A Summer Splash!!

Short Notice but were heading to Splashdown tomorrow!! All are welcome!! We'll be in the SipSum Cocktailz V.I.P Area.....LOL! Everyone loves a good waterslide!!!! 
Kickin it at tha Peeeyark!!


Come on Join tha Cool Kidz!!!


splashdownpark.ca

Key Lime Cheesecake With Strawberry Butter Sauce

I can't think of two things I like better in the fruit department... Lime and Strawberries!!! MMM...Yum!

Key Lime Cheesecake With Strawberry Butter Sauce

Ingredients:

Servings:

  12  12

12

• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 (24 ounce) cream cheese
• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 6 eggs, separated
• 1 (8 ounce) sour cream
• 1 1/2 teaspoons grated lime rind
• 1/2 cup key lime juice
• 1/4 cup strawberries
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar, sifted
• 1 1/2 teaspoons grated lime rind
Change Measurements: US | Metric

Directions:

Prep Time: 30 mins

Total Time: 2 1/2 hrs

1. 1Combine first 3 ingredients in a small bowl, stirring well.
2. 2Firmly press mixture in bottom and 1 inch up the side of a buttered 9 inch springform pan.
3. 3Bake crust at 350°F for 8 minutes, let cool in pan on a wire rack.
4. 4Beat cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy; gradually add 1 1/4 cups sugar. Add Yolks one at a time, beating after each addition. Stir in sour cream, lime rind, and lime juice.
5. 5Beat egg whites at high speed until stiff peaks from; fold into cream cheese mixture. Pour batter into prepared crust.
6. 6Bake at 350°F for 1 hour and 5 minutes; turn off oven. Partially open door; let cheesecake cool in oven 15 minutes. Remove from oven, and immediately run a knife around edge of pan to release sides.
7. 7Cool completely in pan on a wire rack; cover and chill 8 hours.
8. 8Position knife blade in food processor bowl; add strawberries. Process until smooth, stopping once to scrape down sides. Stir in butter and remaining ingredients.
   I'll be trying this out for sure.... enjoy all and Happy Friday!!

Books that will work as a high paid advisor for your party

I have found several books that support my business in every way. Every party, event or celebration is different depending on ethnicity, style, preferences and so much more. I have found a couple titles that I would like to share and I have attached an Amazon link for your convenience.
http://www.amazon.com/Cocktail-Straight-Doeuvres-Delicious-Entertaining/dp/076455896X
http://www.amazon.com/Party-Girl-Cookbook-Nina-Lesowitz/dp/0785815643
http://www.amazon.com/150-Cocktail-Recipes-Great-ebook/dp/B001PTH4FY

Wine Tasting and Newest Venue

We enjoyed a lovely day with Simon from LuLu Island Winery. We have secured this location as an event venue. Were excited to work with LuLu Island Winery. They have a variety of delicious wines and the staff is fantastic.

We had a special connection with the winery the moment we walked in the door. Since Lulu Island is a Richmond winery which represents... Steve and they get their grapes strictly from the Okanagan only... represents me. Two beautiful things brought together to make an irresistible pair.

A must try is their raspberry wine. It has beautiful flavor and can not only be drank but drizzled on cheesecake as a coulis. MMMM!!

Cheers!!

Martini's Mystery History!!

Hello Gang,

For those of you who know me...I love my martini's and for those of you who don't I love martini's...lol!!

The true origin of the martini is draped in mystery! There are differing arguments as to who was the first to create the Martini. Many who claim or have been purported to have created the first Martini have varying recipes and names; none of which exactly fit the Martini recipe that exists today. While opinions differ, the modern day Dry Martini consists of Gin and a varying amount of dry white Vermouth (season to taste). An olive, a twist, or a cocktail onion are all acceptable as a garnish.

The most detailed historical claim begins with a cocktail named the Martinez which was created around 1862. This particular drink of the time called for 4 parts red, sweet Vermouth to 1 part Gin, garnished with a cherry. The first version included aromatic bitters and Old Tom Gin, which was very sweet and incorporated a strong Juniper flavor. The transformation into what is considered a modern Martini happened gradually. First the Old Tom Gin was replaced with London Dry. Orange Bitters took the place of the aromatic bitters. Afficianados began to replace the red Vermouth with a white, dry Vermouth. The proportions of the drink eventually became equal parts and soon the Dry Martini appeared, olive included.


Regardless of the true origin, the quest for the perfect Martini will no doubt continue. Martini bars continue to hit the scene -- and variations of the Martini abound. In the new millenium, it may seem that anything presented in a Martini glass is considered to be a Martini. While that may or may not be true, we advise that you enjoy the moment! If it tastes good, it'll taste even better in a martini glass!

I've added a couple of my favorite martini recipes

Gin Swirl
1.5 oz Gin
1 oz Melon Liquer
Sweetened Lime Juice

Fill a martini shaker with ice, add your ingredients and swirl with a martini spoon or a simple swirl of the shaker will do. Never shake gin as it will bruise the gin and alter the flavor. Waalaa a gin swirl.

