No ice please.

Cocktails are often associated with white sandy beaches, parasols, neon signs, sunshine and handsome bartenders called ‘Jack’.  Thanks to the Quickten team you don’t have to wait until summer in fact you don’t even need Jack. Try some of these tasty tipples to melt away the chill of winter:

1. The Godfather – 1 measure Amaretto, 2 measure whisky. Serve in a tumbler over ice.
2. Mulled wine/gluhwein –750ml bottle merlot, 2/3 cup of Demerara sugar, juice and rind of 1 orange, 2 cinnamon stick, 4 cloves, 2 cardamom pods, 1 bay leaf, rind of ½ lemon,  large pinch fresh grated nutmeg. Put everything in a pan, heat until the sugar has dissolved. Don’t boil.
3. Boston Sidecar – 1 measure brandy, 1 measure light rum, 1 measure orange liqueur, and 1 tsp lemon or lime juice. Mix in a shaker with ice, strain and serve.
4. The Sazerac – 1 ½ measure bourbon, 3 dashes bitters, ¼ measure absinthe, ¾ measure simple syrup*. Chill a tumbler with ice. In a separate glass mix the simple syrup with the bitters, add the bourbon and ice stir. Discard the ice from the tumbler and rinse with the absinthe to coat the glass. Strain the bourbon and bitters into the chilled absinthe coated glass, discard the ice. Squeeze a lemon twist over the top off the glass.
5. Irish coffee – 1 measure Irish whiskey, hot coffee, whipped cream.
6. Brandy Sangaree – Simple syrup, 2 measures brandy, splash of port, fresh ground nutmeg to garnish. Mix the simple syrup in a glass, add the brandy top with port and sprinkle nutmeg on the top. To make a longer drink add soda water after the brandy, top with port.
7. Brandy Alexander – 1 measure cream, 1 measure brandy, 1 measure of crème de cacao, nutmeg to garnish. Mix the brandy, crème de cacao and cream in a shaker with ice. Strain and serve with fresh grated nutmeg on top.
8. Tom and Jerry – 1 egg, 1tsp icing sugar, 1 measure brandy, 1 measure dark rum, hot milk, freshly grated nutmeg to garnish. Separate the egg white from yolk beat them separately. Fold eggs together and put into a heart proof glass. Add the sugar, rum and brand. Top with hot milk and stir.
9. Moscow Mule – 2 measures vodka, 1 measure of lime juice, fresh mint, ginger beer, Demerara sugar, 3 drops of bitters. Muddle the sugar and mint in a tall glass, add the vodka and lime. Then ice, ginger beer and bitters. Stir and serve.
10. Vodka Martin – 2 measures vodka, 1 tsp vermouth, olive, lemon rind twist. Chill martini glass with ice. In separate glass chill vodka with ice. Empty ice from martini glass and rinse with the vermouth. Strain the chilled vodka into martini glass. Add lemon twist and an olive.

Summer time where you are reading this or off to the islands? Watch out for the top ten summer time cocktails coming soon.

*Simple syrup: 1 tsp powdered sugar (icing or fine sugar), dissolved with 1 tsp water

For the purpose of this post I have used a 25ml/1oz jigger as 1 measure.

Drink responsibly.

Think before you eat.

Pesticides and herbicides are used on our foods constantly to improve yields and cut down on time at most industrial farms, but they can be VERY bad for your health no matter how much you wash them as these residues can seep into your foods. We have done a little bit of research and found the fruits and vegetables you should avoid unless you are sure that they come from an organic farm.

Either excessive pesticides are being used or these fruits have a higher absorption rate then others and are harder to remove the residues that can cause poor health in you and your family.

Source: Organic Food Blog

1. Peaches
2. Apples
3. Sweet Bell Peppers
4. Celery
5. Nectarines
6. Strawberries
7. Carrots
8. Cherries
9. Pears
10. Squash

Guest Contributor: Shane Grissum
Website: http://gingerlove.ca/

The ageing process.

The world of Single Malt Whisky is a confusing one with hundreds to choose from ranging from $30 to thousands of dollars. The Quickten team have put together a list of excellent Scottish malts so you can avoid making a pricey mistake.

Single malt whisky differs from other whisky in that it comes from only one distillery and is made with malted barley.

1. Cragganmore 12 yr – Speyside. Medium dry, smooth, slightly smoky.
2. Macallan 10yr- Speyside. Malty, strong sherry notes and spicy fruit cake.
3. Glenfarclas 12 yr – Speyside. Spicy sherry taste with a pleasant lingering oaky finish.
4. Longmorn 16yr – Speyside. Smoky, fruity, creamy and soft malt.
5. Balvenie double wood 12 yr – Speyside. Rich, smooth and complex.
6. Glenmorangie port finish – Highlands. Soft, smooth, raisins and hints of dark ripe plum.
7. Highland Park 12 yr – Orkney. Smoky, honey and heather flavours.
8. Springbank 12 yr – Cambeltown.  Toffee, complex and a long finish.
9. Laphroag 10 yr – Isle of Islay. Dry, peaty, iodine, hints of seaweed not for the faint hearted.
10. Caol Ila 10yr – Isle of Islay. Robust, peaty with a long finish.

Malt whisky says a lot about the drinker; unpretentious, a touch of refinement, they probably enjoy brussel sprouts, cold showers and fighting angry Jack Russells for the last toffee.

Cannon Ball!

You have an important party coming up at your house and you really need to make sure it goes well.  With this in mind The Quick Ten tam have put together a Top ten List for tips which will save you from having a disaster on your hands.  Just keep us in mind next time you have a party though and maybe set some beers aside for us or even send us an invite!

