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Monthly Archives: November 2016
I bet everyone thought I forgot about the Friday cocktail post, right? Well, I did not – I would never do that to you, would I? (wink wink) Tonight, I am enjoying a light and bright Aperol Spritz. This cocktail is well suited to warm summer days as well as cool fall evenings. Aperol is a nearly century old Italian aperitivo liqueur based on an infusion of selected roots and herbs. The flavor is robust and unique – slightly sweet citrus with a minor bitter note. My take on this drink is easily prepared with readily available ingredients – additional citrus flavor in the form of Grand Imperial with an orange twist and a dry Italian prosecco with a splash of soda in addition to the Aperol. Simply…
Let’s get ready for the holiday season by making some simple appetizers based on some earlier recipes. I am going to make a toasted cheese appetizer with two types of cheeses and 3 types of toppings. The mild goat and Madrigal cheeses I am using are left over from the Macaroni and Cheese experiment, and the toppings are the pepper jelly, fig jam, and honey. Appetizer plates are easily extended and augmented with nuts and fruit – pecans, walnuts, almonds, pears, apples, grapes and olives. I kept my plate simple for this blog post, but let your creativity take wing and serve up simply fabulous appetizers for friends and family. Are you ready for a tasty start to your Friday evening? Save Print Toasted Cheese Appetizers…
Here is a throwback recipe I created as a challenge after a ‘Best of the Worst’ Bourbon tasting party I coordinated last year. With several slightly unpalatable bourbons left over, I accepted the challenge of creating recipes to use the leftovers in new recipes as an incentive for attendees to take the leftovers home with them! Here is the first recipe I created – a simple and flavorful bourbon baked beans. Save Print Bourbon Baked Beans Ingredients ½ cup brown sugar ½ cup bourbon ½ onion, diced 1 clove of garlic, minced 1 tbsp canola or vegetable oil ¼ tsp cloves 6 slices bacon, cut in strips 1 15 oz can of pinto, great northern, or kidney beans (or equivalent amount of dry beans, soaked…
This recipe was triggered by watching ‘That ’70’s Show’ late the other night. In the episode, Midge has left Bob and Bob, heartbroken and lacking culinary skills, is at the supermarket buying a stack of Salisbury Steak TV dinners. A woman, Joann, approaches and makes fun of the hapless Bob and the Salisbury Steak dinners. Now I thought… “Hey, don’t disrespect the delicious Salisbury Steak! Make fun of TV dinners all you want, but let’s enjoy the tasty dinner Salisbury Steak can be!”. So without further ado, let’s make Salisbury Steak and you can judge for yourself! Save Print Salisbury Steak Prep time: 10 mins Cook time: 20 mins Total time: …
How about another cookie recipe to help you bring holiday cheer to your friends and family? As a child, I remember my mom making a honey cookie that required a month of rest, but the recipe was lost long ago. So I spent some time searching and found a recipe close to what I remembered my mom making (but doesn’t require the month long slumber!) so today I am giving it a try (with my usual adjustments!) and sharing the results with you. Save Print German Honey Cookies Prep time: 1 hour Cook time: 15 mins Total time: 1 hour 15 mins Serves: 36 Ingredients ¾ cups honey ¼ cup white sugar ½ cup (1 stick) butter 1 egg 2 cups…
This gem of a sous vide jam recipe comes from the Anova community. Of course I twisted it slightly… but everyone should come to expect that by now! This jam is wonderful with a cheese tray, crackers, or sliced baguette. I bet this jam would make awesome homemade Fig Newtons too! (hint, hint) Save Print Balsamic Fig Jam Prep time: 10 mins Cook time: 2 hours 15 mins Total time: 2 hours 25 mins Ingredients 12 oz black mission figs, stems removed 1 cup white sugar 1 cup water ¼ cup balsamic vinegar 1 tbsp candied ginger, finely chopped 1 tbsp orange zest Instructions Preheat the sous vide pot to 190 degrees. Place all ingredients into a large zip top bag or a…
Here we are, Friday again, and I have another cocktail recipe to share. This cocktail is a wonderful holiday party drink that differs from the typical bar served ‘Champagne cocktail’. Try this one and I think you will agree this drink is far superior to the standard one you have been served in the past! Just remember, never shake a cocktail with champagne in it! Save Print Classic Champagne Cocktail Ingredients 1 sugar cube 15 drops of Angostura bitters 1 oz brandy or cognac champagne orange peel cherries Instructions Chill a martini or coupe (preferred) glass by filling with ice and letting it stand for a few minutes. Empty the ice from the glass. Add the sugar cube and drop the bitters onto the cube…
Here is a treat to indulge yourself and your friends. These muffins have a light sweetness, solid chocolate flavor and subtle banana influence. Easy to make and bake, you are sure to make new friends anywhere you share these tasty treats! Save Print Chocolate Banana Walnut Muffins Prep time: 10 mins Cook time: 25 mins Total time: 35 mins Serves: 12 Ingredients 1½ cups flour ½ cup cacao powder 2½ tsp baking soda ¼ tsp salt ⅓ cup coconut sugar 3 ripe bananas ¾ cup almond milk 2 tbsp coconut oil ¼ cup walnut pieces Instructions Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a muffin tin with paper cups. In a large bowl, combine the flour, cacao powder, baking soda and salt…
Here is another family favorite recipe I want to share with everyone before Thanksgiving. I get requests for this recipe every year from friends that have enjoyed this stuffing at past holiday meals. Heck, I even make this recipe for myself when I want to enjoy a holiday like meal just because! Leftovers will not last long either as they are incredible fried in a little butter the next day then added to leftover turkey and gravy for a hot turkey sandwich. Save Print Rice Stuffing Prep time: 5 mins Cook time: 45 mins Total time: 50 mins Ingredients 2 – 3 cups of cooked white rice, cooled 1 lb of ground pork sausage (preferably Hot) 2 – 3 eggs 1½ tbsp ground sage 1…
With Thanksgiving a few weeks away, I wanted to post a few Thanksgiving recipes perfect for sharing so you had time to decide which ones you want to prepare! Of course, you could make these for yourself anytime, but imagine how happy your friends and family will be if you brought something you made yourself to share with them. So whatever your plans are for the holidays, here is a winner for a homemade cranberry sauce! Now, let’s make some cranberries pop! Save Print Cranberry Sauce Prep time: 5 mins Cook time: 25 mins Total time: 30 mins Serves: 6 Ingredients 1 12oz bag of fresh cranberries, cleaned ½ cup of brown sugar Zest from 1 large orange Juice from 1…