Lifestyle
Captain Morgan’s Rum-Infused Food and Cocktail Recipes
Recently in New York City “Top Chef” judge Hugh Acheson worked with Captain Morgan Spiced Rum to launch the rum’s charity program called Captain’s Table at City Grit. Chef Hugh prepared some phenomenal rum-infused food and cocktail recipes. He also was kind enough to share a few cooking tips that are perfect for this holiday season.
Hugh is not stopping there. He is looking to have others, who are 21 years and older to share recipes and entertaining tips. This all benefits the worthy cause called WhyHunger. This is a charity that seeks to end hunger by connecting people to nutritious, affordable food.
In the spirit of giving Captain Morgan will donate $1 to the charity WhyHunger to support their hunger relief efforts every time the hashtag #CaptainsTable is used on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. Donations will be made now through the beginning of February. The cool part is that we all like share our latest dinner creations and holiday treats so why not help out those in need when you do so.
To get you started here are a few recipes that you can use for upcoming holiday parties.
Cape Corsair 
Ingredients:
12 fresh whole cranberries
1 inch piece fresh ginger, thinly sliced
½ oz. simple syrup
2 dashes Orange Bitters
1 ¼ oz. Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum
1 oz. cranberry juice
½ oz. lime juice
Lime peel to garnish
Directions:
In mixing glass muddle the cranberries, ginger, and simple syrup. Add the bitters and Captain Morgan® Black Spiced Rum, cranberry and limes juices and shake with ice. Pour into a double old-fashioned glass, ice and all, smash style. Garnish with an expressed lime peel.
Starboard Sour
Ingredients:
1 ½ oz. Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum
1 oz. apple cider syrup (recipe follows)
¾ oz. fresh lime juice
2 dashes Angostura bitters
2 pieces of star anise
Ice, enough to fill cocktail shaker with the above ingredients
Directions:
Combine the Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum, apple cider syrup, lime juice, bitters, and 1 piece of star anise in a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously. Strain the liquid into a cocktail glass. Garnish with the other piece of star anise.
Apple Cider Syrup (Makes 1 ¼ cups)
2 cups apple cider
2 cinnamon sticks
1 cup brown sugar
In a small saucepot over medium-high heat, cook the apple cider and cinnamon sticks until the cider is reduced to one cup, about 10 to 15 minutes. Add the brown sugar and remove the pot from heat. Stir the mixture until the sugar is dissolved. Allow the syrup to cool before use.
Captain Morgan Toffee Pudding with Rum-Maple Sauce & Yogurt
Ingredients:
½ stick unsalted butter, room temperature, plus extra for greasing pan
1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour, sifted, plus extra for dusting pan
1 ½ cup Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum
1 ½ cups dried figs, cut into small pieces
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1 ½ cups Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum-Maple Sauce (recipe follows)
8 tablespoons yogurt
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and lightly flour a medium cast iron pan and set it aside. In a small saucepot set over medium-high heat, combine the Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum and dried figs and bring the liquid to a boil. Remove from heat, mix in the baking soda, and set the mixture aside to cool for later use. In a food processor, combine the flour, butter, baking powder, salt and sugar. Pulse the processor until all is incorporated.
Place the flour mixture into a mixing bowl and add the eggs, vanilla and the reserved fig mixture. Combine until all ingredients are well incorporated. This will be a fairly wet batter. Add the batter to the cast iron pan and bake for 35 minutes. While it’s cooking is a good time to make the sauce. Check the pudding with a cake tester to see that it comes out clean, and remove it from the oven. Flip the pudding in the cast iron pan and add ¾ of the sauce and then bake for an additional 10 minutes.
Let the pudding cool and absorb all of the sauce. Slice it into wedges and serve with the remaining sauce and 1 tablespoon of yogurt per serving.
Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum-Maple Sauce (Makes 1 ½ cups)
Ingredients:
1 cup maple syrup
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum
¼ cup unsalted butter
3 bay leaves
½ teaspoon sea salt
Directions:
In a small saucepot over medium heat, combine the maple syrup, heavy cream, rum, bay leaves, and butter. Whisk often to prevent the sauce from bubbling over. Reduce the liquid to 1 ½ cups, about 15 minutes, and remove from heat. Remove the bay leaves before using.
Nov 21st
Holiday Gift Guide
It is that time of year where your friends and family ask you what you want for the holidays. For me this is always a tough question. It is not like back in the day when you were a kid and had a wish list a mile long. What seems like an easy and fun question to answer isn’t always the case. To help you out we are going to supply you with a list of some cool and unique items that you would love to unwrap this year.
