Deeplining, Saturday Recipe,

I know I normally only post recipes on Saturdays, but I had to give you a link to this video from National Geographic. Tightrope walking is always fascinating but these days there is a thing called slacklining, walking elastic wires. Bad enough above ground but these "idiots" and I use the word advisedly, are doing it underground where they are calling it deeplining

In a cave deep beneath the French Alps, German wire walker Lukas Irmler this summer led a team of French cavers and slackliners to an otherworldly site around 500 yards underground. Slacklining, the sport of balancing on an elastic wire, is more commonly practiced above ground—often at high altitudes, where it’s called highlining. The practitioners of the spelunking variant are calling it “deeplining.” The team believes that their expedition, sponsored by outdoor equipment maker Petzl, has set a world record for deepest slacklining. 

This is an incredible video. Do watch.

So, tonight, at long last, we see the back of 2016. My buggy year. I am preparing Steak Diane for supper - we are both fond of this dish - and finishing off our Christmas Pudding with Rum Butter Sauce. All calories removed of course. At midnight I will probably drink a small bottle of fizz to celebrate the turning of  the year. I wish you all the very best for 2017.

I don't drink cocktails much myself, but I thought this one might appeal to you.

Snowball cocktail

This recipe will take you 5 mins to rustle up and serves one person. Double or triple the amounts for more people. This classic Christmas cocktail is sure to make your Christmas party one to remember (or not!) Flavoured with cognac, lime and lemonade, this week's cocktail really does look the part. Decorate with cherries, lime and don't forget those straw umbrellas! Want to make these cocktails extra festive? Dip the rim of the glass in white chocolate and then in dessicated coconut for a snowy

finish! This version of the classic Snowball serves it as a short, creamy-tasting cocktail rather than as a fizzy tall drink with lemonade and ice. Try our version first – you can always add more lemonade for your second glass.

2 ½ measures advocaat
½ measure cognac
½ fresh lime
Cold, sparkling lemonade
Two cocktail cherries

Try replacing the cognac with ½ measure vodka or sweet cream sherry and serve in a highball (tall) glass topped up with lemonade.

1. For this lovely winter or Christmas cocktail start by chilling the lemonade well in the fridge.

2. Put a handful of ice into a cocktail shaker. Add the advocaat, cognac and juice from half a lime.

3. Shake well and strain straight into a martini glass or champagne bowl, before ice has chance to melt and dilute the mixture.

4. Add just enough cold lemonade to double the liquid in the glass.

5. Pop a couple of cocktail cherries onto a cocktail stick and use this to stir the drink to mix in the lemonade.

6. Enjoy

Servings: 1

Source: GoodtoKnow

OK so it's New Year's

Hot Chocolate Shots

We love chocolate, so it should come as no surprise that we've brought our childhood favorite (creamy, dreamy hot chocolate) into adulthood with these whiskey and liqueur-spiked Hot Chocolate Shots.

Ingredients

2 tbsp cocoa powder, sifted
2 tbsp brown sugar
¼ cup whole milk
¼ cup chopped semi-sweet chocolate
1 cup whole milk
1oz bourbon
½ oz Grand Marnier, or any orange liqueur

Whipped cream, for garnish
Orange zest, for garnish

Directions

In a medium saucepan, whisk together cocoa powder and brown sugar. Over medium heat, whisk in ¼ cup milk and semi-sweet chocolate, continuously whisking until melted. Add remaining 1 cup milk and heat through. Remove from heat and stir in bourbon and Grand Marnier. Pour into shot glasses and top with whipped cream and orange zest.

Yield: 4 Shots

Have a great day