BLOODY MARY SOUP is the answer to your surplus september tomatoes. truly a leoan liquid lunch - enjoy!

VIA KOCHTOPF

1 medium onion, chopped
3 celery stalks, diced
1 bell pepper, diced
2 tb olive oil
250 g fresh tomatoes, peeled
250 ml homemade broth
salt, pepper
Tabasco
1 tb lemon juice
4 tb vodka
Garnish
celery stalks to garnish

In a large pot, sauté onions ad celery and bell pepper in oil.
Add tomato, sauté 1-2 minute.
Add broth and let simmer 10 minutes.
Put all in a food processor and mix until smooth.
Add other ingredients.
Serve either hot or chilled, garnish with celery stalk.

before dining in la palapa rockola,NYC, i had been given the heads up as to it’s sign, which was leo (opened in early august). i also knew that the theme of this palatial hut was vintage film stars from a bygone era, which heralds back to it’s prohibitionist roots. spanish for thatch hut, this authentic mexican restaurant resides in what was once a speakeasy. i knew to expect photos of old film stars on the wall… and leo’s make great movie stars, so this was of no big shocker. but what really caught me by surprise was the other elements of decor, which were so leoan in character. read on dear bloggers…

omigod, again! the walls are warm shades of orange and yellow! hello… orange and yellow - colors of the sun, leo’s ruling planet (or star)!

leo is the element of fire, and there is certainly no lack of that, with the hundred or so candles that garner the interior!

black and white vintage photography grace the walls of this fine establishment. movie stars from the roaring 20’s are a focal point, and you can’t get more leo than this! the sign of the performer, this cat wants to be seen, photographed, worshipped and lusted after.

and lastly, the sun, center of our solar system, and ruler of leo, hangs grandly from the ceiling of la palapa rockola. a gentle reminder that you are dining in a fat cat’s lair.

oh but you’d like to know about the drinks? they were spectacular. of course. anything leo is going to be good. i had the unbelievably delicious house special which was rimmed with chile piquin salt. my friend sampled the watermelon mojito which was refreshingly smooth. i didn’t get a chance to try the prohibition margarita (somebody’s gotta drive!), but i was told it was to die for. the other libational offerings include about thirty different types of tequila, sangrias, caipirinhas, margaritas and creative cocteles de las casa. the tamarind cosmo, the diva margarita with hibiscus, and the traditional mexican grapefruit soda drink, the dove, are but a few. if you happen to be preggars, la palapa’s got ya covered with several virgin frescas: hibiscius iced tea, hibiscus, tamarind & watermelon limeade and homemade ginger ale.

now let’s talk food. my carnivore friend had the tequila seared steak and loved it. myself, a vegetarian, enjoyed a cactus paddle amongs other veggie delights. if you’ve never tasted cactus, here’s your chance. it’s definitely different than broccoli. september is cactus month so swing on by to sample some mexican specialties.

visit either the west or east village branches of la palapa for a tasteful, and tasty, experience.

the ultimate leo would have to be madonna. that woman puts on a show like nobody’s business. she has literally done whatever it took to see her name in lights, which probably wouldn’t have happened without Virgo as her rising sign. keeping her head organized and clutter-free, mercury allowed her to focus on her goals with the shrewd precision of a laser beam. leo is the spotlight who garners much attention, but virgo is the rich one. they know how to manage their money, and to succeed in “life.” but it’s madonna’s overall chart that indicates that she is a force to be reckoned with - in case you haven’t noticed. and even though she’s not as animal-friendly or environmentally-minded as i would like her to be (which i just don’t get as she’s tight with stella), she has been, and continues to be my idol. unless you’ve been living under a rock (or don’t pay attention to every single teensy weensy move madonna makes) you know that she works out. like excessively, as if there’s an invisible slave driver strapped to her yoga mat. i once read that she sometimes gives herself a treat and eats toast with… JAM! jam, ok, jam. if that’s a treat, i’m in trouble. she doesn’t go out in the sun without spf 250 on, and from all my research i don’t think she’s ever done drugs. the woman is a control freak, as i’ve found some leo’s to be. for all the glitz and glam that that leo’s love, you’d think she’d imbibe often in overly garnished specialty cocktails. but no. her drink? from what i’ve seen, she’s a purist-lightweight, enjoying lager or champagne in a local english pub with her guy. all though she did introduce her own line of celebrity wine! here’s to you madonna, keep up the amazing work, and stop wearing fur all ready. it’s tired, and you’re not.

visit MADONNALICIOUS & see MADONNA’S CHART

I am honoured to host this month’s Mixology Monday #18, thank you paul! The theme is orange because this particular fruit happens to be ruled by the astrological sign of Leo. The zodiacal top cat also rules juniper (so gin was a possibility until i found out about g-vine), mango (a little obscure, no?), rice (sake, perhaps…), tomatoes, olives, walnuts, marigolds, saffron and any plant that thrives in full sun areas of the garden, or that bears a heavy physical resemblance to the sun.

So put your celestial thinking cap on and make a killer cocktail in honour of Leo! All it must contain is the warm and passionate essence of the sun, vibrant ruler of the proud cat. Orange you exited? (i know, kill me)

Please post your entry no later than Monday, August 13th, and trackback to this post. Additionally, please shoot me an email with the following info: your name, hyperlink and zodiac sign. Cheers.

(photo
credit
alibaba)