Holiday Cocktail Recipes from Bartender Khalid Williams Features Recipe Cocktails Holiday Recipe Khalid Williams November 22, 2023 Two people walk into my bar. They both want to make amazing drinks for that holiday dinner. One of them is a bartender that studies the craft on a regular basis. The other person doesn’t know much besides a few drinks they they enjoy and have never made drinks themselves. Does one deserve to have a better time than the other simply because they do this all the time? I say no. We all deserve to have a good time and enjoy our adult beverages or mocktails. IF YOU HAVE SKILLS WITH CRAFT COCKTAILS: Read the room, and read beyond the room. Holiday gatherings aren’t the time for us to prove why it was smart for us to drop out of college by pulling out the molecular mixology kits or playing with dry ice. The holiday gathering is about a laid back good time, or at least pretending that cooking for 17 hours is a relaxing activity. In any case, the beverage should contain flavors that anyone can understand, pronounce and enjoy without much research . Use familiar spirits -bourbon and rum are seasonally fun. Vodka is a safe bet. Gin seems adventurous and may get a side eye, but in a sour style fruity cocktail, your guests WILL enjoy it. Sell them on the yummy ingredients. Just One Thing-One ingredient can make multiple spirits shine and turn your 3-4 bottles into a complete menu. Read More
Stewed Clams with Fregola Recipe from Chef Emily Mingrone of Tavern on State Features Recipe Recipe Seafood Holiday CTbites Team December 22, 2021 We continue our holiday recipe tour with Chef Emily Mingrone of Tavern On State. She shares a Christmas holiday classic that is near and dear to her, but truly can be made any time of the year littlenecks are available. Enjoy Chef Mingrone’s recipe for Stewed Clams with Fregola. If you make this at home, send us a photo! Read More
VOV Italian Egg Liqueur Recipe from Chef Silvia Baldini Recipe Features Recipe Cocktails Holiday CTbites Team December 22, 2021 The italian version of eggnog liqueur is known as VOV, from the Venetian-dialect vovi, meaning “eggs”. This energy and boozy bomb will heat you up and invigorate you. VOV was invented in 1845 by Gian Battista Pezziol, a confectioner of Padua specialized in the production of nougat, which required just the egg whites. Pezziol decided to use the remaining egg yolks with marsala wine, alcohol and sugar, to make a kind of zabajone liqueur and energy drink tonic. Drinks made with eggs have long been considered rejuvenating: many ancient recipes speak of their special power to ‘wake up’ love, revive the sick, and generally boost energy. Ideally you should sip it on the rocks, by a fireplace, after a day on the slopes. But it’s great anytime at room temperature, as a garnish for ice cream, or for dipping dry biscuits whenever you need a pick me up. You can take your VOV to the next level and transform it in to a "Bombardino" the original Après-Ski cocktail of the any Italian mountains holiday. Just add a splash of brandy, a dollop of whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon or cocoa powder. Read More
Gingerbread & EGGNOG Tres Leches Recipe from Chef Carlos Perez Features Recipe Recipe Holiday Dessert CTbites Team December 21, 2021 Given the current state of the world, many of us may be spending some quality time in the kitchen this holiday season. In the next few days CTbites will be providing some inspiration for the home cook. Our first holiday recipe comes from Chef Carlos Perez of @The Corner and ATC South Street in Litchfield. Enjoy this recipe for Gingerbread & EGGNOG Tres Leches. Send us a photo of your finished recipe and we will feature on CTbites. Read More
Brown Sugar Apple Pie Recipe from Judy’s Bar & Kitchen in Stamford Recipe Features Recipe Dessert Holiday Thanksgiving CTbites Team November 22, 2019 Chef Judy Roll of Judy’s Bar & Kitchen knows her way around a pie, and if you visit her spot in Stamford, you’ll know why she was asked for this recipe. Quite frankly, we selfishly wanted it for our own recipe rolodexes, but we thought we’d share. Aren’t we nice? Enjoy Judy Roll’s recipe for Brown Sugar Apple Pie. Read More
Sweet Potato Pie Recipe from Latin Chef/ Author Leticia Schwartz Recipe Features Recipe Thanksgiving Holiday Pie Dessert Leticia Schwartz November 21, 2019 Ok, I’m all about healthy cooking. The proof is in the book, Latin Superfoods. But this time of year is a little special! Let’s dig right into this Sweet Potato Pie, adapted from Gourmet Magazine. Go ahead and celebrate the old-fashioned way with family and friends. Growing up in Brazil, such a tart was not in the habits, and in fact it took some time for me to get the liking of it. But after 20 years of living here, let me tell you, I’m hooked! And Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays since it’s all about food, friends and family! Read More
