12 Cocktails of Christmas: 6 Geese A Laying

Try my fun and tasty drinks for the festive season from the Capital Cooking Cookbook.  Learn how to make some of the 12 Cocktails of Christmas (6 Geese a Laying Recipe Below).  Capital Cooking Cookbook features the Holiday Cocktails, and copies are available online at: www.createspace.com/3374156. 

12 Cocktails of Christmas: 5 Golden Rings

On the 5th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Thinking of Drinking: Peppermint Pattie

Get a minty fresh taste with a chocolaty creamy smoothness with this Peppermint Pattie Cocktail.  I wish I was drinking one right now!

Gingerbread House and Train Workshop

Don't miss the Gingerbread House and Train Workshop at the Ritz-Carlton in Pentagon City.   Explore the art of gingerbread house and train decorating with your little ones in the Grand Ballroom. The event will be taking place from 11:00am-2:00pm and is priced at $39 per adult and $69 per child ages 12 and under (inclusive of gingerbread decor and lunch).

Thanksgiving Leftovers: Turkey Tacos

Clyde's of Reston Executive Chef Patrick Carroll says, "I work Thanksgiving and honestly after serving hundreds of turkey dinners I just cant eat it.  But I love leftovers! They challenge me with new creative dishes. I eat food that's light and give me energy for the holiday shopping to come."

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today is a time for reflection and thanks.  

Recipe: Chocolate Pecan Tart

Thanksgiving is right around the corner. I taught a Thanksgiving cooking class a few years ago in Virginia and made my delicious Chocolate Pecan Tart Recipe. Instead of the traditional pecan pie typically offered at most Thanksgiving dinners, try out this Chocolate Pecan Tart.

Thanksgiving Menu

We're staying in town this year and planning to dine at Le Diplomate with family.  We loved it last year and it is a great way to relax.  That said, I'm still planning to do some cooking with friends.  What's your favorite Thanksgiving dish?

Perfect Pair: Cranberry Apple Sauce

Cranberry Sauce can sometimes have a pungent flavor that makes it hard to eat.  I've added apples to the mix and I think it balances the flavor and makes it more enjoyable.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Thinking of Drinking: Old Core

If you’re hosting a holiday gathering and want to make it festive and memorable why not put this cocktail recipe at your self – serve bar. 

Don't Miss DC Cocktail Week!

Break out your martini glasses next week and enjoy the libations!

Menu Planning: Fall Feast

Happy Fall! We celebrated the season with a menu worth sharing. A special thank you for our partners: American Lamb Board, Logan's Sausage, California Figs, San Bernardo Ice Cream.  Lamb, figs and sausages are perfect fall ingredients.  Logan's Sausage Company is one of my favorites.  They have so many varieties and they are great for grilling at parties.  

Opening: Service Bar DC

Passion Fruit Sour

Service Bar DC (SBDC), the concept of veteran bartenders Chad Spangler and Glendon Hartley along bar owner Chris Willoughby, opens today!   

Fall in DC

#babycapcook hiking

My work schedule has been crazy, but we got a small taste of fall this weekend with hiking near Montrose Park.  It was great to get out in nature and enjoy!  What fun things have you been doing in DC?  

Grand Opening: Muse Paintbar at Mosaic

By Claire Goldman

Sip and snack while expressing your creative side at Muse Paintbar in the Mosaic District.  This is the 20th Muse to pop up nationwide but the first to come to the DC area.

Opening: Sakerum

Mokimedia threw another fabulous party to celebrate the opening of Sakerum!  I had fun visiting with The Washington Lobbyist, Dolci Gelati's Anastasia Dellaccio and top mixologist, Gina Cersevani.

Zodiac Summer

This summer I have been exploring new, refreshing drinks to beat the brutal DC heat.

Thinking of Drinking: Blonde Mahogany

Beverage Director Andra “AJ” Johnson of Macon Bistro and Larder, located at 5520 Connecticut Ave., NW, 20015, is featuring the popular Brazilian spirit, Cachaça, to coincide with the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. Guests can enjoy this cocktail throughout the Olympic games through August 21 st , during dinner service. Dinner is served Tuesday through Thursday, from 5 PM to 10 PM, Friday and Saturday, from 5 PM to 11 PM, and Sunday, from 5 PM to 10 PM. 

Labor Day Eats in DC

Keep the weekend going and do brunch on Labor Day.  If you're offering brunch and aren't on the list, please send me the details to be included.  Thanks!

Perfect Pair: Lobster Risotto

Last spring, my mom came to town and we were in for a treat.  As she arrived, I received a shipment of live lobsters from GetMaineLobster.com.  I'm not exaggerating when I say that they are the best I've ever had.  We spent the night boiling lobster to make this delicious Lobster Risotto.  The delicate meat melts in your mouth.

Thinking of Drinking: Gin Basil Smash

Check out the first part of Capital Cooking's Swedish Adventure !  We made this Gin Basil Smash with the bartenders at F 12 in Stockholm.  Make one at home while watching!

Thinking of Drinking: The Olympic Ring Martini

Make sure you're watching Olympics with one of these in hand.  USA!  USA!  USA!

All Aboard: Swedish Crayfish Safari!

In the gorgeous little seaside villa of Fjallbacka, nestled like a hand into the glove of the deep, mysterious Bohuslan Coast in West Sweden, you may be surprised to learn that you can go on a wild safari.  But you won’t need a rifle, and you won’t be tracking anything resembling the Big Five.  Instead you will be jumping on a four-ton fishing boat and diving headlong into crashing waves to hunt crayfish submerged nearly 300 feet below the sea’s surface, a place so cold and so dark that only the tastiest of creatures hide out there.  

