Infused Alcohol

I naturally always look for people's unique uses for Mason jars. This one I got from a friend  and I cannot wait to share it. Infusing Alcohol.

Let's get one thing straight - we are not making alcohol here (yet) - we are just going to try and naturally flavour it, to make types of alcohol taste bearable - I mean better.

Infusion is the process of drowning a plant, fruit or vegetable in liquid, to extract the flavours into the liquid.  Yeah I know, why would you want to infuse alcohol yourself if there is now a liquor store full of inventive flavours. Go outside the box and create flavours you can’t find.

Here are some of the basic steps:

Your poison: It is your spirit that will be the base so make it a decent one. You want one that is smooth so it can make the flavours sparkle. A clear alcohol is necessary: so stick with vodka, rum or even tequila.

Flavour: When infusing alcohol spices, fruits and herbs are most common. I am going to stick with the most popular – fruit - for the first time. This is where you get creative. – Combine. Create. Use Your Imagination. For best results it is important to use fresh ingredients.

The Jar: Use clean air-tight quart size Mason Jar.

My First Attempt
Strawberry Infused Vodka

Starting Point: Wash the ingredients, cut them up if necessary and place them inside the jar and fill it with your poison. Shake a few times and cover tightly with a lid.

The process: The jar should be stored in a cool and dark place. A fridge or pantry would work. Shake your jar often during the infusion process. The infusion process will take from days to months, - this is based on your personal taste. If you are using intense flavors it will need less time then flavours that take longer to extract. Be sure to taste often to make sure you get your preferred flavour and can monitor the change.

Enjoy: Serve your new flavours over ice or in a cocktail. Share with friends. 

I just completed my first attempt- Strawberry Infused Vodka. Still debating on adding cinnamon later on in the infusion process. Thoughts?

Toronto's New Pizza Party Hosts.

Pizza holds a place in our hearts at all stages of life:

Childhood – a birthday party favorite.

High school – a lunch staple.

University – a late night saviour.

Post University – a no brainer date night.

Growing up not eating pizza because of lactose intolerance, I have made it a mission to make up for lost time. Lucky for me Toronto does pizza, and does it well!

There are a number of Neapolitan-style pizzerias across the city, that are worth checking out. I suggest you start in Kensington market.

Kensington Market has been called Toronto’s most eclectic neighborhood that attracts a diverse audience. The market has a charm with its vintage clothing stores, fresh produce, cafes, local watering holes and now Via Mercanti.

Via Mercanti is an unpretentious pizzeria specializing in good pizza and good coffee. True to their roots, Italian flags decorate the restaurant and staff uniform. The honorary big screen T.V. holds a prominent place in the dining area, to ensure that no one has to miss a football match.

But more importantly, I had to find a Mason jar connection to let you know about this fabulous place...

…And then came the meal.

 

Fungi pizza and its sidekicks hot chili and garlic, in jars, to dress your pizza to your liking. The jars become the centrepiece of the table, adding to the home feel of the restaurant.

Agreeing with my Resto bible, this is a place to discover.

Gents: 

This is your date night secret weapon. 

This place is a Toronto hotspot, with great food, fast service and big screen T.V. programmed to sports. (okay, I suggest leaving that last one to surprise.) 

Heart Month

February is Heart Month.

Ladies, this donation is for you! 

Show your love for your ladies. 
Donate Here to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Heart desease and stroke are the #1 killer of Canadian women.

Preserve Swap in the City

Oh no! I’m missing it again. BUT you don't have to.

Details

One of my influences for starting this blog were the people at Well Preserved. I have been following their blog since the summer when my crush on the jars first began. I cannot wait to check out one of their events. Family day weekend in Niagara, will force me to sit this one out.

Live and Breathe

LAB, standing for Live And Breathe, is where amazing chefs meets local and organic food under the microscope. Located at 651 College St., in the heart of Toronto’s little Italy, Howard Dubrovsky has set up his form of a lab, a restaurant.

I chose this restaurant for my girl’s night out based on two factors. My restaurant bible – Toronto Life Magazine and the photo on LAB’s website of their wall of mason jars.

Feature Wall
Colourful & Functional

Amazing choice. Good vibe and great food.

I started with House made pickled vegetables ($8). Those jars on the shelf were not just decoration. Delicious!

For dinner, the Pasta telefono, house made cavatelli with fresh basil, and melted buffalo mozzarella($19) hit the spot. An unreal dish. Unfortunately, this left me with no room for dessert.

Mason Jar Dessert - Yum!

The two gentlemen sitting at the next table did not have this problem and ordered the Chocolate Budino.($10)  Think, dark chocolate pudding, salt caramel chocolate mousse, and cherry violet gelee IN A MASON JAR! And yes, I asked for a picture of their dessert. The photo does not do it justice.

With an evolving menu, LAB is a restaurant that pays great tribute to the classic techniques of the past and impresses with modern culinary innovation. 

Next time, I'm leaving room for dessert.

Liberate the Mason Jars!

Gone are the days that mason jars are to be only seen in the pantry. They have turned into a diverse item that can be used for more then their original purpose, preserving.

The tradition of preserving is passed down in many households. Well – not mine! The only thing that was passed down to me has been my fascination with the jars themselves.

You see… I kind of have a crush on mason jars.

Perhaps it is the simplicity, or maybe the versatility that began my intrigue but it is the mason jar budget I am living on that has made me into an enthusiast.

The wonderful world of the Internet and splitting my time between two communities that LOVE local will fuel this blog’s content. The Mason Jar is for the collectors, the creators, the organizers and the foodies.

There is only one rule: every post must have a connection to the jars.

So, liberate all your hidden mason jars, check in to pick up new ideas and get creative. Who knows we may even learn to preserve along the way.