Political Cocktails - The Perfect Drinks for Election Night

Well it's that time of the week I enjoy the most, the weekend (or almost). As I'm sure most of you know this Tuesday is a BIG DAY, it's election day of course. Since I'm sure people will be talking about politics all this weekend anyways, what better way to speak your political beliefs than through a couple of cocktails :) This past week, I received some recipes for two martinis that are sure to please no matter who you're voting for!



The first is the McCain-tini



Ingredients

• 4 Fresh Cherries, muddled




• 1½ oz. Zodiac Vodka




• ½ oz. Pomegranate Juice




• 1 oz. Fresh Sour Mix

Directions:

Muddle Cherries in shaker. Combine remaining ingredients in shaker with ice. vigorously and strain loosely into martini glass. Um, YUM!

Now for the Obama-tini

Ingredients

• 8 Fresh Blueberries, Muddled



• 1½ oz. Zodiac Vodka



• ½ oz. Blue Curacao



• ½ oz. Fresh Sour Mix

Muddle blueberries in shaker. Combine remaining ingredients in shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain loosely into martini glass. Garnish and serve.

Think of all you'll say with a martini :)

Don't forget to talk to me about fall!!

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Red Wine Mustard Vinaigrette

This was another part of my wonderful 4 course dinner that Leah made me the other night.

Packed with flavor, this vinaigrette could make me eat any salad. Toss with some gorgonzola or bleu cheese crumbles and you're done!

Ingredients (this will fill a salad dressing bottle)

• 1 cup olive oil
• 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
• 1 chopped shallot
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp salt
• 1/2 the juice of a lemon
• 1 tbsp dijon mustard
• pepper to taste

Directions

First, mix everything together except the olive oil.

Once mixed together, while constantly whisking, start slowly adding in the olive oil.

Once the mixture starts taking the olive oil (you will see distinct lines running through the mixture, not balls of olive oil on the sides and top) you can start adding in the olive oil a little faster.

However, if you add in the olive oil too fast, the mixture wont take the olive oil and you will break the dressing. Leah has informed me that this dressing is technically called an emulsion. Basically its when you mix two things that dont go together, you force them to combine.

I took pictures of my pretty salad and the finished dressing, but unfortunately I forgot my camera today so check back tomorrow.

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Top Posts

For those of you new readers joining us I thought I would re-post the top posts that most readers are coming to the Frugal Foodies for...

1. Bulgogi Recipe - A great easy recipe, and a wonderful introduction to Korean Food


2. Sweet Tea Vodka - A great product, while you can mix with two sisters sweet tea (it might be overkill, but I like my stuff SWEET) this is also great with water and a lemon
   
3. Pipa Restuarant - By far one of my favorite places in the city, read up for your next visit or if you live in New York go tonight!
   
4. Nikko's Charlotte - One of my favorite places to go when I visit Charlotte. Great sushi and atmosphere
   
5. Purple Moon Cheese - this cabernet soaked cheddar is sure to become a favorite

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Zucchini and Asparagus Crudi

I know you read that title and thought "I don't know about this..." Let me tell you something. I DO. I know that this is amazing and that's because I ate it last night, at my home, which I am now referring to as "The Restaurant," because the meals I ate eat there surpass restaurant quality.





Anyways, Leah made me this delightful salad or crudi.

It's as simple as it is delicious.

Ingredients (for 2-4 servings)

• 1 large zucchini


• 1 bundle of asparagus


• 1 lemon


• Shredded Parmesan


• Olive Oil


• Salt


• Pepper

Directions (total time: 20 minutes)

To get your zucchini in that fancy shape couldn't be easier. Simply take a peeler and start shaving off layers and layers of zucchini. Once you've peeled the desired amount of zucchini move on to the asparagus.

Break off the ends of the asparagus. Do this by grabbing the asparagus at the middle and end and bending so the pressure causes it to break. Then run your knife down the middle of the asparagus splitting it.

Place the zucchini and asparagus in a bowl and toss lightly with some olive oil (shouldn't take a lot). Then squeeze half a lemon (to get the most juice, roll the lemon first, then when squeezing hold the lemon upright so no seeds get in the mixture) and add some Parmesan.

Plate your delicious salad and top off with some more Parmesan!

This dish could not be healthier and I've never understood the appeal of being a vegetarian but after that meal, I can understand why.

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Talk to me about Fall

I know it may not feel like Fall everywhere, but in New York it most definitely is!!

So what I want to know is what are your favorite things to make/do in the Fall? Anything that you will only eat during September, October, November? What are your favorite recipes?

My favorite fall treat has been Leah's Pumpkin Fluff.

So leave a comment with your favorite recipe/story/craft/whatever and whoever writes the best one will get to be featured in a post!!

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