Apple Smasher
1.5 oz Jack Daniels
1 oz Sour Apple
3oz Apple Juice

Fill a martini shaker with ice, add your ingredients and shake for approximately 30 seconds. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with an apple slice and a pinch of cinnamon.

Dedication to the Ladies...

Ode to J.U.G.S Nights...

A close girlfriend of mine a little over 10 years ago introduced me to JUGS...Just Us GirlS! I carried on this tradition in every sense of the meaning. I have had many girlfriends come and go, but those that are true friends will always be there. This includes petty fights and all the bullshit!!

Having girls that are by your side and support that what you may be going through is only a phase and we all change is golden. Far to often girls are worried or concerned about silly issues that end potentially great friendships if you don't stick together.

The First rule is to honour yourself!
By honouring yourself and treating yourself with respect, you set the stage up for others to treat you with respect.

Quote:

Woman must not accept; she must challenge.
She must not be awed by that which has been built up around her;
she must reverence that woman in her which struggles for expression.

~ Margaret Sanger ~

Stay Strong Ladies and for those of you that want to stand alone....so be it...thats exactly what will happen you will stand alone!!

Cheers to powerful favorites of mine:
Madonna "Tha queen of Pop" and the toughest business woman I know of.
Jenny McCarthy- Gorgeous, Funny, extremely smart and a strong beautiful Mom!!
Ellen Degeneres- Mrs. Generous!!!

Plank Grilling

I know I've already posted today but I have to share this with you all. It not only has amazing flavors but the presentation can be gorgeous if thought out properly. Check out allrecipes.com if you want to find out more. I found a six pack of grilling planks at Costco for $9.99 including Alder, Maple and of course my dearest favorite Cedar.

How to Plank Grill
In choosing a plank, pick only untreated cedar, alder, hickory, or maple. Here are a few other tips to ensure plank-grilling success:

Prepare the plank by soaking it at least one hour in a bucket or cooler filled with water. This adds moisture to the wood and prevents it from burning on the grill.
Add 1 tablespoon of salt or 1 cup of white wine, apple juice, citrus, or berry juice to the soaking water to accent wood aromas.
If a plank is being used for the first time, season it by placing it on a preheated grill for 2 minutes, turning once. Lightly toasting the plank on both sides will intensify its smoky flavor and prevent warping. When the plank starts crackling, it's ready for cooking.
Place marinated or ready-to-cook foods directly on the plank. Keep the grill's lid closed as much as possible to maintain temperatures and maximize smoking. Note: planked food does not have to be turned during grilling.
Keep a spray bottle filled with water handy so flames can be extinguished if the plank starts to burn.

King of the Plank
Salmon is the original partner for the plank. It's a pairing that dates back to the native people of the Pacific Northwest, who grilled salmon over open fires on planks of cedar and alder. Salmon's still the champion. Here are some top-rated planked salmon recipes.

Pairing salmon can be tricky depending on flavor of the plank. If your using an Alder I would suggest Cave Spring Riesling, it's drier and will enhance the wood flavor.

If the choice is Cedar I would choose a Pinot Noir. Pinot’s are a lighter red that will not overpower the food. They also do not usually have a large amount of tannins. In short, they proved to be an excellent match for Salmon. To match a Pinot with Grilled Salmon, it seems to make some sense to look to the Pacific Northwest.

HAPPY GRILLING FRIENDS!!

Cocktailz and Partiez that make the name!!!

As an event planner/bartender, cocktail parties are our favorite get-togethers to host. They're easy to plan and glamorous yet relatively inexpensive—you can serve high-priced items and still have some money left over because you'll only be serving small bites. Plus, since you'll be making several different types of hors d'oeuvres, there's plenty of room to experiment in the kitchen.
When planning your party, it helps to choose a theme. This doesn't mean all your guests have to show up dressed like pirates or their favorite movie stars—a theme can be discreet, such as a flavor or color that is present throughout the entire evening. A creative theme can make your party feel special without adding to your budget, and it will help you come up with ideas for food, drinks, and decorations.
The key to any great party is for the host to have as much fun as the guests. These tips and suggestions will make the experience easy and stress-free: I

Menu Tips
Go Seasonal
Before you plan a single hors d'oeuvre, think about what foods are in season. If it's summer and farmers' markets are filled with corn and tomatoes, chances are that's what your guests will be craving. Plus, seasonal ingredients are nearly always the freshest, best-tasting options, so the effort you put into cooking will pay off.

Experiment Risk-Free
Cocktail parties are a great opportunity to try new or unusual recipes without the risk there would be with a dinner party for which you're only making a few dishes. Try something new, then fill out the rest of your menu with recipes you've made in the past and no-cook items such as olives and nuts. That way, if one item isn't a huge success, there are lots of backups.

