Food and Beverage

Sweet Pete’s

February 5, 2016February 5, 2016

I have to admit that I am a HUGE fan of the show The Profit. I am something of an entrepreneur fanatic! When I was a kid I had to be dragged in from selling candy for whatever thing it was my school needed me to sell for them. I created Victorious Creations in grade-school. Now it is Tor’s Adventures Media. SO……I love this guy! I want him to be my mentor someday! I loved the show with Sweet Pete’s and was hoping to visit the store next time I was in Jacksonville since I have been living in Florida for the last three and a half years. I am now in Illinois and I saw on the update show that they opened a store in Lake Forest, IL …… a little north of Chicago. We were heading to the city this morning so I added the sweet stop onto our trip.

The store was everything I expected! From the smell of candy being made as we walked into the bright and cheerful store, to the taste of the salted caramel they were sampling as we walked into the door it was fabulous! I got to see the gummy bear lamp that I saw on TV. AWESOME! We bought some cupcakes, strawberry straws and some salt water caramels. The store manager was absolutely delightful and I would love to come back to take some of their classes.

Cocktail Class at Isle Cook

October 19, 2015

Since I know absolutely NOTHING about making cocktails other than a Mimosa and a Screwdriver I decided to take a cocktail class at Isle Cook a local place here in Key West. They host quite a few different classes throughout the month. The most important thing that I learned was the method of 2-1-1. You always want to use 2 parts spirit, 1 part sweet and 1 part sour. With that method I am already leaps and bounds ahead of what I was previously mixing. This was also the first class that I have attended at Isle Cook. They have a very cool store with everything you could need for your kitchen or bar.

I also learned what a jigger was … who would have thought that is what you should be using to measure your spirits? I decided to buy one of those since it can’t hurt right? Well at least everything will be measured right! With all of that said I can’t wait to have a few friends over and see if I am any good at this measuring and mixing game.

Penne Pasta with Vodka Sauce

September 2, 2015September 2, 2015

Tonight for dinner I decided to make Penne Pasta with Vodka sauce. It was yummy! But here are a few tips. When adding the Parmesan cheese make sure there are no lumps in it … I didn’t have fresh Parmesan I had the bottle of pre grated. Overall a VERY easy meal to make and will make your family very happy!

Ingredients

1 29oz or 1lb can of tomato sauce

1 cup vodka

1/2 cup heavy cream, at room temperature

1/2 cup grated Parmesan

3 cups penne pasta

vodka and tomato sauce — Vodka and Tomato Sauce

Parmesan cheese, Penne pasta and Heavy whipping cream

Directions

Simmer the tomato sauce and vodka in a heavy large skillet over low heat until the mixture reduces by 1/4, stirring often, about 15 minutes. Stir the cream into the tomato and vodka sauce. Simmer over low heat until the sauce is heated through. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and well blended.

Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente, tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Drain the pasta and transfer it to the pan with the sauce, and toss to coat.

Vodka and Tomato Sauce before the cream was added.

hunksrhandbags trying spoon — I always have to try a little before its done! 😉

The original recipe came from here.

Ingredients

Directions

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