A Salty Dog for the Dog Days of Summer

August 25, 2019 / theblindpig11 / Leave a comment

The dog days of summer are upon us, but do you actually know what that phrase is referring to? Many people assume that the dog days have to do with it being so hot that the dogs do nothing but lie around in the shade all day. However, did you know that according to NationalGeographic.com the term comes from the stars? The “dog days of summer,” comes from ancient Greek astronomers who observed the stars. Sirius was the nose on the constellation Canis Major which the Greeks saw as a dog chasing a hare. When Sirius, one of the brightest stars in the night sky appeared to rise just before the sun, the Greeks started to call these days that occurred from late July through August the Dog Days. You may also be interested to know that we often associate these days of summer as the hottest days, thus the image of dogs panting in the shade. But the earth’s rotation is more of a wobble than a gentle spin, which slightly changes the timing of the stars’ appearance over time. Several millennia from now, the dog days won’t actually occur in summer, but sometime closer to winter.

Whether you need a refreshing beverage because it is hot or just the Dog Days of Summer, we think you will find this week’s treat an easy, tasty, fresh hit. The close sister of our ever favorite Paloma, the Salty Dog takes on her own refreshing flavor.

We make ours with our favorite grapefruit soda made by Q drinks! We’ve shared some of our favorite Q drink products with you before that you can purchase at many favorite locations, such as, Total Wine, Walmart, Target, Amazon, Whole Foods, and Hy-Vee. We like Q drinks because they make products that we like to keep on hand, such as, grapefruit soda, ginger beer, club soda, and tonic water.

To make our version of the Salty Dog, you need vodka, Q Grapefruit soda, salt and cucumber. Run a slice cucumber around the rim of your serving glass and dip in salt. Fill you glass with ice. Add 2 ounces of vodka. Top off with Q Grapefruit soda, and garnish with a slice of cucumber. It is a delicious easy drink to fix on a day that is too hot to do anything but lie in your hammock in the shade.

If you are viewing this post via email, visit us at www.the blindpig.blog for a complete printable recipe for The Salty Dog.

How cold we have a post about Salty Dogs without a pic of our own little salty and sweet dog, Junie? 🙂

If you are new around our little blog, welcome! Tell your friends and family about us. Cheers to you, friends. stay cool and enjoy your upcoming Labor Day weekend!

Disclaimer: Beverages on this site are meant for adults 21 years of age and older. We do not condone underage drinking. Never drink and drive.

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Dessert Ready in a Prosecco

August 18, 2019 / theblindpig11 / Leave a comment

This week I am pulling back the curtain on this post. It is going to be solely authored by me, Rhonda. No “we” or “us” as I narrate this post. I am just going to own it and go for it on my own. Don’t worry, Craig will be back next week. 😉

With that direct candor out of the way, I am excited to share an oldie that has been twisted up a bit — Prosecco Summer Dessert. This dessert has been around for awhile. I am not going to lie. It is close to the perfect dessert for late summer. During these hot, hot days of summer, who wants to turn on the oven to prepare a dessert? Not me! The good news is that with this tasty gem, you don’t have to add any extra heat to your house. In fact, this recipe is so easy that my 16 and 17-year-old sons could make it!

This dessert is a faithful go-to when headed to a potluck or special occasion. In fact, earlier this summer I took this dessert to a gathering that also had Nothin’ Bundt Cakes. Many of us cannot resist choosing those cute, yummy bundtinis when passing through the food line. However, I must profess that at the end of the dinner my serving bowl was EMPTY and there were still some bundt cakes left. How is that for a crowd pleaser?

To make this dessert you need only a few simple ingredients: fresh strawberries, angel food cake (I purchase mine from the store), a box of instant vanilla pudding, a container of cool whip, milk and a mini-bottle of prosecco. You can also add other fresh fruit, such as, blueberries, blackberries or kiwi.

This dessert can and usually is made sans the prosecco. I got the idea for adding prosecco to this recipe when I made Strawberry Prosecco Cake this spring. The cake soaks up the prosecco and adds to the overall yumminess factor.

First, cut the angel food cake into bite size cubes. Slice your strawberries and other fruit. Set aside. Make the package of vanilla pudding according to directions. Blend the container of cool whip into the vanilla pudding.

For this recipe I purchased a small bottle of prosecco. These little bottles come in very handy. As you know I have quite an affinity for Aperol Spritzes, but I don’t want to open a full bottle of prosecco each time. These small bottles are perfect to keep on hand for recipes, such as this.

