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Blackberry Thyme Cocktail
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It’s Blackberry Thyme! Featured on InComplete Magazine

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Blackberry Thyme Cocktail featured on InComplete Magazine

Mmmmm… It’s Blackberry Thyme!

Well, it is blackberry time here in the Pacific Northwest. The Farmer’s Markets are overflowing with delicious looking berries. I created a Blackberry Thyme cocktail to be featured on the amazing InComplete Magazine! Go check it out and let me know how you like it!

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Open Faced Prosciutto Sandwich // A Well Crafted Party
A Well Crafted Pantry

Open Faced Prosciutto Sandwich

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Open Faced Prosciutto Sandwich // A Well Crafted Party
There is nothing quite like a good sandwich. This sandwich is no exception. It is super simple to make, and freaking full of flavor. A big part of the flavor punch is due to the great ingredients. Believe me when I say that sometimes it makes a HUGE difference whether you buy quality ingredients over value priced items. Making a big stew? A few value items aren’t going to make a huge difference. But, when you have an item like this sandwich where there are few ingredients and you aren’t going to be changing the flavor profiles with a ton of seasoning and cooking… quality ingredients is where it is at.

Take for instance the butter in this sandwich. Sure, I could go with just any ole butter. But, a nice rich Irish or European style butter will lend a nice base for this sandwich. Heck, a great butter on a piece of bread with a sprinkle of salt is a treat in itself!

Open Faced Prosciutto Sandwich // A Well Crafted Party

Open Faced Prosciutto Sandwich with Fig Spread and Black Pepper Cheddar

This recipe tells you how to build an individual sandwich. The amount of sandwiches you can make depends on the size of the bread that you buy and the amount of prosciutto comes in a package. Because these things are not standard, I didn’t elect to dictate serving size.

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Ingredients:

  • 1 slice of prosciutto (I use Del Duca Sliced Prosciutto)
  • 1 slice (about 1/4 inch thickness) of Smoked Black Pepper White Cheddar Cheese (I use the kind from Tillamook, it is amazing.)
  • 1 thick spreading of good quality butter (I use Kerrygold Pure Irish Butter)
  • 1 thick slice of freshly baked bread– I used an Italian loaf that was crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside
  • 1 thick spreading of fig spread (I use Dalmatia Spread Fig)
  • Salt & Pepper

Directions:

  1. Spread butter on thick slice of bread.
  2. Season with salt and pepper
  3. Spread fig spread onto butter
  4. Top with slice of black pepper cheddar
  5. Top with slide of prosciutto
  6. Enjoy!

We enjoyed these at a picnic along with my open-faced crab sandwiches. But, these would also be fantastic made in miniature and served as appetizers at your next party!

Open Faced Prosciutto Sandwich // A Well Crafted Party

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Greek Martini and Other Twists on the Classic // A Well Crafted Party
A Well Crafted Pantry

Saturday Spirits: Twists on the Martini Recipe

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Greek Martini and Other Twists on the Classic // A Well Crafted Party
Image taken by Portland photographer Macey Snelson of Motormouth Studios

Last week’s post featured one of my all time favorite cocktails… a simple, classic martini! I also shared a bit of the terminology surrounding martinis. I could drink a classic martini almost every time I want a drink. However, every now and again I like to mix up my martini a bit with one of the following “twists” on tradition.

  1. Martini with a Twist: This is actually pretty much considered a classic. But, because I typically prefer olives… this is mixing it up for me. When I want a different flavor than olives I’ll make the classic martini and add a lemon twist. Nearly any bar, any where will have the ingredients to make this cocktail. (A twist is just a piece of citrus zest that garnishes a cocktail.) How to Make a Lemon Twist: I love this Bon Appetit article that shows three ways to make a lemon twist.
  2. Dirty Greek Martini: (pictured) One of my favorite greek restaurants serves their dirty martini subbing greek olives instead of the traditionally used pimento stuffed green olives. I like to do vodka in my greek martini! This cocktail might be best made at home since most bars aren’t going to carry greek olives. How To Make a Dirty Greek Martini: Pour 2 oz vodka, 3/4 oz dry vermouth, and 1/4 oz greek olive juice over ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake at least 45 seconds. Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with greek olives.
  3. Gibson: A Gibson Martini is traditionally a Gin martini garnished with a pickled onion. This is a super traditional drink—most bars will be able to easily whip this up for you. How to Make a Gibson Martini: Pour 2 oz of gin and 3/4 oz dry vermouth over ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake for at least 45 seconds. Stain into a martini glass. Garnish with pickled pearl onions.
  4. Dirty & Spicy Martini: A dangerously good sipper if you like it hot… I tried this martini at a bar that had their own pepper infused vodka. You can easily make it at home, but some bars may have the fixings for this as well. How to Make a Dirty & Spicy Martini: Pour 2 oz pepper infused vodka, 3/4 oz dry vermouth, and 1/4 oz olive juice over ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake and then strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a pepper and olive!
  5. Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives with a Dry Martini: When I know a bar has freshly stuffed blue cheese olives I will ALWAYS order this drink. They have to be freshly stuffed though… I haven’t met a jarred blue cheese stuffed olive than I’ve liked yet. How to make Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives with a Dry Martini: For the martini I like to keep it very dry and clean. First you’ll want to prep your olives. I typically get large pimento stuffed green olives, pop out the pimento’s and stuff with blue cheese using my fingers. I then pour 1/4 oz vermouth into a chilled martini glass, swish around the glass and pour out. Then pour 3 oz of vodka over ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake well and pour into a martini glass. Garnish with your freshly stuffed Blue Cheese Olives!
Greek Martini and Other Twists on the Classic // A Well Crafted Party
Image taken by Portland photographer Macey Snelson of Motormouth Studios

There are a ton of variations of cocktails that are based off the basic martini recipe. Changing up garnishes and/or portions can easily switch up a drink.

Tell me…. do you like martinis? If so, what is your martini order? Comment below!

PS: Don’t miss out on your opportunity to win an awesome new wireless speaker! Check out my current giveaway for your chance to win!

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