Quick meals - quick and easy recipes - page 135

Don’t let smoky Scotch scare you away from this drink—we use just a dash of the peaty stuff in this warming cup of cider (sort of like you’d use absinthe in a rinse). The bulk of the booze is a not-so-peaty whisky, to keep the overall drink balanced. Drink it as a nightcap, paired with a classic dessert like our fresh apple pie. This cocktail was featured as part of our Hot Boozy Drinks recipe gallery.

This Prohibition-era cocktail is equal parts herbaceous Chartreuse, gin, sweet maraschino liqueur, and sour lime juice. It’s complex, balanced, and totally satisfying. What to buy: Maraschino liqueur is a relatively dry liqueur with a subtle bitter-almond flavor; it can be found at any well-stocked liquor store.

Here’s a rather dramatic, somewhat gothic alternative to the old martini.

Red grapefruit juice and orgeat give this drink its slightly opaque, pearlescent color. If you choose, add a splash of rum or vodka, but this floral, citrusy blend can hold its own without the booze. What to buy: Orgeat is an almond-sugar syrup traditionally made from whole blanched almonds. The nut oil gives the syrup (and cocktails made with it) a richness that can’t be duplicated with a cheap almond-flavored syrup.

This is a supersimple cocktail that happens to be supertasty. In fact it’s so simple that it’s hard to screw up even after tossing back a few.

Refreshing and herbaceous, this cocktail will bring you back to life.

Malty Guinness and rich vanilla ice cream: a dreamy, frothy, creamy combination. This milkshake would be perfect for a St. Patrick’s Day celebration or equally delicious sipped poolside in August. For virgin shakes, try our Chocolate Malted Milk Shake or Purple Cow Milk Shake. What to buy: We found that using a can of Guinness instead of a bottle ensures a creamier consistency.

The perfect shrimp scampi recipe calls for a simple mix of garlic, shrimp, butter and wine. It’s a delicious 15-minute recipe that can be served over pasta or as a first course with crusty bread and a Caesar Salad.

Pressed for time in the morning? The easy, no-cook cheese-and-herb mixture in this omelet should be your go-to filling. The creamy, tangy goat cheese plays nicely with just about any fresh herb. For a weekend breakfast, roast some lemony potatoes to serve on the side. Special equipment: You will need an 8-inch nonstick frying pan.

If you’re not ready to give up egg yolks cold turkey but you want to make more healthy, lower-cholesterol choices, this is the omelet for you. Adding a single yolk to our Basic Egg White Omelet gives the dish just enough of the body that so many people think is lacking in an egg-white-only omelet. We recommend topping it with a touch of hot sauce. Special equipment: You will need an 8-inch nonstick frying pan.

Most Mojito recipes are served with tragically mashed mint leaves, guaranteeing two problems: bitter flavors from over-zealously crushed mint, and soggy leaves that get stuck in your teeth or straw. Make your Mojito the right way by gently pressing on the mint leaves to just release their oils, then straining them out to ensure an unencumbered sipping experience. Game plan: You’ll need to make the Simple Syrup before you begin.

A hot toddy is a cool-weather glass of cheer with limitless combinations of spirits. Few ask whence the “toddy” in hot toddy comes. Despite its name, the hot toddy should not be served too hot. Heat the mixture in a chafing dish or saucepan until just before boiling, and let it cool a few moments. For added flair, you may also use a hot poker.

In this quick and easy punch, rosé wine is the star. A little fresh lime juice, some muddled blackberries, and vodka are added to the wine, making this a refreshing libation for your next summer soiree. Game plan: You’ll need to make the Simple Syrup before you begin.

Unwrapping a soggy sandwich at a picnic is an avoidable tragedy. Just a light smear of fig jam across a crusty baguette keeps this French-inspired grab-n-go sandwich from crossing into sodden territory. Tuck in some ham and Camembert cheese, wrap it up, and stick it in your basket. No more sad sandwiches.

There’s something homey and relaxing about a pitcher of freshly squeezed lemonade that sugary store-bought versions can’t quite deliver. Whether it conjures visions of a summer lemonade stand or rocking on a porch swing, grab some lemons and squeeze up a batch yourself. For more, see our Pink Lemonade recipe.

In the realm of snacking, it’s universally known that some dips require a sturdier scooping device. Enter the pita chip. These crunchy, thick chips can stand up to any dip, from hummus to hot crab to roasted eggplant, without buckling. Special equipment: You’ll need a pastry brush to make these chips. What to buy: Ras el hanout is a North African spice blend with sweet and floral notes and can be found at Middle Eastern grocers. Or you can make your own.