Place a layer of angel food cake in a large glass serving bowl or trifle bowl. Pour a small amount of prosecco over the layer of cake. Top the cake layer with strawberries and other fruit. Pour a layer of the vanilla pudding mixture over the cake and berries. Continue layering the ingredients for 2-3 layers. Garnish the top with fresh berries. Place in a refrigerator until ready to serve.

If you are viewing this post via email, visit us at www.theblindpig.blog for a complete printable recipe of Prosecco Summer Dessert.

Try out this easy, tasty, fresh recipe. I am sure that it will quickly become one of your hosting secrets!

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Menta Daiquiri

August 10, 2019August 10, 2019 / theblindpig11 / Leave a comment

Is it hot where you live? Here in Dallas we have finally hit the triple digits. Every year we forget how incredibly hot 100 degrees + feels. It’s like a sauna, oven, the heat miser, whatever… We try anything to stay cool. To help cool your taste buds and tummy, we are sharing the Menta Daiquiri with you during this summer heat wave.

When we hear the word daiquiri, we tend to think about overly sweet rum drinks made with whipped cream, a cherry and an umbrella on top. Actually the original daiquiris were made only with rum, lime juice and sugar…. no cherry, no umbrella. As with many cocktails there are a few different stories circulating about its origin. However, all stories agree that the drink was invented near a beach town in Cuba named Daiquiri, thus the drink had a name.

Our daiquiri recipe attempts to mimic the original recipe for daiquiris. We use a few basic ingredients, rum, lime juice, sugar, together with Branca Menta and mint.

To make this refreshing cool treat, you need to get out your blender. Place your cocktail glasses in the freezer to chill. To start, add lime juice, sugar, Branca Menta, mint leaves and crushed ice to the blender. Blend all of this together. Hint: If you want fine ice like in most frozen drinks at restaurants, start with crushed ice in your blender. We happened to have some Sonic ice on hand. By blending the Sonic ice in the blender we got a fine frozen ice mixture.

After blending the first ingredients, we added the rum a half ounce at a time to the frozen mixture, blending in between. Pour the frozen mixture into your chilled glasses, and garnish with fresh mint and an umbrella. Sit back. Kick your feet up and enjoy the minty coolness as it enters your body. Ahhhhhh!

If you are viewing this post via email, visit us at www.theblindpig.blog for a complete printable recipe for Menta Daiquiri.

Often we have friends that tell us that they don’t like to purchase various bottles of liquor for a recipe, when the recipe only calls for an ounce or two. We hear you. That is why we try to share with you multiple recipes that use similar liquor ingredients. Try some of these recipes out this weekend. We’d love to hear your thoughts.

Other recipes using Branca Menta that we have shared with you are:

Have a great weekend. Don’t melt. Stay cool!

Disclaimer: Beverages on this site are meant for adults 21 years of age and older. We do not condone underage drinking, and never drink and drive.

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Borghetti Mochaccino

August 7, 2019 / theblindpig11 / Leave a comment

Hey friends, sorry we are a few days late on our first post for August. We’ve been busy trying to wrap up the summer and spend time with family from out of town. We didn’t forget about you, though. This week we have a super easy, creamy and smooth delish treat that you will be dying to try — Borghetti Mochaccino!

What’s a Mochaccino? A mochaccino is typically an espresso shot (double) with a combination of steamed milk and cocoa powder or chocolate milk. Often mochaccinos have chocolate syrup, whipped cream and added toppings such as cinnamon, nutmeg or chocolate sprinkles. Our mochaccino recipe is served frozen and best enjoyed with a straw and spoon.

First you need to make the chocolate espresso syrup. Place sugar, Cafe’ Borghetti and water in a small saucepan and bring to a slow boil. This takes about 2 minutes. Remove the sauce from the heat and add in chocolate chips and Irish cream (We used Kerrygold) stirring until melted and the syrup is smooth. Place the syrup in the blender and blend for about 2 minutes. Set aside to cool.

Meanwhile in a medium bowl beat the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Fold in the cooled chocolate mixture. Pour into 8 ounce glasses or serving bowls. Cover with plastic wrap. Freeze for 8 hours. Let sit for 15 minutes prior to serving. Top with chocolate sprinkles when ready to serve. Yummo!

If you are viewing this post via email, visit us at www.theblindpig.blog for a full downloadable recipe for Borghetti Mochaccino.

Borghetti Mochaccinos make an elegant dessert for dinner with friends. The flavor of the espresso liqueur shines through. This dessert is so smooth and creamy, you will fall in love with it immediately.