Joey Dee and the Starlighters circa 1961 – you must watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WIvZu4dPQQ
I would have to say that, generally speaking I do believe it isn’t a good idea to have your children view you in situations which lead them to question your sanity and thereby threaten their overall sense of security. However, this morning I actually played a youtube video of this wonderful classic from 1961 for Christin. She was indeed flummoxed and somewhat frightened as I did a little dance rendition in the kitchen. What? She can’t do the Twist? What? She doesn’t know what the Twist is? Well then, honestly, I couldn’t resist and even more honestly, I firmly believe in exposing your Generation-X or whatever they are now-kids to the most phenomenal of music experiences that we ancients loved and danced to in their heyday. And further, I just love to reacquaint myself with the demure, restrained and oh-so-innocent videos from this time – that is compared to the leave-nothing-to-the-imagination, is-nothing-sacred, in-your-face videos of this generation……… It’s not lost on me that these days the message is blasted in your face vs awhile ago when an image was created and left you to travel along the pathways of your imagination to arrive at your very own interpretation of the meaning, to you – but I digress……… a shame, no?
Anyway, the story of this song is not complete without adding mention of the Peppermint Lounge, which at 128 W 45th St. in Manhattan reigned supreme before (1958) and after the release of this song. As The Twist, the dance, became “all the rage” as they used to say, this place was “bumpin” as Ryan would say, with major celebrities of the time holding court there. Sam Cooke, another absolute favorite of mine, followed up Chubby Checker’s classic Twist hits, along with Joey Dee’s, with “Twistin the Night Away”. What is great is the endurability of these hits – as we danced The Twist at Kate and Cliff’s wedding in October 2013, some 52 years later. Ahhh, where did all those years go?
Ok, so Peppermint Twist……. This comes on the heals of my making a recipe of Peppermint Marshmallows the other day. I will post a recipe for these when I think my output is optimum. For those I made the other day, I used Ina Garten’s marshmallow recipe, divided it and put in some red food coloring and swirled it in and poured in about 2 tsp of peppermint extract. These are potently yummy and will do great in your cocoa but they weren’t as billowy (a great word) and weren’t quite as beautiful as I would have liked. So onward with the testing here.
I’ve had peppermint and eggnog on the brain for several days now. There is just something about peppermint candies and flavor that just says Christmas, doesn’t it??
Christin may indeed think I have something much more ominous on my brain than peppermint recipes, but I was having just a little fun. But, you know, I have this music/movie:food connection thing. Today was fun – for me anyway as I truly do love this old music. Anyway, hopefully Christin will recover – I think she did when I presented her with these Impromptu Pain au Chocolat.
working off my post called Sunday Morning (https://kitchen-inspirational.com/2012/10/14/sunday-morning-the-incredible-gift-that-is-store-bought-puff-pastry/), I broke every cardinal rule of using puff pastry (please don’t tell my Chefs from ICE); I defrosted in the microwave and did a quick re-freeze, roll and bake – and I have to say this was surprisingly doable if not optimum if you are in a huge hurry.
Anyway, if you are like me and still looking for fun recipes to make over the next several days as you finish up all the running around and settle into the house to bake/cook/eat/relax/imbibe/indulge, here you go:
http://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/white-chocolate-and-peppermint-cookie-brittle-2
http://www.bhg.com/recipe/brownies/peppermint-fudge-brownie-bites/
photo courtesy betterhomesandgardens
http://www.bhg.com/recipe/cookies/double-chocolate-peppermint-biscotti/
Here is a great collection:http://www.somethingswanky.com/27-peppermint-dessert-recipes/
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Chocolate-Candy-Cane-Cookies-233372
Peppermint Twist Cheesecake: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Peppermint-Twist-Cheesecake-3073
If you’re in the mood for a soufflé, here is one from Silver Palate: http://books.google.com/books?id=roluySsfCKQC&pg=PA98&lpg=PA98&dq=peppermint+souffle&source=bl&ots=Co62_lD3MI&sig=GILYJTVr2KSpb8KbWQE7pEer3xo&hl=en&sa=X&ei=bM22UoefMOHfsATfioKAAw&ved=0CHAQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=peppermint%20souffle&f=false
suite101.com
Any and all of these are surely fun and festive treats for gifts, guests and family and friends. Who wouldn’t want these?
and, following on the heals of my peppermint obsession, here’s a great recipe for Eggnog Ice Cream to try. What’s Christmas without a little eggnog anyway? My favorite is having this atop of David Lebovitz’s Fresh Ginger Cake – yummmmm. Definitely a holiday classic: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Fresh-Ginger-Cake-103238
And, speaking of David Lebovitz and Eggnog, here is recipe recommendation:http://playboysfw.kinja.com/the-eggnog-youve-been-drinking-is-crap-heres-the-per-1486775743
Eggnog Ice Cream: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Eggnog-Ice-Cream-233284
photo courtesy myhomebasedmom.com
Of course, Peppermint Ice Cream is a viable option, too. Light and refreshing atop the Fresh Ginger Cake as well: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/member/views/HOME-MADE-PEPPERMINT-ICE-CREAM-50140010
Here are my two new Mouse Kings:
and here is the uber-scary multi-headed mouse king from the Lincoln Center production this year:
courtesy http://elizamoritz.wordpress.com
Wishing you all fun, fun, fun and frivolity – even if it does involve doing a little twist rendition for your kids – they’ll live!