Flag Day and Gelato

Flag Day and Gelato

Flag Day and Gelato

On June 14, 1777, John Adams spoke about the flag at a meeting of the Continental Congress in Philadelphia: “Resolved, that the flag of the thirteen United States shall be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the Union be thirteen stars, white on a blue field, representing a new constellation.”

There have since been 27 official versions of the flag, according to the Library of Congress. The last change was made on July 4, 1960, when Hawaii became the 50th state. The thirteen stripes are emblems of the thirteen British colonies that announced independence from Great Britain in 1776. The fifty stars represent the states in America.

Flag Day is celebrated on June 14. It commemorates the adoption of the official “flag of the United States of America” with its popular nicknames such as:

– Stars and Stripes
– Old Glory
– The Star Spangled Banner
– The Red, White and Blue

Flag Day and Gelato

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Vegas-Style Cactus Ginger Margarita

Cactus Ginger Margarita

Vegas-Style Cactus Ginger Margarita

Kick back and relax poolside under the bright Vegas skies while sipping on a Fabulous Vegas-Style Margarita. Groove to the smooth sounds of crooners Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra. Enjoy dinner crafted by one of the dozens of celebrity chefs, take in a show. Later in the evening, cruise the casinos and let Luck Be A Lady Tonight!

Cactus Ginger Margarita

My original Poolside Signature Cocktail is the marriage of a Ginger Margarita and a Prickly Pear Margarita.

Cactus Ginger Margarita

Tequila, orange liqueur, lime, and salt are all it takes to make the perfect classic margarita… but substitute Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur for the usual Triple Sec or Cointreau and add an ounce of the fabulous desert-born, magenta-hued prickly pear cactus syrup…and Viva Las Vegas My Friends!

Cactus Ginger Margarita Recipe

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Poolside Chicken Sandwich

Poolside Chicken Sandwich

Poolside chicken Sandwich

Grilled Chicken on a Poppy Seed Kaiser Roll
Shishito Peppers, Mozzarella, Pesto, Arugula, Garlic Mayo

It’s hot here in Vegas. The pool is officially open. And we are grilling everything in sight. Yesterday’s lunch was a delightful grilled chicken sandwich on a grilled kaiser roll with peppery arugula, herby pesto, gooey mozzarella, garlicky mayo, and a little surprise from grilled shishito peppers. Shishitos are thin-walled mild peppers with a fresh green vegetal flavor and just a whisper of heat. Every once in a while, though, you’ll come across a hot one!

Grilled Chicken Sandwich with Shishito Peppers Recipe

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Bay Shrimp Ceviche, Baja-Style

Ceviche Baja-Style

Refreshing Bay shrimp Ceviche, Baja-Style

The beauty of this bay shrimp ceviche is that there is no need to search out pristine, raw, expensive fresh seafood when in the mood for a refreshing light meal.

Toss Wild Pacific Coldwater Bay Shrimp with fresh squeezed lime juice. Fold in chopped vegetables, refrigerate then enjoy 15 minutes later! These little shrimp have a delicious sweet flavored meat with a medium soft texture, perfect for ceviche.

We served this dish al fresco, Baja-style. The weather’s been in the low 90°s during the day here in Vegas. Chilled ceviche with house-made chips makes a delightful poolside snack. Add a frosty cerveza and there is nothing better.

These sustainable bay shrimp are harvested from the Pacific Ocean in cold waters from San Francisco up to Canada, with most of the catch coming from along the Oregon coast.  The shrimp are fully cooked, peeled, and frozen. I keep a bag in the freezer. At $15 for a 2 lb. bag from Costco, it’s a great economical protein source to use in many recipes from soups to salads to omelettes.

Baja-style is the type of ceviche served all over Baja California which includes Mexican staples such as avocado, cucumber, and tomato as opposed to a Peruvian-style ceviche which is prepared with vegetables popular in Peru, such as sweet potato and choclo. Both great, just different.

Bay Shrimp Ceviche, Baja-Style Recipe

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