Areina Thomas’s Recipes for Tequila Cocktails

Tequila is a great spirit, with many uses across a range of cocktails. With this in mind Areina Thomas has mixed up a variety of unique takes on traditional tequila cocktails, spicing up the recipes with many different flavor combinations and techniques, currently trending in the realm of mixology. For these drink recipes Areina uses Tequila Cazadores

 


THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY

1 ½ oz. Cazadores Reposado
½ oz. Mezcal blanco
½ oz. Aperol
1 oz. Perfect puree red roasted bell pepper
¾ oz. fresh lime juice
¾ oz. agave syrup

In a cocktail shaker combine all ingredients with ice, shake well and serve over the rocks in a double fashion glass with a hibiscus chiles salt rim.


LATINI

2 oz. Cazadores Reposado
2 oz. Latini-syrup
1 oz. fresh lime juice

Latini Syrup Recipe
3 cups of water
2 cups of sugar
8 Guajillo or New Mexico dried chiles
1 pasila chile
3 slices of orange
3 oz. fresh lime juice

In a sauce pan, boil water, sugar, chile, orange slices for 15 minutes, cool and add lime juice, strain into a glass container. Keep refrigerated.

Shake together all ingredients with ice and serve up with a Tajin rimmed martini glass.


PICANTE MARGARITA

1 ½ part Tequila Cazadores Reposado
½ part premium triple sec (Cointreau)
½ part Agave nectar
½ part lime juice
½ part lemon juice
1 slice of jalapeno

Combine all the ingredients, besides jalapeno with ice. Shake with slice of jalapeno and serve over the rocks. Garnish with lime wedge


ABOUT AREINA THOMAS

With deep seated passion for all things food and drink, Areina Thomas has always felt at home when it came to the hospitality industry. From countless hours of watching and helping her mother, a personal chef to working in one of the top restaurants in San Francisco, Areina has worked with the best of the best. With her passion and taste for flavors, Areina is a dynamic mixologist and wishes to share her knowledge throughout.

Chef Calvo’s Hawaiian Nachos Recipe

If you are looking for comfort food with an exotic twist, food that might bring you flavors that remind you of a great vacation, look no further than Chef Adrianne Calvo‘s recipe for Hawaiian Nachos + Pineapple Avocado Relish + “Lava” Aioli.

Hawaiian Nachos + Pineapple Avocado Relish + “Lava” Aioli

Serves: 2

Ingredients:

2 Corn Tortillas, Quartered, Fried Crispy

2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon cilantro, minced
1 teaspoon lime juice
1 teaspoon honey
1/4 cup mayonnaise

1/4 lb Blue Fin Tuna, fillet
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 cup Pineapple, chopped
1/4 cup Hass Avocado, chopped
1 tablespoon cilantro
Pinch kosher salt
1 teaspoon lime juice
1 teaspoon black sesame seeds

1 tablespoon mayonnaise
1 teaspoon ketchup
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon horseradish
1 teaspoon Tabasco hot sauce

Scallions for garnish

Directions:

Preheat fryer to 375 degrees F. Season Tuna fillet with brown sugar, garlic salt, and pepper. In a hot skillet with a small amount of canola oil almost to the smoking point, sear tuna on all sides quickly, and set aside. Allow to cool for 10 minutes. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and place in the freezer for 15 minutes for easy slicing. Meanwhile, in a small mixing bowl whisk garlic, cilantro, lime juice, honey, and mayonnaise. Set aside. In another mixing bowl, combine Pineapple, Avocado, cilantro, salt, lime, and black sesame seeds. Set aside. In another mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, cayenne pepper, horseradish, and Tabasco. To assemble, slice Tuna 1/4 inch thick. Place a small dollop of garlic cilantro sauce on crispy tortilla, place Tuna on top. Add a spoonful of the Pineapple Avocado Relish and then top with lava aioli. Garnish with scallions.

ABOUT CHEF ADRIANNE CALVO:

Adrianne Calvo is the Executive Chef and owner of Chef Adrianne’s Vineyard Restaurant and Wine Bar, Host of Maximum Flavor Live on NBC’s 6 in the Mix, author of four cookbooks: Maximum Flavor (2005); Chef Adrianne: Driven by Flavor Fueled by Fire (2008); #MaximumFlavorSocial (2014); and Play with Fire (2015), and founder of the Make it Count Foundation. Chef Adrianne’s Vineyard Restaurant and Wine Bar opened in 2007 and offers a varied and rotating menu with something for everyone. Monthly, the restaurant holds its signature event, Dark Dining, where guests are blindfolded for a sensual experience eliminating one sense in order to enhance another, providing maximum flavor. For more information, visit:

Chefadriannes.com
Instagram.com/chefadrianne

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New resort Grand Velas Los Cabos opens in Los Cabos, Mexico


The $150 million resort on Mexico’s Baja Peninsula, the Grand Velas Los Cabos, has officially opened its doors. The beachfront property features duplex wellness suites with juice bars, wine-based features inspired by the proximity to the region producing Mexico’s fine wines, and dramatic ocean views and unique spaces infusing every area of the resort. A gallery of contemporary art opening soon continues the company’s commitment to bringing the art, fashion and culture of Mexico to guests.

