World Cup Fever

Is it just us or has everyone gone World Cup Crazy? Analysts for Neilsen reported that TV audiences for USA's games are 68% higher than that in 2006 AND that Miami is one of the top ten markets overall (no surprise there). Though many bars and restaurants are featuring food and drink specials during matches (check out this article), we suggest gathering in front of your home television with these internationally-inspired bites.

From Mexico: Margarita Shrimp

Ingredients

Margarita

1 cup tequila

1/2 cup Cointreau

1 1/4 cups fresh lime juice

1/4 cup fresh orange juice

1/4 cup sugar

4 teaspoons honey, warmed

Shrimp

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 chipotle in adobo, seeded and minced

Salt and pepper

1/4 pounds medium shrimp

Lime wedges for garnish

Directions

Combine all of the ingredients in a large pitcher and stir to dissolve the sugar. Preheat broiler. In a glass bowl, mix the 1/4 cup margarita, oil and chipolte. Season with salt and pepper, add the shrimp and toss to coat. Drain shrimp and arrange on baking sheet. Broil as close to heat as possible for 2 to 3 minutes, turning once, until opaque and cooked through. Put two shrimp on each of 16 skewers and serve warm with lime wedges.

From Spain: Stuffed Piquillo Peppers with Goat Cheese

Ingredients

16 ounces goat cheese

4 scallions, thinly sliced

1/2 cup chopped mint

1/8 teaspoon red-pepper flakes

1 jar piquillo peppers, drained, liquid reserved

2 lemons

spring onions for garnish

Directions

Place goat cheese, scallions, mint, red-pepper flakes, and reserved piquillo liquid in a bowl. Zest and then juice lemons into bowl, straining seeds. Mix. Using a small spoon, fill each pepper with 2 tablespoons of the goat cheese mixture. Place on serving plate and sprinkle with flakes.

From The United States: The Underdog Martini

Ingredients

2 ounces Blue Ice American Vodka

2 ounces grapefruit juice

Splash of Falernum

Kosher Salt

Lime Squeeze

Directions

Shake ingredients with cubed ice and strain into martini glass rimmed with salt. Garnish with lime.

Now that we have your mouth watering and ready for a cocktail (it's five o'clock somewhere, right?) we wanted to introduce you to one of our Client Development Specialists in this month's Team Member Spotlight.

Name: Victor Hugo

Hire Date: November, 2009

What was your first job?

A librarian's assistant.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Yin & Yang.

What is the best thing you ever ate with your hands

Southern BBQ ribs on San Francisco's Divisadero.

Which living person do you most admire?

Fernando Botero.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Summer of 1996: 80-foot sailing yacht, Island hopping in the Carribean with myself, a captain and one mate.

What is the best meal you have ever eaten?

Mom's.

Red or White?

White.

iphone or Blackberry?

Blackberry

What is your current state-of-mind?

A San Francisco state-of-mind.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

As Sinatra said, "I did it My Way!"

What is your most marked characteristic?

Attention to detail.

Our team would also like to congratulate the following places and spaces on their mention in the Miami New Times "Best of 2010" piece.

Best Place to See Celebrities: Wall, W South Beach

Best Hotel: The Palms Hotel & Spa

Best Local Landmark: The Freedom Tower

Best Place to Spend an Hour Mid-Week: The Kampong

Best Party of the Year: Lady Gaga at the Fontainebleau

Best Place for a First Date: Miami Metrozoo

Best Place to Meet Single Men: Vizcayan's Sundowner

Best Charity: Miami Children's Hospital

Best Art Compound: Bakehouse Art Complex

Best Place to Throw a Party: Paris Theater

Best Art Museum: Bass Museum of Art

Best Museum: Haitian Heritage Museum

*Any and all others that we failed to mention, Congratulations as well!

Have a happy and Healthy Weekend!

The Team at AARON'S CATERING