Candied Kabocha Squash Recipe: Chef Emily Mingrone of Tavern on State Features Recipe Recipe Holiday Thanksgiving Cooking Entertaining CTbites Team November 09, 2019 For the next two weeks CTbites will be featuring a series of Thanksgiving recipes from local CT chefs. Some of these recipes will be family favorites, or dishes the chefs cook in their own homes. Others will grace the holiday menus found at your local restaurant. One thing is certain. They will all be delicious and worthy of a seat at YOUR table. Our second in this series comes from Chef Emily Mingrone of Tavern On State. Enjoy her recipe for Candied Kabocha Squash. Read More
Polenta Holiday Cookies Recipe from Chef Silvia Baldini Features Recipe Recipe Dessert Holiday Cookies Entertaining Silvia Baldini November 05, 2019 Crispy, crunchy, polenta cookies. The recipe was kindly gifted to me by my MIL Elisabetta. They have become a welcome tradition in my family. We make them a couple of weeks ahead of the holidays and keep them fresh in metal tin, lined with parchment paper. The mix of polenta and potatoes starch gives them a melt in your mouth texture. I like to dust them with a light coating of powder sugar and I enjoy them as treat with tea or when my sweet tooth requires a fixing. Read More
Halloween Treats! Part 1 - Chocolate Snake Pit Pots de Creme Recipe Recipe Recipe Halloween Holiday Marcia Selden Catering October 17, 2019 Halloween is around the corner, and in honor of this ghoulish holiday, Marcia Selden Caterers have created the perfect recipe for your Halloween party. Kids and adults will love this recipe for Chocolate Snake Pit Pots de Creme. Read More
Yom Kippur Savory Mushroom Cheese Kugel Recipe Features Recipe Holiday Recipe Noodles Liz Rueven October 02, 2019 Yom Kippur*, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, is a day of fasting and praying. When the longest day of the year ends (at least for those who haven’t eaten for 25 hours) family and friends gather around a casual buffet that often includes a sweet noodle kugel. Sure, there are bagels and cheeses, cucumber salads and fresh fruit. But it’s the kugel everyone goes for first. Read More
Traditional Jewish Chicken Soup Recipe Via Kosher Like Me Blog Recipe Recipe Holiday Liz Rueven September 19, 2019 Sure, on Jewish holidays, we love to eat symbolic foods* like apples dipped in honey and moist round challah on Rosh HaShanah, the Jewish New Year. But somehow, most families I know begin the feast with glistening chicken soup. Symbolic? Maybe only in the sense that it is an undisputed classic that signal the beginning of a family gathering. Traditional Eastern European chicken soup is very basic, with a plump 3.5-4 pound chicken (or chicken parts), one quartered onion, sliced carrots, celery, parsnips, and fresh dill and salt, at the heart of the aromatic, slow simmered broth.Consider this a foundational recipe, ripe for playing with, if you’d like to add some personal touches. Read More
Mrs. Leonard’s Naked Ham with Maple Pecan Bacon Glaze Recipe Features Recipe Recipe Holiday Stephanie Webster March 27, 2018 Stew Leonard’s Naked ham is sourced from local farms in Pennsylvania and is antibiotic and hormone free. Mrs. Leonard loves to serve her Easter ham with a sweet glaze that includes maple syrup and brown sugar, making this dish a delightful combination of sweet and salty. She has shared her recipe below, but don't feel like you need to save this dish for Easter. Ham is great any day! Read More
CT Bartenders Share their Margarita Recipes for National Margarita Day! Recipe Features Cocktails Holiday Bar Recipe Homepage Stephanie Webster February 22, 2018 Oh yes it is! My favorite day of the year, National Margarita Day, has arrived. Those who know me, know that when I sidle up to the bar, those working on the other side need not even ask for my order. It's always the same...and it's always a Margarita. Truly, it's the perfect cocktail, and just right for every season. Plus, tequila has been proven to actually have health benefits. Lime, tequila's most trusty companion, is bursting with Vitamin C which we all know helps us recover from illness. Anejo tequila, made from 100% agave, is known to help reduce bacteria and relieve sore throats, and agave helps to fight diabetes. There are so many reasons to embrace and celebrate the Margarita. Do it right with these recipes from local bartenders including: El Segundo, Mézon, Geronimo Restaurant & Tequila Bar, Barcelona, Bartaco, Marcia Selden Catering and Festivities. Read More
Gingerbread Recipes for Gingerbread Houses & Cookies via Sweet Lisa's Recipe Features Holiday Recipe Kid Friendly kids activity Kids Bakery Dessert Stephanie Webster December 22, 2017 'Tis the season, but when you get tired of shopping, take a break with your family, and enjoy some leisurely holiday baking. Sweet Lisa’s Exquisite Cakes has mastered the art of gingerbread (as you can see above), and they have been kind enough to share their recipes for Gingerbread Cookie Dough as well as a special (slightly more structurally sound) Gingerbread for Houses. It's a fine line when it comes to gingerbread.If you decide to embark on a house of your own, please share it with CTbites and send us a photo. Read More
