My gift to you this holiday weekend!

In anticipation of possibly needing one this weekend, before or after visiting with your relatives … here is my Perfect Bloody Mary recipe, with special thanks to sister-in-law Katie for her masterpiece special ingredient!

Ingredients

Ice cubes
1-1/4 shot Absolut Vodka (or your brand of choice)
1 11.5-oz can of Guinness
Bloody Mary mix (the spicier, the better)
Pickle juice
2 pickle slices, or 1 mini dill
3 pepperoni slices
Sliced cheese, in small cubes (pepperjack or swiss the best)
4 squirts Tabasco sauce (chipotle the best)
2 shakes each, salt & pepper

Pour 1/4 glass of ice cubes into a pint glass. Now add the 1 1/4 shots of Absolut, then the Guinness, which should bring the glass to half-full. Guinness is the special ingredient, make sure you have it!  Now add the bloody mary mix to fill the glass, leaving just enough room at the top for the last few ingredients.

Next add a shot glass of pickle juice, the tabasco sauce, and the salt & pepper.  Stir to mix.

Garnish with the pickle slices, pepperonis, and sliced cheese.

You now have the best Bloody Mary ever. Enjoy!

Nerds and Blackhawks, although unrelated

** These are my new glasses.  I am Jill’s hot nerd.  Her words, not mine.

** Marti’s husband #3, Patrick Sharp, needs your vote now … for Chicago’s Sexiest Athlete.  Vote HERE!

It’s not really Monday, more of a Wednesday

To help cure our Bears blues:

** Darius Rucker will be here in less than two weeks – win more seats, with the Drew Walker Drive @ 5!

** Kellie Pickler LIVE COUNTRY comes to Joe’s Bar Wednesday, 12/16 … grab invitation-only passes, with the STMQ @ 6:10pm!

** It’s a special FNPP this week … join me for Black Wednesday 9-11pm at Saddle-Up Saloon in Aurora (Ogden Ave @ Route 59) … we’ll have TURKEY BOWLING!

When you wake up thinking it’s Friday, and it’s not …

On the show today:

** More Taylor Swift tickets to see her in Moline next May, with the Drew Walker Drive @ 5!

** More Darius Rucker seats for his Star Plaza 12/4 show, with the STMQ @ 6:10pm!

** Tonight on The Road @ 10pm, join me for 2 hours of live music & conversation with Blake Shelton & Craig Morgan!

** FNPP tomorrow night 9-11pm @ Sam Maguire’s in Orland Park (LaGrange Rd just north of 151st), with Miller Lite prizes & specials, plus all-request country!

** Hang with me Saturday from 12n-2p @ Verizon Wireless in Addison.  It’s on Lake St, just east of I-355 … great prizes!

There’s a surprise for every show, and then some

On tap today:

** What an afternoon!   Jennifer & Kristian from SUGARLAND took over the show just after 4pm yesterday.  If you missed it, hear the entire conversation HERE!

** She is on fire, no one hotter than Taylor Swift. I’ve got your tickets to see her in Moline next year, with the Drew Walker Drive @ 5!

** Love Darius Rucker? He’ll be at the Star Plaza Theatre Friday, 12/4 – grab seats, with the STMQ @ 4:10pm!

** Tomorrow night on The Road @ 10pm, it’s 2 hours of live music & conversation with Blake Shelton & Craig Morgan!

** FNPP 9-11pm with Miller Lite prizes & specials, plus all-request country @ Sam Maguire’s in Orland Park (at the Orland Park Mall)!

** Make plans to join me Saturday from 12n-2p @ Verizon Wireless in Addison.  It’s on Lake St, just east of I-355 … great prizes & more

Some SUGAR, some spice … just what the afternoon needs!

On today’s show:

** Don’t miss it!   SUGARLAND joins me in-studio after 4pm … anything can happen!

** Right now, there is no one hotter in country music than Taylor Swift. So … we’re sending you to see her in Moline next year, with the Drew Walker Drive @ 5!

** Darius Rucker comes to the Star Plaza Theatre next month – win tickets, with the STMQ @ 3:30pm!

Taylor’s coming back to Illinois!

On today’s show:

** There is no one hotter in country music than Taylor Swift!  So … we’re sending you to see her in Moline next year, with the Drew Walker Drive @ 5!

** Darius Rucker will be at the Star Plaza Theatre next month – win tickets, with the STMQ @ 4:10pm!

So many tickets, so little time!

On deck today:

** Bon Jovi closes their 2010 tour @ Soldier Field next July – win tickets, before they’re even on sale, with the Drew Walker Drive @ 5!

** Keith Urban returns to Joe’s Bar in TWO days!  It’s invitation-only, so grab your passes today when you Sing It Or Say It, at 6:10pm!

** The Road tonight @ 10pm, it’s 2 hours of live music & conversation with Billy Currington & Jimmy Wayne

** FNPP tomorrow night 9-11pm in Berwyn @ Garv-Inn (6546 Windsor Ave, just west of Ridgeland), with Miller Lite prizes & specials, plus your chance at Clint Black tickets!

** 2 pairs of Phil Vassar tickets are on the line Saturday @ the grand-opening of Petsmart in Mokena.  Join me from 1-3pm (21430 Wolf Rd, just south of Lincoln Hwy)!

Warm up your vocal cords … and you could win!

Today, On The Ride Home:

** Bon Jovi is coming to Soldier Field next July – win tickets, before they’re even on sale, with the Drew Walker Drive @ 5!

** It’s private, it’s intimate, and it’s THIS SATURDAY - Keith Urban @ Joe’s Bar … grab your passes, when you Sing It Or Say It, at 4:10pm!

** Tomorrow night on The Road @ 10pm, join me for 2 hours of live music & conversation with Billy Currington & Jimmy Wayne

** FNPP 9-11pm in Berwyn @ Garv-Inn (6546 Windsor Ave, just west of Ridgeland), with Miller Lite prizes & specials, plus all-request country!

Southern Indian Chicken Curry – great in the summer, the best all year long!

Ingredients

4 Tbsp corn oil
2 medium red onions, sliced
2 small jalapenos, halved lengthwise and seeded
2-3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 2-inch piece of fresh ginger, thinly sliced
4-5 Tbsp lemon juice (from 2 lemons)
1 3/4 lb boneless chicken breast, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp mustard seeds
1 tsp kosher salt
2 ripe yellow peaches, roughly chopped
1/2 cup canned unsweetened coconut milk
1/4 cup plain yogurt
Indian flatbread (nan) or pitas

Heat 2 Tbsp oil in large skillet over medium heat.
Place the onion in skillet and cook for 5 minutes.
Add jalapenos, garlic, ginger & 4 Tbsp of the lemon juice and cook for 5 minutes more.
Transfer the mixture to a bowl, set aside.
Add the remaining 2 Tbsp of oil to skillet and raise heat to med-high.
Add the chicken and stir fry until golden brown, about 8 minutes.
Add the cayenne, coriander, cumin, mustard seeds & salt.
Stir fry for 2 more minutes.
Add the peaches, onion mixture and 1/2 cup water and simmer for 8 minutes.
Stir in the coconut milk, reduce heat to med-low, and simmer gently for 2 minutes.
Taste & add the remaining lemon juice if necessary.

Serve with the yogurt, flatbread/pitas, or all if desired.