Just right for a Saturday in spring

Hello! The wait for Spring after a long, long winter is a hard wait. This martini and appetizer pairing will help to ease the wait for the warm sunshine days and blossoms on the trees. Enjoy!

The Pink Panther

X-Rated liqueur

Hpnotiq

Stolichnaya vanilla vodka

sweet and sour mix

Fill a shaker with ice. Combine 2 parts X-Rated liqueur, 1 party Hpnotiq, 1 part Stolichnaya vanilla vodka, and a healthy splash of sweet and sour mix. Shake!!

Serve up in a chilled glass with a lemon twist.

A delicious pairing for the Pink Panther is my Crispy Asparagus Straws. Here is the recipe:

12 green asparagus spears

1 package phyllo dough

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 package prosciutto

3 tablespoons melted butter

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.

Prepare baking sheet by spraying with non-stick spray.

Steam the asparagus lightly and set aside. Take two layers of the phyllo dough at a time and cut them into four equal pieces. Lightly brush butter on the phyllo.

Place a slice of prosciutto on the phyllo and sprinkle with the Parmesan. Lay an asparagus stem on one end (make sure that 1 - 1 1/2" of the asparagus is sticking out from the top) and roll up. Seal the edge with butter.

When all spears are rolled and on the baking sheet sprinkle the rest of the Parmesan cheese on them and place them in the oven. Bake until the phyllo is golden, about 5-6 minutes. If the asparagus tips cook too quickly cover them with a strip of aluminum foil.

Serve warm.