Here are my favorite recipes this week.
Ginger Cranberry Cocktail
c/o Food Network
For Ginger syrup:
4 -inch piece ginger, peeled and roughly chopped1/2 cup sugar1 1/2 cups waterPlace all syrup ingredients in a saucepan and simmer until sugar dissolves and the ginger is infused in the syrup, about 20 minutes. Strain and allow to cool fully before use.
For the drink:1 cup frozen cranberries1 lime, juiced2 cups vodka or gin2 cups cranberry juiceSplash club sodaShaved ginger
1 cup ginger syrup, or to taste
Directions
Crush the frozen cranberries in a large glass pitcher. Add the lime juice and their juiced wedges to the pitcher. Pour in the vodka, cranberry juice, and ginger syrup. Put ice in low-ball glasses and fill glasses about 2/3 full. Top off with club soda and garnish with a shaving of fresh ginger.
Note: Can be made without soda for a martini.
Herb and Bacon Corn Bread Stuffing
c/o Epicurious
- 2 loaves Corn Bread
- 6 large celery ribs
- 1 pound onions
- 1 pound sliced bacon
- 1/2 cup chopped mixed fresh herbs such as thyme, sage, rosemary, and/or marjoram or 2 tablespoons mixed dried herbs, crumbled
- 1 cup Turkey Giblet Stock or chicken broth
- 1/4 cup reserved fat from roast turkey or melted butter
Directions
Preheat oven to 325° F. and butter a 4-quart baking dish.
Cut corn bread into 1/2-inch cubes and dry in 2 large shallow baking pans in oven 20 minutes. Remove corn bread from oven and leave oven at 325° F. Coarsely chop separately celery, onions, and bacon.
In a large, deep skillet sauté bacon over moderately high heat, stirring, until browned, about 10 minutes. Add celery and onions and cook, stirring, until vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes. Add herbs and salt and pepper to taste and cook, stirring, 1 minute.
In a large bowl toss together corn bread and bacon mixture and transfer to baking dish. Stuffing may be prepared up to this point 1 day ahead and cooled completely before being chilled, covered.
Drizzle stock or broth over stuffing and bake, covered, 1 hour. Drizzle reserved fat or butter over stuffing and bake, uncovered, in upper third of oven 30 minutes more, or until top is golden.
Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie
c/o Southern Living
Ingredients
1/2 (15-ounce) package refrigerated piecrusts
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate morsels
1 cup dark corn syrup
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 cup bourbon or water
4 large eggs
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
2 teaspoons cornmeal
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
Directions
Fit piecrust into a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate according to package directions; fold edges under, and crimp.
Sprinkle pecans and chocolate evenly onto bottom of piecrust; set aside.
Combine corn syrup and next 3 ingredients in a large saucepan, and bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
Whisk together eggs and next 4 ingredients. Gradually whisk about one-fourth hot mixture into egg mixture; add to remaining hot mixture, whisking constantly. Pour filling into prepared piecrust.
Bake at 325° for 55 minutes or until set; cool on wire rack.