V-MODA: M-100 Headphones
This version of V-MODA headphones was designed by a crowdsourced collective brain trust of audiophiles, editors, producers, and DJs brings to life the most versatile headphones ever. This latest M-Class is a masterpiece for the modern music aficionado features pure analog soundscape, exquisite style, exotic materials, military-grade durability and unrivaled utility.
The M-100 are exquisitely balanced and unique sound signature characterized by its addictive deep yet clean bass, vibrant mids, and ultra-extended clear and transparent highs. The combination of steel and metal materials lives up to the military-level standards of the MIL-STD-810G testing guidelines. The Boom Pro microphone instantly transforms the M-100 into the ideal headset for gamers, podcasters and broadcast professionals. You can even get laser engraving customization service with logos, artwork, text, numbers and multiple plate colors.
“Assisted: An Autobiography” by NBA Great John Stockton
John Stockton left the NBA after playing nineteen outstanding seasons with the Utah Jazz. He held and still holds a few NBA records, including the all-time assist career mark of 15,806. He also twice led the league in steals, with a career total of 3,265 and retired as the NBA’s all-time leader. During Stockton’s career with the Jazz the team never missed the playoffs.
The soft spoken NBA Hall of Famer tells us why he wrote his autobiography with one question “How did this wonderful life come to find me?” Stockton who has been blessed throughout his life felt the need to share his story with his family, friends and fans through his book.
Even if you are not a fan of the Utah Jazz this book is a must read for sports fans. Stockton is a humble guy. His partner in crime in Utah, Karl Malone said the following about his longtime teammate and dear friend.
“From the very first, I realized that what you see is what you get with John. He lined up without excuses. Stocks never wavered one iota from his beliefs. He never shared them publicly so people thought he didn’t have them. He did, and he stayed true to them.” – Karl Malone
The book is available anywhere books and ebooks are sold and is published through Shadow Mountain Publishing.
The PowerPot
The PowerPot is a lightweight thermoelectric generator that converts heat into DC electrical power. Simply add water to the pot and place it on a heat source appropriate for boiling water. The PowerPot will immediately start powering up your mobile electronics. The PowerPot comes equipped with a standard USB (5V) port, making it compatible with devices you already have. The cable has three feet of heavy-duty, flame-resistant wire. The solid-state voltage regulator provides up to 5W of power to charge your high-tech devices.
The PowerPot® gives you the power to charge your electronics anytime, in any situation. Use it in the backcountry or at home during a power outage. The PowerPot will charge cell phones, GPS units, iPods, and lithium ion batteries or will also run speakers, lights, fans, or other low-power USB appliances.
booq: Mamba daypack
The Mamba daypack has an old school-style backpack constructed with water-resistant natural fiber, houses up to 15” Mac/PC, iPad, iPhone and all the accessories you need to power through your day. It is made from lightweight yet rugged water-resistant natural fiber, designed exclusively for booq’s Fibre Collection.
It has a padded notebook compartment lined with a lightweight nylon fabric is outfitted with pockets for iPad, iPhone and pens. The exterior zippered pocket provides protection and easy access for smaller items. It also is equipped with an integrated ergonomically contoured padded shoulder strap.
Wren Sound: Wren V5 Wireless Speaker System 
The Wren V5 is elegantly designed wireless speaker connects to smart devices and tablets, filling any room with rich and superior sound. The speaker has sophisticated styling, rich finishes, subtle curves, and real rosewood or bamboo wood cabinet enhances any interior. There are two versions that easily connect to Apple or Android devices over Wi-Fi – Airplay (Apple iOS devices) / Play-Fi (Android devices). The silicone pad base stabilizes frame and absorbs cabinet vibration, so that speaker can play at high volume without vibrations.
The Wren V5 is powered by Intersil’s D2 50 watt DPS-controlled class D amplifier and has four-layer voice coils provide deeper bass and superior power handling. This wireless speaker streams music up to 150 feet from Wi-Fi router or access point and has a USB and AUX dock charge and connect additional devices.
Aio Wireless: No Contract Service Provider
Tired of your phone’s service contacts? Why not ask for the Aio wireless plan. Aio has reliable nationwide coverage with no annual contracts, simple plans, and straightforward pricing provides no hassle communication. It comes with unlimited talk with every plan and phone, including voicemail, call waiting and forwarding, as well as three-way calling. You also get unlimited messaging, no matter if it is text, picture, or video messages.