Mix It Up
An exciting menu doesn't mean that each recipe has to be difficult or time-consuming. Your menu can consist of five simple hors d'oeuvres—as long as each recipe has a different flavor, temperature, or texture, your guests won't be bored. Search a variety of recipe databases for quick, easy hors d'oeuvres.

Downsize Old Favorites
Almost any dish can be made over into cocktail party fare. For example, serve your favorite soup in shot glasses or bake your famous mac and cheese in small ramekins.

Remember Vegetarians
Make sure that 20 to 30 percent of your menu is meatless. This is crucial for any vegetarians in the crowd but it also adds variety for the rest of the guests.

Buy Backups
To ensure that you have enough food, stock up on "fillers" such as nuts, olives, breadsticks, and dips. These will save you if folks are really hungry, if unexpected guests pop in, or if one of your labored-over hors d'oeuvres doesn't come out as planned. You can also set up a cheese tray with honey, spiced jams, and crackers or bread. Or, serve popcorn topped with Parmesan cheese or drizzled with flavored oil such as truffle oil.

Prep in Advance
Make sure that 75 percent of your menu can be prepared in advance. That means no heating, constructing, or garnishing—just serving. To cut down on last-minute scrambling, include several canapés in your menu. These mini open-faced sandwiches can usually be prepared fully in advance and served at room temperature.

Signature Cocktail Bar
Our favorite way to serve drinks at a party is to offer a few signature cocktails, plus wine, beer, and nonalcoholic beverages. This is by far the easiest approach to cocktails and can cut down on liquor costs. You can mix the drinks in pitchers ahead of time, then once guests arrive, add ice and serve.
It's best to provide guests with at least two cocktail choices, preferably made with different alcohols—one with vodka and one with white rum, for example. If you're feeling ambitious, add a dessert cocktail toward the end of the night.

When selecting signature drinks, think about the season and theme of your party. At an alfresco summer party, guests will love refreshing Mojitos or Margaritas. In colder weather, they'll cozy up to Mulled Red Wine or Spiced Cider.


Don't forget to check out these websites for some ideas:

www.allrecipes.com
www.celebrations.com
www.foodnetwork.com
www.thatsthespirit.com

HOT HOT HEAT!

Even Though these days are beautifully hot and makes for wonderful days out.....remember to keep your core temperature down and take care of your body. It's easy to skip meals and dehydrate the body with excessive alcohol consumption. After all there is nothing that compares to an ice cold beer on a hot summer day...especially after a bike ride or any sports function.

Hydration is especially important during hot weather

Summertime usually means an increase in outdoor activities, whether they be work or pleasure. It also can lead to increases in heat stroke or other potentially serious hazards.

Under normal conditions, the body's natural control mechanisms - skin, vascular system and perspiration - adjust to the heat. But those systems could fail if exposed to high temperatures for prolonged periods.

The Mayo Clinic provides the following safety tips to help keep the body cool while in the summer sun:

Limit exercise or strenuous physical activity to the coolest part of the day - usually early morning or late evening.
Wear loosefitting clothing that's both lightweight and light in color. Choose clothing that draws perspiration away from the skin, such as cotton T-shirts or shorts. Newer perspiration-wicking fabrics also are effective.

Drink plenty of water, and don't wait until you are thirsty to take a drink. A humans' thirst mechanism kicks in only after it is significantly depleted of fluids. If exercising heavily in hot weather, aim for two to four glasses of water - or 16 to 32 ounces - every hour.

Limit liquids that contain alcohol, caffeine or lots of sugar - these actually cause you to lose more fluid. Also, know that a drink that's too cold might cause stomach cramps.

Don't overdo it. Start slowly and increase your pace gradually. In weather that's extremely hot and humid, don't exercise at too high a level. What is normal on a cool day might be dangerous on a hot day.
Wear sunscreen. It's harder for the body to keep sunburned skin cool. Consider wearing a wide-brimmed hat to keep the sun off the face and head. Sunscreen helps protect the skin from sunburn and keeps a person cooler too.

Know the signs of heat-related illnesses, such as heat stroke, heat exhaustion and heat cramps.

Stay Healthy and Happy Friends

With that being said there is nothing wrong with treating yourself with moderate pleasures.....I thought I'd share my favorite libation

Cori's Hard Lemonade

Ingredients

5 cubes ice
2 fluid ounces lime or lemon infused vodka
2 fluid ounces prepared lemonade
4 fluid ounces lemon-lime flavored carbonated beverage
1 lemon and 1 lime wedge
Directions

Place the ice into a tall glass. Pour in the vodka, lemonade, and lemon-lime beverage. Garnish with a lemon wedge to serve.

To Add flavor and presence use one of SipSum Cocktailz Sugar Free Sweet Lipz Rimmerz....Suggested "Certainly Citrus"

Happy Saturday!!!!