I’m suspending usual blogposts to bring a new series: Cooking under Quarantine. Stay tuned for many great recipes, and Hipcooks outreach opportunities. Let’s kick things off right — with one stiff drink: The Good Ol’ Greyhound. These times are crazy — let’s not go crazy.
Priorities, people!
I love my Hipcooks crew. Immediately after I announced the studio shutdowns because of this damned virus, the text messages came fluttering in:
Kyrsten (Hipcooks LA): “It’s okay! I’m okay! Scot just walked in with a case of gin, so we’re gonna be fine!”
Tina (Hipcooks Portland) responded with a picture of her full bar. Emphasis on full.
Loreal (Hipcooks OC) and ever the sweetheart, told me to take a break from cancelations and refunds and pour myself a Stiff Drink. Thank you, honey!
Grapefruits from my sister’s tree
You So-Cal Quarantiners don’t have to go far to find mixers for your cocktail! I recently returned to Portland after visiting my sister with a suitcase full of juicy grapefruits. “What do you prepare with these?” I asked her as I picked, excitedly planning grapefruit recipes for future blogposts “Oh, we don’t really eat them,” was her reply. “We sometimes make greyhounds.”
Sister, you win! You’ll see my ever-so geeky grapefruit recipes at a later date, but for now, here you go, Sis! Inspired by you: The Good Ol’ Greyhound. And because I can’t help but embellish: The Persian Greyhound.
The Good Ol’ Greyhound
We’re gin lovers. There you have it. Of the many qualities for which Kyrsten and I love each other, it’s gin we most excitedly agree on. A greyhound with vodka? Whatever, people. We make ours the right way: with gin. The Good Ol’ Greyhound is easy-peasy, but ever-so-nice with fresh grapefruit. My sister’s are sweet enough. If yours are not, you can always add a splash of simple. A dash of bitters will give your cocktail a nice je ne c’est quoi.
The Persian Greyhound, The Ginger Greyhound
I ran into (very talented) musician and (very wonderful) Hipcooks Assistant John Silliman Dodge at the Trader Joe’s pandemonium, erm, I mean parking lot last week. We were talking quarantine (as you do) and how we both struck it fortuitously lucky with our library holds wind-falling in this week: his with music biographies and me with Persian-American fiction. (I just finished The Stationery Shop and Song of a Captive Bird. The Good Daughter is next on my list. All so so so fantastic.) Anyway, longwinded explanation about Persian Inspiration! A dash of Rosewater and St Germain find their way into the Persian Version. So yummy. I think I’ll have another.
Another variation on this cocktail: The Ginger Greyhound. Add a shot of Cold Buster Concentrate for a cocktail and a panacea all-in-one!
Future posts under our new Cooking under Quarantine theme:
What do I do with these lentils? Tricks for Cooking from the Cupboard
Love thy Neighbor: Doorstep Recipes for At-risk/Unwell Friends
My Kids are Lunatics! Involving Children in the Kitchen
What would you like to see? Any burning questions?
What’s your favorite Quarantine Cocktail? Since we have gin and grapefruit: The Sage Rush is coming next!
Got any good books for me?
Are you a Hipcooks Assistant (our volunteer program) and in need of food or supplies? Please reach out to your studio manager.
Please comment below, I’d be tickled to hear from you. It takes some scrolling. But hey, what else you got goin’ on?
Stay well. Love, Monika
Thank you to New Riff for one of the most delicious gins I've ever tasted. And don't get me started on the Bourbon! More posts with cocktails to follow.Ingredients
juice from 2 juicy grapefruits
as much gin as you need (I needed a lot, 4 ounces)
a dash of bittersfor the Persian Greyhound:
skip the bitters and add a dash of rosewater and a splash of St Germainfor the Ginger Greyhound:
skip the bitters and add a 2 ounces of ginger concentrateInstructions
Pop your ingredients into a cocktail shaker with plenty of ice. Shake like your sanity depends on it. Strain and pour into ice-cubed glasses. Have another.
Notes
9 comments
I loved your comments and look forward to more recipes. Another book about Persia is The Last Days of Cafe Leila by Donia Bijan. I just read it and enjoyed it.
Thank you so much, Carole! I love to delve deep into a theme, and I look forward to reading this book. So happy the library has ebooks available now. All the best, Monika
You guys are THE BEST and what a great idea – cupboard cooking! My pantry is, thankfully, full but I want to be a good steward of what I have. Thank you in advance for upcoming inspiration. 🥰❤️
My Quarantine Cocktail is a Kentucky Mule. When I visited Costco, along with the rest of the universe, I went straight for the Bulleit, not TP. PRIORITIES, PEOPLE. 😂
THANKS for the bit of cheer & fun in these bleak times.
YES! Need help on cooking from what’s-in-the-pantry (and why after soaking black beans for 8 hours they are still HARD in my chili?!?)
YES! Suggestions for comfort food: healthy, holds up well, for deliveries.
Many thanks & keep inspiring us all!
I love you guys! Thanks for always cheering me up with great recipes!
I love this idea of cooking under quarantine. What a spot of cheer before starting my who-knows-what-will-happen remote day. Plus, fellow gin lover.
Thanks for the spot of sunshine! Looking forward to more. I’d love to see healthy recipes that are still comforting without going the carb route. Stay well and stay hip!
Cheers to you, Monika! (with gin, of course) Love these mix-ups for greyhounds. We just got a ton of citrus from a SoCal friend, so we’ll be experimenting with that case of gin and will share success stories soonest! xoxo
4 ounces is perfect! Throw a seasoned salted rim on that baby and you’ll really be humming!! Besos!
yes, indeed. good to hear from you, Wolfie! Hang in there…. and make it a double!