once shown to be wrong. Loyalty can be a burden. Sometimes we need to be slapped in the face with new information to see how dated our beliefs are.Tonight, we cannot deny how silly we were to malign the desserts from El Paso Taqueria. Once upon a time, Beany was quite sour on their sweets! They were a waste of caloric intake & money. That was almost a year ago, though. Now that the flan has been tasted again, it's obvious what we were missing!This flan is dense, topped with mint leaves and powdered sugar. The raspberry dollops complete the flavors, making it feel like a light, fruity postre.Love it, Live it, Eat it up,Sweet Dreams,Beanywww.elpasotaqueria.com
Nobody is perfect, least of all Tin Rijeka. Tin considers herself a good person, though. She might not recycle much, or help old people cross the street (ugh, they're just too slow!), but if you need a loyal friend, none will be found to stick by you, like expired honey, as much as her. Tin has been a vegetarian for many years, and goes on & off vegan. She prefers non-dairy desserts, and hasn't bought milk (nasty) or leather in at least 5 years! So why am I eating seafood lately! It's kinda fucked up, since I know it's wrong. Is it ok to beat your child "once in a while"? NO! Unless they deserve it, of course, but still! Basically, Tin feels like, and really is, a hypocrite. Will this acceptance of water-breathing friend murder last? Probably not, but for the time being, I will divulge the most amazing meals for my murderous loves out there:The Shrimp Salad at 5 Napkin Burger is SO good. I was coerced into trying it, and am thankful to my bully. All I should need to say: Lime Vinaigrette. Yeah, if that doesn't convince you of its yumminess, then it also has avocado and crispy tortilla strips! I was weird about shrimp for a while, even towards the end of my meat eating days, but this dish certainly broke me in, and I can't get enough! The Pan Roasted Sea Scallops at Brendan's rocked me today, and I haven't recovered from how amazing it was. 8 or so formerly alive scallops (they have eyes, you know) circled around a heap of fingerling potatoes, and a mix of broccoli and broccoli rabe with garlic and olive oil. Everything is seasoned with a harmonious blend of salt & pepper. It is a simple meal, made of basic ingredients, but Tin felt like she was on vacation in an exotic place, where nothing was ordinary. Well, now that you know what a horrible girl I am, judge as you may. But please tell your horrible friends and family members where to get some fantastic food!Love always & forever,Beany http://www.brendansbar.com/menus.htm
I have very poor impulse control, which becomes even looser when I'm intoxicated. Grocery shopping can put my checking account in the red, because I love expensive food as much as shoes. Earlier this week I went out with a lovely young man, in Brooklyn. I NEVER go to Brooklyn!- well, unless forced to for work or a really fun party. But I went for him. And I will probably go again. A good man is hard to find in this city, and so is a decent meal at 2am on a Tuesday.After 2 bottles of wine, and no dinner, I was famished, and needed something to soak up to ridiculous amount of alcohol I'd consumed. I have no idea where exactly I was, but the only open place for a snack was a brightly lit deli. I stumbled in and started scanning the shelves for something salty, sweet, spicy or at least yummy.I left with Double Stuft Oreos, Popped BBQ Potato Chips and a Raspberry Lemonade.Oreos are awesome because they have no dairy, and who doesn't love a good chip?Lately I've been thinking about cutting dairy out of my life again, and think Oreos are the right transition snack for me.Maybe I wouldn't have gotten them had I been sober, but sometimes being drunk helps you see your desires more clearly. Or maybe being drunk was the perfect excuse! Happy Eating,Love, Tin
Cinderella's Fairy Godmother knew the importance of quality pumpkin. Sure, magic could have turned the most measly of gourds into the carriage that brought Cinderella to the royal party. The pumpkin wasn't so special until a wand was waved in its direction. Nevertheless, she picked THAT pumpkin, and nobody can take that away. Even after it crashed to the ground at midnight, splattering seeds in all directions, it was still The Pumpkin Carriage to me.
Luckily, we don't need magic to make pumpkins memorable. We just need good liquor. An eggnog craving recently encouraged me to make a pumpkin milkshake. Rice milk, a couple scoops of pumpkin ice cream and a very healthy dose of brandy is all you need.
From that, I decided to put Silk pumpkin nog, ice and LOTS of brandy into a martini shaker, and voila'!: Cinderella Shots.
Feel free to substitute the brandy for cognac, whiskey, or scotch. I actually don't know the difference between bourbon, scotch and whiskey, so maybe all 3 together would be yummy, too.
However you do it, the Cinderella will make your night go way past the strike of 12. Just don't leave your slipper at Prince Charming's palace. It's in bad taste, unlike this delicious combination of spiced pumpkiny goodness and warming spirits.
Love Always,
Beany
