Margarita Ice Cream

Ingredients:
2-3 small limes (zest and juice)
1 cup sugar
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup whole milk
2 tablespoons orange juice
1 table spoons triple sec
3 tablespoons tequila
1/4 tsp salt

Directions:
Finely grate the zest of limes.(start with 2 and add to taste) Squeeze lime juice into bowl. Add sugar and whisk. Whisk in all remaining ingredients. Churn in VERY COLD ice maker until finished (about 20-30 minutes).

Presentation:
Serve in small mini margarita glasses with salt rim and lemon wedge!

 

 

Horchata Ice Cream

1 cup whole milk
1 cup horchata drink (pre-made)
1 cup heavy whipping cream
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg and/or cinnamon stick to garnish

 

Directions:
Mix whole milk and sugar in bowl until smooth. Whisk in horchata, heavy whipping cream, vanilla and cinnamon. Pour into ice cream churn until thickened. (about 20-30 mins)

Tips and Tricks:

First let me say that this recipe is for making large quantities OR when you are on a time crunch. If you are hosting a small dinner party, or just feel like having a special treat on a hot summer day, you should take the time to make REAL horchata.Horchata is a creamy drink made with rice milk, vanilla & cinnamon. Just google it and there are many recipes for making this drink.

 

 

For a guest list of 50, I use 2 batches of this 1.5 quart quisinart ice cream maker. Be sure the cooler churn is VERY frozen (as well as all ingredients) when ready to churn. (I usually have in freezer overnight…actually its always in my freezer incase I need to make a batch on a whim!)

 

Recipe of the Season

CAI DESIGNS

INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup butter, cut into about 8 pieces 1 teaspoon coarse black pepper 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 4 cups pan drippings OR 4 cups chicken stock

DIRECTIONS
*If using drippings from a chicken or turkey: Pour drippings into a fine mesh strainer then allow the drippings to cool a bit so that the fat rises to the top and starts to solidify. Use a spoon to remove the fat. If you don’t have enough drippings to equal 4 cups, add enough chicken or turkey stock until you have 4 cups of drippings. *If you’re not using turkey or chicken drippings, use 4 cups chicken or turkey stock. In a large saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter over medium-low heat. Sprinkle in 1 teaspoon coarse black pepper Slowly add in 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, constantly whisking to combine. After a few minutes, the flour will be well incorporated into the butter…

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Neocon Fiesta

It was a midweek fiesta in the CAI Designs showroom, as Tech Lighting presented products and features of their newest collections, including Element downlights.

Many have asked for the “recipe” for the mini taco salad and pico de gallo served at the event. So, here it is! This is great for summer parties and graduations with its easy Grab and Go capability! Add some Sangria and let the fiesta begin!

 

Pico De Gallo

Sun Ripe Tomatoes, cubed
Red or Spanish onion, chopped
Jalapeno (de-seed for less spice)
Cilantro
Dash of Salt
Squeeze of Lime

There is no measuring here. It’s all taste. Don’t like onions much? Don’t add as many. Love Cilantro? Add alot. Use Mini Key limes to garnish. Don’t have time to make it? Jewel has it by the container in the deli department. Mini 2oz. Margarita glasses available at Party City.

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Mini Taco Salad

Layer the following in a 10oz plastic cup:
Shredded Lettuce
Taco Meat
Pico de Gallo
Chihuahua Cheese
Dallop of Sour Cream
Garnish with your favorite Tortilla Chip (or 2 chips for no meat version!) (ours was the Kirkland Organic chips)

Taco meat is ground turkey cooked with your favorite taco seasoning (ours is the Chipotle flavor from Costco)
Super easy and you look like you spent hours doing it!