Holiday Bar Cart Tips + Poinsettia Spritz Cocktail Recipe (sponsored post) Recipe Holiday Cocktails Recipe Catering Entertaining CTbites Team December 18, 2017 The Holidays are here...time to entertain. A well-stocked bar cart is an essential ingredient in any successful holiday gathering. Here's some tips from Festivities Catering to ensure that your holiday entertaining is festive, fun and filled with style. Holiday Cocktail Cart Tips:1. Create a "signature" drink that can be made in batches. Have some pre-made in pitchers that can easily be poured into glasses as guests arrive. We suggest a Poinsettia Spritz Cocktail. Poinsettia Spritz Cocktail Recipe: 3/4 cup vodka, 1 1/2 cups cranberry juice, 2 ounces St. Germain, 3/4 cup prosecco, cranberries & rosemary for garnish. Serves 6. Read More
Celebrate Chanukah w/ Spinach Feta Latkes c/o Kosher Like Me Blog Recipe Recipe Holiday Homepage Liz Rueven December 12, 2017 Many students can tell you the connection between the miracle of oil in the Chanukah story and why we indulge in deep fried latkes (potato pancakes). Here, Westport blogger, Liz Rueven, focused on a lesser known story as she created these Greek inspired spinach and feta latkes with a savory creamy topping. (Read her complete blog post here) Read More
Sweet Maple Mustard Roast Pork Tenderloin Recipe via Local Food Rocks Features Recipe Recipe Holiday Bloggers Thanksgiving CTbites Team November 15, 2017 This tangy yet sweet maple mustard roast pork tenderloin recipe brings together seasonal flavors in an easy-to-make-meal, perfect for a Sunday family dinner (or holiday entrée).This Sunday pork roast idea came about thanks to Avon Prime Meats in Avon, CT. This local market packs a lot into it's 4,500 square feet. Front and center is their meat counter. They sell only Prime (highest grade of beef) or Premium Choice meats.Many of the meats they carry are traceable to the farm of origin. They also work with local farms offering local, grass fed and all natural meats as well. Sepe Farms, Blue Slope Farms, and Cream Hill Farm are among their local farm partners. Read More
Easter Cooking: Wild Alaskan Halibut A La Cataplana Recipe c/o Chef Renato Donzelli of Basso Cafe Recipe Features Recipe Seafood Chef Talk Holiday healthy Stephanie Webster April 06, 2017 Cataplana is a Portuguese seafood dish originating in the southern region of Portugal in Algarve, and it is about as traditional a Portuguese dish as you can get. It uses a copper cooking device also called a Cataplana which unique to the Algarve region. If you don’t have this vessel you simply can use a pan with a lid.This dish we are going to make is a variation using a fresh fish like Halibut, littleneck clams, and Spanish chorizo. Cataplana is perfect for making this dish because it efficiently contains the flavor and heat of the contents in the dish to provide a uniquely flavored and scented dish, simply without any fuss. Read More
Dress Up Your Party with Garelick & Herbs Holiday Platters (sponsored post) Ingredients Recipe Gift Guide Holiday CTbites Team December 15, 2016 This holiday gift alert just in from Garelick & Herbs. Looking for a delicious present that will be joyously received? Check out one of Garelick & Herbs gift platters...or design your own. Take the guess work out of your next hostess gift. These beautifully curated custom gifts are perfect for any occasion. Stopping by your friend's for brunch? We have fabulous holiday housewarming gifts. Corporate Clients need a holiday gift? Send over one of our sweet-tastic dessert boxes or a signature Office Munchie Snack Basket. We can even send over a surprise lunch to your favorite client. Also, don’t forget your manicurist and hair stylist! Nothing warms the heart and soul more than something delicious from Garelick & Herbs. Having an impromptu celebration? Going away for the weekend? Your hosts will love our snacktastic gifts–customize salty, sweet, crunchy and colorful. We have everything you need served up on a platter. Read More
Stew Leonard's Christmas Cookie Milk Available For Limited Time! Ingredients Recipe Holiday Kid Friendly Stephanie Webster December 14, 2016 Check the shelves at your local Stew Leonard's TODAY because their first ever Christmas Cookie Millk will be available for a limited time this holiday season. Stew Leonard's Christmas Cookie Milk a sweet, creamy milk that has the same flavor as a sugar cookie that's been dunked in milk. It comes straight from their dairy farms in upstate NY and is free from artificial growth hormones (rBST) and antibiotics. This milk goes from the farm to each of our stores in as little as 24 hours, and is sold in a ½ gallon glass for $4.99. Stew Leonard's Christmas Cookie Milk is going to go fast. Go grab some now. Read More
