Hoboken Business: The Hoboken Mary

There's nothing better with brunch (or lunch, or dinner, or after dinner) than a good Bloody Mary, amiright? I have been on the constant pursuit for the perfect Bloody Mary recipe for years, and then in walked The Hoboken Mary. This mix has everything you need for the perfect Bloody except the alcohol and accoutrements of your dreams. No longer do you need to have 489,902 ingredients at hand.

The mix, created by Hoboken's Christine Dodd, is gluten free, low calorie, fat free, all natural, and has less sodium. Sign me up, right? It's also made from Jersey tomatoes, got a nice kick to it and comes in a reusable mason jar. Plus you honestly don't have to add a damn thing to it if you don't want to. 

Over the course of Christine's visit to the HudsonCounty60 Kitchen, she showed me how to make 3 amazing things with one simple mix. Firstly she taught me how to make a signature Jersey Bloody Mary, using Jerry's Vodka, another Jersey local business, and garnished with every NJ natives favorite meat, Pork Roll/Taylor Ham. Also garnished with some beautiful and ripe Jersey tomatoes stuffed with cream cheese.

Next we made a simple Mussels Marinara with a remoulade for dipping with 3 INGREDIENTS! All you need for this simple recipe is some fresh mussels, mayonnaise and Hoboken Mary mix. Simply add your cleaned mussels to your pot and cover with HM mix. Once the mussels have opened, they're done. For your remoulade mix add 1 tablespoon of HM mix to 3 tablespoons of mayonnaise and voila! You have created the quickest meal with 3 easy ingredients, and in about 20 minutes. If you're so inclined, your remoulade now also makes an incredible dipping sauce for shrimp cocktail, and even Popeyes Chicken.

Lastly, and this is really the piece de resistance, we made an oyster shooter. Once again 3 ingredients and E-A-S-Y. In a large shot glass add one fresh, raw oyster, cover with Vodka of choice (we used NJ's Jerry's Vodka) and a splash of HM mix. Shoot that sucker and LIVE YO LIFE. If you're feeling like starting trouble that day, substitute vodka with tequila and really start your party.

To order The Hoboken Mary, click here, OR here to find it at a location near you. Make sure to follow them on Instagram and Facebook. And don't forget to keep checking HudsonCounty60, because this week we're giving away a bottle of The Hoboken Mary mix and branded products, plus a bottle of Jerry's Vodka!

Casey2Cook Mind Blowing Cereal Pancakes

Normally we only shoot two episodes per featured business here at HudsonCounty60, but with Casey Repetti, Personal Chef and Hoboken Mom, we needed more. Mostly I wanted to eat more, but that's neither here, nor there. So in honor of Father's Day, Casey taught me how to make the most perfectly airy, fluffy pancakes, that you can add any cereal to. 

If you're anything like my family, you always have some sugary cereal stocked in your pantry, but from what I hear, most households have granolas and fiber rich cereals at the ready. That's cool too, I guess. I'm sure you could use those in place of Froot Loops, but I doubt it'll be as fun, TBH. 

As soon as we cut on filming this episode, my cameraman/director, SanMartin, along with my husband, Matt, both jumped out, forks in hand to absolutely destroy these pancakes. I should also add that although I don't actually love pancakes in general, these were so amazing, I definitely ate my fair share. 

Casey’s Froot Loop Pancakes

1 cup of all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon of salt

2 tablespoons of sugar

2 teaspoons of baking powder

1 egg

1 cup of milk

1/2  teaspoon of vanilla extract

4 tablespoons of melted butter

1 cup of ground Froot Loops, plus a little more for garnish

Powdered sugar, syrup, fruit, chocolate chips, jelly.. whatever toppings you desire!

1. Mix together all the dry ingredients, making sure there are no lumps.

2. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg, milk and vanilla until combined and smooth. Pour in the melted butter and stir.

3. Carefully pour the milk mixture into the flour bowl and stir to combine. Do not over stir, some lumps are ok

4. Spray your griddle or frying pan with nonstick spray and turn up to medium high. Spoon about 1/4 cup of mix into the pan. When you see tiny bubbles form around the outside of your pancake and some in the middle, its time to flip. It will only need about 40 seconds on the other side. Continue this with all of your mix, you can make them larger or smaller.. Adjust your flame as you see fit, everyones stoves are different!

For Casey's Simple From Scratch Flap Jacks recipe, or her post on her Reese's Puffs Pancakes (where this recipe came from) click the links or visit her blog. Don't forget to follow Casey on Instagram and Facebook! 

Happy Father's Day!

Casey2Cook's Italian Menu

Today we're back visiting my new friend, Casey Repetti, Hoboken Native, Personal Chef, Caterer and the woman behind Casey2Cook. Not only did she KILL IT with her Welcome Platter (#theplatterwhisperer), but she's upped her game by bringing a FULL ITALIAN FEAST!! 

Not only did she show me how to make these simplistically perfect Black Pepper Crackers with Goat Cheese, Proscuitto and Kiwi, but she brought her Five Star Meatballs, Cilantro Marsala Smothered Chicken (which I believe I could eat every day for the rest of my life), and Bucatini with Spoon Lickin' Red Sauce along for the ride. 

Let's talk about this cracker with goat cheese, prosciutto and kiwi, shall we? If you're looking for an easy appetizer that will wow your guests with its perfect combination of bright, creamy, sweet and smokey flavors and textures, then I URGE you to give these bad boys a try. 

from www.casey2cook.com

1 package Carr's Black Pepper Crackers
1 package Goat Cheese
Proscuitto
Kiwi cut into small wedges
1 bottle White Balsamic Reduction

1. Smear goat cheese onto cracker.

2. Place slice of prosciutto off center on the cracker.

3. Place kiwi wedge on top.

4. Drizzle lightly with White Balsamic Reduction.

5. STEAL THE WHOLE PLATTER OF CRACKERS, RUN TO THE NEAREST PRIVATE ROOM, EAT THE WHOLE TRAY AND DON'T FEEL BAD ABOUT NOT SHARING. ONLY THE STRONG SURVIVE.

For the recipes for Casey's Five Star Meatballs, Cilantro Marsala Smothered Chicken Thighs, and Bucattini with her Spoon Lickin' Red Sauce, click on the links or check out her blog!

Don't forget to follow Casey on Instagram and Facebook, and check back on our own HudsonCounty60 Instagram for another episode with Casey!