This week’s guest post on how to make mint tea is by the infamous Garrett McCord of Vanilla Garlic. Besides being a dear friend of mine, Garrett is also one of the most creative cooks I’ve ever met. I’ve seen him pull some amazing recipes out of thin air, then whip then into reality in a matter of minutes. His approach to cooking is an inspiration.

Sometimes, though, life just sucks — and when that happens, you probably don’t have the energy to cook. When the four letter words hit the fan, you need something simple to take your worries away. At times like this, it pays to know how to make mint tea. And that’s exactly what Garrett is sharing with you today.

Know what’s stressful? Walking into your apartment and listening to the squish-squash-sqloosh of your feet as you cross the carpeted floor. Even more stressful? Entering your 105F bathroom that radiates heat from the floor like a dry sauna. Even more stressful than that? In order to assert dominance over the smelliest parts of the carpet where the mold is beginning to grow roots, your cats decide to suddenly start peeing on the floors. Something they’ve never done before.
 
So yes. I am stressed. ... Read the rest of How to Make Mint Tea on The Culinary Life.

Permalink | Posted in Beverages, Nutrition, People on Aug/Mon/2011
Post tags: beverages, drink recipes, garrett mccord, herb, herbal tea, mint, tea, vanilla garlic
© Stephanie Stiavetti for Wasabimon!, 2011.

When I arrived in Florence – Firenze to the locals – the first thing I did was find my hotel and check out the area nearby. Turns out I was right in the middle of “Il Duomo,” and I was excited to find that I was less than a block away from Gilli Caffe, a somewhat famous Italian coffee house. I was immediately drawn in by their windows, which were richly decorated with Easter treats for the upcoming holiday; the parade of chocolate rabbits and gigantic sugar eggs, decorated to the culinary equivalent of cloisonné, had attracted quite a crowd of camera-toting tourists, me included. ... Read the rest of Florence, Italy: Gilli Cafe on The Culinary Life.

Permalink | Posted in Beverages, Travel on Apr/Tue/2011
Post tags: bad service, cafes, coffee, espresso, europe, florence, gilli, italy, pastry, travel
© Stephanie Stiavetti for Wasabimon!, 2011.

Wow, how are we talking about New Years Eve cocktail recipes already? Where the hell did the year go? This hasn’t exactly been an epic year, though I can say I’ve had worse. I’ve got high hopes for 2010 2011, and this time around, I have a whole new arsenal of weapons to achieve my goals: a renewed sense of purpose and an improved outlook on life. Good Things ™ are planned this year, and I fully intend to make this the best I’ve had in a very long time! Anyone who disagrees can schedule a one-on-one meeting with my boot.

For now, it’s officially New Years Eve. I’m not really into the hard core party thing anymore, but I do love a creatively mixed cocktail recipe. I also have this little love affair with the bubbly, so I’m going to share with you a few fabulous drink combos to help you ring in the new year with style.

New Years Eve Cocktail Recipes

• Are you a Battlestar Galactica fan? Then you’ll love Josh’s geeky cocktail recipes, the Olympic Carrier and the New Caprica: Bartending in Fantasy Land: The Golden Café 2010
• Who has a caps lock key and loves chocolate martinis? THIS GIRL!
• If you’ve got oranges in your area, I highly recommend this Blood Orange Margarita recipe. Uber yum.
• You gotta love these champagne cocktail recipes, including the French 75, La Vie en Rose, and Death at Dusk. Watch out: serious day-after headache fodder here.
• Why not try the The Big O? Essentially, this is a screwdriver with more personality.
• For a more seasonal beverage, I recommend the Cranberry Amaretto Kiss.
• Ever heard of the lovely Poinsettia Cocktail Recipe? Yeah, me neither.
• If you’re into bitter drinks, try the Bittercup, a spiffy cocktail recipe for those who prefer a drink that bites back.
• And guess what? There’s an entire blog dedicated to jello shot recipes.

Dealing with the Aftermath

Too many New Years Eve cocktails? For the morning after, check out these tried and true tips for avoiding (or coping with) a hellacious New Years Day hangover.

Permalink | Posted in Beverages on Dec/Fri/2010
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© Stephanie Stiavetti for Wasabimon!, 2010.

I am completely and utterly in love with mint hot chocolate. For as long as I can remember, my favorite ice cream flavor has been mint chocolate chip, and I nearly keeled over with joy the first time I tasted a peppermint mocha at my local coffee shop. It was only a matter of time, then, until I developed my own mint hot chocolate recipe at home. Sure, I could buy peppermint hot cocoa mix from the store, but cocoa tastes a thousand times better when I make it myself. Plus, it’s so easy to make from scratch that I could do it with my eyes closed. ... Read the rest of Peppermint Hot Chocolate Recipe on The Culinary Life.

Permalink | Posted in Beverages, Holiday on Dec/Thu/2010
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© Stephanie Stiavetti for Wasabimon!, 2010.

I was introduced to salted caramel hot chocolate a few months ago when a few friends and I shared a cup at a local chocolate cafe. I remember feeling a little lightheaded when the hot, creamy drink nuzzled its way up to my taste buds; its velvety texture and sweetly salty seduction were almost more than I could take. After the head rush faded away, I’m pretty sure I exclaimed, “Salted caramel hot chocolate is better than sex!” ... Read the rest of Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate on The Culinary Life.

Permalink | Posted in Beverages, Desserts on Dec/Tue/2010
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© Stephanie Stiavetti for Wasabimon!, 2010.

Some of you might be scratching your heads and thinking, “Curry in a hot cocoa recipe?” Let me explain. A few months ago, three friends and I were sitting at Bittersweet Cafe, sipping a salted caramel hot cocoa that made us all melt into a pool of ecstasy, when someone said we should replicate the recipe. We contemplated all the ways we could recreate such a decadent beverage, and then the conversation turned to other hot cocoa ideas. Garrett, Casey, Sarah and I started tossing out all the lovely ways we could alter a basic hot cocoa recipe, and in a fit of inspiration, we decided to have a hot cocoa day, where we would all post a unique cocoa recipe at the same time.

Guess what? Today would be that day. ... Read the rest of Peanut Butter Curry Hot Cocoa Recipe on The Culinary Life.

Permalink | Posted in Beverages, Desserts on Dec/Mon/2010
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© Stephanie Stiavetti for Wasabimon!, 2010.