This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Scandinavian Tobacco Group Lane, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #CuberoLuxury https://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV
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My husband is a very hardworking guy. I appreciate so much what he does for our family, and for me. It’s my pleasure to do something super nice for him every once in awhile–like treat him to Cubero Cigars, a nice bottle of scotch (his favorite) and some guy time!
My husband is not one to play poker–he’s got a terrible poker face–but he does love sitting around and shooting the breeze and telling tall tales. I set up a guys night in for him and his friends out on the back porch with some Cubero Cigars, a bottle of Oban, and some man’s-man appetizers.
One of the really great things about setting up entertainment for guys is that they care nothing for decorations. Unless you’ve come up with something terribly clever or funny, they only tend to be impressed by the food and beverage selection and whatever manly activity is planned. But that’s ok. We’ve got that covered!
The activity for the evening is the cigars. I waltzed into Walmart and picked them up; they keep them by the cigarettes so I was treated to the super-special check out line. Cubero Cigars make all kinds of tobacco products, and these particular cigars are made with a natural wrapper and some flavorful tobacco blends. The fun tastes they come in make them tempting to try: Blend No.35 has mint and sugar cane, Blend No.07 has a grape and oak-like nuance, and Blend No. 12 comes with chocolate and coffee overtones. In my younger days, I was known to try a cigar when hubby was partaking, and I have to say, I was extremely pleasantly surprised by these cigars! I’d say they were perfect if you wanted to have a taste of cigar without having to smoke a giant stogie, and of course, if you wanted a longer smoking experience, there are five cigars individually wrapped in the box. You can check Cubero Cigars out on Facebook here.
With a couple of boxes of Cubero Cigars, ash trays, some mood lighting and heavy glasses for their scotch pours, I banished the boys to the back porch to enjoy themselves!
On ashtrays–have to admit we got classy for these photos. Any regular smokers that visit my house are usually handed an empty bottle or can and shooed outside. But if you are setting up a party where there will be ash…just visit your local thrift store. For a buck or two you can find nice crystal dishes or carved wooden ash trays that will work and are cheap enough you won’t feel like you have to save them once they’re yucky. Along with your ashtrays, don’t forget to put out matches or lighters!
Anytime I want to kiss up make my hubby REALLY happy, I go buy him a good bottle of single malt scotch. To say the least, he has a collection. He started out loving McCallan, the older the better, and started trying them all from every area of Scotland, most of the names which I can no longer remember. His current have to have is the rum-cask aged scotch by the Belvenie. When I really really need a favor want to show him just how much I love him, I get the slightly pricier Oban. If you’re new to the world of scotch, I really recommend going to a liquor store (Total Wine is excellent around here) and asking for some suggestions. Sometimes you just have to try a few to figure out which ones you like. Every one has a unique personality and flavor notes. Personally, I’m still looking for the one I like.
THE PROPER TREATMENT OF SCOTCH: per hubby, two fingers poured in the glass, one ice cube, no more, no less. He swears anything else is heresy. The reasoning is good, though–you don’t want to water down your scotch or make it too cold; the complex flavors get lost that way. And now we’ve totally exhausted my knowledge of scotch whisky.
So what to serve with cigars and scotch? They’ve got a really intense flavor, so you want to offer up food that complements, but doesn’t overwhelm. Think salty, spicy and tangy/tart. Strong cheeses are a good choice, and a few apples and pears laid alongside your cheese with a few squares of very dark chocolate will round out a tray.
Since I love my husband SO much, I made him these grilled steak skewers as an appetizer with a spicy tomato sauce that is absolutely to die for!
Steak Skewers with Spicy Tomato Sauce
Ingredients
- STEAK
- Steak cut of your choice
- Salt and pepper
- Sliced roma tomatoes
- Melted butter
- Skewers
- SPICED TOMATO SAUCE
- 1/3 cup finely chopped onion
- 1 garlic clove finely chopped
- 1 1/2 teaspoons finely chopped peeled fresh ginger
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon hot paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of cayenne
- Pinch of ground cloves
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cider vinegar
- 1 14 1/2- to 15-oz can whole tomatoes in juice, coarsely chopped (reserving juice)
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
Instructions
- STEAK
- Salt and pepper the steak, and slice into 1-inch cubes. Skewer on bamboo or metal sticks alternating meat and sliced tomato. Brush with melted butter. On a medium-low setting on your grill, cook the steak. Cooking time will depend on the thickness of the steak.
- SAUCE
- Cook onion, garlic, ginger, and spices in oil in a 1- to 2-quart heavy saucepan over moderately low heat, stirring, until onion is softened, about 4 minutes. Stir in vinegar and simmer over moderately low heat 1 minute. Add tomatoes (with juice) and brown sugar, then increase heat to moderate and simmer, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 30 minutes. Cool slightly, about 5 minutes.
- Purée sauce in a blender until smooth (use caution when blending hot liquids). Serve at room temperature.
- Cooks' note:
- Sauce can be made 3 days ahead and cooled completely, then chilled, covered.
- Makes about 1 1/2 cups.
Carried out to their smoking table in a pretty hyacinth basket, the finger foods were a perfect compliment to an evening of storytelling and conversation. So now that you’ve heard all about MY husband, how does the guy in your life entertain?
Monica
Monday 21st of April 2014
Handsome Post!! Love it!!! We always see so much with a feminine side so reading and seeing a masculine post....BRAVO!!! Those steak skewers look so delicious too.
Mindy
Monday 21st of April 2014
love this! what a great idea! it is so hard to find ideas to spoil the guys in our lives! thanks for sharing!
Susan Noble
Monday 21st of April 2014
Absolutely adorable what a great party for the guys! Love the recipe can't wait to try it! Love the way you planned this your Hubby is one lucky guy!!!!
Layne
Monday 21st of April 2014
Awesome! I love that you took time to make something so special for your husband. I'll have to try that delicious recipe as well.
Elizabeth
Monday 21st of April 2014
Very nice!