THE BEST MARGARITA MIX LIKE THE MASTERS FOR SATISFYING TEQUILA-FUELED FLAVOR.Byline: Natalie Haughton Food Editor Get in a Cinco de Mayo Cinco de Mayo (Spanish; “Fifth of May”) Mexican holiday commemorating the Mexican victory over the French at Puebla in 1862. The French army, better-equipped and far larger than the Mexican army, had been sent by Napoleon III to conquer Mexico. party mood and whip up frosty, great-tasting margaritas (Mexico's most popular mixed drink) to sip while you're munching on chips and salsa. The perfect margarita can be made many ways - frosty and blended or shaken and served on the rocks. Two offerings are from restaurants - in Sherman Oaks and Del Mar - and the ultimate margarita rendition is shared by W. Park Kerr, a Texan and founder of the El Paso Chile Co., in his new book ``Viva Margarita'' (featuring more than 60 tequila recipes). Along with the many flavored margaritas that have become popular over the years - peach, raspberry, strawberry, pineapple, melon and such - restaurants are offering a variety of hip flavors like pomegranate pomegranate (pŏm`grănĭt, pŏm`ə–), handsome deciduous and somewhat thorny large shrub or small tree (Punica granatum (at Rosa Mexicana in New York City New York City: see New York, city. New York City City (pop., 2000: 8,008,278), southeastern New York, at the mouth of the Hudson River. The largest city in the U.S. ), watermelon watermelon, plant (Citrullus vulgaris) of the family Curcurbitaceae (gourd family) native to Africa and introduced to America by Africans transported as slaves. Watermelons are now extensively cultivated in the United States and are popular also in S Russia. (at Maya Restaurant in San Francisco and New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of ), guava guava (gwä`və), small evergreen tree or shrub of the genus Psidium of the family Myrtaceae (myrtle family), native to tropical America and grown elsewhere for its ornamental flowers and edible fruit. , mango or prickly pear (at Border Grill in Santa Monica) and cranberry or passion fruit (at Senor Fred in Sherman Oaks). Kerr even includes a refreshing Congarita - a margarita blended with fresh pineapple chunks and creme de banana liqueur along with tequila and Cointreau. If you're confused about the numerous tequilas available, here's the lowdown low·down n. Slang The whole truth: gave us the lowdown on what happened at the party. lowdown low (inf) n he gave me the lowdown on it → . Tequila is the distilled spirit of the heart of the agave plant (a member of the lily family) made in and around the town of Tequila in Mexico's Jalisco province. The best tequilas are those labeled 100 percent blue agave (they must be bottled in Mexico). The four categories of tequilas include blanco (or silver or plata), the youngest, clear and unaged; joven abocado (or gold), unaged with coloring and flavorings or sweeteners added; reposado, aged at least two months in wood barrels; and anejo, aged at least one year in oak barrels - and the highest-quality tequilas. Cool margaritas beckon beck·on v. beck·oned, beck·on·ing, beck·ons v.tr. 1. To signal or summon, as by nodding or waving. 2. us to celebrate. Sample these cool ones for Cinco de Mayo festivities fes·tiv·i·ty n. pl. fes·tiv·i·ties 1. A joyous feast, holiday, or celebration; a festival. 2. The pleasure, joy, and gaiety of a festival or celebration. 3. or keep handy for entertaining at patio and pool parties throughout the summer. Natalie Haughton, (818) 713-3692 natalie.haughton(at)dailynews.com BUBBA'S MARGARITA (From En Fuego, Del Mar, Calif.) 1 1/2 ounces anejo tequila (such as Sauza Commemorativo) 1/2 ounce Grand Marnier Splash orange juice 6 ounces sweet and sour sweet and sour adj → agridulce mix Pour all ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake well, then strain over the rocks (ice) in a margarita glass (with or without the rim dipped in salt). Add one squeeze of fresh lime for extra flavor and garnish with a lime wedge. Makes 1 serving. FROSTY MARGARITA 4 cups ice cubes 1/2 cup tequila 1/2 cup Cointreau (orange-flavored liqueur) 1/4 cup fresh lime juice In a blender, combine ice, tequila, Cointreau and lime juice and blend until mixture is smooth. Pour into 4 stemmed or other glasses (rub rim with additional lime juice and dip in salt, if desired). Garnish with a lime slice. Makes 4 servings. From ``Good Housekeeping Blend It!: 150 Sensational Recipes to Make in Your Blender.'' THE ULTIMATE MARGARITA Sublimely simple and finely tuned, this is the perfect alchemy of 100 percent agave silver tequila, fresh lime and Cointreau, a premium orange liqueur. Margarita traditionalists may insist on a salt rim, but the Federales won't come looking for you if your preference is for saltless margaritas. 