It's easy to cook clams. Heat them in a flavorful broth a few minutes, then watch them pop open their shells and say "Hello Gorgeous!"

That's my favorite line from Funny Girl. Though I don't think Barbra Streisand's Ms. Brice meant clams– or shellfish for that matter. Still I impersonate her tonality whenever faced with a big bowl of steaming clams. "Hello Gorgeous!"

You wouldn't think of clams as gorgeous at first glance. And that's my point. Clams are sweet. Clams are briny. Doesn't that seem like an oxymoron?

But it may be these two opposing forces that make clams so unexpectedly sure of themselves. It gives them the Fanny Brice style self-esteem to unabashedly mingle with all sorts of partners. One of the boldest combinations I can think of is turmeric and roasted garlic. Turmeric and roasted garlic are great place to start for most any shellfish. Trust me. It's a fact.

But habanero, turmeric and roasted garlic is really something to look at! Add stunningly fresh shellfish to this trio and you too will be quoting Funny Girl. So come on. Bring a large pot of this flavorful combination to a boil. Add clams and cover the pot. Lower the heat and shake a few times while they simmer. In less than 8 minutes the shells should have opened and the shellfish will be fragrant and cooked to perfection. Toss with linguine... "Hello Gorgeous!"

There is a very fine distinction between a good stiff belt and a cocktail worthy of that moment of pause. That pause that comes just before you pick up the stem, close your eyes and lift the glass to your lips. That brief, unconscious pause allows for the inhalation of the electric current that floats right above, or sits right on top the surface of a perfectly mixed beauty.

A proper cocktail is not so much about tying one on. Though the quality and content of the alcohol is a vital element in its success. Cocktails are meant to amplify a moment. Either by ritualistically marking the end of the workday, or as a social lubricant designed to loosen your loquaciousness or awaken your appetite.

In my opinion these are the very best sorts of cocktails. They are bracing and bold, but that doesn't mean heavy-handed. Balance and proportion are the elements that elevate.

However, good stiff belts and proper cocktails are not the only liqurious libations to pass my palate. There is room for other sorts of alcoholic beverages too. Many of these are served over rocks, but they can also be shaken, stirred or strained. They can even be served in a proper cocktail glass.