RECIPE: MINI MINT BURGERS!

RECIPE - Summer is coming to a close as school is revving up and free time is growing short.  So what better way to hang on to the last leg of warm weather, barbecues, and bike rides than with a quick and easy little summer-inspired treat?  That's right... Mini Mint Burgers!  There's no nuts, no meat, but yes, chocolate!  These creative little cookies are the perfect after dinner (or after real/veggie burger) snack for the whole family! ...and best of all?  No baking required!  Fun for all ages!

NOM BLOG|CO - WYSTONE'S WORLD TEAS

LAKEWOOD, COLORADO - Choose from a list of 150 whole and loose leaf teas accompanied by some light affordable fare and marvelous munchies at downtown Lakewood's Belmar Tea Bar.  A relaxing environment with both indoor and outdoor seating, the vibe here is comfy casual.  A perk of Wystone's corner location, plenty of sunlight illuminates the orange, sage green, and cream decor, giving it a natural, organic, and delightfully friendly bistro feel.

TEA TASTING: CELESTIAL SEASONINGS

 

BOULDER, COLORADO -  Founded in 1969, Celestial Seasonings has grown to be one of the largest specialty tea manufacturers in North America.  Originally picked in the Rocky Mountains, its all-natural ingredients are now harvested from 35 different countries around the world, ensuring that that the most authentic ingredients are used in their teas for a healthy, flavorful experience in each cup.  Last week, I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to visit their facility in Colorado for a tour and tea tasting.

HIPPIE JUICE JELLO SHOTS!

ORIGINAL RECIPE -  HIPPIE JUICE JELLO SHOTS

So, it's New Year's Eve and 2010 is turning into 2011.  I have been recruited to make all sort of scrumptious appetizers accompanied by an enormous party-sized batch of my now infamous Hippie Juice for a friend's NYE get-together and a strong request was made for jello shots.

I was already preparing my signature Raspberry Jello with Watermelon Vodka Shots using a ratio passed down to me for perfection: 2c (JELLO) : 4c (HOT H20) : 2c (COLD H20) : 2c (LIQUOR) when I came up with the idea to utilize the surplus of Hippie Juice leftovers to develop a new shot recipe... I settled on Berry Blue Jello and began the merriment of mixology.

THIS WAS THE RESULT:

• 2 Large (8 Serving) Packages of Berry Blue Jello
• 4 Cups Boiling Water
• 1 3/4 Cups Cold Water
• 1 1/4 Cups Smirnoff Watermelon Vodka
• 1/2 Cup Malibu Coconut Rum
• 1/2 Cup Triple Sec

"PRETEND IT IS LAST MINUTE ON NYE 2010" PREP:
Get yourself a 4 cup measuring cup.  It will make your life easier.  While you're at it, make sure that you have tons of those little rinsing cups they use at the dentist handy.  Next, make several shelves worth the room in your fridge... and freezer.

• Pour 1/2 Cup Malibu Coconut Rum into your measuring cup.
• Add 1/2 Cup Triple Sec into your measuring cup.
• Plus 1 1/4 Cups Smirnoff Watermelon Vodka.
• Top this off with 1 3/4 Cups of fresh, clean water.
• Refrigerate until you can honestly say that the mixture's adequately "chilled."  (You'll know)
• While you're waiting for the mixture to chill, set up your little dixie cups in a big tray so they don't spill all over the place when you move them.

GO CHILL WHILE THE MIXTURE CHILLS.

• They'll be chilling for a few hours.
• Bring 2 Cups of water to a boil.
• Turn off the flame and move the pot to a cool burner.
• Add 2 (8 Serving) Packages of Berry Blue Jello to your pot of boiling water.
• Stir for about 2 minutes as the powder dissolves.
• Once dissolved, stir in all 4 cups of your cold mixture.
• Enough mixing!  Divvy up your liquid jello into the dixie cups, filling them 3/4 way.  I suggest using a ladle and holding a funnel over each cup so you don't make a blue mess of your counter... or floor.
• Carefully move the tray of liquid jello-filled cups into your refrigerator.
• Let those bad boys cool and solidify for at least 4 hours.
• Then move them into the freezer for a short time because the alcohol probably hindered their ability to solidify properly... by a short time, I mean an hour tops.
• Put them back in the refrigerator once you know they're solid.
• Share with friends!