The Spicy Mango

This post is to serve as my entry into the very sexy drink challenge hosted by the lovely Denise of Quickies on the dinner table and the awesome Lazaro of Lazaro Cooks! The prize is a copy of Denise's cookbook, which is pictured below. I have a copy of it myself, so I know first hand how wonderful the recipes are. Plus, it really is a beautiful book.

As some of you may remember, I spent last weekend in South Florida. It was a busy trip of errands and just taking care of responsibilities and such, so there wasn't much time for relaxation or experiences of enchantment. However, while running around one afternoon, I spotted a tree from a distance that had some type of fruit hanging from it. I decided that it was a mango tree but moved on due to traffic. Luckily, just a bit later I came upon another one with the biggest & most beautiful mangoes I had ever seen in person. And, yes, this moment was enchanting...

So I took some, Dearies, and I made this drink! And it was good *smile*. Although I think my pictures are more cute than sexy. 'Cute' can by sexy though sometimes, right?!

Here's the recipe:

The Spicy Mango Cooler

1 1/4 Cups Frozen Mango

1/3 Cup Spiced Rum

1/3-1/2 Cup +/- Sparkling Water*

Juice of 1/2 Lime

Pinch of cinnamon

Add all ingredients in a blender and blend till smooth. Taste to ensure you enjoy the consistency. *If too thick for your taste, add a splash more of sparkling water till you reach your desired texture and consistency. I used San Pellegrino by the way. Oh, and if you use frozen mango from the store, you may or may not need to sweeten this a bit with agave nectar, etc.

Enjoy!

*Hiccup* Ooh, excuse me, Dearies!

The Quickies Cocktail Challenge is still open for entries till September 24, 2010. The entry which best exemplifies sex appeal, in a glass, wins!

Agua de Sandia (Watermelon Water)

So a couple of weeks ago I got the most exciting package in the mail. I knew who it was from right away and was looking forward to it, but I never expected all the sweetness that would be inside. See I won a cookbook called 'The Local Flavor of Lavender' from Bonnie over at Sweet Life, which came with a tin of the most floral and wonderful smelling culinary lavender you can imagine. But Bonnie also stuffed the package full of all kinds of Texas goodies that I didn't expect.

Upon opening the package, I was quickly tossed to the side by my own Texan, Cauldron Boy, who ravaged the package by pulling out each and every item practically opening them all for me. He quickly inspected each treat, tea, or spice while telling me what he wanted me to make with it. Well, I'll be sure to tend to all of Cauldron Boy's stuff later...

For now, I made my Bonnie's favorite: Agua de Sandia or Watermelon Water. This one is infused with lavender, as I got the idea from 'The Local Flavor of Lavender'. I modified the recipe a bit to my own taste, and it turned out to be refreshing and wonderful. Cauldron Boy was also no less than pleased with this concoction.

You can also try Bonnie's more authentic version here!

Agua de Sandia-Serves 3-4

3-3 1/4 Cups of Seedless, Ripe Watermelon*

About 1 1/2 Cups of Icy Cold Water

1/4 Tsp. Culinary Lavender

1 Tbsp. Agave Syrup

*This recipe only works well with a sweet melon!

Place watermelon in a blender with the lavender and agave syrup. Add half of the water and blend. Add more water till you reach your desired consistency. Place in the freezer for about 5-10 minutes before stirring and serving very cold. Enjoy!

*I used almost the exact measurements above for the pictured drink and it was delicious and refreshing!

Next will be the Lavender Potatoes! Oh, and please enter my contest below, Dearies, if you are interested and haven't done so already...

p.s.-Bonnie, I tried to take super cool photos like yours. I don't know if I got the lighting right-it's close though, no (smile)?

Mazaher Cocktail

'Mazaher' is the Arabic word for orange blossom water. Much like rosewater (maward), Mazaher is a fragrant water made from the distilled blossoms of Seville Oranges. If you have never had the very good fortune of walking by a Seville orange tree in full bloom, Dearies, then what you are missing is a pungent, sweet fragrance that I often think of as honey suckle combined with a hint of citrus amongst other unidentifiable essences. A beautiful and unforgettable experience in olfactory pleasure!

This cocktail is made with this water or 'ma' along with cinnamon, lemon, orange, agave and aged rum. It is so refreshing and delicious that I became more than a bit tipsy from drinking this today, and I can't even explain how delicious it was running past the rim lined with salt, sugar and cinnamon before entering my gullet!

Orange Blossom Cocktail
1/2 Cup Golden Rum
1 1/2 Cups Fresh O.J.
3/4-1 Tsp. Mazaher
2 Tbsp. Agave/Simple Syrup
1/2 lemon (squeezed)
Pinch or Two Cinnamon

In a pitcher, combine the above ingredients and stir till thoroughly mixed. Shake in a drink mixer with ice to chill or simply pour over ice. Serves 2.

Salty Sweet Rim
On a plate, mix two tbsp. sugar, 1/2 Tsp. Salt and 1/8-1/4 Tsp Cinnamon. Roll wet glass rims through the mix. Then place ice in glasses and pour in desired drink.