Mixed berry crisp recipe from Driscoll's

Are you looking for a festive summer dessert that is a little different from the norm? Driscoll's
shared with us a heavenly mixed berry crisp that will brighten up your dessert table and perk up your tastebuds this hot summer season.




MIXED BERRY CRISP
Prep time 15 minutes * Bake time 40 minutes * Makes 6 servings
Filling

• (1) 16 ounce package Driscoll's strawberries 
• (1) 6 ounce package Driscoll's blueberries 
• (1) 6 ounce package Driscoll's raspberries 
• (1) 6 ounce package Driscoll's blackberries 
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar 
• 2 tablespoons all purpose flour 
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 

Topping 

• 1 cup quick cooking or regular oats (NOT instant) 
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar 
• 1/3 cup all purpose flour 
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 
• 5 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces 

Directions 
1. Preheat oven to 375ºF. Lightly butter an 8 x 8 inch or 2 quart glass or ceramic baking dish.
2. Hull and halve or quarter the strawberries.
3. Combine strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries in a large bowl, with 2 tablespoons sugar, 2 tablespoons flour and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon. Transfer to prepared pan.
4. Mix oats and remaining sugar, flour, salt and cinnamon in a large bowl. Add butter and work into dry ingredients with a wooden spoon or pastry cutter until mixture is crumbly.
5. Sprinkle oat mixture evenly over berries.
6. Bake until berries are bubbly and topping is lightly browned and crisp, 35 to 45 minutes. Serve warm or room temperature with vanilla yogurt, ice cream or whipped cream

For more inspiring recipes using Driscoll's fresh berries, please visit Driscoll's website. Recipe and photo used with permission.

Celebrate National Daiquiri Day with daiquiri tidbits and trivia

While the daiquiri doesn’t always come to mind when thinking of classic cocktails, it has an interesting history and was the favored drink for many during the mid-century. While Hemingway might be the most famously associated with the cocktail, President JFK was another fan – he drank the cocktail on his sailboat, the Honey Fitz.

Based on the original recipe developed in 1898, The Original BACARDÍ® Daiquiri is made with 3 simple ingredients: BACARDÍ Superior, Simple Syrup (or Sugar), and Lime Juice. In addition to the classic recipe, the versatility of the daiquiri's flavor components lends itself to experimentation. Whether you enjoy it shaken, frozen, or in a #DaiquiriTimeOut shot (a beloved bartender tradition), there is a daiquiri for everyone.

The Original BACARDÍ® Daiquiri 
Ingredients

• 3 parts BACARDÍ Superior 
• 1 part freshly squeezed lime 
• 1 part simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water boiled until sugar has been diluted)

Method
Put all ingredients into a shaker. Fill with half cubed ice and half crushed ice. Shake vigorously until chilled. Double strain into a coupe or rocks glass.

To download the full size version of this infograph, please click on the above image

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The Craft Critique: Eel River Brewing Company's Porter

While out shopping at my local Kroger store a few days ago, I decided to peruse the beer section and see if there was anything new and interesting in the single bottles. After being confronted with what felt like row upon row of IPA's during my last trip, I was pleasantly surprised to see a wider variety of brews this time.

I have always been partial to stouts and porters, so when I saw Eel River Brewing Company's Porter on the shelf, I snatched up two bottles. One for me, one for my partner in beer crime. I am not a huge follower of the trend towards an all organic diet, but being able to put two bottles of organic beer into my mixed 6 pack did seem like a bit of steal to me.

Eel River offers this description of their Porter:

"This certified organic Porter uses a complex blend of five malts that compliment and highlight one another in a harmonious mixture. While decidedly in the robust porter category, Eel River Brewing Company's Porter has none of the harsh characteristics often associated with dark ales. Instead, you find a rich, smooth beer with suggestions of chocolate and just a hint of coffee. So smooth and malty, this porter will convert even the non-dark-beer drinker."

While not the most descriptive summary of a beer I have ever read, it is fairly accurate. Here is my review of this beer.

