Nutty Irishman

One of my all time favorite cocktails is a White Russian. The iced drink is perfect to break the heat of a warm summer day. It also has a creamy, comforting quality that warms up a cold winter night. Whether you are sitting beach-side or fireside, in the heat of the day or the cold of the night, a white Russian is a classic drink for all occasions.
I completely agree with the phrase, "if it's not broke don't fix it". In fact, I love traditions. I love the classics. New, contemporary ideas and creations are successful, in my mind, because they use the classic as an inspiration to develop something fresh and modern.
The classic cocktail, White Russian (made with Kahlúa, vodka and cream or milk)was my inspiration for the Nutty Irishman.

SERVES 2

Ingredients:

• 2 jiggers vodka
• 2 jiggers Nocello® walnut liqueur
• 1 jigger dark crème de cacao
• 2 jiggers Baileys Irish cream
• 1 cup cold milk or cream
• ice, cubed

Cookware/Utensils:

• cocktail shaker
• 2 old fashioned glasses
• jigger

Place a handful of ice into a cocktail shaker. Fill each old fashioned glass with ice. Add all liquor ingredients to the shaker, secure lid and shake for 30 seconds. Pour half of the shaken liquor mixture into each old fashioned glass. Top off each glass with cold milk or cream. Enjoy!

Peaches, Apricots or Nectarines? O My!

I recently found myself in a grocery store standing in the produce aisle completely confused. Before my eyes was a huge mound of fruit. The fruit was labeled with a price, but no indication of its name. It looked like a miniature peach. I picked up the fruit, smelled it, and even asked my grocery shopping partner, "Is this an apricot or a nectarine?" With both of us second guessing our answers regarding the identity of this mystery fruit, we picked out two of them, put them in a bag and brought them home.

I think that all of us know what a peach looks like, but when it comes to the difference between apricots and nectarines it becomes, well, hairy.

To reveal the answer without being too technical, peaches and apricots have a skin that is "fuzzy" while nectarines have a skin that is smooth. My mystery fruit turned out to be an apricot. When an apricot is sliced in half a pit, or seed is revealed that is also very similar to a peach.

Once you've halved this nectarine a delicious snack or dessert is waiting for you! I encourage you to eat the fruit by itself or combine it with something light and sweet that will compliment its tart flavor. I suggest vanilla flavored yogurt or ice cream.
***Pictured above is a peach and two apricots. Pictured below is a bowl of vanilla yogurt and diced apricots.