CARRY ON TEQUILA DAY!!

     National Tequila Day was July 24, 2012. If you have any leftover and feel like indulging again, we have selected a couple of recipes for a leftover tequila party this month! Both are from "The Tequila Cookbook" by Lynn Nusom. Permission to print granted by Golden West Publishers, 4113 N. Longview, Phoenix, AZ 85014.

     This book is a compilation of recipes using tequila, a distilled liquor made from one of 400 species of agave plant. There are many brands of tequila for sale in most liquor stores. There are also different colors of tequila. The white tequila is the most common and usually the least expensive. Gold tequila - called "especial" by some manufacturers is considered a premium tequila. The color is caused by aging the tequila in casks.

     If you travel into Mexico, try different brands of tequila that are not readily available in the United States and use your liquor allotment to bring some back, as it is much less expensive than it is here.

 

GRILLED YELLOWFISH TUNA 

1 Tbsp. ORANGE JUICE

2 Tbsp. OLIVE OIL

4 (6 oz.) YELLOWFIN TUNA STEAKS, 3/4 to 1 inch thick

     Mix together the orange juice and oil and brush over the tuna steaks. Grill the steaks on an indoor cooker or over hot coals for 8-to-10 minutes or until fish flakes easily when touched with a fork. Garnish with twisted orange slices and serve with Orange-Tequila Sauce.  Serves 4.

 ORANGE-TEQUILA SAUCE

1 cup MAYONNAISE

1/4 cup TEQUILA

1 tsp. grated ORANGE PEEL

1/4 cup ORANGE JUICE

1 tsp. RED CHILE FLAKES, such as PEQUIN

     Mix together mayonnaise, tequila, orange peel, orange juice and red chile flakes. Cover the sauce with plastic wrap and chill in refrigerator for one hour.