Fireside Cocktail Recipe • Crisp & Refreshing! | Club Foody

 

In my 20s, I had a very short list of preferred cocktails. Besides white wine (I started drinking red 🍷 in my mid-thirties), it was Greyhound, Spanish Coffee, Bloody Caesar, Coco Cognac, Grand Marnier on the rocks, and very occasionally a dry martini made with vodka… not gin; I always hated it!
 
Now, the list goes on and on 📃, lol!
 
To this day, if I want a refreshing drink, I opt for Canadian Club with ginger ale or a Greyhound. On a very hot summer day, when the mercury rises above the comfort zone, I might make myself a Michelada or mix a Coors Light 🍺 with clamato juice, also known as a ‘Red Eye’.
 
Come fall and wintertime ⛄, my list differs…
I opt for richer, warm, and hot drinks like Hot Toddy, Mulled Cider, Blueberry Tea, Pomegranate Martini, Golden Sunset, etc. Others I enjoy while sitting by the fireplace are Blood Orange Martini 🍸🍊, Old Fashioned, Manhattan, Gold Rush, and more, including this one: Fireside Cocktail!
 
In my book, this drink is an elevated version of a Greyhound! Quick to make ⏳, it captures a cozy feeling due to the added rosemary. This is a cocktail I enjoy sipping during the fall season. It makes a smooth transition from summer to the colder months.
 
I’m sure there are slight variations of other Fireside Cocktails compared to mine…
First and foremost, there’s my Rosemary Simple Syrup that goes into the mix. After rubbing a sprig of rosemary inside and on the rim of a rocks glass, which releases the herb’s natural essential oils, vodka and simple syrup are poured over ice cubes 🧊 before topping it off with pink grapefruit juice.
 
In this upcoming tips & tricks episode (Saturday, Oct. 17th, 2026), I’ll be posting 💻 my Rosemary Simple Syrup. Without going into details, this condiment can be used in both sweet and savory applications. It’s quick to make, but before using it in recipes, let the syrup come to room temperature.
 
This aromatic Fireside Cocktail is perfect as an autumn, winter, or even a holiday drink! Without being overly sweet, it brings gorgeous notes of herbs and slight bitterness. Crisp and refreshing, this is a great mixology to welcome the beautiful fall season 🍂.
Cheers! 🍽
 
Here are more tasty cocktail recipes for you to try… 😀
– Grinch Cocktail
– Frostbite Cocktail
– Holiday Aperol Spritz
– Chocolate Martini
– Holiday Punch
– Kir Impérial
– Moonwalk Cocktail
– Boozy Mexican Coffee
– Homemade Holiday Eggnog
and for even more cocktail and alcohol-free beverage recipes 🥃🍵, click on this link… Recipe Category • Beverages

For ingredient amounts, directions, and much more, visit ➡ https://clubfoody.com/cf-recipes/fireside-cocktail/ 😉

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Pumpkin Chai Bread Recipe • A Tasty Fall Treat! | Club Foody

 

David and I enjoy going on road trips. We go at our own pace, change routes on the spur of the moment, stop when we want, and discover little hidden gems 💎.
 
Once, we were driving down to Los Angeles by the ocean, and we saw a bunch of elephant seals near Hearst Castle. We simply stopped, watched them for a while (a couple of male were fighting on the beach… boys will be boys, lol!), took pictures 📸, and left with big smiles on our faces.
 
We like to leave early from our hotel and hit the road when it’s quiet. One time, we left way too early and didn’t enjoy the complimentary breakfast 🍳🥓, so while driving on our way to Palm Springs, we decided to stop at a well-known coffeehouse. We both ordered a large coffee as well as pumpkin bread.
 
At my first bite, I looked at my husband and told him that I would make it much better by adding some chai to it and finishing it with some icing and pumpkin seeds. Sure enough, when we returned back to Canada 🍁 a few weeks later, I was baking my Pumpkin Chai Bread!
 
This sweet treat has become a traditional food item at our house during the fall, as it reflects the season so well. It’s very flavorful, moist, and delicious! It’s a lovely bread to enjoy for breakfast, brunch, as a mid-afternoon snack with a nice cup of coffee ☕, or even for dessert.
 
This Pumpkin Chai Bread 🎃🍞 has a beautiful amount of spice. For the recipe, I use my Masala Chai Mix from my Indian Masala Chai recipe. This chai mix is amazing! I also use my homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice. To give it another layer of flavor, I ice it and then top it off with pumpkin seeds… yummy!
 
