If there is one thing I truly enjoy doing with family and friends is entertaining. I LOVE coming up with a special menu, decorating, and picking out songs for a play list. Sadly we only tend to get together for holidays or birthdays. I really need to find other reasons why we should all get together. I LOVE hanging out with everyone. It’s fun to laugh and chat into the wee hours of the morning.
Have you seen the commercials for Kahlua where the lady talks about how Spanish words make things sounds really interesting and intriguing? It’s true! Hearing the Spanish version of common words do make them sound so much better.
I also find Kahlua “delicioso” too. I enjoy a hit of Kahlua in a hot cup of coffee from time to time when I’m hanging out with friends. If you have never tried Kahlua before it’s a spirit made from Arabica coffee beans and the world’s finest sugar cane. You can enjoy it on ice or mixed in with other ingredients.
Celebrity Chef and TV Personality, Aarón Sánchez agrees, and has some easy tips to create your own “Delicioso Night In” that you can enjoy with your family and friends.
Kahlúa and Aarón were motivated to start “Delicioso Night In” after a survey we conducted which found that 76% of Americans say a home is a better place for great conversation over spots like restaurants or lounges. As a result, “Delicioso Night In,” is motivating Americans to spend one night per month reconnecting at home with friends, colleagues, significant others and other couples over delicious conversation.
There is also a special sweepstakes going on where you can win the ultimate Delicioso Night In prepared by Chef Aarón in New York City. After flying to New York for this special evening, one lucky winner and three other people of his/her choosing will then be whisked away to Veracruz, Mexico, the home of Kahlúa.
You can join the movement and enter to win on Facebook the Kahlua Facebook page, www.Facebook.com/Kahlua.
Here are some fun tips from Aarón Sánchez to help you create your own Delicioso Night In.
– The Nose Knows– Let robust spices (think cloves, canela – the real cinnamon, cardamom, and black pepper) help set the mood with the help of a standard frying pan. Toast the spices just to their smoking point, and the room will fill with an inviting–and delicious–bouquet.
– Team Chef – Collaborate on a menu and invite your guest(s) to help you bring the menu to life. Start the party early and enjoy some cocktails as you cook.
– Pairing is Caring – When prepping for a perfect evening, pairings are a fun way to turn any meal into a special occasion and spice up the fun. Plan three courses and pair each one with a small cocktail. Use one base spirit in three different ways.
– Oscar Night – Inject some movie magic into your Oscar party potluck meal through movie pairings. A week before the big night, randomly assign a nominated film to each guest, and ask them to bring dishes inspired by the films. Be sure to keep tabs on their choices to avoid repeats. During the potluck, bring some added spirit to the awards ceremony in the form of a Danzón, a type of dance enjoyed in the main squares of Mexico where men dress up in white and dance in a respectful courtship of women. Pair the Danzón with the spirit of Kahlúa in the form of cocktails and you’ll be sure to spark plenty of conversation and laughs.
– Valentine’s Day – Done with the uninspired pre-fix menus, overcrowded dining rooms, deflated expectations on Valentine’s Day? Create an intimate evening for you and your loved one(s) by playing the role of a sensory chef. Whether celebrating with your sweetie or with your group of most beloved friends, supplement your meal with creative touches like homemade chocolate truffles served on glass platters with photos of you and yours underneath. Pair the truffles with a glass of Kahlúa on the rocks and a squeeze of lime as an evening starter. Take the senses even further by lighting some candles with the warm scent of vanilla, an ingredient important to Mexico and to the spirit of Kahlúa.
– Cinco de Mayo – Celebrating such a festive and fun holiday, there should be no need for stress! Take the pressure off yourself and keep it simple by laying out a well-stocked “build your own” taco station. On the subject of the tacos: elevate your classic guacamole with pomegranate and jicama, which will taste fantastic, and feature the colors of the Mexican flag! Further spark conversation by serving your guests drinks that really speak to Mexican heritage. Using Kahlúa as a base in cocktails is a terrific way to bring the spirit of Veracruz to the 5th of May.
These are just a few fun ideas from celebrity chef Aarón Sánchez. You can find more ideas and recipes on the Kahlua website, www.Kahlua.com. I found easy recipes for Kahlua and Ginger Ale and Kahlua and Coke which are actually pretty good. I wouldn’t think to pair Kahlua with soda but it works well. They even have a recipe that calls for Kahlua, espresso and vodka. That would be a bit too strong for my tastes since I’m not much of a drinker. I am a “social drinker” and I only really drink occasionally when I’m hanging out socially with family and friends.
I even found a recipe for Kahlua Tiramisu Cake on this site, http://rockrecipes.blogspot.com/2010/05/chocolate-kahlua-tiramisu-cake.html. Yummy!
If you do a Google search you can find other recipes for Kahlua too.
To learn more about Kahlua, recipes and other “delicioso” ideas visit www.Kahlua.comor their Facebook page.
ALWAYS REMEMBER – DRINK RESPONSIBLY and DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE!!!
Kimberly
*I received a free product sample in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own.