The Bacardi® Superior Rum Mojito

With National Rum Day, right around the corner (ok it’s a week or so away but we love RUM) we figured we’d help you plan out your daily libation of sorts to help get your evening going as well as it possibly can. With some help from the great folks at the Casa De Bacardi, we have for you today, the Official Bacardi® Mojito Recipe. Enjoy it with some Arroz Con Pollo, Jerk Chicken or some sliced fruit if your on a diet, whatever you do, have a great time, RESPONSIBLY.

Ingredients:

2 parts Bacardi® Superior Rum

12 fresh Mint leaves

1 Lime, cut in ½ then cut into wedges

2 TBS Simple Syrup or extra fine Sugar

Club Soda

Crushed Ice

A few sprigs of Mint as a garnish

Instructions:

Muddle the 12 Mint leaves & ½ of the Lime.

Cover w/ 2 TBS Simple Syrup or Sugar and top w/ crushed ice.

Add the Bacardi® Rum and top with a few dashes of Club Soda.

Stir well & garnish w/ a sprig of Mint & a Lime wedge

ROTD: National Mint Julep Day 2012

Today is National Mint Julep Day. Pour up a few cold libations, invite some friends over to relax and wax nostalgia about great memories and future plans for creating more of the same. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

2 oz Bourbon Whisky (Preferably Makers Mark)

8 Sprigs of Mint

1 tsp fine Sugar

Drink Mixer w/ Lid

Shaved Ice

Instructions:

Wash the Mint thoroughly and remove any stems that may be attached.

Place the Mint and Sugar with a dash of water in a drink mixer.

Add Shaved Ice & Bourbon, cover with lid and shake until outside is cold & frosted.

Pour into a Rocks Glass and garnish with a fresh sprig of Mint.

Seared Tilapia w/ Lemon Asparagus & Spicy Mint Gremolata

Using quality equipment is key to creating great dishes. That is to say, you don’t always need to go out and purchase the most expensive piece of cooking equipment, but more importantly a piece that can withstand time and rigorous use. When cooking your Tilapia, make sure that your non stick skillet is very hot, this will ensure that only a minimal amount of oil is needed. Your fish for once doesn’t actually have to be swimming to be ok. By using a few different fresh herbs and the hints of citrus as a topping, the fish will pack the perfect amount of heart healthy nutrients as well as a some great flavors to either start or finish off the day.

Ingredients:

2 lb thin, tender asparagus, trimmed

3 TBS coarsely chopped mint leaves

1 small garlic clove, finely chopped

½ tsp finely grated lemon zest

Juice from 1 large Lemon

Few dashes of crushed red pepper flakes

2 tilapia fillets (around1 lb), halved

Kosher Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 TBS extra virgin olive oil, plus 4 tsp oil for drizzling

Directions:

Put a steamer basket in a large pot over 1-inch of boiling salted water.

Add the asparagus; cover and steam until it is crisp-tender, 6 to 8 minutes.

After you remove the Asparagus dash with Kosher Salt, course ground black pepper & Lemon Juice to taste.

In a small dish, stir together the mint, garlic, lemon zest and pepper flakes, this makes a great condiment called a Gremolata, which also goes perfect atop of Carne Asada and things of the grilled nature.

Brush the tilapia with 1TBS oil; season with salt and pepper to taste.

Add 2 tilapia fillets to hot pan; cook, turning once, until opaque throughout, 5 to 7 minutes total.

Transfer to plates. Repeat with remaining tilapia.

Serve the tilapia with the asparagus; garnish with Gremolata mixture.

Drizzle the asparagus and fish with olive oil, if desired.

Recipe Of The Day: Grilled Jerk Chicken w/ Mint Habanero Glaze

We have stated over and over our fondness for the golden bird in our test kitchens and just feel that with Summer here in the Southern section of the Great Golden State California, that you can never go wrong with a little grilled chicken. This time around instead of just leaving it at alone with the jerk seasonings we decided to give the recipe a little twist with the help of a great Mint & Habanero glaze that works like a great tag team to heat up and cool down this great grilled delight.
This must be enjoyed with ice cold drinks of the top shelf variety, such as Silver Patron Margaritas, or Mint Juleps loaded with top shelf Glenlivet. 
Enjoy!