May I Suggest...
By Barbara Kozlowski (11/28/08)
For the Village Wine Rack

Looks like ‘old man winter’ decided to pay us an early visit this year. For so many years, opening for the Thanksgiving weekend really gave our community that special holiday feeling with so many of our extended family and friends returning to go skiing and enjoying everything that is Ellicottville.
Now that ‘holi-month’ (short for holiday month from Thanksgiving through New Years) has begun, if you are planning any celebrations with family and friends, a helpful hint for refreshments, the liquid type, is to either limit them to wine and beer or make a list of your guests and what their preference is. I have referred to the COMPLETE BARTENDER’S GUIDE to assist me. One chapter deals with tools and equipment, glassware, bar essentials, bar terms, general advice, easy techniques, flavors and garnishes, and party planning. This one chapter really provides the bar basics to perform like a pro.
Under tools and equipment much of what is mentioned are basics in most everyone’s home. They include: bar knife and spoon, blender, bottle opener, champagne stopper, chopping board, cocktail sticks, corkscrew, decorative coasters, dash pourer, grater, ice bucket and tongs, ice scoop, juicer, mixing glass, muddler, pony jigger, salt & pepper grinders, shaker, stirrers, strawberry huller, straws and a zester.

I consider glassware part of tools and equipment and if you have storage for an extensive collection of glasses, a list of glasses could include: champagne flute, cocktail, goblet, highball, Irish coffee, liqueur, martini, old fashioned, port, punch or toddy, shot, red and white wine. Its easy enough to improvise and share uses with the exception of a few cocktails.

Another important piece of information in this book is the buying guide. It offers an approximate number of drinks from a bottle of spirits and the number od glasses of wine from bottles of various sizes. It also suggests the number of cocktails per person and the numbers of bottles of wine. The spirits buying guide suggests that from a liter bottle,, using a measure of 1 1/2 oz per cocktail, approximately 22 cocktails can be prepared. It also suggests for a cocktail party, 3 cocktails per person or 2 cocktails before dinner and 2 after dinner cocktails. If pouring wine for your guests, figure on 4 - 5 glasses per 750 ml bottle and 2 - 3 glasses of wine with dinner.

As this information is to serve as a guide, we all know that some guests will consume more and some less, it allows you to gauge your spirit and wine purchases for your next get together. Beer, on the other hand, can be a little more difficult to gauge. The amount of beer consumed will depend on the individual, type and style. Light beers may have a higher consumption rate than say an ale or specialty beer. Also allow for a ‘designated driver’ cocktail that’s non-alcoholic.
Got turkey? I found this easy recipe for left over cooked turkey.

The Recipe:FRUITED TURKEY SALAD
3 cups chopped cooked turkey
3/4 cup dried cranberries
3 celery stalks chopped
1 med red delicious apple chopped
3/4 cup honey mustard dressing
1/2 cup pecan halves toasted and chopped (optional)

Combine first 5 ingredients and toss well. Stir in toasted pecans if desired.

Enjoy the snow and the festivities this weekend. BON APETIT and SKOL!!!!