Cooking Method: Mixing

Bunny Mary

The Bunny Mary is a playful twist on the classic Bloody Mary, featuring carrot juice as the key ingredient. It's a savory and refreshing brunch cocktail, perfect for Easter celebrations or any time you're looking for something a little different. Like the Bloody Mary, there are many variations on this cocktail. You can tweak it to your own taste.

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New Orleans Coleslaw

New Orleans coleslaw is a unique and flavorful take on classic slaw. It's characterized by its creamy, sweet, dressing, and toasted pecans, which give it a signature flavor and crunch. There are so many versions of this slaw, this one has mayo, buttermilk, maple syrup, and vinegar, which coats the shredded vegetables.

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The Diamond Dog Cocktail

David Bowie was

David Bowie is the artist that has been a huge influence in my life. He taught me a lot of things, mainly to be myself. It never occurred to me to imagine life with a finite body of his work.

I have been a major David Bowie fan since the '70s. I even had the opportunity to meet him when I worked at WNET in New York. My friend Melissa actually picked up his cigarette butt (Marlboro, which is probably why he got cancer).

He also wrote me a thank you note for writing him a letter that I gave to a stage hand to deliver while he was doing The Elephant Man in New York.

There was also an infamous night my friend Jessica at the Café Luxembourg.  It was a Sunday night in the '80s.  We were at the bar about ready to leave when I told her to ORDER MORE DRINKS!!!  She said she was tired.  I told her that David Bowie just walked in and WERE NOT LEAVING UNTIL HE DID! We stayed for another couple of hours breathing in the same air that he was breathing!  Yeah, I know it's ridiculous.  We did not bother him.  We were way too cool for that!

I used to be able to do a pretty amazing imitation of David Bowie dancing on stage - ditto Boy George and John Cougar Mellancamp.  Maybe if I had a few of these cocktails, I could do it again!  Oh, and by the way, this cocktail was created at the George V Hotel in Paris, France.

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Fried Pickle Dip

Because my family is into anything to do with pickles... I made this Fried Pickle Dip, which is a creamy, tangy, and savory dip made with dill pickles, cream cheese, sour cream, and ranch seasoning. It is a popular appetizer or snack, and is often served with potato chips, pretzels, or vegetables.

By Leslie Blythe

Apple Cheddar Salad with Chicken, Bacon, Walnuts and Balsamic Vinaigrette

Apple Cheddar Salad with Chicken, Bacon, Walnuts, and Balsamic Vinaigrette is a delicious and hearty salad that is perfect for a fall meal. It is made with a variety of flavors and textures, including sweet apples, sharp cheddar cheese, savory chicken and bacon, and crunchy walnuts. The balsamic vinaigrette dressing ties all of the flavors together perfectly.

By Leslie Blythe

No-Churn Margarita Ice Cream

No-churn margarita ice cream is a delicious and easy to make dessert. It is made with just a few simple ingredients, including heavy cream, lime juice, tequila, triple sec, and powdered sugar. The cream is whipped until thick and then the other ingredients are added and mixed until combined. The ice cream is then frozen overnight and is ready to enjoy the next day.

The alcohol in the tequila and triple sec prevents the ice cream from freezing too hard, so it has a smooth and creamy texture. The ice cream can be served plain or garnished with lime zest or margarita salt.

By Leslie Blythe

Broccoli Apricot Chicken Salad with Lemony Greek Yogurt Dressing

It's too hot to cook! Broccoli Apricot Chicken Salad with Lemony Greek Yogurt Dressing is a delicious and healthy salad that is perfect for a summer picnic or potluck. The salad is made with broccoli florets, cooked chicken, apricots, green onion, and almonds, and is tossed in a creamy lemony Greek yogurt dressing.

By Leslie Blythe

Dubonnet and Gin Cocktail

As we contemplate a life without our late, great  QE II in it, let’s pay homage to her favorite drink which is a cocktail made with gin and Dubonnet. It had been her mother’s before her. Given the age that both these ladies attained, this bears looking into.
 
All this and more is contained in the book “To the Queen; A Royal Drinkology” by Thomas J.M. Mace Archer DeLacroix Mills, which is exactly as described; a book all about the Queen’s drinking habits, along with those of other members of her family. Elizabeth II always has one of her favorite Dubonnet and Gins before lunch. It is in her blood—her mother, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, once noted as she was about to embark on a trip, "...I think that I will take two small bottles of Dubonnet and gin with me this morning, in case it is needed..." To quote from the book:
 
…in a well-known exchange over lunch between Queen Elizabeth II and her mother, the late Queen Mother, Elizabeth II stated, “I wonder if I might have a second glass of wine?” to which her mother replied with a smile, “Is that wise? You know you have to reign all afternoon.”
 
The Dubonnet cocktail is really quite good. Dubonnet is a sweet, wine-based aperitif, blended with fortified wine, herbs, and spices (including a small amount of Quinine) and pairs well with the medicinal austerity of gin. As an aside, Dubonnet was first sold in 1846 by Joseph Dubonnet, in response to a competition run by the government of France to find a way of persuading members of the French Foreign Legion in North Africa to drink Quinine, which combats Malaria but is very bitter. This has a familiar ring to it, to anyone familiar with the history of that oh, so British drink the Gin and Tonic.
 
The brand name Dubonnet was taken over by Pernod Ricard in 1976. You may remember in late 1970s an advertising campaign starring Pia Zadora. Or maybe not. Dubonnet is available in Rouge, Blanc and Gold (Vanilla and orange) varieties. No longer distributed by the Pernod Ricard Group, Dubonnet can be difficult to find in the  US. Lillet Rouge is a suitable substitute.
 
The royal warrant for Gordon’s gin is a very real thing (although remember that in England it comes in the green bottles we associate with Tanqueray) and it is perfectly suited to this drink.

By Leslie Blythe

Lentil Chickpea Salad with Maple Tahini Dressing

This Lentil Chickpea Salad with Maple Tahini Dressing is vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and a power bowl of nutrition. It lasts in the fridge for up to 5 days, which makes it the perfect packable lunch.

By Leslie Blythe

Jennifer Aniston Friends Salad

I guess I might as well jump on the bandwagon with this recipe that is flooding the internet. Actually, the reason I made it is because I can never figure out what to have for lunch. I absolutely hate eating the food I make while catering because I've shopped for it, cooked it, and served it. By that time, I want something else.

This is the salad that Jennifer Aniston ate every day for 10 years on the set of Friends. What I like about it is that it's very versatile, you can easily adapt it to suit your taste. I used a packet of ready-made 7 grains instead of bulgar. You could use quinoa, brown rice, or any combination. You can change the kind of cheese, nuts, etc. Next time I make this, I will use green onions instead of red onions, I'm not a fan of red onions even after I soak them in water to remove some of the "oniony" taste. Anyway, it's a very good, healthy and nutritious lunch.

By Leslie Blythe