THE PERFECT SUMMER HOSTESS GIFT: MAKE A BLOODY MARY GIFT BASKET

If you have been invited to visit friends at their lake or beach home this summer, you most certainly will take something to say thank you but it isn’t always easy to figure out what to take. I’ve got the perfect answer for you- make them a Bloody Mary gift basket! This is always a favorite when I show up with it- and it is so easy to assemble.

Get a nice, sturdy basket. I get mine at the farmer’s market.

Start with your favorite Bloody Mary mix. I like Zing Zang, Major Peters, McClure’s, and Tabasco. Sometimes, I make my own and bottle in canning jars, but it has to be kept cool. Here is that recipe.

Next, add some or all of the following:

  • VODKA

  • HOT SAUCE

  • OLD BAY SEASONING

  • PICKLED OKRA- Wickles makes a good one!

  • CORNICHONS OR PETITE PICKLES

  • PICKLED GREEN BEANS

  • PICKLED PEARL ONIONS

  • CELERY SALT

  • HORSERADISH

  • GREEN OLIVES

  • PRETTY COCKTAIL NAPKINS

  • STIRRERS

  • FUN PLASTIC CUPS (some places will not allow glass on the beach, so disposable or reusable plastic is good. Swoozie’s has fun ones, and you can always find them on Etsy or Amazon.)

You can add fresh peppers from your garden, too, if you have them.

Wrap it all up with cellophane and tie it with a bow. Your hostess will love it!

RECIPE: BUSHWACKER FROZEN COCKTAIL

Summertime… the time of year for a frozen cocktail on the deck, dock- or maybe just in the backyard. There are tons of frozen drinks to choose from but here in Alabama, the unofficial state cocktail is the Bushwacker. You can find them at many places around L.A. (Lower Alabama) and while the recipes are all a little different, the basics are the same: chocolate syrup, vanilla ice cream, and rum. While most places drizzle chocolate syrup inside the wall of the glass as seen in the photo from Sunset Pointe in Fairhope, Alabama on the left, the world-famous Flora-Bama does not add chocolate to the glass but adds the chocolate to the ice cream.

You can dress these up for a summer dessert with whipped cream and chocolate shavings. Some places offer a “float” on top of 150 proof rum but proceed with caution as this takes the drink from fun to potent.

BUSHWACKER FROZEN COCKTAIL

Yield: 2-4 drinks, depending on the portion size

INGREDIENTS

1-pint vanilla ice cream, softened

1/2 cup half and half

1/3 cup chocolate syrup plus more to drizzle the glass

4 ounces light rum, chilled

1/2 ounce 150-proof rum on top, optional

Whipped cream, optional

DIRECTIONS:

Mix ingredients in a blender with a small amount of ice. Pour into glasses which have been drizzled with chocolate syrup, if using. Float the 150-proof rum on top, if using. Add whipped cream and more chocolate syrup or chocolate shavings, if desired.

MARTIE DUNCAN MAKES STRAWBERRY NUTELLA STUFFED FRENCH TOAST

Why have one slice of bread for your French Toast when you can have two with strawberries and Nutella in the middle? This recipe is so good, you’ll be tempted to make it every weekend—brunch will never be the same!

STRAWBERRY NUTELLA STUFFED FRENCH TOAST
Makes 5 servings

INGREDIENTS
5 large eggs
¾ cup heavy cream (you may also use milk or half and half or any combination)
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 ½ cups fresh strawberries, sliced thick
10 slices Brioche or soft loaf bread, thick sliced is best
10 tablespoons Nutella® chocolate hazelnut spread
1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/4 cup Confectioners sugar, for dusting
Maple syrup, optional

DIRECTIONS:
Hull and slice the strawberries. Set aside on a paper towel.

In a large mixing bowl whisk together the eggs, heavy cream and salt. Set aside.

Spread the bread with Nutella, making certain to go all the way to the edges. This is the “glue” that will hold the bread together. Put strawberry slices on top of five slices of bread which have been spread with Nutella. Put the bread together to form 5 sandwiches.

Preheat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat.

Working one at a time, quickly dip the sandwich in the egg mixture, letting it sit about 2-3 seconds per side to soak up the egg mixture.

Turn up the heat to medium-high. Add a pinch of the butter to the pan. When the butter bubbles, add the sandwich and cook until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. Repeat.

Use a serrated knife to slice on the diagonal for serving.
Dust with Confectioners sugar. Serve with warm maple syrup, if desired.