Tidbits Review Sips and Apps

Written by Rosemary Mantini | 02 November 2009

Sips & Apps – Kathy Casey (Raincoast Books) $25.95

This is a very cute book. At 204 pages, it fits into the palm of the hand and is packed full of cocktail and appetizer recipes. The introduction covers everything from detailed information on ingredients to how to equip the home bar to techniques and tricks. If you’ve ever wondered what to serve your guests that’s tasty and different from what you’ve already encountered and everyone else’s parties, this book is your answer.

The drinks range from the creative to the classic. There’s even a chapter on non-alcoholic cocktails that the author invented for her restauranteur friends who wanted a delicious late-night, after work drink that would also leave them clear-headed. Both the cocktail and appetizer recipes range from the simple to the complex allowing you to pick and choose depending on the ingredients you have available, time and inclination.

The Tuscan Rosemary Lemon Drop cocktail I made was surprising in its combination of rosemary, vodka and limoncello. And, I must say the idea of rimming the martini glass with rosemary sugar left me scratching my head. Rosemary leaves in my drink?

It would be like chewing on a pine tree. But, once the rosemary leaves had been finely minced, dried and mixed with sugar, all you taste is wonderful sweet and pungent woodsy pine.

The Sicilian Mini Meatballs were also a hit. Easy and quick to make, my party guests loved these moist and tasty morsels. The sauce, in particular, was made up of an unusual mixture of pine nuts, raisins, tomato and wine. These mini meatballs make a fantastic alternative to the usual Swiss meatballs in sweet and sour sauce that have been the mainstay at many a party for way too long. Do yourself and your guests a favour and give these a try.