Beer Girl Cooks

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limoncello

Boozy Red White and Blueberry Limoncello Popsicles

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I just can’t stop.

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Somebody send help because I’m totally addicted to popsicles.  It’s been so dang hot here and the berries are everywhere and all up in my face!  Farmer’s Market.  Publix.  The Teeter.  They beg me to buy them, throw them into my Vitamix, and make popsicle magic with the gallons of cans of coconut milk currently residing in my pantry.

Just add booze.

Trust me.  I know that boozing up my popsicles must come as a terrible shock.

 

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Even though I’m late to the party, I couldn’t forget to come on and ride this red white and blue train because it’s 4th of July already!  Whaaaaaat?!?!?!

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And I know everyone is lamenting about where in tarnation did the time go, but seriously, where in tarnation did the time go?

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I don’t know about you, but I’m so not about dwelling on time passing because that’s totally not my jam. I’m going to keep making popsicles and stuffing them in my face for as long as it makes me happy – even if this sickness turns into peppermint popsicles in December.  I’ll own it.

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So, I had all kinds of berries in my fridge (see above berry buying problem) and a big bottle of limoncello on hand, so that was enough to make dangerous boozy popsicle magic.  Can you seriously complain about a cocktail and a popsicle all in one?  I can’t.  Have you met me?  I’ll own that too.

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I’m so glad we had this little talk.  I don’t know about you, but I sure do feel better.

 

Boozy Red White and Blueberry Limoncello Popsicles
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Boozy Red White and Blueberry Limoncello Popsicles

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup limoncello divided
  • 1 pint fresh blueberries
  • 1 pint fresh strawberries
  • 1 can coconut milk full fat and I had about 1/3 cup leftover that I used in smoothies

Instructions

  1. Add blueberries and 1/4 cup limoncello to a high speed blender or food processor and puree until smooth
  2. Pour into popsicle molds 1/3 full
  3. Rinse blender and add strawberries and remaining 1/4 cup limoncello and puree until smooth
  4. Slowly pour coconut milk on top of blueberry popsicle layer to 2/3 full
  5. Slowly pour the strawberry limoncello puree on top of the coconut milk layer to fill the molds
  6. Cover, insert sticks, and freeze overnight

 

Note: Add 1 -2 tablespoons of agave to each of the fruit layers while pureeing if you have a sweet tooth or your fruit is not as sweet as you want it.

Note: If your pops don’t come out easily run them under some warm water for 15 seconds.  If they are still stuck, run them under warm water for another 10 seconds or so.

 

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P.S. Don’t get too aggressive while trying to remove your pops from the molds or you could end up somewhat frustrated

Have a safe and happy 4th, y’all!

 

Red White and Blueberry Limoncello Popsicles

Strawberry, Goat Cheese, Avocado, Arugula Salad with Beer Brined Chicken and Limoncello Poppyseed Dressing

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I was given an opportunity to try The Produce Box free and all opinions are my own.  Strawberry, Goat Cheese, Avocado, Arugula Salad with Beer Brined Chicken and Limoncello Poppyseed Dressing 

 

Strawberry, Goat Cheese, Avocado Arugula Salad with Beer Brined Chicken and Limoncello Poppyseed Dressing

 

Did y’all have a wonderful weekend and Mother’s Day?  We certainly did, which is why I’m a little late to the party this week.  Speaking of parties, we are rolling out this week in style with a double boozy strawberry and goat cheese salad.  Now, I know a strawberry and goat cheese salad isn’t the most original idea on the planet and there are many delicious recipes out there.

 

Strawberry, Goat Cheese, Avocado Arugula Salad with Beer Brined Chicken and Limoncello Poppyseed Dressing

 

So I added my own boozy style and twist to an old classic.  I took some of NoDa Brewing Company’s CAVU Blonde Ale and brined a couple of chicken breasts.  I chose CAVU because it’s a delicious summery beer with tropical fruit and citrus notes that makes it the perfect complement to a chicken and strawberry salad with limoncello dressing.  Trust me.

Trivia tip: CAVU is a flight term that means Ceiling and Visibility Unlimited and one of the brewery owners is an experienced pilot.  How cool is that?!?!

 

Strawberry, Goat Cheese, Avocado Arugula Salad with Beer Brined Chicken and Limoncello Poppyseed Dressing

 

Next I grabbed a bottle of limoncello and whipped up a perfect dressing to finish off this salad. Again. Trust me.  I’m not exactly sure what in tarnation made me put limoncello in salad dressing, but the angels started singing.  Ok.  Maybe I hit the bottle and imagined the angels, but either way it’s a game changer.

 

Strawberry, Goat Cheese, Avocado Arugula Salad with Beer Brined Chicken and Limoncello Poppyseed Dressing

 

Of course, I’m always inspired by beer and all things boozy, but this time the salad inspiration came from some beautiful strawberries and everything else fell into place.  As a member of the Charlotte Food Bloggers, I was lucky enough to receive a free trial from the kind people at The Produce Box. The Produce Box is delivers fresh local produce and specialty items, such as meats, cheeses, and breads all over North Carolina.

