bourbon

Eating My Way Through the Holidays! Special Edition: Bourbon Balls!

Eating My Way Through the Holidays! Special Edition: Bourbon Balls! Remember the scene from “The Grinch Stole Christmas” where the adults in Whoville are throwing a key party? Well, I’m convinced they may have been nibbling on holiday Bourbon Balls based on the way they were flirting and having a crazy-fun time. Be forewarned. This recipe does contain chocolate and alcohol. You may want to mention it. 
BOURBON BALLS
Ingredients:

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate morsels

3 tablespoons corn syrup

1/2 cup bourbon

2 1/2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 cup pecans, finely chopped 

Granulated sugar
Instructions:

Pulse vanilla wafers in a food processor to make crumbs. Set aside. Over hot (not boiling) water, melt chocolate morsels; remove from heat. Blend in corn syrup and bourbon. In a large bowl, combine vanilla wafer crumbs, powdered sugar, and nuts. Add chocolate mixture. Blend well. Chill 30 minutes. Using a melon ball utensil, scoop dough into 1″ balls. Roll in granulated sugar. Store in covered container for several days to season flavor. 

Get Your Daily Double

The Mint Julep has got to be the greatest afternoon drink south of the Mason-Dixon Line, next to its nonalcoholic partner, Sweet Tea. Anyone who has ever heard of Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby appreciates this smooth concoction of bourbon whiskey, sugar, mint, water, and ice. Derby Day is traditionally celebrated the first Saturday in May, as the Earth announces the arrival of mint. And if you’ve ever planted this herb, you already know it must be contained or it will overpower everything within its reach. Hence the reason for consuming this signature drink in a frosty chilled highball glass. Crowd control. Now that’s what I call Southern hospitality! 
MINT JULEP 
Ingredients:

4 mint leaves

1 teaspoon sugar

2 teaspoons water

Cracked Ice

2 ounces Bourbon whiskey

Splash of sparkling water

Mint sprigs
Instructions:

In a chilled highball glass, gently muddle mint leaves. Add sugar and water. Stir to combine. Fill the glass with cracked ice. Add Bourbon whiskey and stir well; it keeps the glass frosted. Top off with sparkling water. Garnish with a mint sprig. 

Eating My Way Through the Alphabet; Letter D

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? A Second Helping of Delectable Derby Pie!  The race may be over, but this slice of pie is a champion all year long. The spirit is kept alive in a southern tradition of semi-sweet chocolate, Kentucky bourbon, and crunchy pecans.  Top it off with a dollop of whipped cream and you can find yourself cheering for this triple crown winner. 

DELECTABLE DERBY PIE
Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter 
1 cup sugar
3 eggs, beaten
3/4 cup white Karo syrup 
2 tablespoons flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla 
1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup pecans, chopped
2 tablespoons bourbon
1 10″ unbaked deep dish pie shell
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 325°. Cream butter while gradually adding sugar. Add beaten eggs, Karo syrup, salt, flour, and vanilla. Add chocolate chips, nuts, and bourbon. Mix well. Pour into crust. Bake for 40-50 minutes or until set. Serve warm garnished with whipped cream. 
*TIP: Do not overfill pie crust. Extra filling may be baked in a ramekin for sampling later.