Categories
Eat

Smoked Cheese and Sun Dried Tomato Cigars

I ran across this phyllo cigar recipe many years ago watching Giada De Laurentiis on the Food Network. Since then, these have been on the regular appetizer rotation whenever we’re asked to bring something to a dinner party where Italian is the culinary theme. They look impressive and taste amazing, and the recipe is super simple!

Categories
Eat

Peach and Blueberry Galette Recipe

Peaches are back in season and the Pepper Place Farmer’s Market is full of vendors with ripe peaches and fresh blueberries. A couple years ago, I did a post on making a peach and blackberry galette, and this is basically the same recipe, substituting blueberries instead of the blackberries. I also added some lemon thyme, which I’ve been growing in a pot on the back porch, as a harmonious accompaniment to the fruit.

Categories
Drink Eat

Refreshing Lavender Gin Fizz Cocktail Recipe

Looking for a cocktail that will transport your taste buds to a fragrant garden on a warm summer evening? Look no further! This lavender gin fizz cocktail is a harmonious blend of lavender-infused simple syrup, tangy citrus, and sparkling effervescence. This recipe combines the soothing essence of lavender with the refreshing kick of a classic gin fizz, resulting in a truly delightful cocktail. Let’s dive into the details and create a drink that will impress your guests at any gathering.

Categories
Drink Eat

How to Make Lavender Simple Syrup: A Refreshing Twist for Your Drinks

Lavender, with its beautiful fragrance and delicate flavor, can elevate any recipe. One delightful way to incorporate lavender into your culinary repertoire is by making a homemade lavender simple syrup. This versatile syrup can be used to sweeten various beverages, from iced teas to cocktails. In this blog post, I’ll guide you through the simple process of creating lavender simple syrup using just four ingredients: sugar, water, lavender buds, and a touch of fresh lemon juice. Let’s dive in!

Categories
Drink Eat

Basic Gin Fizz Cocktail Recipe

Gin Fizz Cocktail

The classic gin fizz cocktail recipe.
Course Cocktails

Equipment

  • Cocktail shaker
  • Collins glass

Ingredients
  

  • 2 oz gin
  • ¾ oz simple syrup
  • 1 oz fresh lemon juice
  • 1 egg white
  • club soda

Instructions
 

  • Mix gin, simple syrup, egg white, and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker and shake for about 15 seconds, without ice, to thoroughly incorporate all ingredients.
  • Add ice cubes and shake until chilled.
  • Strain into a collins glass and then top off the glass with club soda.

Notes

This is the basic gin fizz cocktail.  I generally don’t make mine with egg whites and use a rocks glass with a large cube of ice instead of a collins glass.  Most recipes online call for soda water, but you can use mineral water, seltzer water, or sparkling water (like LaCroix); all make a great cocktail.  Mineral water will give a slightly different flavor profile than seltzer water.
Categories
Eat

Lemon Cream Semifreddo

So what’s a “semifreddo” anyway? It actually means “half-cold” and it’s basically a frozen mousse that originated in Italy. And it’s amazingly delicious, especially on a hot summer Alabama day. This recipe comes from the February 2023 issue of Food & Wine magazine.

Categories
Eat

Classic Almond Biscotti Recipe

Classic Almond Biscotti Recipe

Foundational recipe for a classic almond biscotti. From here you can riff on it to create other flavors and styles. The easy first riff is to substitute pistachios for the almonds. Enjoy with your favorite espresso!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Course Snack

Equipment

  • Electric mixer

Ingredients
  

  • 7 oz whole almonds
  • cup all purpose flour
  • 1⅔ cup sugar
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp anise seen
  • grated zest of lemon, lime, and orange
  • 3 eggs
  • 3 egg yolks
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350℉. On a baking sheet, toast almonds for 10-15 minutes until they smell nutty. Remove from oven and let cool.
  • Combine dry ingredients – flour, sugar, baking powder, anise seed, and fruit zest – in a bowl. Using the paddle attachment, combine all ingredients at medium-low speed.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, and egg yolks, and vanilla extract.
  • With the mixer running on low speed, add the egg mixture to the bowl with the dry ingredients. When the egg mixture is almost incorporated, add the almonds and mix until just combined. Don't over mix.
  • Dump the dough onto a floured surface and incorporate any dry ingredients remaining in the mixing bowl. Don't over-combine. Ideally you want the dough to be somewhat workable.
  • Divide the dough into 3 equal parts. Roll each part into a log about 10"-12" long. You might find it helpful to use a dough cutter and use additional flour if the dough becomes too sticky. Place the logs on a parchment paper lined baking sheet(s) about 4" apart.
  • Bake logs at 350℉ for 45 minutes. They should be light brown and slightly soft. Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes. Reduce oven heat to 300℉.
  • Slice the logs into individual biscotti about ¾" thick. Lay the pieces on one side and bake for 10 to 15 minutes to dry them out, making sure not to burn them or turn them brown. Cool on a rack & store in an airtight container.
Categories
Eat

Pickled Sugar Snap Peas

Pickled Sugar Snap Peas

Tangy and bright pickled sugar snap peas are a springtime treat and a great way to preserve a bumper crop of peas.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Resting Time 1 hour
Course Appetizer

Equipment

  • Mason jar

Ingredients
  

  • fresh sugar snap peas enough to fill the mason jar
  • 1 cup water
  • ½ cup rice wine vinegar
  • tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 2-3 sprigs fresh mint
  • 1 tsp peppercorns
  • 1 tsp red pepper flakes

Instructions
 

  • In a saucepan, heat the water, rice wine vinegar, salt, and honey, until completely dissolved.
  • Pick, trim, and rinse sugar snap peas and fill a mason jar with them, along with mint sprigs, peppercorns and red pepper flakes. Add lemon zest.
  • Pour the liquid into the jar until the peas are completely covered. Attach lid and gently agitate the jar so all the ingredients mix.
  • Leave in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight.
Categories
Eat

Clarifying Cooking Oil with Gelatin

Who knew, right? I’ve tried this technique multiple times now on some pretty nasty oil that’s cooked frozen french fries, fried oysters, fried okra, fried green tomatoes, and beignets and can attest that it does indeed work. The process is relatively simple:

1/2 cup water + 1 tsp gelatin per quart of used oil.

Categories
Eat

Another Rib Rub Recipe

Another Rib Rub Recipe, Kansas City style

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup paprika
  • 1 tbsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp kosher salt
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp Cayenne Pepper

Instructions
 

  • In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients together.
  • Make sure ribs are dry and the silver skin is removed. Add dry rub to ribs, coating them until the seasoning falls off, 30 minutes prior to cooking. Note that adding seasoning with salt too early will begin to cure the meat.