Grand Velas Los Cabos offers the next generation of all-inclusive amenities and facilities including a selection of gourmet specialty restaurants led by top chefs, including two star Michelin chef Sidney Schutte; oversize designer suites, some with plunge pools; a Leading Spa of the World; staff ratio of 3 to 1; exceptional meeting facilities, and a commitment to the environment.

 

Located between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, Grand Velas Los Cabos features 304 ocean view suites, all over 1,180 sq. ft. with private terraces and some with personal plunge pools. In addition, five gourmet restaurants with an extensive beverage and wine program; a 16,370 sq. ft. convention center with the capability for 20 breakout rooms; 35,000 sq. ft. spa with 16 treatment rooms and a leading hydrotherapy facility; three pools; and pool and beach concierges are available.

Rounding out the list of amenities and services are a Life Fitness Center with personal trainers, exercise programs, yoga, Pilates and meditation; recreational activities program; separate teens’ and kids’ club facilities and activities program; 24-hour personalized butler concierge service; and 24-hour insuite service. The curved, half-moon design of the hotel catches eyes with an iconic grand entrance that’s open air, three stories high and over 300 ft. above sea level.

All of this beachfront is just 35 minutes from the Los Cabos International Airport which directly services over 40 destinations in the United States, Canada and Latin America.

Gourmet Culinary Program

Grand Velas Los Cabos’ variety of gourmet restaurants and foodie experiences allow guests to explore and savor a worldly fusion of flavors without leaving the comfort of the resort. Food, creativity and presentation comparable to that of top restaurants in world capitals is served in five fine-dining restaurants, including the resort’s signature restaurant, Cocina de Autor, which is helmed by two star Michelin chef Sidney Schutte. Other on-property fine dining options include Frida, offering Mexican fine dining; Piaf, which serves gourmet French specialties; and Lucca, with a menu of traditional Italian cuisine. For guests seeking a casual dining experience, the all-day dining restaurant Azul offers panoramic beach vistas and a relaxing, open-air, yet air-conditioned, environment in which to indulge in international cuisine. Amat Café serves up coffee specialties, Velas 10 prepares seafood and steak and Cabrilla focuses on fresh ceviche. 24-hour In-Suite Dining is also offered.

Offering innovative libations and sensory ambiances for every mood, the resort features four diverse bars: Sky Bar, Miramar Bar, the bar at Cocina de Autor, and Koi. Highlights of the casually elegant space at Koi include a dramatic marble bar, state of the art sound and video equipment and comfortable seating groups. A DJ will spin the latest hits for guests’ listening and dancing pleasure with a dedicated dance floor.

All restaurants and bars are designed to take full advantage of the stunning views and have indoor and open air seating.

Renowned for the best Mexican wines, Baja California furthers its appeal for wine aficionados at Grand Velas Los Cabos. Bringing a wealth of knowledge from decades of experience across many continents, Master Sommelier Don Pedro Poncelis Brambila is responsible for developing the wine list comprised of 50 included wines of sparkling, white, rose and red from the best regions of several grape varieties in addition to a supplemental list of over 200 wines of the world from the very best and most prestigious domaines. Furthermore, he will implement various wine offerings for resort guests, such as food & wine pairings, wine tastings and even a wine lovers over the top getaway for millionaires.

Unique dining events, foodie experiences, premium liquor brands, and custom cocktails in innovative ways are also planned for the resort.

Designer Suites

Stylish suites all feature ocean views and a private terrace with sitting area, separate living area with sofa, king or two queen beds, expansive bathroom with Jacuzzi and built-in shower. A private plunge pool also greets guests in Grand Class Suites, the multi-bedroom Presidential and Governor Suites, and the Imperial Suite.

Signature Spa

The two-level, 35,000 sq. ft. Spa at Grand Velas Los Cabos has 16 treatment rooms, some with a water view. Guests enjoy authentic and innovative treatments using the latest technology and products of the Earth, traditional in the Mexican culture. Signature treatments center around the Blue Agave plant native to Mexico and its pre-Columbian ancestral healing benefits.

Grand Velas Los Cabos

1-888-407-4869
http://loscabos.grandvelas.com/

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Food & lifestyle magazine CUISINE NOIR to host Business Conference

Cuisine Noir 7

Food & lifestyle magazine CUISINE NOIR is scheduled to to host its first business conference on September 16-17, 2016 in San Francisco.

Entitled, The Behind the Business Conference, it is two days of networking and idea exchange.

Cuisine Noir 6

As described by Cuisine Noir Publisher V. Sheree Williams: “Starting and running a business takes passion, hard work, patience and a great network. Join us in San Francisco for Cuisine Noir’s first Behind the Business Conference on Friday, September 16 and Saturday, September 17 for a two-day event that all small business owners do not want to miss.  This conference is especially designed for anyone who is in the culinary, wine/beer/spirits, restaurant/food truck and specialty gourmet foods industries. Whether you are starting or have been running your business for a while, there is always something to learn.”

Cuisine Noir 8The conference kicks-off on Friday at 6:30 pm with our Welcome and Networking Reception at The Museum of the African Diaspora in San Francisco where guests will mingle attendees, panelists and speakers and media.  The evening will also host a meet and greet with this year’s keynote speaker Andre Mack, founder of Mouton Noir Wines, the largest producing black-owned wine label in the country.

The full conference details and schedule can be found online at http://www.cuisinenoirmag.com/behind-the-business.