Firefly and Filo Shrimp Puffs

Ahh, it's Monday. Never fear my darlings, Cocktail Cabaret is here to save the day. I've found a really yummy drink called the Firefly to offer to you today. It's a type of martini, and even though it has rum instead of vodka or gin, it's incredibly good. It's ideal to drink in any weather. It's not a frozen slush, and the rum and cognac together make for a very warming drink. I chose to pair this cocktail with a delicious recipe for appetizers called filo shrimp puffs. These are delectable little savory pastries that are packed full of a spiced shrimp and coconut mixture.

Firefly Cocktail
2 parts Tommy Bahama White Sand Rum
1 part V.S.O.P. Cognac
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp grenadine
Garnish: Lemon wheel

Mix all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Float thin lemon wheel.

Filo Shrimp Puffs
1 tbsp Sesame oil
2 tbsp Corn oil
1 Garlic clove, crushed
1 Onion, finely chopped
1 Piece ginger root (1"), peeled, grated
1/2 tsp Turmeric
1/2 tsp Chili powder
1/4 tsp Ground cumin
6 oz Medium-size peeled shrimp, raw, thawed if frozen
2 tbsp Creamed coconut, diced
5 Filo pastry sheets
1/4 c Butter or ghee, melted
Fresh Italian parsley sprigs

1. Preheat oven to 350''F. (175''C.). Lightly grease a baking sheet. Heat sesame and corn oil in a saucepan. Add garlic, onion and ginger. Fry gently 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. Add turmeric, chili powder and cumin. Fry gently 2 minutes. Add shrimp, cover and cook gently 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat, stir in creamed coconut and cool.
3. Work with 1-2 sheets of filo pastry at a time; cover remainder with a damp cloth. Cut sheet of pastry in half lengthwise and then fold each piece in half lengthwise to make 2 long narrow strips. Spoon a portion of shrimp mixture in 1 corner of each strip of pastry. Brush pastry all over with a small amount of melted butter or ghee.
4. Fold pastry and filling over at right angles to make a triangle. Continue folding in this way along pastry strip to form a triangular parcel. Brush with melted butter or ghee and place on greased baking sheet. Repeat with remaining pastry and shrimp mixture.
5. Bake in preheated oven 20 minutes. Brush with remaining melted butter or ghee and return to oven 5-10 minutes or until puffs are golden brown. Garnish with pastry sprigs, if desired, and serve warm.

So get out your tiny plates and your martini glasses and have a great little cocktail hour with these recipes. As always, drink responsibly and make sure you have a designated driver. DUIs and killing people aren't a part of the fun times of Cocktail Cabaret! Here's hoping everyone makes it through their Mondays in one piece!