So lets begin!

1. Chill your warm beer/wine that’s not in the fridge fast by placing them in a tub of ice water and salt – Find out more here: http://howto.yellow.co.nz/food-drink/wine-and-beer/how-to-chill-a-beer-fast/
2. Use a BBQ to cook the food.  It’s easy and can cater to the masses.
3. Prep the toilets and stock up with plenty of toilet paper.
4. Tell you neighbors before the big night so that they are not shocked by the amount of noise so as to avoid a call from the local noise control.  Even better yet, if you are friendly with your neighbors invite them over and they will be doping shots of Jagermeister in no time!
5. Music, Music and more music.  Make sure you have enough variety to keep the mood going and upping the tempo over the night as people have a few more drinks is always a good idea.  If you cannot be bothered sorting this and have some extra cash then source a good DJ.
6. Use social media.  Sure it might be a bit naff but set-up an event on your facebook account so at least you can have a running total on who is coming and who is not coming.  Therefore when you go to get supplies you will have  a good idea of numbers attending.  You can even engage further with them and get them to vote on music, food, alcohol etc they wan to have.
7. Prepare for rain.  If it’s going to be an outdoor party then prep for rain even if you live in California.  Some options are; Patio Umbrellas, plastic sheets or covers on the floor for when they storm the house, clear out the garage for an additional space.
8. Keep the numbers manageable especially if you are going to be hitting the booze quite hard.  If you can cope with 50 then invite 40 so as you are not having to fight fires all night….hopefully not literally.
9. Carbo load.  Buy food that is heavy and will soak up alcohol and lessen the nights debauchery.
10. Be a responsible host and provide transport options for people leaving the party.  This could be anything from a taxi number to a map of where the local train or bus station is.

So many Curries, so little time!

The world of Curry is a vast one.  The amazing flavours, smells and textures of curry have been winning taste buds over for thousands of years from the Mesopotamians to the English.  But what are the best Curry recipes out there?  What flavour is the most popular and is used in numerous home cook recipes?  This Top Ten list looks to bring you the best of the best, so here we go.

1. Tikka Masala
2. Thai Green Curry
3. Murgh Makhani (Butter Chicken)
4. Korma
5. Rogan Josh
6. Madras
7. Vindaloo
8. Biryani
9. Saag Aloo
10. Red Thai Curry

Soft Shell Grab Roll

Some historians believe the first versions of sushi originated in the South East Asia area as early as the 4th Century. However as the health benefits have spread and sushi chiefs seeking new fortunes in different countries has increased so has the variety of sushi available. Whilst Sushi Rolls (maki) of today are not completely in line with the authentic nigrizushi of early Edo (Tokyo) and generally crafted from European and North American influences, they are dam tasty. So what are the best ones out there?

1. Spider Roll – Soft Shell Grab
2. California Roll – Crab and avocado
3. Prawn Tempura Roll
4. Lobster Roll
5. Yellow Tail Roll
6. Spicy Tuna Roll
7. Unagi Roll – Eel and cucumber
8. New York Roll – shrimp and avocado version
9. Rainbow Roll – California roll wrap in different fish such as Halibut,  Red Snapper, or Sea Bass
   Tuna, Salmon, Yellowtail
10. Philly Roll – salmon and cream cheese

Great NZ Vines

New Zealand is fast becoming one of the finest wine producing countries in the world.  Their world renowned range of Sauvignon Blanc’s has really put them on the map.  But now they are starting to conquer the world with other great varieties of grapes that they use to create their varietal wine.  But what are the top grape varieties in New Zealand?

1. Sauvignon Blanc
2. Chardonnay
3. Pinot Noir
4. Merlot
5. Riesling
6. Cabernet Sauvignon
7. Chenin Blanc
8. Pinot Gris
9. Gamay Noir
10. Syrah

For a great choice of wines then look no further than Wild South’s white label range.  They have vineyard’s throughout both Wairau and Awatere valleys in the South Island of New Zealand.

CLICK HERE TO ORDER WILD SOUTH

Boxing Day for Santa.

Drinking alcohol is a favourite past time of many people but who takes it more seriously than others? Which country can claim to consume the most alcohol per capita? Not too sure if the country who wins this award should be proud of their achievement but then again they probably wouldn’t remember it anyway.

1. Luxembourg - 14.9 litres per capita
2. Ireland- 14.2 litres per capita
3. Portugal - 13 litres per capita
4. Hungary - 12.3 litres per capita
5. Czech Republic - 11.8 litres per capita
6. Spain - 11.7 litres per capita
7. Denmark - 11.5 litres per capita
8. Austria - 11.3 litres per capita
9. Switzerland - 11.2 litres per capita
10. France - 10.5 litres per capita

IKEA luanched a new dinner table.

1. Japanese
2. Indian
3. Chinese
4. Italian
5. French
6. Thai
7. Greek
8. Mexican
9. Spanish
10. Turkish

Soooo Good!!

Love them or hate them, takeaway or fast-food chains will always be there for you when you are feeling hung over, lazy or just because you feel like you can’t take another tofu salad.  But what are the best Takeaway chains in New Zealand? The ones that don’t serve up crappy little burgers made from cardboard.  New Zealand is inundated with high(ish) quality chains so lets try break it down into the Top Ten.

1. Hell Pizza
2. Burger Wisconsin
3. Burger Fuel
4. Otto Woo
5. St Pierre’s Sushi
6. Subway
7. Dominos
8. Oporto
9. Nando’s
10. Pizza Hut