Aio has basic phones, latest smartphones, and tablets (ZTE Prelude & Overture, Nokia Lumia 620, Samsung Galaxy S4, Galaxy Express & Galaxy Amp, iPhone 5s & iPhone 5c). You can transfer your existing number from previous wireless carrier at no charge.
MeCam Wearable Hands-Free Video Camera
The MeCam is an inconspicuous and lightweight body-worn camera lets you capture the world as you see it from your point of view. The camera shoots 720p HD quality video and doubles as a 5 megapixel point and shoot camera. It has a built-in LED infrared technology works in picture or video mode, for nighttime or lowlight conditions.
There is a removable SD card and micro-USB port lets you charge, upload, and share footage/pictures as well as control buttons on upper-side let you power on and alternate between video and camera mode. It has 80 minutes of continuous battery life to capture all of your adventures.
Nov 20th
Taste Escapes – Venice Beach Bike Path
If you live on the Westside of Los Angeles, you’ve probably hung out in Venice at some point. There’s just something about that slice of coastline where the bars the meet beach and tourists, hipsters, homeless folks and beautiful people all share the same gorgeous views and breathe in the same kush-flavored, spray paint-filled air.
The best way to experience Venice is to combine day drinking with beach cruising on a warm, sunny day. The Venice Beach bike path is one of my favorite spots in the city. That little stretch of beachside boardwalk fun that runs from Venice to Santa Monica is a great spot to eat, drink, cycle and be merry. It’s actually part of a larger path called The Strand (aka the Marvin Braude Bike Trail) that starts at Will Rogers State Beach in Pacific Palisades and ends 22 miles down the way in Torrance.
The current path was first proposed in the late 60s, but it didn’t receive final approval until 1988. Beachfront homeowners weren’t super keen on the development of the bike trail and all the riff raff it would bring to the area. Sullied views and all. These homeowners managed to block the path from reaching Santa Monica for more than two decades. The full path was finally completed in 1989.
My favorite spot on the path is On the Waterfront Cafe. It’s on the Venice Beach Boardwalk and it’s a great place to eat pretzels, drink Swiss and German beer (Bitburger, hmmmmm) and enjoy fantastic sunsets. Before you hit the Santa Monica Pier, Big Dean’s is a great spot to grab a Newcastle, catch some sport and enjoy a really good burger.
You can carve a whole day out on the bike path. Beach cruisers can be rented at the end of Washington in Venice right by The Whaler. The path cuts through the sand and the Boardwalk and Muscle Beach and more herb doctors per square mile than any other place in LA. This place has its own particular character, and it’s a must-see for anyone visiting the area.
So we’ve told you about some of our favorite Taste Escapes, but Pepsi NEXT wants to hear about your local gems. Follow the hashtags #PepsiNEXT and #TasteEscapes to learn about more cool spots. And if you want to win one of four fun getaways, make sure to visit the Unbelievable Taste Escape site today. It’s the last day to enter!
Nov 15th
Big Apple Film Festival Cocktail Ideas
While I was enjoying my time at the Big Apple Film Festival I wanted to make sure I was taking in all the sights, sounds, and tastes. Yes, that is right I said tastes. You might ask yourself what kind of tastes would there be at a film fest. Believe it or not there were some great foods and cocktails to experience at the festival.
After movie screenings there would be the occasional after party. These parties were a blast to attend. I had the good fortune to talk with some of the actors or directors of those films. These actors and directors took the time to give me some in depth analysis of the films that they were in.
Another cool aspect about these parties was the fact that everyone was so down to Earth. The actors were happy to engage in some conversation about their roles and what their mindset was as shooting began. I learned a great deal from these discussions.
The chats with the actors and directors were fun all by itself, but having the opportunity to try out some of the inspired cocktails for the film fest was icing on the cake. So for those who were not able to check out the Big Apple Film Festival, here are some of the cocktail recipes from the fest that I think you will enjoy.
First Take
1 ½ oz. Bulleit Bourbon
2 lemon wedges
3 oz. tonic
Preparation: Build in a highball glass, serve over ice.
The Big Apple Manhattan
1 oz. Bulleit Rye
.25 oz Sweet Vermouth
3 dash Angostura Bitters
Preparation: Stir. Strain. Serve over ice in a rocks glass with a cherry.
