Cinnamon Infused Vodka

I've been overindulging on the Sauv Blanc over the festive season and now it is giving me a headache every time I have more than a couple of glasses :-(

So for NYE I was planning on drinking Apple Crumbles but I've just realised that I don't have much cinnamon infused vodka left, damn! I might have to switch to Vodka Sunrises instead...

Cinnamon Infused Vodka
Absolute or Smirnoff Vodka (any good quality Vodka will do)
cinnamon quills/sticks (allow 1 for each 250ml)

Drop the cinnamon stick(s) in the bottle of vodka and seal well.
If you have a dishwasher, run the vodka through your normal wash cycle 5-6 times (when you do your normal load of dishes of course).
Otherwise place bottle in a jug of hot (not boiling) water, replace water regularly over a couple of weeks.
When the vodka has a deep colour and cinnamon smell (approx 2 weeks) take out the cinnamon stick and enjoy!

To serve:
Apple Crumble Cocktail
very good quality, fresh apple juice - I'm currently loving Tassie Crushed Tasmanian Apple Juice (lovely & cloudy). Black label juice is good as well. Just don't use juice off the shelf (you know, the bright yellow stuff that looks like wee….yuk)
lime quarters - 2 per glass
lots of ice cubes
large tall glasses
straws

3/4 fill the glass with ice cubes.
Squeeze each lime quarter into glass and then add lime to the glass.
Pour required amount of vodka and fill with apple juice.
Serve with a straw to mix and enjoy!

Variations:
Instead of using Cinnamon, use a Vanilla Bean (whole, split) and serve with Pineapple Juice and Ice
Fruit, like Strawberries, can also be used. Serve with Aperol, Apple Juice and Ice

Smoked Chicken Salad

Well, I've barely managed to survive another year of Christmas gorging and my poor body is craving salad - and lots of it! So who am I to deny it...

Tonight I gave my fav salad a slight makeover as I've been drooling over the yummy Danish fetta that has been in my fridge since before Christmas and tonight I could no longer resist.

So here is the recipe:
Smoked Chicken Salad
1 smoked chicken breast, skin removed and discarded (into my trendy new indoor composter :-) and shredded
1/3 red capsicum, diced
1/2 lebanese cucumber , diced
handful of greeen beans, ends removed and cut into 2cm pieces
handful of snow peas, ends removed and cut into 2cm pieces
1 small tin chickpeas, drained & rinsed
1 small tin super sweet corn kernals, drained & rinsed
1 carrot, pelled and diced
1 avocado, chopped into large chunks
1/3 pack Danish fetta, crumbled

Place all ingredients into a large salad bowl and toss well. The fetta and avocado will coat the vegetables and create a delicious dressing.

Serves 2

Variations:
I usually dry fry some pine nuts or almond slivers in a small frypan and throw them in.
I don't usually add fetta but this was a nice addition - although it did make it less healthy and a bit heavier (I'm feeling like I need to go for a walk...not good!)