Leslie’s Raincoast Crisps, Rosemary Pecan — meet my new crack

 

Rainforest Pecan Rainforest Crisps

 

 

I sampled these crackers at Whole Foods with mascarpone cheese as a topping, and in between my “ummm’s” of delight was shock at the $7.99 price tag.  They’re more expensive than a pack of cigarettes (there are more than 20 to a box though).  I didn’t buy them.  But the universe laughed.  Same day I saw them in 2 more supermarkets for a dollar cheaper (okay you ask, what am I doing in 3 food stores in one day? Don’t judge.).  So I bought them.  Flick forward 3-4 weeks and 3 boxes later.

Fortunately, I found a recipe! These are the easiest things in the world to make,  easier than muffins, actually.  And I save myself at least $200 a year, because you know I will be eating these instead of toast.  There is something amazingly delicious about crunchy with a little chewy thrown in, slightly salt and slightly sweet with that herby undertone.  Enjoy!

White Mischief – the drink, not the movie

White Mischief from http://www.colincowie.com

This tequila-based drink is on my to be mixed list – White Mischief – courtesy of http://www.colincowie.com.  I first saw it in People Magazine, gave the page to a bartender to mix.  Pity, she didn’t have the ingredients. So she riffed off of it.  I’m going to shake this baby myself.

 

White Mischief

Ingredients

2 oz Alma Reposado Tequila
1 oz Pear puree
1/2 oz fresh lime juice
1/2 oz agave nectar
Sombre Mezcal
Tarragon sprig

Instructions

Shake all ingredients except the Mezcal. Rinse the Martini glass wit the Mezcal* and discard. Strain the elixir into the glass. Take the sprig of tarragon and give it a good smack to release the aromatics of the plant. Place on top of the drink as the garnish.

Glassware: Martini.

Garnish: Tarragon sprig

Note: Mezcal has a smoky quality to it that lends just one more layer of complexity to such a well-balanced cocktail.

As for the movie — if you are looking for a devilish, decadent Out of Africa-type movie,  White Mischief is for you. Charles Dance and Greta Scacchi starred. There was a bath scene, I think. Dance was seriously hot.

Charles Dance and Greta Scacchi in White MIschief

 

 

Tropic of Smoothies – Soursop

Last night I stopped at El Oriental de Cuba in JP to pick up a Tamarindo Smoothie. Across the street is a Hi-Lo Supermarket. I needed harvarti cheese so I walked over there. No sign of havarti, because this is a tropical supermarket. They have Goya products you won’t find at your local Hannafords and — oh joy! — they have frozen unsweetened tropical fruit puree — Tamarindo, soursop, parcha (passionfruit) and more. I bought the soursoup, also known as guanabana.

I had my first soursop shake in Cruz Bay while on vacation in St. John, USVI and was immediately hooked. I would amble down to the town every day for a shake and a patty. These days I pay $3.00 for one but now — I can make them myself!! The puree, which makes 3 shakes is just $1.49. I use a modified recipe to substitute for sugar and milk. This was my breakfast shake:

Soursop Breakfast Smoothie

Makes one large shake:
- 1/3 package of frozen soursop puree
- 1/2 cup frozen strawberries (optional)
- 3/4 cup of almond milk (unsweetened)
- juice of 1/2 a lime
- scoop of whey protein powder (optional)
- liquid stevia (I like NuNaturals brand) to taste
- 2 or 3 ice cubes
- 1/2 cup of water
- 1 heaping tbs. of Benefiber (optional)

Blend thoroughly and enjoy. Here’s a more traditional Jamaican version:

Ingredients:

• 1 pound sour sop peeled, seeded & sliced
• 1.5 cups milk
• 5 tablespoon sugar (add more or less to taste)
• 1 cup crushed ice
• 1 squeezed lime (optional)

I see no reason why rum and more lime cannot be added for an evening libation.