Zucchini Bread, Apple Cinnamon Bread, and Banana Bread are popular food items for breakfast, but this Pumpkin Chai Bread is truly a must-try! It’s colorful, and each bite brings a burst of flavor to your mouth! This is the perfect bread to serve to your family this fall 🍂…
Bon Appétit!🍽
 
Check out these other decadent snack recipes…😀
– Pumpkin Squares
– Dulce de Leche Cupcakes
– Date Squares
– Pineapple Banana Bread with Coconut & Macadamia
– Pumpkin & Spice Cream Cheese Muffins
– Cranberry Cream Cheese Crisp
– Oliebollen
– Ooey-Gooey Cinnamon Buns
– Chocolate Chip Cookies
and for even more bread recipes 🥐🥨, click on this link… Recipe Category • Bread

For ingredient amounts, directions, and much more, visit ➡ https://clubfoody.com/cf-recipes/pumpkin-chai-bread/ 😉

Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel 📽 by clicking on this link… Club Foody YouTube
 

Turkey Cranberry and Gravy Panini Recipe | Club Foody

 

Preparing a Thanksgiving dinner requires a lot of work. First thing in the morning, David and I take care of the cranberry sauce and the squash à la Canadienne. Then he peels the potatoes, plunges them in salted water 💦, puts the lid on, and sets them aside.
 
Around 1:30 p.m., I rinse and pat dry the turkey, separate the skin on the breasts so I can push some of my Basil Lemon Butter underneath, and then stuff the cavity with herbs and spices. I rub more butter 🧈 on top before seasoning with freshly ground mixed peppercorns and smoked paprika. Then it goes in for hours.
 
While it’s baking in the oven, I look after the stuffing while basting the big bird often. About 45 minutes before the turkey is done, David starts the potatoes 🥔. He then mashes and seasons them, and I finish the stuffing by the time the turkey is done. The gravy comes next as my husband carves the turkey…
 
It doesn’t matter if we have guests over or it’s just the two of us, we do the same thing year after year. For the next few days, we reheat the leftovers. As much as it gives me a break from cooking (and cleaning 🧼), I get bored and need to come up with other recipes.
 
On the website 💻, there are many leftover recipes I’ve posted. There’s a nice Creamy Leftover Turkey Soup, Turkey Tetrazzini, Brunswick Stew, Turkey Pasta Casserole, Turkey Chili Tex-Mex, Turkey à la King, Turkey Pot Pie, etc. Another one I like to make is my Turkey Cranberry and Gravy Panini!
 
This Turkey Cranberry and Gravy Panini reminds me of my Nacho Cheese Sandwich. In one bite, you get all the flavor from your Thanksgiving feast 🦃! It’s quick to make and so tasty! This is the best way to use up all your leftovers!
 
Turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, and gravy are the main components of the sandwich recipe. I also use Swiss cheese 🧀 and add some baby spinach leaves, as this recipe needs some greens in it. The top and bottom are buttered and grilled in a panini press. Simple and yet so delicious!
 
The night before filming 🎥, we finished the Old Fashioned Stuffing with Giblets. When there’s some around, I definitely use it. The savory, herby notes of the stuffing balance the other ingredients. One step that has to be done prior to making the sandwich is warming up the stuffing.
 
When it comes to the gravy, I take it out of the fridge and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes ⏰ so it’s not ice cold. Then I spoon it directly into the sandwich. Although it’s awesome in it, the gravy can also be served as a side to dip your panini in.
 
The bread 🍞 is totally your choice. In the video, I use sourdough, but artisan bread is another I prefer, along with ciabatta or French loaf. The Swiss cheese wraps the panini nicely without overpowering the ingredients. Other options are Gruyère, Emmental, Jarlsberg, or Fontina.
 
You can make a crispy panini without that specific appliance. A cast iron skillet or standard frying pan will do. For the press effect, place either a foil-wrapped brick 🧱 or a heavy skillet on top. Another alternative is to use an electric sandwich maker.
 
Easy to prepare, this Turkey, Cranberry and Gravy Panini recipe is a delightful way to transform your leftovers into a nice, warm, and crispy new dish! Served for lunch or as a light meal, this sandwich 🥪 will surely please your family!
Bon Appétit! 🍽
 
Check out these other delicious sandwich recipes… 😀
– Italian Sloppy Joes
– Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders
– Filet-O-Fish Sandwich
– Croque-madame
– Chicken Gyros
– Egg Hot Dog Rolls • Guédilles aux Oeufs
– Philly Cheesesteak
– Monte Cristo Sandwich
– Best Tuna Sandwich
– Korean Beef Lettuce Wraps
– Shrimp Po’ Boy
and for even more sandwich and wraps recipes 🥪🌯, click on this link… Recipe Category • Sandwiches & Wraps

For ingredient amounts, directions, and much more, visit ➡ https://clubfoody.com/cf-recipes/turkey-cranberry-and-gravy-panini/ 😉

Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel 📽 by clicking on this link… Club Foody YouTube

 

Oysters Rockefeller Recipe • A New Orlean's Classic! | Club Foody

 

I’ve always enjoyed fish and seafood. From a young age, my parents frequently prepared different meals using a wide variety of fish and shellfish 🦪, such as mollusks and crustaceans. Later on in life, I started eating echinoderms, which include sea urchins and sea cucumbers…
 
To me, seafood is a delicacy. I really love the delicate, sweet taste of it. They’re what I call “heavenly bites!” When it comes to shellfish, my three favorites are lobster 🦞, scallops, and oysters! By the way, I’m writing this blog at around 6 a.m. in the morning, and I’m getting hungry just thinking about it, lol!
 
