This week I attended an incredible event – a Ladies Night In, featuring Chef Marcela from Food Network featuring Sauza Tequila in her drinks and dishes. The event was hosted by Stacey Roney of Beauty on Call and Beth Rosen of Four Keys Media. It was a great event showcasing amazing food, incredible hospitality and just the right amount of mingling.

What I thought was most interesting – was how much I learned. Both about Tequila and Mexican Cuisine!
For example – did you know that the agave, from which tequila is made is from the lilly family? If you’d have asked me last week I’d have been convinced it was some type of cacti. Also, like fine french wines there are specific regions in which tequila comes from. Who knew? I think the best thing I learned was how versatile it is. Previously I’d thought of tequila as a 1 trick pony – fantastic in margaritas, but little else. Chef Marcela was able to show how to incorporate both gold and silver tequilas into fabulous cocktails and delectable Mexican cuisine.

Here’s a little video about things you never knew about tequila but should…

Sauza Tequila – Tequila 101 from Jackie Cuyvers on Vimeo.

While Chef Marcela, did share some amazing tequila cocktails with us- my favorite part was how she incorporated the tequila into her fresh authentic Mexican cuisine – in particular her Thanksgiving turkey. She infused the turkey with butter and tequila and marinated it with apricot jam and California chile.

How Tequila Turkey from Jackie Cuyvers on Vimeo.

To read more about Chef Marcela and Sauza Teuqila’s Ladies Night in, visit What’s Cooking Chicago’s fabulous blog post.