New Years Champagne Jelly Shots

Happy New Years everyone! This morning I saw my adult neighbour lying in the street, with her hands on her head, screaming, "I want my money! I want my money!" Well, don't we all. Where's my money? Where's my jet pack and where's my goddamn money? That's what I want this year. More jet packs and more money. Drop me a line if you think you can help me get either of those things.

While I'm waiting for my jet pack, money and private island, I'm going to get lit on champagnes jelly shots. Lit up like a firework! These jelly shots pack a punch. I put vodka in them because it's bloody New Years so lets act like it. I would have added more vodka but I was afraid that it wouldn't set.

I think that fear may have been unfounded. I remember reading that a gentleman survived the sinking of the Titanic because his blood alcohol level was so high that his blood wouldn't freeze. And for some reason I had it in my head that because alcohol doesn't freeze, it won't turn to jelly either. I don't think that's the case. Next time I make these, I'm going for it.

I used both a large baking dish and some martini glasses for the jelly. Both work and the glasses actually set a lot faster than the large dish so if you're in a rush to get drunk off jelly, go glasses or even shot glasses.

I'm going to a New Years event on the river tonight, I'm going to watch the fireworks and then I'm going to come home and eat the rest of these, eat some ice cream on my sofa, cuddle my puppy and watch Netflix. How good does my night sound. If you have high aspirations like myself, make these and have yourself a happy little New Years!

New Years Champagne Jelly Shots

Prep time: 10 mins

Cooling time: 4 hours, or overnight

Servings: 36 chunks of alcoholic jelly!

3 x 12g sachets of powdered gelatin

2 cups boiling water

3 cups soft drink, such as creaming soda

3/4 bottle of champagne

1 cup vodka

Spray oil

Sprinkles

1. Add gelatin and hot water to a large bowl and stir until all gelatin is dissolved.
2. Add the soft drink, champagne and vodka and mix well.
3. Spray a glass dish lightly with a neutral oil such a vegetable oil.
4. Decant the liquid into the dish, or into glasses if desired.
5. Refrigerate until set - 4 hours or overnight if time allows.
6. Turn jelly out on to a board and cut into squares.
7. Sprinkle with sprinkles just before serving and enjoy!

REVIEW: La Quinta

La coo ca raa cha! La coo ca raa cha! La quinta la la la!

It's been a while since we visited La Quinta so it was high time we got back. La Quinta is the older sister of the American restaurant directly next door, Southern Attitude, which I reviewed early last year. And while usually older sisters are just the warm-up for the smarter, prettier, better at cooking and shut up Tegan for the younger sister, in this case, the original really is the best.

La Quinta is always pretty busy of an evening, so lunch time is the best time to go without making a reservation. Although one time we made a reservation and they didn't have a table for us but for this review, that's neither here nor there.

We went to a restaurant "to celebrate the jobs they hadn't actually performed, with money they hadn't actually earned"

La Quinta have a fantastic ordering system. When you wish to have the attention of the waiter, you place a little flag atop a wooden cactus. The staff are really quick at noticing the flags and the whole system is very efficient. Drinks arrive very quickly. We kicked things off with some ice cold Coronas ($7.50 each) and a frozen margarita ($12) which went down an absolute treat on a steamy hot Saturday afternoon. To see exactly how it went down, check out my flip book on Instagram.

Pro dip combo right there.

We ordered a few starters to go with our icy cold beverages. We choose the Trio of Dips ($16) with Corn Chips and Tortillas, and since we're flipping pros by now at La Quinta, we choose the creamy Guacamole, the cheesy Queso and the LQ Fire Roasted Corn Jalapeños. Can you see how that combination works? Amazingly.

Dang, yo. Mexican food does not photograph well.

Our next starter to share was Smoked Chorizo with Sofrito Paste ($10.50). Sofrito paste sounds pretty unappealing but don't think so hard about it cos it's delicious. It's a tomato based sauce and pro tip: get a bit of the chorizo, with a scoop of the sofrito and pop it in a bit of tortilla and a dollop of the queso. Your mouth is now in party town.

I'm gonna have to do this..."If you like pina coladas..."

A piña colada was now in order to take the heat down and La Quinta's Original Puerto Rican Piña Colada ($12) was simply too good. I smashed it in about 30 seconds. So then we followed it up with more coronas! This was turning into a most enjoyable fiesta!

Those beans look like mice poops.

The first main was two tacos for $15, one taco with Hickory Smoked Chicken, Avocado, Pineapple, Chipotle Mayo and one with Refried Black Beans, Pico De Gallo, Cheese taco. The chicken taco was tasty and full of Mexican flavour however the refried bean taco left a little to be desired, with no cheese or pico de gallo to be seen. So a bit of a miss on the tacos.

They're not the prettiest, but ugly is tasty.

Next up, a serve of Beef Enchiladas, topped with Ranchero Sauce and Jack Cheese ($22.50). Though not the prettiest of dishes, the enchiladas were saucy goodness, wrapped in La Quintas chewy, fresh tortillas. The accompaniments were huge, and went some way to improving the lacking tacos.

Look at those bubbles of crispy goodness. This is by far my favourite dish.

Finally, although my eyes scanned the menu and my mind turned over many options, I returned to my old favourite: The Tostada El Grande ($24.50). It sounds suitably grand, doesn't it. The tostada el grande is a moreish and crispy fried flour tortilla bowl, filled with pulled chicken, lettuce, tomato salsa, cheese, refried beans, rice, guacamole and sour cream. I don't think there's been one occasion that I haven't ordered this, and trust me, if you are at a table with friends, and you don't order this, you'll be very jealous. Luckily, it's so huge, you'll probably end up getting to try some as even I can't finish it.

La Quinta is a great, casual restaurant with a fun vibe and unique ordering system which is a novelty. It's been around for years and it's easy to see why. The food is fresh and generous, I always recommend La Quinta for a casual meal out.

Food: 3.5/4
Service: 4/5
Price: 3.5/4
Atmosphere: 3.5/5