Posts in tips and tricks
tips & tricks: stone fruit pits

now technically, this group of fruits are called drupes. but i knew if wrote that in the title all but one person would not know what i was talking about. but basically, drupes or stone fruit are fruit that have a pit. so here are two simple ways to easily remove the pit. 

first, find the butt of your fruit. you can find it by starting at the top enter of the fruit where it was plucked from the tree. then look for the little indentation that looks almost like a seam. 

IMG_0163.JPG

using a sharp knife, slice the fruit starting at the seam and working your way around the whole pit. being careful not to slice through the pit. 

IMG_0164.JPG

once you have cut all along the outside of the fruit, take one side of the slices in each hand and twist them away from each other to release the fruit. gently pull them apart. 

IMG_0165.JPG

now if you need the fruit whole, use the tip of your knife or your finger to dig out the little edge of the pit (be careful it is sharp). 

IMG_0166.JPG

once you have released the edge, you can wiggle your finger under there and wiggle it out. 

IMG_0167.JPG

discard your pit and use the fruit as desired. 

IMG_0168.JPG

if you know that you need the fruit sliced, there is an even easier way to remove the pit. flip over the side that still has the pit in it. carefully slice the fruit into the desired size pieces. 

IMG_0169.JPG

gently pull the slices away from the pit and bam! fresh fruit slices sans pit. 

IMG_0170.JPG

xo, a

friyay happy hour: pomegranate + mint hot & cold

maybe it is just that time of year, but i'm struggling this week. i've been grinding pretty hard both physically and creatively since twenty-seventeen started and i believe it is starting to wear me down. i tell my students all the time, when you are tired, rest. when you need to recharge, listen to your body. listen to your mind. so i gave myself yesterday off.

today, i continued my recharge with an epic yoga class with friends and now i'm hunkering down on my couch with this warming cocktail while stormageddon rages outside my window. i suggest you get home asap and do the same! 

pomegranate + mint hot & cold
serves: 1 cocktail
prep time: 5 minutes
active time: 5 minutes
total time: 10 minutes
ingredients: 1 green tea bag. 1 cup hot water. 2 oz gin. 1 oz pomegranate simple syrup (recipe to follow).1 oz lime juice. 5 mint leaves + extra sprig of mint for garnish. 2 lime slices for garnish. muddler. strainer. mug of choice. 

IMG_0101.JPG

start by combining your tea bag and water in your mug. allow the tea to steep for 3 minutes. 

IMG_0102.JPG

while your tea steeps, muddle your mint in the bottom of a glass. add the gin, simple syrup and lime juice to the glass and shake or stir well to combine. 

IMG_0103.JPG
IMG_0104.JPG

remove the tea bag from the tea. 

IMG_0105.JPG

using your strainer, pour the gin mixture directly into your tea. 

IMG_0106.JPG

stir well to combine. 

IMG_0107.JPG

garnish with lime slices and mint and serve. 

IMG_0109.JPG

pomegranate simple syrup
serves: 1 cup liquid
prep time: 1 minute
active time: 5 minutes
inactive time: 20 minutes
total time: 25 minutes
ingredients: 1 cup sugar. 1 cup pomegranate seeds. 1 cup water. 1 small sauce pot. 

IMG_0093.JPG

combine all the ingredients in the sauce pot. 

IMG_0095.JPG

bring the liquid to a boil.let the liquid boil until the sugar is dissolved. about 3-5 minutes.

IMG_0097.JPG

remove the pot from the heat and allow to cool to room temp.

IMG_0096.JPG

strain and use or store in the fridge for up to a month.

IMG_0099.JPG
IMG_0100.JPG

xo, a

pomegranate + mint hot & cold
serves: 1 cocktail
prep time: 5 minutes
active time: 5 minutes
total time: 10 minutes
ingredients: 1 green tea bag. 1 cup hot water. 2 oz gin. 1 oz pomegranate simple syrup (recipe to follow).1 oz lime juice. 5 mint leaves + extra sprig of mint for garnish. 2 lime slices for garnish. muddler. strainer. mug of choice.
start by combining your tea bag and water in your mug. allow the tea to steep for 3 minutes. while your tea steeps, muddle your mint in the bottom of a glass. add the gin, simple syrup and lime juice to the glass and shake or stir well to combine. remove the tea bag from the tea. using your strainer, pour the gin mixture directly into your tea. stir well to combine. garnish with lime slices and mint and serve. 

pomegranate simple syrup
serves: 1 cup liquid
prep time: 1 minute
active time: 5 minutes
inactive time: 20 minutes
total time: 25 minutes
ingredients: 1 cup sugar. 1 cup pomegranate seeds. 1 cup water. 1 small sauce pot.
combine all the ingredients in the sauce pot. bring the liquid to a boil. let the liquid boil until the sugar is dissolved. about 3-5 minutes. remove the pot from the heat and allow to cool to room temp. strain and use or store in the fridge for up to a month.