Apparently, two dozen gingerbread strippers and a bottle of cheap scotch wasn’t enough to buy Santa’s forgiveness last year. He did not provide the Big Green Egg I’d requested despite my generous bribe. I found plenty of fuel for an Egg in my stocking, though. This year I’m upping the ante. No jolly old elf can resist three different types of Christmas pork waiting on a plate. While I’m at it, I’ll share the recipes as I go along. If it works, maybe you can buy your naughty self into his good graces too. Christmas bacon seems like a good lead-in. Here’s how I’m going about it.
Drinking in the New Year (and Christmas)
Well, we’re about to leap into 2015, so we guess some celebrating is in order. But first, some comments about celebrations on New Year’s Eve from some wise philosophers. “I’m not a drinker,” said Woody Allen, “my body won’t tolerate spirits, really. I had two martinis New Year’s Eve and I tried to hijack an elevator and fly it to Cuba.” Don Marquis confesses: “I drink only to make my family seem interesting.” And perhaps the wisest philosopher all, the great Henny Youngman, said about his family, “My grandmother is over eighty and still doesn’t need glasses. Drinks right out of the bottle.” We’re going one step better than that. Here are two of our favorite Christmas and New Year’s Eve drinks.
Hot News
In the latest round of legal flak aimed at Sriracha, a California judge has ruled in favor of the town of Irwindale. He decreed that the factory stop making “anything that causes odors” at Sriracha’s Irwindale facility. What this means to us hot sauce lovers possibly is less Sriracha on store shelves next year. Considering the sauce has gotten so popular Subway makes a Sriracha Chicken Melt sammich, this is kind of a big deal. Judge Robert H. O’Brien filing says, “[Huy Fong Foods] is to immediately make changes in its site operations reducing odors and the potential for odors” consistent with the city’s air quality mitigation measures. The factory processes fresh chilies for three months out of the year.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday Show Specials
For Black Friday to Cyber Monday, November 29 through December 2nd, if you buy a booth and pay in full you will receive a free enhanced show program booth listing, a $50 dollar value. If you have a booth already in the the show, 20% off any show program purchases of enhanced listings and ads. Can’t make the show? Please enjoy 15% off all show program ads.
Smoked Pumpkin-Infused Dark Rum II: Milkshake Mayhem
Overall, I liked the way it came out but make sure you don’t overdo it on the pumpkin. Too much of it and you’ll lose most of the rum or have to squeeze it out! This time, I made milkshakes with it at a friend’s Halloween party. The hardest part? Meeting demand. I made alcoholic milkshakes for ten people before I ran out. Here are the recipes for both the smoky pumpkin-infused rum and the shakes that followed.
Hot News
My post-Vegas food coma (aka, the itis) finally ended so I’m back at the keyboard writing about motorcycles and food again. Woohoo! We’re starting the week off with Hot News and it’s all about reapers, roosters, and ribs.
The World Food Championships: Sin City Judgment Day
It’s possible I could have had more fun at the 2013 World Food Championships—I just would’ve needed bail money to do so. Too much happened to tell you in one blog post so I’m opening up with this overview. If you want a visual guide, you can check out our photo album on our Facebook page. Seeing how the event invaded Downtown Sin City this November 7-10, let’s break down the festivities by their corresponding Seven Deadly Sins.
