Tea Mail (May 26)

Cookbook Mail (May 26)

Savor the taste of paradise with Margaritaville: The Cookbook

Warm sun, cool drink, and nowhere to be ― that’s Margaritaville! It’s a celebration of relaxation and an invitation to enjoy good food and good company. Margaritaville: The Cookbook is filled with recipes that bring the flavor of island living and the spirit of Jimmy Buffett's iconic song straight into your home.

The first official cookbook from the beloved world of Margaritaville features laid-back favorites like the explosively good Volcano Nachos and the heaven-on-earth-with-an-onion-slice Cheeseburger in Paradise, alongside more sophisticated options that will wow your guests (Coho Salmon in Lemongrass-Miso Broth, anyone?). With its combination of recipes, stories, and gorgeous full color food and lifestyle photographs throughout, it is sure to put you in a Margaritaville state of mind!

Margaritaville isn’t confined to single spot on the map -- the recipes draw inspiration from around the world, from Jerk Chicken to Tuna Poke with Plantain Chips and Jimmy’s Jammin’ Jambalaya. And we've got you all covered, from family-friendly Aloha Hotdogs to drool-worthy Vegetarian Burgers.

It's 5 o'clock somewhere and no vacation is complete without a cocktail ― preferably a margarita, of course! Margaritaville: The Cookbook is loaded with drink recipes to inspire your blissful island cocktail hour―from Jimmy's Perfect Margarita and Paradise Palomas to Cajun Bloody Mary's and the quintessential Key West Coconut and Lime Frozen Margarita.

Devil's Food Sheet Cake

 

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups water
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup butter
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup baking cocoa
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

FROSTING

1/4 cup butter, softened
2 cups confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons baking cocoa
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 to 3 tablespoons milk

Directions

1.  In a large saucepan, bring water to a boil. Remove from the heat. Stir in sugar and butter until butter is melted. Add eggs and vanilla; mix well. Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt; add to butter mixture and mix thoroughly.

2.  Pour into a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack.

3.  For frosting, beat butter, confectioners' sugar, cocoa, vanilla and enough milk to reach a spreading consistency. Frost cake.

Yield: 16-20 servings

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Bars

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips

ICING

1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
2 tablespoons milk

Directions

1. In a large bowl, cream the butter, sugars and peanut butter until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Combine the flour, oats, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into creamed mixture and mix well. Spread into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. Sprinkle with chocolate chips.

2. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes.

3. Combine icing ingredients; drizzle over the top. Cool completely. Cut into bars.

Yield: 4 dozen

Tea Mail (May 12)

Mock Mint Julep

 

Ingredients

2 cups cold water
1-1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cup lemon juice
6 mint sprigs
5 cups ice cubes
2-1/2 cups ginger ale, chilled
Lemon slices and additional mint, optional

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine the water, sugar, lemon juice and mint. Let stand for at least 45 minutes.

2. Strain and discard mint. Place ice cubes in two 2-qt. pitchers; add half of the lemon mixture and ginger ale to each. Garnish with lemon and mint if desired.

Yield: 13 servings (about 3 quarts)

Salsa Rice

 

Ingredients 

1-1/2 cups water
1-1/2 cups chunky salsa
2 cups uncooked instant rice
1 to 1-1/2 cups shredded Colby-Monterey Jack cheese

Directions

1.  In a saucepan, bring water and salsa to a boil. Stir in rice. Remove from the heat; cover and let stand for 5 minutes. Stir in cheese; cover and let stand for 30 seconds or until cheese is melted.

Yield: 5 servings

Flavorful Chicken Fajitas

 

Ingredients 

4 tablespoons canola oil, divided
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1-1/2 teaspoons seasoned salt
1-1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
1-1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into thin strips
1/2 medium sweet red pepper, julienned
1/2 medium green pepper, julienned
4 green onions, thinly sliced
1/2 cup chopped onion
6 flour tortillas (8 inches), warmed
Shredded cheddar cheese, taco sauce, salsa, guacamole and sour cream

Directions

In a large resealable plastic bag, combine 2 tablespoons oil, lemon juice and seasonings; add the chicken. Seal and turn to coat; refrigerate for 1-4 hours. In a large skillet, saute peppers and onions in remaining oil until crisp-tender. Remove and keep warm. Discard marinade. In the same skillet, cook chicken over medium-high heat for 5-6 minutes or until no longer pink. Return pepper mixture to pan; heat through. Spoon filling down the center of tortillas; fold in half. Serve with cheese, taco sauce, salsa, guacamole and sour cream.

Yield: 6 servings

Test Kitchen Tips 

1.  To save on prep time, use chicken tenders. They are a tad larger than chicken breast strips, so be sure to add enough time to cook them through.

2.  Oregano is used frequently in Latin American cuisine. Mexican oregano has a more citrusy, peppery bite but is similar in flavor to the sweeter Mediterranean oregano. Either works.

Maple Raisin Oatmeal Cookies

 

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon maple flavoring
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups quick-cooking oats
1 cup raisins

Directions

1. In a bowl, cream the butter and sugars. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in maple flavoring. Combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture. Stir in oats and raisins.

2. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 in. apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to wire racks to cool.

Yield: 6 dozen

New Cookbook Release (May 1)

Savor the taste of paradise with Margaritaville: The Cookbook

Warm sun, cool drink, and nowhere to be ― that’s Margaritaville! It’s a celebration of relaxation and an invitation to enjoy good food and good company. Margaritaville: The Cookbook is filled with recipes that bring the flavor of island living and the spirit of Jimmy Buffett's iconic song straight into your home.

The first official cookbook from the beloved world of Margaritaville features laid-back favorites like the explosively good Volcano Nachos and the heaven-on-earth-with-an-onion-slice Cheeseburger in Paradise, alongside more sophisticated options that will wow your guests (Coho Salmon in Lemongrass-Miso Broth, anyone?). With its combination of recipes, stories, and gorgeous full color food and lifestyle photographs throughout, it is sure to put you in a Margaritaville state of mind!

Margaritaville isn’t confined to single spot on the map -- the recipes draw inspiration from around the world, from Jerk Chicken to Tuna Poke with Plantain Chips and Jimmy’s Jammin’ Jambalaya. And we've got you all covered, from family-friendly Aloha Hotdogs to drool-worthy Vegetarian Burgers.

It's 5 o'clock somewhere and no vacation is complete without a cocktail ― preferably a margarita, of course! Margaritaville: The Cookbook is loaded with drink recipes to inspire your blissful island cocktail hour―from Jimmy's Perfect Margarita and Paradise Palomas to Cajun Bloody Mary's and the quintessential Key West Coconut and Lime Frozen Margarita.

May Cookbook Releases

1st
Margaritaville: The Cookbook: Relaxed Recipes For a Taste of Paradise

8th
The Lighten Up Cookbook - Addie Gundry