Melon Mondays

Believe it or not, watermelon has higher concentrations of the antioxidant lycopene compared to any other fresh fruit or vegetable. A two cup serving of watermelon contains almost nineteen milligrams vs. four milligrams contained in tomatoes, and has only 48 calories. It can also provide 25 percent of your recommended daily intake of Vitamin C. Let's not omit that watermelon also marks summer fun and eating outdoors!

Tip. Pick a melon that feels heavy for its size, that's an indication it's juicy and fresh. Enjoy eating it freshly cut or make my refreshing summer cocktail made with watermelon. For my Melon Mojito recipe.

Yellowwatermelon
Make the melon a take-along to the beach or boat chilled on ice, in the collapsable bucket.

 

Old Kentucky Tradition

This Saturday is the Kentucky Derby and it will mark the 141st running at Churchill Downs. 

Part of the Derby tradition drink of choice is the Mint Julep. If you like a mojito, you'll probably take a liking to a Mint Julep.

Mint Julep Recipe

It's easy to make with only four ingredients; Bourbon Whiskey, mint, crushed ice and sugar. Simply muddle/pestle the sugar and mint; to release the oils in the mint, Add ice to top off highball glass, top with Bourbon. Traditionally served in silver cup with a straw. Hat, optional.

mint-julep-istock.jpg

Founded 1867 St. Petersburg

Saint Petersburg, Russia is where the roots of today's Paris based Kusmi Tea company began. The creator, Pavel Michailovitch Kousmichoff started working at the age of 14 for a tea merchant who saw his talent and taught him the art of blending. You could say Pavel stepped into the right place at the right time. He married well, his boss gave him his first tea house, and prosperity followed. His peasant upbringing brewed into a life of great wealth and success; with a large family to carry on the tea business and make it flourish for generations to come.

Kusmi 25, rue Danielle Casanova Paris 01

The company became one of the three largest tea houses in Russia and was a supplier to the Court of Tsars. It would be the keen insight of Pavel's son, Viatcheslav, to open a workshop in Paris; escaping the pending Revolution in 1917. It would be known as the Maison Kusmi-Thé, a shortened version of the family's surname.

The company is no longer owned by the Kousmichoff family. The Orebi Family took over Kusmi in 2003, harnessing this 140 year old company to be the international Kusmi Tea brand. Kusmi expanded into North America this year, opening a location in Motreal, Quebec and there's word of a NYC expansion soon.

A Few Health Benefits Drinking Tea

Tea contains antioxidants. Antioxidants can help slow down the aging process, and help cells regenerate.  

Tea aids your body in digestion. Tea has been used for thousands of years as a digestive aid after meals.

Tea keeps you hydrated. Every cup of tea you drink, especially low or no caffeine varieties, counts as a cup of water with the added bonus of providing antioxidants as well.

George's Cake Recipes that go well with tea.

Orange and Honey Cake

Lemon Ricotta Pound Cake

images: Kusmi Tea 

Antica Cuvée

This is a superb grappa I discovered while toasting with new my Venetian friends. As holidays such as Easter arrive I will be toasting with this same grappa but with prayers and wishes of health, peace and prosperity.

Nonino's hand blown bottle may have a bit to do with catching your attention, but the quality content inside the bottle speaks volumes for the grappa industry in Italy. The Friuli based Nonino Family changed the way the world views grappa. This fine grappa is made from a blend of 3 grappas from the varietals: Ribolla Gialla, Moscato, and Verduzzo. Antica Cuvee is aged for 12 months in limousin oak barriques and bottled with no additives. It is described as a rich, round and warm on the palate with a long and warm finish. The aromatics are spices, brioche vanilla and almond. 

Serve at room temperature in wide balloon-type glasses, sip as a digestive. Perfect with foie gras, dark chocolate or hot chocolate dessert.

Champagne Cocktail Recipe

Classic Champagne Cocktail Recipe: Six ounces of champagne and a sugar cube soaked in Angostura bitters is all it takes to make a sophisticated cocktail for the New Year. Drop the sugar cube into a tall flute glass, and then slowly add champagne and a lemon twist. 

Tips: With the Champagne Cocktail, you can trust the bitters to take the edge off a lesser quality champagne or sparkling wine. For this drink, you can use a less expensive wine, spending about $10 to $18 for a good domestic bottle. Or, as I personally prefer to use a good Prosecco for under $15.

When opening Champagne or Prosecco, use a gentle twist - save the bubbles for the inside of the glass and not the floor.

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