Jeff and Me
When I’m invited to an event sponsored by an alcohol company it takes me about 2.4 seconds to accept. The reason for this is two-fold: 1) Alcohol companies always throw a good party. And 2) I like free drinks. So when an invite from Kahlua arrived, I replied within 2.2 seconds. (I was apparently extra-excited/zippy.)
Kahlua Horchata
My buddy Jeff and trekked to Loteria in Hollywood (we walked there from Jeff’s – passing the cross-dressers and tourists on Hollywood Boulevard along the way). Loteria is a Mexican restaurant that started as a kiosk in the famed Farmer’s Market on Fairfax and then Chef Jimmy Shaw expanded to this full-size joint on the boulevard. We were greeted with horchata and Kahlua cocktails as well as taquitos, guac and empanadas. So far, so good.
Chef Shaw developed a menu for the night where each dish has the coffee-flavored liquor in it. Here’s what we ate:
Queso Flameado
Queso flameado: this is a plate of melted cheese (aka love) accompanied with a shot of Kahlua, which the waiter lit on fire for a fun little flambé action.
Ensalada: there was all sorts of yumminess in here – dates, monchego cheese and a Kahlua-tinged vinaigrette.
The main was a choice between chicken or pork with a Kahlua mole sauce, with rice and beans on the side.
Churros
And dessert: churros that you dipped in a Kahlua hot chocolate.
New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc was served (and drunk) throughout the meal. Right, right I couldn’t eat everything (bad gluten, bad!), but what I did have was absolutely outstanding. And it reignited my taste for Kahlua. Here’s a recipe I know my mother would enjoy.
The Curious Russian
1 part Kahlúa Coffee Cream
1 part Kahlúa Coffee Liqueur
1 part ABSOLUT Vanilia
Lightly shake and strain over ice in a rocks glass. Vanilla bean garnish.
I just realized I post a lot about cocktails. Cheers!
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This all sounds SO GOOD to me – a bit random in terms of the kahlua with mexican food for me, i didn’t realize they go together (according to whoever decides what “goes” together), but that’s fine, its ALLLLL good…
I could use a little RIGHT NOW!!
Oh man, is it crazy that now ALL I can think about is eating a churro???
And, am lovin’ the name of that cocktail – the ‘Curious Russian’ – so many mental images pop to mind that make me giggle! Sounds delicious, though – think I might need to try that one.
Actually – kahlua started in Mexico! But I think we all associate it a little more with White Russians…
this looks fantastic! Jealous of those churros!