Remember when I said I was up to my eyeballs in strawberries?!?!?!  I ordered some in my produce box then my garden exploded with strawberries!  I certainly had enough to share, but I was on a mission to keep the birds from making a habit of dining on my berries!  There were many shenanigans happening over here from pounding on the windows, to garden hoses, to running and hand waving.  Needless to say, expect a few more strawberry dishes.  I’ll also be sharing another recipe later this week from The Produce Box contents.

 

Strawberry, Goat Cheese, Avocado Arugula Salad with Beer Brined Chicken and Limoncello Poppyseed Dressing

 

I’ve got to go watch Dancing With the Stars now, so I hope y’all have a fantastic week!

 

Strawberry, Goat Cheese, Avocado Arugula Salad with Beer Brined Chicken and Limoncello Poppyseed Dressing
Print

Strawberry, Goat Cheese, Avocado, Arugula Salad with Beer Brined Chicken and Limoncello Poppyseed Dressing

Ingredients

  • 2 Chicken Breasts
  • 1 16 ounce can of beer - I used NoDa Brewing Company's CAVU Blonde Ale because it has fruit and citris notes to complement the chicken and the salad
  • 2 cups strawberries hulled and quartered
  • 1 avocado removed from shell, pitted, and sliced
  • 1/2-3/4 cup sliced almonds toasted
  • 4 ounces goat cheese crumbled
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • a few pinches salt
  • a few pinches pepper
  • a few pinches garlic powder
  • 6-8 cups arugula

For the Dressing

  • 1/2 small shallot diced
  • 4 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon poppyseeds
  • 3 tablespoons Limoncello
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 3/4 cup olive oil
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Combine chicken and beer in a zipper bag or container with a lid, refrigerate for 45 minutes to 1 hour
  2. Meanwhile make the dressing by combining all ingredients to a mason jar, cover with the lid and shake vigorously, set aside
  3. Remove chicken from the beer brine and transfer to a parchment lined baking sheet
  4. Discard beer brine - sadly, you can't drink it now
  5. Sprinkle chicken with olive oil, salt and pepper
  6. Broil chicken for 6-8 minutes each side, or until the internal temperature is 160 in the thickest part
  7. While chicken is cooking, prepare the salad
  8. In one very large bowl or two big salad bowls, add arugula and top with strawberries, avocado, and goat cheese
  9. Top with chicken and almonds
  10. Serve with dressing


Full Disclosure:  NoDa Brewing Company did not sponsor this post.  I just really love them and their beer!

 

 

Strawberry, Goat Cheese, Avocado Arugula Salad with Beer Brined Chicken and Limoncello Poppyseed Dressing

Cranberry Limoncello Martini

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Cheers, y’all!  I know I said to come back Thursday for a cocktail (really it’s a Cranberry Limoncello Martini!) and holiday toast, but I got to thinking – and according to Chris, me getting to thinking is always dangerous….

 

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My point is that if I’m going to share a cocktail (Cranberry Limoncello Martini!!!) for New Year’s Eve, shouldn’t you have enough time to prepare for it and get it ready?  So, I made an executive decision. This is my website after all, so I can do whatever I want!  This is totally my sandbox!

 

Here’s the deal.  I changed my posting plans and moved things up from Thursday to Wednesday.  So sue me.  I know it’s early, but it’s just all the earlier we can start drinking, so who’s with me?!?!?

 

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At least now you have time to make this martini.  No joke.  It’s fantastic.  Chris and I went out for a romantic dinner for two at Luciano’s Ristorante Italiano in Charlotte on Christmas Eve and Chris ordered one of the drink specials.  It was a Cranberry Limencello Martini.  Whaaat?!?!!

 

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We LOVE Luciano’s in Charlotte’s Southend neighborhood.  We found it by accident a couple of years ago and keep going back.

FULL DISCLOSURE:  Luciano’s Ristorante Italiano is not sponsoring this post.  We just love this place.

 

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I  totally hijacked their Cranberry Limoncello Martini.  So sue me.

 

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Seriously, y’all, this is my last post of 2015.  I sincerely wish each and every one of you a Happy New Year.  Have a blast during what remains of the holiday season. I wish you all so much happiness and send you a big CHEERS for a fantastic 2016!

 

 

INSPIRED BY LUCIANO’S RISTORANTE ITALIANO!

 

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Cranberry Limoncello Martini

Ingredients

For the Martini

  • 2 ounces Ciroc Berry
  • 2 ounces Limoncello
  • 4 teaspoons fresh cranberry puree recipe below
  • lemon twist and fresh cranberries for garnish
  • Sugar for rim optional

Fresh Cranberry Puree

  • 1 cup fresh cranberries
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • Water

Instructions

Fresh Cranberry Puree

  1. In a small pot, combine cranberries and sugar, add enough water to cover by about 1/2 inch
  2. Bring to a boil
  3. Boil until cranberries pop, smashing with the back of a spoon and gets thick and syrupy - 7 - 10 minutes
  4. Set aside until cool
  5. Transfer to bowl of a food processor or blender and puree until smooth

For the Cranberry Limoncello Martini

  1. Add cranberry puree, Limoncello, and Ciroc Berry to a cocktail shaker filled with ice
  2. Shake virogously, pour into a martini glass, garnish with lemon twist and two cranberries on a toothpick
  3. Optional - prior to filling glass, dip edge of glass in water then sugar