When the Creative Cooking Crew on Facebook announced its March challenge “Canapés n’ Cocktails” I knew I wanted to do something southern, something spicy. It’s just the way I’m feeling lately.

Creative Cooking Crew

As March sprung forward, UK Men’s Basketball did their thing, and the days ticked by, I forgot the official challenge name. I began to think about food and drink pairings in general.

Apple-Ginger Country Ribs & Jazzed-Up Double Wide

Apple-Ginger Country Ribs & Jazzed-Up Double Wide

When Joan announced the challenge deadline-posting schedule toward the end of the month, I decided to make Apple Ginger Country Ribs paired with a Jazzed-Up Double Wide. A Double Wide is a 50/50 mix of Ale-8-One and Maker’s Mark Bourbon with a twist. In the jazzed up version, I subbed ginger beer for the ginger ale. Wow. A pairing fit for a Sunday when you want nothing more than freedom to dig in the dirt and smell spicy, sweet aromas when you enter the house. Add a heady, fizzy cocktail and a stellar sunset? If I could bottle and sell it, I’d call it Sunday Perfection in March.

Sunset March 2015

But. Always that but isn’t there?

After I cooked, photographed, and began to write the recipe idea for the challenge, I went back to the Facebook CCC page for the “official” challenge language for my post.

Um, my creation didn’t quite fit the parameters of Cocktails n’ Canapés!

I considered using the pork for a bite-sized appetizer, you know sliced, roasted baby red potatoes ½ inch thick, a potato chip on steroids is how I liken them, plop a little shredded pork on top. Garnish with a dab of Greek yogurt, right? Yes, it sounded so right. But the next day I made a Mozzarella-Pork Flatbread. And about that time I had eaten my country rib quota for the season.

So once again I raided the fridge, freezer, and pantry.

Gulf shrimp pinwheel w remoulade 1

Gulf shrimp pinwheel w remoulade 3

Enter Gulf Shrimp Pinwheels with Remoulade and Cucumber Melon Mint Vodka-Saki on the Rocks.

Think sweet, salty, spicy, chewy, refreshing. Appetite required. Sunday’s optional.

 

Creative Cooking CrewThanks to Joan at FOODalogue and Laz at LazCooks for the inspiration, challenge, and dedication to this group. Check out the Creative Cooking Crew on Pinterest for more Cocktails n’ Canapés ideas and more mouthwatering inspiration.