Dry January Treats - Winter Mocktail Punch

I love Mocktails.  I do a program on making mocktails and I enjoy them in my entertaining. The key to a good Mocktail is creating a rich selection of flavors that will give you the richness of alcohol without the alcohol.

The key for this Mocktail Punch is to make your own grenadine.  Generally grenadine is just a colored sugar water when you buy the store bought stuff.  Some companies will make it with lemon juice and the original pomegranate juice (which is how it got the name, as grenade is pomegranate in French.). But a homemade grenadine can have so much more depth of flavor as you use pomegranate juice and lemon balm.

To do that you need: 

1 cup Pomegranate juice

1 cup sugar/honey

1 cup fresh or 1/2 cup dried lemon balm

dash of lemon juice

Warm the pomegranate juice in a saucepan and add 1 cup sugar or honey and stir until dissolved.  Then add the lemon balm stir until combined.  Remove from heat add a squeeze of  lemon juice and allow to cool to room temperature before straining out the lemon balm. Bottle and use within 2 weeks and keep refrigerated.

Winter Mocktail Punch

2 cups apple cider

1 cup sprite or 7up

2 Tbls handmade pom-grenadine

Combine apple cider and pom-grenadine with ice in a shaker and shake 30 seconds to chill.  Then add chilled Sprite or 7UP.  Top off with a few skewered cranberries or sliced apples.

Make it a bit more fun by stirring in a couple spoonfuls of raspberry syrup to make it more like a wintertime party punch.

Happy New Year - wishing you Good Luck and Fortune in 2019

There are many foods that connotate good luck that are to be eaten on January first.  These are some of the most common.  I've linked each one with a recipe so you can enjoy and the best recipes combine more than one!

Noodles

In many Asian countries, people eat long noodles on New Year's Day in order to lengthen their life. One catch: You can't break the noodle before it's fully in your mouth.

Greens

Green symbolizes luck - think about four leaf clovers, money, and jade jewelry. Since many New Year’s resolutions include a healthier lifestyle, greens can translate into kale, brussels sprouts, and peas. 

Cinnamon

It is a powerful spice which has been used medicinally around the world for thousands of years. This is also a magical spice that is used for success, healing, action, energy, protection, prosperity, love, and purification.  A great item to move your life into a new place for the new year.

Pork

Pork, once reserved for the elite, symbolizes wealth and prosperity. Aim high this year by filling up with a hearty pork dinner on January 1st.

Cabbage

In Germany, Ireland, and parts of the United States, cabbage is associated with luck and fortune since its green hue resembles money. This includes sauerkraut, so a meal of pork chops and sauerkraut is the perfect New Year’s meal.

Fish

In some countries, people associate fish with moving forward into the new year since fish swim in one direction. Other people, however, think fish symbolize abundance since they swim in schools. 

Lentils

Thought to resemble coins, lentils are eaten throughout Italy on New Year's Day to bring good fortune in the year ahead.

Pomegranate

Long associated with abundance and fertility, pomegranates are eaten in Turkey and other Mediterranean countries as a sign of good luck. It doesn't hurt that this jewel-toned fruit is in its prime come January.

Black-Eyed Peas
Considered a common good-luck food in the South, black-eyed peas are thought to bring prosperity, especially when served with collard greens. Which brings us back to the beginning with green foods.  Another perfect combination.

May your New Year by Prosperous, Bountiful and Filled with Joy!

Rosh Hashanah Slaw with Pomegranate Seeds

One of my co-workers, the one who arrives at the office most days before me, so we are the only two early birds in the office most days, is out several days this week in celebration of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.  I am not Jewish, but I am fascinated by world religions and he shares little bits of things with me to increase my understanding which I appreciate. 

In my internet wanderings I discovered that Pomegranates are often a feature of this celebration because the pomegranate is said to contain 613 seeds, one for each of the 613 mitzvot (God's commandments). Eating pomegranates during Rosh Hashanah also symbolizes the hope that observances of the commandments and good deeds in the coming year may be as many as the seeds of the fruit.

So Steve, in honor of good wishes for the New Year.  Here is a recipe I found to enjoy Pomegranate seeds!

Lime Mint Slaw

2 cloves garlic, minced

Salt and pepper to taste

½ tsp. sugar

1/3 cup fresh lime juice

1/3 cup olive oil

1 pound package of shredded cabbage and carrot slaw (or grate your own if you have time and materials it is about 4 to 5 cups)

1 Tbls. fresh dill, chopped

2 Tbls. fresh mint, chopped

2 Tbls. cilantro, chopped

2 Tbls. pomegranate seeds

2 Tbls. currents or cranberries

Make the dressing with cloves, salt, pepper, sugar, lime juice.  Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and slowly whisk in the olive oil until blended.  Taste and adjust to your liking.  Place the coleslaw in a large serving bowl and sprinkle with herbs.  Pour dressing over salad and toss to coat.  Garnish with the pomegranate and currents for seasonal color and serve immediately.  You can make the dressing ahead and chill, then toss together the slaw just before you sit down to eat.