Champion Margarita

Here's another summer recipe. This is from my sister - it didn't make it into the cookbook we put together in 2005, so if you own a copy, here's a bonus. You can find more recipes from us at http://cookingtotaste.ning.com/


A good Californian bartender had better be able to make a great margarita. This recipe would always win over the connoisseurs.


Servings: 1 large glass
Prep Time: 30 seconds because you’re a bartender and you have 100 other drinks to make.

1 ½ shots Tequila
1 ½ shots Triple sec
3 shots Sweet and sour mix
½ shot Lime juice
kosher or sea salt
fresh lime

Dip the rim of a large glass in a puddle of sweet and sour mix, then dip onto a plate of the salt for an even coat along the edge.

On the rocks (recommended): Fill with ice then add the tequila and triple sec, the sweet and sour mix, and the fresh lime juice. Stir briefly.

Blended: Blend liquid ingredients with about a glassful of ice. Pour into salted glass.

Garnish with a wheel of fresh lime. Be prepared to make more.

Roasted Pear Lavender Mashed Potatoes

Summer is winding down, and as you get older summers seem to get shorter. The holidays are going to be here before you know it, so I'm starting a little early on a holiday side dish recipe. This is my take on the traditional mashed potatoes. This one came to me in the middle of the produce department at a Safeway. Again, experimenting with seemingly unrelated foods turned out to be a subtle, aromatic dish that pairs well with poultry and fish. Lavender is very aromatic, so add a little bit to the recipe first to see how lavender-y you want your potatoes!

WARNING: This is an extremely frou-frou side dish. Men, if you are not completely comfortable with your sexuality, it is advised that you: 1. drink beer while preparing dish, 2. watch football and/or Telemundo prior to preparing dish, 3. get into a fist fight immediately after preparing dish.

Servings: 6-8
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes

You'll need:
- 4 white rose potatoes
- 4 red potatoes
- 2 ripe Bartlett pears
- Culinary lavender
- ¼ stick butter
- ¾ coffee mug of milk
- Honey

Cut the potatoes into quarters, leaving the skin on. Boil potatoes for approx. 15 minutes or until soft. While potatoes boil, slice the pears lengthwise. Place pear slices onto a greased cookie sheet and bake in the oven at 350 degrees for no more than 10 minutes. Check regularly until soft. Remove from oven and chop pears. It’s best to crush the lavender by rubbing it between your hands a few times, it crumbles easily.

In a mixing bowl combine boiled potatoes chopped pears, butter, milk and lavender. Pour in honey to taste, I use the 3 second squeeze rule (as much honey that I can squeeze out of the bottle in 3 seconds). Use a hand blender to puree and enjoy the fact that your kitchen now smells like Bath & Body Works®.

Some love this recipe, others find it too unorthodox. Let me know how it turns out for you.