Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Have a Red, White and True Blue Fourth

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Mix it up with Jenny HarperIt’s true – the kitchen is the heart of the home. Ever notice how people always gather there? Whether baking treats, making dinner or spending time with family and friends, the kitchen is my favorite place to be. Since my day job is Consumer Test Kitchen Project Manager for the Nestlé Test Kitchens, you can bet I love to stir things up. This column lets me pass along to you some of my best recipes, tips and baking secrets.

This Fourth of July, get the kids involved in decorating the yard for a red, white and true blue backyard party.

* One-of-a-Kind Mural: Break out the sidewalk chalk and let the kids create their own patriotic sidewalk mural. Flags, fireworks, the Statue of Liberty – anything goes. Guests might like to try their hand at adding to the mural, too.
* A Patriotic Welcome: Put red, white and blue pinwheels and flags into buckets and flower pots filled with sand. Line the walkway to your door to set the mood and welcome guests.
* Balloon Fireworks: Use a funnel to fill red, white and blue balloons about one-quarter full with sparkly confetti. Inflate balloons with a hand pump and tie them off. Then, let kids pop away for some “firecracker” fun.
Of course, no Fourth of July party would be complete without an inspired dessert. I love the colors – and the flavor – of this Red, White and Blueberry Torte. It’s a beautiful way to celebrate a special day.

Red, white and blue torteRed, White and Blueberry Torte
Makes 8 to 10 servings

3/4 cup granulated sugar
6 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 tablespoon water
1 1/2 cups (9 ounces) Nestlé Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels, divided
1 teaspoon vanilla extract, divided
2 large eggs
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, room temperature
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 of an 8-ounce container frozen light whipped topping, thawed
2 cups sliced strawberries
1/4 cup fresh blueberries

PREHEAT oven to 350° F. Line 9-inch-round cake pan with wax paper; grease paper.

COMBINE 3/4 cup sugar, butter and water in small, heavy-duty saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; remove from heat. Add 3/4 cup morsels; stir until smooth. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract. Add eggs, one at a time, stirring well after each addition. Add flour, baking soda and salt; stir until well blended. Stir in remaining 3/4 cup morsels. Pour into prepared cake pan.

BAKE for 20 to 25 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out slightly sticky. Cool in pan for 15 minutes. Invert torte onto wire rack; remove wax paper. Turn right side up; cool completely.

BEAT cream cheese, 2 tablespoons sugar and remaining 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract in small mixer bowl until creamy. Stir in whipped topping. Spread over torte; top with berries. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Nutrition Information per serving: 540 calories; 290 calories from fat; 32g total fat; 21g saturated fat; 105mg cholesterol; 280mg sodium; 58g carbohydrate; 3g fiber; 42g sugars; 7g protein; 15% Vitamin A; 40% Vitamin C

Jenny Harper is Consumer Test Kitchen Project Manager for the Nestlé Test Kitchens and VeryBestBaking.com.

Photo courtesy of Nestlé
For more recipes worth celebrating, visit TollHouse.com.

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Five Dollar Fridays at MOSH in Jacksonville, Fl

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Five dollar Fridays at MOSH starts this week.  Beat the summer heat on Fridays in July and August where it’s a cool 72 degrees. Every Friday from July 2 to August 27, 2010, admission to MOSH is only $5. MOSH will also extend its hours until 8 p.m.
(Note: Additional discounts or coupons are not permitted.)

The Chronicles of Narnia
Through September 12 – Step through the wardrobe and into the world of Narnia. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Exhibition is a magical exhibit based on the blockbuster film series and fictional children’s classics by author C.S. Lewis. Hailed as the near-perfect visitor experience, the exhibit combines original film costumes, set drawings and props from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and Prince Caspian with newly created educational interactives, videos and interviews with scientists so that visitors can consider the surprising similarity between our world and that of Narnia.

