I could write a long introduction telling you how delicious these are or some history but I’ll save that for my next cocktail. All you really need to know is in the recipe and most people just skip to that anyway.

real recipes. made up people, places, and things
Atop our bar sits a tattered copy of “Cocktail Bill Boothby’s World Drinks and How to Mix Them”. In faded brown ink the original owners (the Mr’s grandparents) signed their name and the year – 1952- on the title page. Some sections are pristine, some, like the section on Manhattans, have notes on how to […]
When crafting a thanksgiving dessert menu I had two goals, use as few dishes as possible and make just enough to share or have leftovers for the next day but not all the days until spoilage. Bonus points for an easily freezable dessert and double bonus points for cheesecake. I made my own graham crackers […]
The history of the Margarita is muddled (something with such straight forward ingredients is bound to have been made in more than one place by more than one clever mixologist) so why not muddle your ingredients too?! Just remember that just like the classic daiquiri this is less sweet than something made with a mix.
I made these sticky tart little jewels without a clear purpose other than a citrus glow for a grey day. As I experiment I will share possibilities include cake toppings, cookie topping, fancy sticky cocktail garnish (no teeny tiny clothespins though please!) . You can use grapefruit, oranges, regular lemons, or limes. I like the […]
I thought about making this more complicated. Individual dishes instead of one cast iron pan- going to the store to buy crumbly mexican cheese or avocado. But then I remembered that my favorite things are straight up and easy and made with what I have on hand while still in my pjs. Breakfast should be […]
Imperial Hard Cider topped with an easy homemade honey hot buttered rum batter will keep you toasty from top to toes! This is a delicious low alcohol winter warmer that adapts effortlessly to being just a bit more boozy (try it with bourbon!) The minute I tasted the 2Towns’ The Bad Apple knew we were […]
a lightly sweetened spicy cast iron “cake’’ that you can make as fancy or as straight forward as you want- if you have a mandolin to slice the apples a decorative pattern makes for a stunning presentation but equally tasty and almost as pretty is the apples cut into bite sized pieces. more things apple […]
Pasta and mushroom cream sauce – though technically without cream, a white sauce made umami delicious with a healthy portion of fresh chanterelles and just a hint of salty parmesan. This comes together in less than a half hour and served with a simple salad (think butter lettuce and oil and vinegar) makes one wonderful […]
Combining fresh ripe pears and blueberries in a lightly spiced clafoutis batter this dessert, or breakfast, or even breakfast for dessert has all of the best things from summer and fall. This classic French dish is easily modified to suit your whims and likes- brighten it with lemon, make it gluten free, make it with […]
The paloma- a classic mexican cocktail with grapefruit, lime, tequila and a salt rim gets a refreshing update with SeekOut cucumber+juniper hard seltzer. Trust me on this one, it’s really good- the play between citrus, tequila, and the earthy sweet notes of the cucumber and juniper make this my go to hard seltzer cocktail. Originally […]
Simple and quick gluten free quinoa cakes are topped with fresh tomato, feta cheese, and a crispy egg to make a complete meal on a plate. The combination of creamy and crispy, bright fresh vegetables, and tangy feta cheese make these protein packed quinoa cakes a summer go to when I am not turning on […]
Three ingredients- one amazing sorbet. The perfect summer weekend treat to beat the heat that’s not too sweet. So get up on your feet and raise a spoon to two thorns raspberry rose hard cider raspberry sorbet. This sorbet, packed as it is with fresh raspberry flavor, is excellent on its own or try it […]
A negroni without the negroni- instead of campari sub the refreshing slightly tart goodness of Seekout’s raspberry+meyer lemon hard seltzer and you have a brighter bubbly bigger version of the classic cocktail. I love campari- if you want a campari drink without the gin and sweet vermouth this slushie is A+ looking for some other […]
A Mediterranean Mexican mash up, soft tacos made with homemade flour tortillas and stuffed with tiny flavor bomb meatballs, cucumber, yogurt sauce, and pickled veggies. a note on the flour tortillas I used my bacon fat flour tortilla recipe except this time I used butter and warm milk instead of bacon fat and only divided […]
A bracingly refreshing coconut rum cocktail with a ginger bite and a pineapple finish. Just a little but sweet and just right boozy, loaded with fresh ginger, lulled with coconut rum, lightened and brightened with fresh lime. We have a bottle of coconut rum in our bar of unknown origin and age. A remnant of […]
A labneh take on the classic Moroccan appetizer Briouats bil Jben this savory appetizer topped with just a drizzle of sweet honey (spiced or not) is easier to make than it looks. Briouats: Filo triangles stuffed with labneh to make the spiced honey feel you need a step by step guide on folding filo triangles […]
Get your Brit on while drinking local with this flavorful take on a PImm’s Cup. I’ve never been to a polo match and my extravagant hat collection isn’t what it used to be but I can get behind this British summer tradition. Light, refreshing, and complex- a Pimm’s Cup made with SeekOut’s key lime+mint hard […]
Side dishes are my secret weapon. Pickled things, biscuity bites, sauces, and now- butter. Like this versatile and flavorful butter compound loaded with fresh basil and garlic. Radishes! ways to use the basil butter Use this basil butter as a spread for sandwiches, like the cucumber sandwich pictured below or schmear it on spring radishes […]
Crispy corn chips. Quick and easy ground turkey green chile chili. Cheese! and any and all the toppings. Bar food/fair food/walking tacos made to sit down and eat: this green chile frito pie is a mashup of so many of my favorite things and as a bonus I suspect it’s actually kinda healthy. Let’s get […]
If you don’t like your rhubarb adulterated by other fruit this is the dessert for you. A tart tangy rhubarb filling still hot from the oven topped with a dead simple and marvelously crispy buttery crumble topping. Add a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream and the trifecta is complete. want a little […]
On its own, or served with the protein of your choice- grilled chicken? teriyaki beef or salmon? This amazingly easy and oh so tasty rice and asparagus made with hard ginger cider is the perfect spring gap meal for when you just aren’t sure what the weather will bring. So bring on the asparagus! Cider […]
Tiny tart flecks of garden fresh rhubarb macerated overnight and baked into easy food processor cream scones baked to golden brown and topped with a quick pink grapefruit glaze. What to do when the rhubarb arrives? Just a few short weeks ago I actually purchased Rhubarb at the farmers’ market and the rhubarb gods said […]