Appearance
This beer pours a dark brown hue with ruby highlights, reminding me of my favorite cola. It was topped off with a slight tan head that quickly fades to a thin ring around the perimeter of the glass. There was very little lacing as I enjoyed my beer.

Smell
The first whiff of my freshly poured porter instantly reminded me of red wine-very cabernet-ish. I could smell dark fruits and a slight musky presence. Upon letting the beer warm a bit, the wine smell dissipated and the aroma became more of what is expected from a porter-dark roasted malt, chocolate, coffee and a faint whiff of vanilla.

Taste
I was instantly put off by the initial taste of Eel River's Porter. It reminded me of black olives, kind of a dark fruit flavor and earthiness with an almost imperceptible touch of brine. Once the beer was allowed to warm, the flavor shifted into something very different. It presents with an obvious dark chocolate flavor with a malty sweetness and a touch of coffee. There is a slight acidic taste on the back of the tongue after drinking this beer.

Mouthfeel
This beer has a nice, medium body as it flows across the palate. It is neither thin and watery nor heavy and syrupy. The carbonation matches the heft of this beer perfectly. It finishes with a bit of a dry, crisp feel.

Overall Impression
My initial impression of this beer was not a good one. Taken straight from the refrigerator, neither the smell nor the taste appealed to me. However, letting the beer warm to the proper temperature for serving porters was a crucial step for my enjoyment. Nothing stood out to me as exceptional about this beer, but I do have to say it is a decent representation of what a porter should be. I would recommend it to anyone who has shied away from darker beers for fear of them being too strong or bitter but is still curious to try them. Food pairings for this brew would include barbecue, ribs, blackened fish or chicken, chocolate-peanut butter desserts, desserts featuring toasted coconut or with a high quality vanilla ice cream in a beer float.

Eel River's Porter is certified organic and has won a number of awards, including Gold Medals at the 2010 Australian International Beer Awards, 2009 Los Angeles International Beer Competition and 2006 California State Fair Commercial Craft Brewers Competition.For more information about Eel River Brewing and their beers, please visit their website, Facebook and Twitter.

Aimee Plesa

Peanut butter mocha cream soda recipe from Folgers

This amazing recipe comes from Folgers and features the always popular flavor combo of peanut butter and chocolate. YUMMY!

PEANUT BUTTER MOCHA CREAM SODA
Ingredients 

• 1 1/4 teaspoons Folgers Classic Roast® Instant Coffee Crystals 
• 1/3 cup cold lowfat milk 
• 1/3 cup Jif® Whips Whipped Peanut Butter & Chocolate Flavored Spread 
• 2 scoops frozen chocolate yogurt (1 cup) 
• Cream soda, chilled 
• Whipped cream 
• Cocoa powder, for garnish 

Directions
CHILL a tall 16-ounce glass in freezer.
USING a small whisk or fork whip instant coffee crystals and milk in tall glass until crystals are dissolved. Blend in peanut butter and chocolate flavored spread. Add scoops of frozen yogurt.
FILL to within 1-inch of glass rim with cream soda. Stir. Top with whipped cream. Garnish with dusting of cocoa powder. Serve with straw and long-handled spoon.

Aimee Plesa

Summer sizzles with this mango habanero margarita recipe from Tommy Bahama

If you're looking for something spicy to shake up your summertime cocktail routine, this recipe from Tommy Bahama is sure to win you over. It features a tantalizing blend of mango and habanero and delivers the sizzle. This margarita is also a great way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo!

Mango Habanero Margarita 

• 1 ¾ parts Milagro Silver tequila 
• ¾ parts Orange Curacao 
• 1 part mango puree – Perfect Puree 
• 1 part scratch sour mix 
• 2 slices fresh habanero 
• 4 drops Bitterman's Hellfire Habanero Shrub - available at Tommy Bahama 

Glassware: Double Rocks or Similar
Ice: Cubes Garnish: Habanero Slices & Salted Rim
Instructions: Pour all ingredients into a mixing glass, add ice and shake with a Boston shaker to blend. Pour into salt rimmed glass and top with 2 slices of habanero.

Aimee Plesa