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

Ingredients
  

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

Equipment

  • Cocktail shaker
  • Collins glass

Method
 

  1. 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.
  2. Add ice cubes and shake until chilled.
  3. 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

If you’ve ever savored the satisfying crisp of biscotti dipped in hot coffee or a glass of Vin Santo, you’re in for a treat. This homemade Classic Almond Biscotti recipe teaches you how to recreate that delightful twice-baked Italian tradition—perfectly golden, crunchy, and nutty every time.

Categories
Gardening Woodworking

Planter Box For 5 Gallon Bucket Tomato Plants

This growing season is the first time that I’ve started tomatoes from seeds inside. I’m attempting 5 varieties this year! In this post you’ll find a free plan for a planter box for 5 gallon bucket tomato plants.

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

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

Equipment

  • Mason jar

Method
 

  1. In a saucepan, heat the water, rice wine vinegar, salt, and honey, until completely dissolved.
  2. 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.
  3. Pour the liquid into the jar until the peas are completely covered. Attach lid and gently agitate the jar so all the ingredients mix.
  4. 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.