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
  • 1½ 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.

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

Method
 

  1. In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients together.
  2. 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.
Categories
Eat

Classic Shrimp Boil

Classic Shrimp Boil

Course: Main Course

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup Old Bay seasoning
  • 2 tbsp salt
  • 4 quarts water
  • 1 can beer
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 8 red potatoes
  • 2 vidalia onions cut in wedges
  • 2 lbs coneceh sausage cut up
  • 8 pieces corn on the cob frozen
  • 4 lbs shrimp in shells

Equipment

  • 1 Large 8-quart stock pot

Method
 

  1. In an 8-quart stock pot, bring water to boil, with seasoning, salt, bay leaves, and beer
  2. Add potatoes and onions and cook over high heat for 8 minutes
  3. Add coneceh sausage and cook for an additional 5 minutes
  4. Add corn; continue to boil for 7 minutes
  5. Add shrimp (still in shells) and cook for 4 minutes
  6. Drain the cooking liquid and pour contents into several large serving bowls
  7. Sprinkle with additional Old Bay seasoning as desired