2 to 3 lime wedges Kosher salt in a small plate 1 1/2 cups crushed ice 1 1/2 ounces premium silver tequila 1 ounce Cointreau (orange-flavored liqueur) 1 ounce fresh lime juice 1 scant tablespoon superfine superfine a class of merino sheep with wool finer than that of fine-wool. Usual limit is wool of 18.5 microns or less fiber diameter. sugar 6 ice cubes Run 1 lime wedge around rim of a margarita glass. Dip moistened rim in salt. Set lime wedge aside and chill glass until ready to use. Fill a cocktail shaker with crushed ice and add tequila, Cointreau, lime juice and sugar. Shake vigorously to blend and chill. Fill prepared glass with ice cubes. Strain shaken mixture into glass. Squeeze 1 or 2 remaining lime wedges into drink, depending on personal preference. Drop lime wedges into drink and serve. Makes 1 serving. NOTE: Adding an extra citrus splash of fresh orange juice, or, equally great, pineapple juice, really makes a margarita come alive. Or, for real south-of-the-border flavor, use the juice of 2 small Key limes in place of Persian lime juice. And you can always gild the margarita with sweet Grand Marnier instead of Cointreau, for a great counterbalance to the Key limes' tartness. From ``Viva Margarita,'' by W. Park Kerr. STRAWBERRY MARGARITA (A Restaurant Replica version of one served at Senor Fred restaurant, Sherman Oaks). 11/2 cup margarita mix 3 tablespoons orange juice 1 1/2 ounces tequila 1/2 cup frozen whole unsweetened strawberries, partially thawed (in microwave oven 30 to 45 seconds) 1 tablespoon sugar 2 cups ice cubes In a heavy-duty blender that will crush ice cubes, combine all ingredients. Process until slushy slush·y adj. slush·i·er, slush·i·est 1. Consisting of, covered with, or full of slush. 2. Resembling slush, as in consistency. 3. Revoltingly sentimental; maudlin. See Synonyms at sentimental. and blended but very small pieces of ice remain. Turn into a tall glass with a salt-lined rim, if desired (rub edge with lime or lemon juice, then dip in salt until it adheres). Garnish with a whole fresh strawberry. Makes 1 serving. ROASTED THREE-PEPPER SALSA This is not only a great dipping salsa with chips, it's also excellent as a topping for fajitas fajitas Noun, pl a Mexican dish of soft tortillas wrapped around fried strips of meat or vegetables [Mexican Spanish] or stirred into guacamole. 1 yellow bell pepper 1 red bell pepper 1/2 white onion 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil 4 unpeeled Un`peeled a. 1. Thoroughly stripped; pillaged. 2. Not peeled. garlic cloves 2 cups chopped tomatoes 1/2 cup minced fresh cilantro 2 jalapeno peppers, minced 4 teaspoons fresh lime juice 1 teaspoon salt Preheat broiler broiler a young (about 8 weeks old) male or female chicken weighing 3 to 3.5 lb. . Cut bell peppers in half lengthwise length·wise adv. & adj. Of, along, or in reference to the direction of the length; longitudinally. Adj. 1. lengthwise ; remove stems and seeds. Place, cut-side down, on a baking sheet lined with foil. Flatten with palm of your hand. Cut onion into large chunks; toss with olive oil. Put onion and garlic on baking sheet. Broil 3 inches from heat, stirring every few minutes, until onion starts to brown (don't let it burn). Remove garlic cloves when softened. Broil bell peppers until skins are blackened black·en v. black·ened, black·en·ing, black·ens v.tr. 1. To make black. 2. To sully or defame: a scandal that blackened the mayor's name. 3. . Transfer to a paper bag, seal and let steam 10 minutes to loosen skins. Remove and discard skins; chop bell peppers. Peel garlic cloves and mince. Chop onion. Combine bell peppers, onion, garlic, tomatoes, cilantro, jalapenos, lime juice and salt in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate 1 to 2 hours to blend flavors. Makes about 3 1/2 cups. From ``Viva Margarita,'' by W. Park Kerr. CAPTION(S): 4 photos Photo: (1 -- cover -- color) Lovely 'rita Become a tequila-mixing pro (2 -- color) FROSTY MARGARITA Photo by Theresa Raffetto from ``Good Housekeeping Blend It!'' Hearst Books (3 -- color) ROASTED THREE-PEPPER SALSA From ``Viva Margarita,'' Chronicle Books. (4 -- color) STRAWBERRY MARGARITA Gus Ruelas/Staff Photographer |
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