Newsletter Title
Volume III, Issue 4 May 2009
Tuna Bites
In This Issue
Ask the Bar Chef
Foodie to Foodie
Entertaining Notes
Greetings!
 
It's Spring and it's time to party B&A style! What is 'B&A style'?, one might ask...partying with food, of course! But the combination of winter rains, recent high winds and mild temperatures is causing many people to feel pretty lousy. If you are one of the many plagued with allergies, going outside for, say, a picnic might not sound very fun. B&A has just the prescription for you - casual comfort food and sweet indulgences! The event team at B&A can create a menu to pacify your sniffly nose and blood shot eyes.
 
Grits soufflé, cheeseburger macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, corn pudding, chicken tenders, old fashioned baked beans, tomato bisque and chicken noodle soup are just a few of the comfort foods that B&A has to offer. If all you want is a nibble of something sweet to eat, the pastry kitchen at B&A can help there, too, with mini banana pudding, mini chocolate tortes, mini cookies with assorted butter creams and sprinkles, mini cheesecake squares and "mini" more divinities. These items and more can be seen on our web-site at www.bawarehouse.com.
B&A Logo SmallASK THE BAR CHEF
 
SKINNY MINI RECIPE
 
INGREDIENTS
 
1 cup of Svedka vodka
1 ½ cups of Crystal Light, Orange Sunrise flavor
½ cup fresh raspberries
½ cup fresh oranges
Ice, crushed
 
PREPARATION
 
Blend together vodka, crystal light, fruit and ice. Pour into tall glass. Add fruit to garnish. Sip and Enjoy!
Makes 6-8 cocktails, 150 calories, 6 g of carb, 2 g of fiber per drink!

 
 B&A Logo Small
FOODIE TO FOODIE
 
PEANUT BRITTLE RECIPE
 
INGREDIENTS
 
1 ½ cups raw shelled peanuts, skins on
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup light corn syrup
⅛ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon butter or margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda

 
PREPARATION
 
Stir together peanuts, sugar, syrup and salt in a 1 ½ quart glass casserole or microwave safe container. Cook 4 minutes on high. Stop. Stir well. Return to oven and microwave on high 4 minutes more. Stop. Stir in butter. Microwave 2 minutes longer on high. Stir in vanilla. Add baking soda. Quickly stir until light and foamy. Immediately pour out onto a lightly greased surface (baking sheet, marble slab, glass casserole dish). Spread about ¼ inch thickness. When cool, break into pieces. Store in an airtight container.
Makes 1 pound.
 ENTERTAINING NOTES  
 
Let's Wine Down for Hot Weather
 
We associate white wine with specific foods and warm weather. How many times have we tried to quickly chill a bottle of white wine and got very frustrated? Let's start with a bottle of white wine at room temperature. Please remember that all wine has a different sugar content and alcohol content as this has a bearing on how long it takes to chill. Many of you have a bottle of your favorite vodka in your freezer - great for liquor - not for wine. You can chill your wine in the freezer, but do not leave it in the freezer over 45 minutes to 1 hour. The fastest way to chill a bottle of wine is to place your wine in a bucket with ice and water. You can add salt (coarse or ice cream salt) to your ice and water).
 
The following is a chart that will help you plan your chilling time for your wine.
 
Wine-Chilling Guide
 
Wine Type: Red
Serving Temp: 65 degrees
Chill in Freezer: 15 minutes
Chill in Ice Bucket: 10 minutes
 
Wine Type: White - high sugar or alcohol content
Serving Temp: 55 degrees
Chill in Freezer: 25 minutes
Chill in Ice Bucket: 15 minutes
 
Wine Type: White - lower sugar or alcohol content
Serving Temp: 50 degrees
Chill in Freezer: 30 minutes
Chill in Ice Bucket: 20 minutes
 
Wine Type: Sparkling
Serving Temp: 45 degrees
Chill in Freezer: 40 minutes
Chill in Ice Bucket: 25 minutes
 
A great party idea - Ask all of your guests to bring their favorite bottle of wine (maybe 2 or 3 - depending on the number of guests), fold a cloth napkin around your bottles to cover the label (you can make tags for the bottles that say the kind of wine - such as Chardonnay, Cabernet, etc. so your guests know what kind, but just not the brand). Also ask your guests to know the price of the wine and where they purchased it.
 
Before your party (on your invitation) ask your guests to let you know what kind and brand of wine they are bringing. You can make a list of all of the wine your guests are tasting as well as a tasting sheet for your guests to write notes. All you need on the tasting sheet is a corresponding number on the bottle and on your list of wines.
 
This could be the next trend in economical and fun parties. Add your favorite cheeses and light appetizers and you are ready to wine down.
 
Susan
susan@bawarehouse.com
B&A Warehouse
1531 1st Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35233
205-326-4220