Guide to California Wine Country

We loved our trip to California last summer.  It is the perfect place to enjoy sunshine and wine.  Napa and Sonoma are truly breathtaking.  The quality of wine is hard to beat.  Check out what we did and let me know if you have any questions when planning your trip.  Cheers!

Uncorked: Truvée Rosé

Summer is the perfect time to sip Rosé.  Truvée Rosé is from California’s sun-kissed Central Coast .  This fruit forward, floral, and dry pink wine has a truly unique story that evokes the American Dream.  

Thinking of Drinking: Mai Tai

Feel like your on the islands by making yourself one of these breezy cocktails.

Recipe: Caprese Salad

Photo by Kristen Finn

It is tomato season my friends!  This Caprese Salad was featured on Cooking of Campania.  I got my first taste in a small restaurant on the island of Capri about 15 years ago.  You'll love the freshness of the tomatoes and the creaminess of the mozzarella.  It is the perfect summertime treat!  It is also featured in the Capital Cooking Cookbook.

Eating Around Town: Hazel

I'll be the first to admit that I don't get out much now that I have an almost two year old.  When my friend asked me to come out for a girls dinner, I was excited to try Hazel.

Recipe: Peach Bruschetta

Peaches are in season right now and oh so sweet.  What else can you do with them besides eating them raw?  Sticky Fingers Sweets and Eats makes a yummy Peach Bruschetta. Check out this vegan recipe.

Happy Birthday, Linsey!

Thinking of Drinking: Ginger Margarita

Yum!

Opening: Bucketfeet Shoes in Shaw

By Claire Goldman

Recipe: Strawberry Crumble

Nothing says summer like strawberries.  This dessert is sure to please.

Recipe: Tuna Ceviche

Watermelon has made my summer!  Try this Tuna Ceviche with watermelon from Nage.

Thinking of Drinking: Watermelon Cricket

It is watermelon season and I've been downing at least one per week.  Get in the watermelon spirit with Carmine's Watermelon Cricket ($12).  Cool off with gin mixed with muddled fresh watermelon, lemon and lime juice, and a splash of simple syrup and Peychaud’s bitters (boozy bitters from New Orleans).  According to Carmine’s beverage director Erin Ward “It’s very refreshing in the heat and humidity”.  Really? Well then have a couple!!

Recipe: Moroccan Lamb Tagine

I'm a huge fan of lamb, so I'm always looking for new recipes to test out with the underutilized meat.  I love Moroccan flavors.  Enjoy!

Thinking of Drinking: Kaminee

Do you like cocktails with a kick?  If so, try the Kaminee!

Fantastic Fireworks at Mandarin Oriental

Mandarin Oriental, Washington DC celebrates summer with this Fantastic Fireworks package.  Avoid the crowds and traffic and spend the evening of the 4th with no hassles.

Recipe: Broiled Lobster Tails

I love lobster.  Check out this easy recipe!

Best Summer Cocktails in DC

Where can you find the best summer cocktails in DC? I asked the writers of Capital Cooking for their selections. Comment below to let us know yours!

Recipe: Fried Green Tomatoes

Who doesn’t love simple home-style cooking? I’m talking about Mint Juleps…Mom’s Meatloaf…Southern fried green tomatoes and a childhood favorites, strawberry shortcake. These dishes will bring back sweet memories and the comfort of home. 

SAVOR Craft Beer & Food Experience: 2016 Top 5 Beers

Claire & Lauren with Luke Trautwein, Brewers Association Art Director

 By Claire Goldman & Lauren DeSantis

SAVOR American Craft Been & Food Experience is an annual event put on by The Brewers Association.  This event brings craft brewers from around the country to Washington, DC beer lovers.  At SAVOR every kriek, tripel, stout and ale is paired with food for a complete tasting experience.  Lauren and I tasted a lot of beers and bites that night but have narrowed down our favorites to a top five list (below in no particular order).

Live Music, Comedy & Karaoke at Buckeye + Bear

By Claire Goldman

Buckeye + Bear is now open for business serving up brisket nachos with a side of live music.  Now occupying the space once known as the Huxley, owners Ryan Seelbach and Eric Lund decided to turn their upscale nightclub into a downtown music and comedy venue.

Happy Birthday, Corey!

A huge Happy Birthday to the best husband and dad that I know.  I hope you're day is amazing!  We love you.

Congrats to the 2016 Rammy Winners!

New Nespresso Vertuoline Coffee!

I got my new Nespresso machine a couple years ago and it is amazing.

Thinking of Drinking: Limoncello Sangria

Photo by Bryn Wallace

Friday rolls around and I'm still thinking of drinking.  Give your Sangria recipe some lemon zing by adding a little Ventura Limoncello to the drink.  This Limoncello Sangria was featured on Capital Cooking's Under the Tuscan Stars episode.  Enjoy this light and refreshing cocktail this weekend!

Best BBQ in DC

Lauren's Pick:  DC City Smokehouse

Where can you find the best BBQ in DC? I asked the writers of Capital Cooking for their selections. Comment below to let us know yours!

Recipe: Summer Trifle

Who can imagine summer without summer food?  This is the perfect dessert for summer.

Uncorked: 19 Crimes

Looking for the perfect Father's Day wine?  Get grilling and pair with these.