Kentucky Calling
.75 oz. Bulleit Bourbon
.25 oz. East India Solera sherry
.25 oz. Ramazotti
2 dash Bittermens Mole bitters
Preparation: Stir and strain into a Nick and Nora glass. Garnish with an orange twist.
Nov 15th
Give The Gift Of Geek
ThinkGeek doesn’t like most socks. It’s not opposed to getting them as gifts, but there are far more things out in the galaxy that get the attention of geeks. Thankfully, if you’ve got a geek in your life or are one yourself, ThinkGeek has a handy list of everything you need to make the holidays great.
“Giving to geeks can be a challenge,” says Steve Zimmermann, spokesperson for Elf Operations at ThinkGeek. “Our crack team of naughty and nice analysts put together a list of gifts that are sure to make everyone happy this year.”
Over $100
- Sphero Robotic Ball – A robotic ball that you can control with your phone while you play games with it…or chase the cat.
Under $75
- Travel Boy Carry On Luggage – Designed to fit the on-the-go needs of geeks and gamers, this is a perfect way to let other holiday travelers know you honor the old ways.
Under $50
- Tactical Chef Apron – No matter if it’s Thanksgiving or the first BBQ of the season, let the chef be properly prepared to deploy flavor with extreme prejudice.
- Tetris LED Lamp – Stack them in anyway you think looks best and don’t even worry about waiting for just the right piece to win the game, it’s a lamp!
- Charm bracelet and charms – Perfect for the geek girl, these are an elegant way of celebrating your fandom, whatever it may be.
Under $20
- Classic Video Game Controller Ornament Set – Inspired by favorite classic consoles, these are the perfect subtle hint that a gamer helped decorate the tree.
- Radioactive Elements Glowing Coaster Set – They light up and glow when you place your drink on them!
- Chocolate Zombie Santa – Why let the Chocolate Zombie Easter Bunny have all the fun? Slip this into someone’s stocking and wait for the screams…they’ll be in delight or horror.
ThinkGeek has established a Holiday Gift Center populated with even more items that are guaranteed to make shopping for the geek in your life (or yourself, we don’t judge) a little easier this year. To see all of the offerings, visit www.thinkgeek.com/gifts.
Nov 14th
Hennessy Ad Says Never Stop. Never Settle.
The newest Hennessy “Wild Rabbit” spot features narration by NAS and highlights the incredible “Never Stop. Never Settle.” attitude of 1920’s driver Malcolm Campbell.
In 1924, Malcolm set the world land speed record, clocking in at 146 miles per hour. He went on to set 8 more land speed in his lifetime, shattering the 300 mph speed barrier, a feat most thought impossible. His story is one of grit, determination and unwavering drive and beautifully brings to life the essence of Hennessy’s campaign: Great things can be achieved when you push the limits of your potential.
Nov 13th
Modelo Especial Chelada – The Kick-Ass Mexican Cocktail
Modelo Especial is embracing its Mexican authenticity this fall, by introducing a drink with traditional Mexican ingredients, Modelo Especial Chelada.
The specially-brewed “cerveza preparada” serves up an authentic blend of Modelo Especial with the refreshing flavors of tomato, salt and lime in a ready-to-enjoy 24 oz. can. The recipe was carefully crafted to deliver a true Mexican Chelada taste with the convenience consumers are seeking.
“Quality, authenticity and well-balanced flavor are equities of the Modelo Especial brand, and those characteristics are reflected in this new Chelada recipe,” said Jim Sabia, chief marketing officer for Crown Imports, exclusive U.S. importer of Modelo Especial Chelada. “The Modelo Especial Chelada is a delicious, ready-to-drink cerveza preparada that meets our consumers’ thirst for an invigorating, authentic Chelada.”
The ready-to-serve can is perfect for a variety of occasions, from kick-starting the evening after a hard day’s work to backyard barbeques or simply relaxing with friends at home. As the only Chelada made “Especial,” Modelo Especial Chelada inspires new drinking occasions for consumers seeking quality and authenticity from a trusted Mexican import brand.
The Modelo Especial Chelada will be made available at retail locations in California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and Chicago in October. Modelo Especial Chelada is scheduled for national release in the first quarter of 2014.
