For Ernest Hemingway, the "Mojito" was the second of two favorite drinks (the first, his dear "Daiquiri"). This address was indeed a familiar friend for him: 207 Calle Empedrado... belonging to La Bodeguita del Medio...located deep within the city's old quarter, just off the Plaza de la Cathedral. This Cuban tavern is steeped in history (as evidenced by the carvings & aging scribbles on the walls and tables). It used to be a carriage house and then "bodegua"...or 'Mom and Pop' grocery. La Bodeguita became a restaurant just after WWII when Cuba was the hot spot for talented artists, writers, intellectuals and Havana's "bohemia"who were trying to "fix the world" with ideas...ones that translated to some of the best poetry, fiction and music of the era.
Ingredients
- 2 oz of a good, clear, white rum (Hemingway's had 6 oz...make sure you have a designated driver if you have one.)
- 3 dashes Angostura® aromatic bitters (the SECRET ingredient generally not found in your "Mojito" here in America)
- 1 oz freshly squeezed lime juice...just use the whole lime!
- 1 bar spoon sugar syrup
- soda water (amount depends on how large your glass is)
- 12 fresh mint leaves, and even though ice was plentiful here...it wasn't in Cuba at that time...but "go ahead" and enjoy as much as you like.
Instructions
Muddle the mint leaves in a very tall glass with the sugar and lime juice to extract the mint oils. A mortar & pestle works too. Fill a very tall glass with crushed ice and add the rum and Angostura® aromatic bitters, then top up with soda water, shake, and pour. Garnish with a piece of sugar cane if you have one.
"Mojito" DON'TS: Don't use brown sugar, and don't serve it if the sugar has not dissolved. This is horrible and an insult to Ché's memory. Hemingway's ghost will punish you for this if there is any justice in this world.
Cheddar-Nut Wafers
(This recipe comes courtesy of the beautiful & talented Jennifer van Westrum...British-born renowned artist, writer, & vegetarian whose artworks are currently on display at www.jrvanwestrum.com ) This is an easy hors
d'oeuvres-----appetizer-------that always gets raves, and requests for the
recipe itself, I swear!
Ingredients
1/2 lb. cheddar cheese
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, softened
1/2 t. salt
1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts or pecans
1/4 cup minced onion
1 cup flour
Instructions
Grate cheese (or buy grated!) Thoroughly mix cheese with butter, salt,
nuts and onion. Sift flour. Add flour to cheese mixture. Mix well.
Separate dough into two equal portions. Roll each portion into a long roll...about one and one-half inches in diameter. Wrap rolls separately in waxed paper. Refrigerate until thoroughly chilled or overnight.
Using a very sharp knife, cut rolls in slices about one-eighth inch thick. Place on lightly greased baking sheet (or now, use the parchment paper, which is even better!) Bake in oven preheated to 350 degrees, 10-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Serve hot or cold. Makes about five dozen wafers. Also, these can be frozen and easily defrosted to serve, or in the refrigerator for several days! Enjoy!!!! (But be warned...They are very addictive!!)
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