Sparkling Not So Simple Sangria Flora

Sparkling Not So Simple Sangria Flora

Shuffling through  Instagram on Sunday I came across St. Germaine's Sangria Flora .... It looked lovely.

Fact: nothing is nicer than a lovely glass of Sangria on a lovely afternoon.

I headed to my bar and came up with a variation of their recipe to suit my mood and pantry and to cut the alcohol I enlisted the help of my "Not So Simple Syrup" and seltzer.  It was as lovely as I imagined and so I had to share with YOU!

What you need:

• 1 bottle chilled Chardonnay or other dry white wine 
• 1/4 cup St. Germaine Elderflower Liquer
• 1/4 cup lemon or berry Not So Simple Syrup 
• 1 cup halved seedless grapes
• 1-2 pluots (or the stone fruit of your liking), pitted and sliced
• 1 cup chilled sparkling water

What You Do:

1. Pour the wine into a pitcher.

2. Stir in the St. Germaine, Not So Simple Syrup and the fruit. 

3. If time allows chill for a few hours (which I acknowledge is not always the case).  Right before serving, add the sparkling water to the pitcher, then pour the sangria into glasses packed with ice.

CHEERS!

Yo Ho Ho & A Gaggle of Rum Recipes! {HAPPY NATIONAL RUM DAY!}

RUM COCKTAIL COMPILATION

So we meet again..... I wondered as I noticed the date if I'd even have any Rum recipes to gather as I've definitely been a Gin girl of late.... but fear not, there's still some pirate in me!  Enjoy one of these fabulous drinks to celebrate the day!

HAPPY NATIONAL RUM DAY!

 

The always classic.....

still an all time FAV!

Bramble Mojito

RUM COLLINS




NO BOO-ing here!
Dark & Stormy Death Punch
 

Doesn't need to be
complicated..... Meyer 25



& when we all need a quick ghetto fix....

Pirate's PUNCH!



if all else fails......

2012 Rum Compilation

 

CHEERS MATEY!





WOW MEET EASY {6 Ingredient Springform Rigatoni Pie}



Springform Rigatoni Pie

I kept seeing pictures of this recipe and was dying for an event that would call for it..... then when planning dinners for the week my three little nieces were visiting... yup!   Kid friendly, adult impressing....

This is one of those recipes that has such a visual wow factor that one might be intimidated

and think they can't do or

they aren't a "good enough" cook. 

BAH! This is an awesome dish

with really no hard work SWEAR! 

{I guess you could keep that between us....} 

Taste wise:  it's a cross between lasagna and baked ziti and could be modified to accommodate just about any diet based on your choices {vegetarian, gluten free, low fat}.

Best news?  I founds dozens of recipes for this and while most had lists of ingredients as long as your arm.... NO NEED.  Don't go there.  SIX ingredients {5 if you are vegetarian LOL}. 

It's my new motto.... life does NOT need to be complicated.  Nor does your crazy mind blowing rigatoni pie....

Summer Soup {Quick Sweet Corn Vermicelli Soup Recipe}

Sweet Corn Vermicelli Soup 

We love soup.  Any time of year.  It's comforting, it's easy and it can be a quick weeknight fix.  This is a great light summer dinner that incorporates the great fresh corn that is in abundance right now and also is simplified by grabbing one of those great roasted chickens that your grocery store deli always has on hand.