Nov 13th
Unbelievable Taste Escapes – Nobu in Malibu
Pepsi NEXT is partnering with Airbnb to send lucky winners to cool destinations as part of their Unbelievable Taste Escape contest. Fans can get involved by sharing notorious hotspots and hidden gems using #PepsiNEXT and #TasteEscapes hashtags. You can also visit the Unbelievable Taste Escape site and win one of four fun getaways.
Our friends at Pepsi NEXT encouraged us to share some of our favorite local hot spots. Well there’s are no shortage of amazing places to eat in the LA area. We got food trucks for days, authentic cuisine options from countless cultures, hidden hole-in-the-wall joints, quality fast food (I’m looking at you In-n-Out and Zankou Chicken), and upscale venues in every corner. Everyone fancies themselves a foodie in Los Angeles. It just goes with the territory. And it’s not like we’re all snobby about it either. We really do have some fantastic places to eat in this town, and we’re damn proud of it.
Nobu Malibu is one of these places. It’s an experience. An event. Are there more legit hole-in-the-wall sushi joints in town? Most definitely. Hamakaze on Washington in Venice comes to mind. The Malibu location isn’t the first or most notorious Nobu spot, either. Celebrity Chef Nobu Matshuisa has opened Nobu restaurants all over the world, from multiple locations in New York and LA to satellite restaurants all the way from London to Dubai to Melbourne to Moscow. There are more than 20 Nobu restaurants worldwide, but the Malibu spot is something to behold.
Nobu Malibu first launched in 1999 as a quaint restaurant couched in the confines of the Country Mart shopping center in Malibu. Last year, the new beachfront location opened up on PCH with tons of fanfare. It’s a sprawling, grandiose location with floor to ceiling windows, rustic woodwork and views that can’t be beat. I mean check out this sunset:
And that’s just during cocktail hour. Things look this gorgeous before you even start tasting the food.
Then you get to the Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeno Peppers. I mean, just look at this plate:
And then you hear the wait staff talk about the Japanese Wagyu Beef and how these cows are treated, how they get daily massages and live a life more luxurious than yours. After sampling top shelf sake in bottles the size of an offensive lineman’s leg, you finish everything off with an amazing variety pack of deserts.
So yea, this place is a total trip, man. The wait staff is flawless (no unattended napkin shall remain unfolded!) and the sunsets are gorgeous. The parking lot is lined with supercars and it’s a situation where you’re like, oh look, there’s Sting sitting at that table and there’s secret service-level security all about to make sure he gets back into his Sting-mobile safely when he exits. All part of your typical Tuesday night out. Go check this place out!
Yellowtail Photo Credit: jayweston@sbcglobal.net
Nov 12th
Duke Cannon Soap Isn’t for Everyone
And quite frankly, he prefers it that way. After all, Duke Cannon doesn’t dine with Vegans and he could give a damn about your new Ipad. Duke Cannon comes from a different era. It was an era when men had a greater purpose than building spreadsheets and spending their Saturdays at Banana Republic.
In Duke’s time, men pursued meaningful endeavors. They worked with their hands. They took pride in the things they built, not the things they bought. And the mindset was simple: men wanted to win, not find the “win-win”.
If you think you are man enough for this soap why not go all in with the Limited Edition U.S. Military Field Box Gift Pack? This soap product is designed to meet the high standards of hard working men who want to get clean and smell good without using feminine shower gels and accessories. This product is modeled after the rough cut, “brick” style of soap used by GIs during the Korean War and is manufactured in the same plant that was the primary supplier of military soap for over 20 years.
While clown soaps offer a free loofa, the Duke Cannon gift pack offers a variety pack of 5 big ass bricks of soap (3 black, 2 white), and an authentic, military field box used to carry .30 cal ammunition. These cans are reusable and watertight, and they make for great hunting/camping storage cans, or the greatest lunch pail ever.
And as a meaningless bonus, they are offering a free headlamp, a case of which was given to Duke Cannon when he rescued a Chinese shipping vessel from Somali pirates back in ‘86. The headlamps are made with the low quality you’d expect from Chinese manufacturers and should last at least a couple weeks.
Note: Cans are in used condition, and therefore have dents and scratches.
Nov 7th
Propel Forward with Springblade by Adidas
The new Adidas Springblade is the first running shoe that’s actually engineered to propel you forward as you run. You can pick these up at adidas.com/Running or hit up #Springblade on Twitter to find out more about this electric shoe that features 16 individually tuned Energy Blades that’ll legit give you an extra boost in your step. Check out the video:
Nov 7th