People of the St. Johns
Through January 30 – Travel back in time to learn about Northeast Florida’s first inhabitants. Guest curator Keith Ashley, Ph.D., an archeologist at the University of North Florida, has partnered with MOSH to create this new exhibit that explores the everyday life of the people of the St. Johns. The exhibit, which contains artifacts from MOSH’s and UNF’s collections, also incorporates artwork from present-day local artist Theodore Morris who masterfully captures the essence of these native people.

Read our new post – MOSH $5 dollar Fridays now includes weekends

World Golf Village Fireworks – and Vampires

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Get into the right patriotic spirit and kick off your Fourth of July weekend early with World Golf Village Fireworks happening already on Friday July 2, 2010. This is one the largest fireworks displays in Northeast Florida. Bring family, friends, neighbors, blankets or lawn chairs to a spectacular fireworks show. Parking is limited and a small parking fee will be required for entry to the event.

Feeding Frenzy for Vampire Fans
It might not sound very appetizing to to talk about food and vampires in the same sentence, but it’s not as bad as it sounds. Make a complete evening out with a Dinner and a Movie for vampire fans. The special “Dinner and a Movie” package is available at the World Golf Hall of Fame and includes a buffet at the Fairways Café, and the popular movie The Twilight Saga: Eclipse at the IMAX theatre. The package also includes unlimited free putting on the Hall’s 18-hole putting course. All this for $35 for adults with special pricing for children and IMAX Movie Club Members.

Reservations can be made by calling 904-940-4118.
www.wgv.com

MORE FOURTH OF JULY EVENTS….

Fourth of July in Florida

Fourth of July in St Augustine


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Fourth of July Cocktails

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Celebrate Fourth of July with a colorful cocktail to spice things up at your party. These cocktails were inspired by the the many colors of fireworks.

Get ready to have a blast and put your best cocktail glasses on the counter. You will impress your guests with these tasty, explosive cocktails.

Fourth of July CocktailsRoman Candle

3 oz. Three-O Berry Vodka

½ Oz. Cranberry Juice

Dash of Grenadine

½ oz. Blue Curacao
Shake vodka, cranberry juice and grenadine in a shaker with ice. Strain into martini glass. Pour Blue Curaçao gently down the side of the glass so it comes to settle on the bottom.

The Sparkler 4th of July cocktailsSparkler

1 oz. Three-O Pomegranate Vodka

2 oz. Sparkling Wine

Splash POM Wonderful Pomegranate Juice

Combine vodka and pomegranate juice in the bottom of a champagne flute

Top with sparkling wine or champagne

Fire Cracker 4th of July cocktailsFire Cracker

2 oz. Three-O Grape Vodka

½ oz. Blue Curacao

Splash Tonic

Shake vodka and blue curacao with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass

Add tonic and garnish with a cherry

Cherry bomber fourth of july drinksCherry Bomber

1 ½ oz. Three-O Cherry Vodka

4 oz. Ginger Ale

Splash of grenadine

Mix in a glass filled with ice and garnish with a cherry

With 17 unique flavors, Three Olives provides endless unique mixing opportunities to try at home or at the bar.Three Olives flavored vodkas prove to hit the mark without overpowering, and already have numerous accolades, including Impact Magazine’s Hot Brand Award, already in their favor. Three Olives Vodka comes highly recommended by prestigious publications such as Wine Enthusiast, Quarterly Review of Wines, Paul Pacult’s Spirit Journal, and more.
Three Olives was also named the #1 Vodka by Russian Life Magazine, upsetting numerous upscale vodka brands.


Jazz in the Park, St. Simons Island, GA – June 27, 2010

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On Sunday June 27th, 2010, it’s time again for Jazz in the Park at St. Simons Island. The event takes place outside the St Simons Island Lighthouse and is scheduled at high tide to take advantage of the breeze from the ocean. And this weekend, I think we will need all the breeze we can get.

But don’t let the heat keep you indoors. Instead, take advantage of the nice summer weather and spend an evening outside under the stars and enjoy a great jazz performance.

This Sunday the Savannah Stompers are performing.

For upcoming events and more details visit our special events page for Jazz in the Park – St Simons Island, GA

Jazz in the Park – St. Simons Island, Georgia