Skinny Orange Margaritas

Lovely Lauryn Evarts gifted me her amazing The Skinny Confidential Fitness and Lifestyle Guide and I couldn't wait to try out her skinny cocktails. Warm days in February definitely call for an orange skinny margarita- I mean it can't get any better than this. This margarita tasted so good, mainly because I used fresh ingredients- it really does make a difference. The flavors were bold and it was absolutely refreshing. Go on and grab your cocktail shaker, and trust me this recipe will surely become your next go-to margie-poo. 

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Ingredients:

2 1/2 oz/70 ml 100% agave tequila
3 lemons
Juice of 3 oranges (original recipe calls for juice of 1 blood orange)
1 tablespoon raw organic honey (or 1/2 packet Stevia)
2 handfuls of ice
2 sprigs of rosemary, for garnish

Directions:
Pour all of the ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Shake and shake! Rim your glass with a lemon wedge and put salt on the rim. Add ice to your glass, and pour the margarita over the ice in the glass. Garnish with the rosemary sprigs. Enjoy! 

You can purchase her guide here! 

Tequila Cream Sauce Linguine

During the summer, my aunt taught me this recipe while we were grilling lobster with herbed butter.  Let me tell you, I fell in love. While it's quite easy to prepare, this pasta has a ton of flavor. Cajun seasoning adds a kick, but the true burst of flavor comes from the tequila. Tequila is an imported liquor with a strong 80- to 100-proof punch. It adds subtle fire power to sweet and savory dishes. The alcohol cooks off, but it's flavor remains to make this pasta a unique one. 

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Ingredients:

1 package cooked linguine pasta

½ cup tequila-white or gold (approx.  a little over 3 shots)

1 stick butter

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon garlic powder

½ tablespoon Cajun seasoning

2 teaspoons red chill flakes

2 teaspoons dried basil

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon rosemary leaves

1/3 cup heavy cream

½ tablespoon sugar, for taste

Cilantro sprigs, for garnish

Grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish

Grilled meat, optional

Directions:

1.   Cook linguine pasta according to package directions.
2.   Melt the butter in a sauté pan over medium-high heat.
3.  Combine the seasonings and tequila and bring to a boil. Reduce by one-third.
4.    Stir in the heavy cream and simmer for 5 minutes.
5.  Add in sugar to adjust for taste.
6.  Remove from heat, and continue whisking sauce until everything is incorporated.
7.    Add in cooked pasta and coat evenly with the tequila cream sauce. Garnish with cilantro and serve immediately.

*Note: I added some grilled shrimp that was marinated with Cajun seasoning and limejuice. You can serve the pasta itself or even add some marinated grilled vegetables or chicken.