From all of my seafood recipes, there’s one that stands out, and it’s my Oysters Rockefeller! This is the type of appetizer that is served on special occasions or during the holidays 🎄. It’s a very classy dish that is extremely easy to make, with amazing results!
 
Shucking an oyster is not as easy, but not that difficult either. After trying a few, you’ll start getting the hang of it… Place the curved shell side down on a dish towel and the flat side up. Using a good quality oyster knife 🔪, find a little gap to insert the tip of the knife. There are two ways of doing it: side entry and hinge entry. David uses the hinge while I use both techniques… well, wherever I can find a little gap. Gently move your knife in and move it back and forth until the top shell releases. Slide the knife under the meat to cut the adductor muscle and carefully transfer the oysters with their liquor into a small pot… Voilà! If you’re still not sure how, here’s a tutorial on it… How to Shuck Oysters
 
In my Oysters Rockefeller sauce, I use Brie cheese 🧀. I do remove the rind from it otherwise, the sauce would be grainy. Although they’re edible, I don’t eat the rinds from any type of cheese… just a personal preference! I also like to use double cream Brie, as the texture is creamier, therefore making the sauce even more velvety.
 
These Oysters Rockefeller are perfect for the holidays! They are very “chic” to serve, and for such an elegant appetizer, it doesn’t take that much time ⏳ to make either. Believe me, if you want to impress your dinner guests, this is the recipe to serve!
Happy Holidays and Bon Appétit!🍽
 
P.S. My father 👴 likes to add 1 or 2 drops of Pernod per shell. I don’t like it, as it’s too strong for the delicate taste of the shellfish but, hey… give it a try!
 
Check out these other elegant recipes…😀
– Tournedos Rossini
– Chicken Cordon Bleu
– Crown Roast of Pork
– Blood Orange Miso Scallops
– Veal Piccata
– Rack of Lamb with Herbes de Provence
– Cognac Chicken Liver Pâté
– West Coast Smoked Salmon Chowder
– Moules (Mussels) à la Provençale
and for even more tasty appetizer recipes 🍣, click on this link… Recipe Category • Appetizers

For ingredient amounts, directions, and much more, visit ➡ https://clubfoody.com/cf-recipes/oysters-rockefeller/ 😉

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Vegetable Tian Recipe • Colorful and Tasty Casserole! | Club Foody

 

Unless you are serving pasta, most main courses require an accompaniment, a side dish. With our Canadian Thanksgiving 🦃 coming this weekend and our American friends having theirs next month, any hostess or host is always looking for a beautiful side dish for their menu.
 
As I always say – “We eat with our eyes 👀 first”. When a dish is colorful with a beautiful presentation, it will trigger our appetite… it sure does with mine. There’s a recipe that I enjoy making when I host a formal dinner or during any special occasion, and it’s my Vegetable Tian!
 
Oh my! You won’t believe how flavorful this dish is. There’s a spectrum of colorful vegetables mixed together along with some herbs, spices, and cheese. Of course, there’s cheese 🧀 in the dish! I have a nickname that I have to uphold – it’s Minnie Mouse, just in case you didn’t know…
 
Seriously though, this Vegetable Tian pairs very well with many proteins. It’s visually appealing, and when it’s time to serve, the presentation is just gorgeous! It takes a little time ⏰ to prep, but it’s so worth it!
 
To accelerate the cooking process, I “precook” the vegetables that take the most time: potatoes 🥔 and squash… you’ll understand more after you watch the video.
 
Scalloped Potatoes are usually a great choice for holidays 🎄 and events, but if you want to stand out and serve a combination of potato casserole and vegetables, this Vegetable Tian is a fabulous choice! Your guests’ senses will be quite impressed with the look, taste, and aroma…
Bon Appétit! 🍽
 
Check out these other delicious vegetable recipes…😀
– Grand Marnier Glazed Carrots
– Quick & Easy Bok Choy
– Vegetable Medley
– Baked Autumn Veggighetti
– Steakhouse Sautéed Mushrooms
– Mixed Mashed Potatoes
– Creamed Spinach – Steakhouse Style
– Squash à la Canadienne
– Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Onions
and for even more vegetable and side recipes 🍆🥦, click on this link… Recipe Category • Vegetables & Sides

For ingredient amounts, directions, and much more, visit ➡ https://clubfoody.com/cf-recipes/vegetable-tian/ 😉

Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel 📽 by clicking on this link… Club Foody YouTube