September 22, 2011

proof rum, aloha summer, Vol. 52


For the last official day of the season we are throwing an endless summer luau. Strap on your coconuts, ukulele and grass skirt and sing aloha to summer with today’s hawaiian-inspired menu. Also join us in toasting Thursty Thursday’s one-year anniversary with these two juicy pineapple cocktails – one for the rum fans and one for the whisky lovers. ‘Like’ us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Proof-Brands/181641835185326 and Twitter http://twitter.com/proofbrands to get last minute updates on tastings, parties & events.



proof’s polynesian punch 1 oz proof rum • ½ oz triple sec • 3 to 4 oz Ceres pineapple juice • splash of lime juice. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, add all ingredients and shake. Strain into an ice-filled glass and garnish with a grilled pineapple wedge.

 


The five-o 1 ½ oz proof whisky • ¾ oz dry vermouth • ¾ oz Ceres pineapple juice. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, add all ingredients and shake. Strain into a chilled martini glass.

 


Who says luaus have to be oceanside? We are having a very ‘civilized’ and grown-up luau dinner party in the comfort of our own dining room. This one you can do year round. Here are the recipes:

 


Pork and Pineapple Kebabs 1 tablespoon red-wine vinegar  • 2 tbsp proof whisky • 1 garlic clove, crushed and mixed with 1/2 teaspoon salt • 1 tsp dried hot red pepper flakes • 1/4 cup vegetable oil • 1 1/2 pounds boneless trimmed pork shoulder or pork loin, cut into forty 1-inch pieces • 1/4 cup ketchup • 2 tablespoons white vinegar • 2 tablespoons sugar • 2 teaspoons soy sauce • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 1/4 teaspoon sesame oil • 1 pineapple, peeled, cored, and cut into thirty 3/4-inch-thick wedges • 10 10-inch wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes

In a large bowl whisk together the red-wine vinegar, whisky, the garlic paste, and the red pepper flakes, add the vegetable oil in a stream, whisking until it is emulsified. Add the pork, stirring to coat it with the marinade, and let it marinate, covered and chilled, for at least 6 hours or overnight. In a bowl whisk together the ketchup, the distilled vinegar, the sugar, the soy sauce, the salt, and the sesame oil until the sugar is dissolved and reserve the sauce. Drain the pork, reserving the marinade, and thread it and the pineapple, alternating them, onto the skewers, using 4 pieces of pork and 3 pieces of pineapple on each skewer. Brush the kebabs with some of the reserved marinade and grill them on medium to high on gas bbq, basting them for the first 10 minutes with the reserved marinade and turning them, for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the pork is just cooked through but still juicy. Brush the kebabs with the soy & ketchup sauce and grill them, turning them, for 2 minutes more.

 



Macadamia Couscous 1½ cups couscous • 1½ cups very hot chicken or vegetable stock • 1/2 cup currents or raisins • 1/2 cup raw macadamias, roasted and chopped • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil • 2 tablespoons lemon juice • 1 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley • 1/4 tsp cinnamon • 1/4 tsp cumin • salt & pepper to taste  
For macadamia couscous place couscous in a bowl, add very hot stock, stir and set aside for 5 minutes or until stock is absorbed, then stir in currents, nuts, cinnamon and cumin. Combine olive oil and lemon juice in a small bowl and whisk well, then pour over couscous, add herbs and toss gently to combine.




Grilled Pineapple 1 pineapple • 1/4 cup brown sugar • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon • 1 tbsp proof rum • 1 lime, juiced
Remove the skin from the pineapple and cut into quarters lengthwise. Remove the core. In a big ziploc or marinating container stir together sugar and cinnamon. Add pineapple and rum and shake it up before marinating it for up to 30 minutes or more. Cook pineapple on a hot grill until you have grill marks on each side. Remove and toss with lime juice. Best if served hot. We like it on vanilla ice cream, drizzled with dulce de leche.




If you really want the set the stage, you can find some great decorations and props at the following stores: for authentic tiki bars (www.tikiescapes.com), cups and decorations (www.amazingpartystore.com), target (www.target.com), hawaiian shirt tommy bahama (www.tommybahama.com)



Do the hula to some of these classics: Don Ho, Tiny Bubbles, Elvis, Blue Hawaii, Ledward Kaapana, Black Sand, Jimmy Buffet, Beach Boys, Surfaris, Any artist playing Slack Key Guitar or any Luau Party Compilations from Amazon or itunes.


Weekend Forecast:
Saturday: Scattered showers and a high of 20 degrees
Sunday: Cloudy periods and a high of 21 degrees

No comments:

Post a Comment

Tell us what you think