Apple Pie Martini Cocktail Recipe

When I think of the Fall season I think of the leaves changing colors, the crisp cooler air, fresh apples & pumpkins from the local orchard and of course...Halloween. Fall is a great season to get together with friends & family and just enjoy each other's company.

Today I am sharing with all of you a delicious cocktail recipe from the great folks over at Nielsen-Massey. Looking for other recipes for the Fall and upcoming holiday season? If so, head on over to their website and check out their extensive recipe collection. The following recipe makes 1 martini.

Apple Pie Martini Cocktail Recipe

Apple Pie Vanilla Syrup

1 cup apple juice
1 1/2 teaspoons Nielsen-Massey Tahitian Pure Vanilla Extract
15 whole cloves
3 whole cinnamon sticks
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Sugar

In a small saucepan, add juice, vanilla extract, cloves and cinnamon sticks; stir to combine. Cook over medium heat until juice is reduced by half. Carefully add sugars, cook and stir until sugars are melted; remove from heat. Completely cool and strain before use. Refrigerate unused syrup in an airtight container. Apple Pie Syrup is also a great addition to a hot mug of apple cider.

Yield ½ cup syrup

Martini

4 fl. oz. half-and-half
1 fl. oz. Coffee Liqueur
1 fl. oz. Apple Pie Vanilla Syrup
1/2 fl. oz. apple pie liqueur
1 cinnamon stick
freshly grated nutmeg (garnish)

Add ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and freshly grated nutmeg.

SPY - Starring Jason Statham on DVD September 29th

I love just about every movie that I've seen actor Jason Statham in. Seriously...he is one HOT looking and VERY talented actor. He can pull off all kinds of different roles but my favorite are when he is playing an action-packed role. He has a new DVD release coming out and I am really looking forward to seeing it because I want to see how he does in a comedic role. Here is some information about that upcoming release.

Queen of Comedy Melissa McCarthy “in her funniest movie yet” (Leonard Maltin, LeonardMaltin.com) embarks on the mission of a lifetime as secret agent Susan Cooper in SPY. The September 29th Blu-ray release will include two versions of the film - Theatrical and never-before-seen Unrated Cut. The DVD will feature the Theatrical version. Both the Theatrical version and Unrated Cut of Spy will also be available on Digital HD September 4th. The global ensemble cast features Jason Statham, Jude Law and Rose Byrne who deliver hysterical performances in this summer blockbuster hit that totaled over $100 million in the domestic box office.[1] The movie was adored by critics who gave it an astounding 95% fresh rating on RottenTomatoes.com.

McCarthy is armed and hilarious in this “outrageously entertaining” (Peter Travers, Rolling Stone) comedy hit from director Paul Feig (The Heat, Bridesmaids). Deskbound CIA analyst Susan Cooper (McCarthy) is about to become the world’s newest — and unlikeliest — secret weapon. When her partner (Law) falls off the grid and another top agent (Statham) is compromised, Susan volunteers to go deep undercover and bring down a deadly arms dealer. Loaded with wise-cracking action and adventure, SPY is a mission impossible to resist!

Unlike Susan’s absurd yet effective secret agent gadgets, the SPY Unrated Blu-ray™ can barely conceal its massive amounts of bonus features, including two gag reels, fifteen alternate scenes and an all-new Unrated Cut with an extra 10 minutes! With more than two hours of never-before-seen footage, fans of the film will be able to join the fun on set as the cast cracks up while doing Feig’s bidding, learn just how handsy the world of espionage can get for McCarthy, and see just how all those bats made it into the CIA Headquarters and onto Susan’s desserts! And don’t forget to check out the 15 classified alternate scenes and three redacted scenes, featuring Jason Statham as you’ve never seen him and outrageous performances by the rest of the cast, including Miranda Hart, Allison Janney, Bobby Cannavale, Peter Serafinowicz, and 50 Cent. Fans can also join the filmmakers, including Feig and producer Jessie Henderson, as they talk about how the summer’s funniest film came to life while you watch it.

TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENTERTAINMENT: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, LLC (TCFHE) is the industry leading worldwide marketing, sales and distribution company for all Fox produced, acquired and third party partner film and television programming. Each year TCFHE expands its award-winning global product portfolio with the introduction of new entertainment content through established and emerging formats including DVD, Blu-ray™, Digital HD and VOD.Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment is a subsidiary of 20th Century Fox, a 21st Century Fox Company.

Neptune Shrimp Personal Pizza Recipe

Kontos Foods, provider of flatbreads, crepes and other ethnic foods, suggests using ready-made 7-Inch Pizza Parlor Crust to make this seafood-inspired meal. This recipe adds a delicious Mediterranean twist to the always satisfying traditional pizza pie.

Neptune Shrimp Personal Pizza Recipe

One 7-Inch ready-made pizza crust (optional - grill for 1 min. before topping grilled side up.)
6 medium shrimp raw (peeled and de-veined)
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon fresh minced garlic
1 oz. sliced scallions
8 cherry tomatoes (quartered)
4 oz. shredded whole milk mozzarella (artisan) cheese
1 oz. shredded Parmesan cheese
½ oz. chopped dill or chives

Conventional oven - preheat oven to 400⁰ F; Convection oven - preheat oven to 375⁰ F. Sauté raw shrimp, garlic, and scallions in the olive oil for about 1 minute, or until the shrimp turn pink. Using a slotted spoon, remove the shrimp, scallion/garlic mixture and set the seasoned olive oil to the side. Spread the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese onto the pizza crust. Spread the shrimp and scallion/garlic mixture on top of pizza evenly.

(Optional) Evenly drizzle seasoned olive oil over the top.

Place topped pizza into the oven on a pan (Tip: Place directly on rack for a crispy crust). Note: Toaster ovens are ideal for Kontos Foods Pizza Parlor Crusts! Conventional oven - Bake for 6-8 minutes; Convection oven - Bake for 5-6 minutes. Remove from oven with a baking sheet or pizza spatula. Top with quartered cherry tomatoes and chives or dill. Let cool for 1-2 minutes. Slice into 4-6 slices.

Note: Oven baking times can vary. Flatbread pizza is ready when the cheese is melted completely and edges are medium brown, to liking.

“This new spin on a classic pizza will make dad feel extra special while indulging on one of his favorite foods,” said Steve Kontos, vice president and owner of Kontos Foods. “And, as an added bonus, this personal pizza is ready to eat in less than 10 minutes, giving families more time to spend enjoying it together.”

Kontos 7-inch Pizza Parlor Crusts comes five to a pack. Kontos sells its products to retailers and foodservice establishments across North America and around the world. Find Kontos Foods on Twitter @KontosFoods, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Kontosfoods and on Pinterest at https://www.pinterest.com/kontosfoods/.