Moroccan Lamb Chili with Kale, Chickpeas and Sweet Potato

As most people know, I am a craft beer enthusiast. I love all things about craft beer. The atmosphere of the breweries, the people and the laid back culture. I am a huge fan of several of our local breweries here in Greenville, SC and the neighboring Asheville, NC. I am excited to try new places, new beers and new flavors. Just this past weekend, I spent a Saturday with my best friends in Asheville, giving them a brewery tour of some of my favorite places. Of course, we had to kick it off at the brewery that I am obsessed with, Burial Brewery. We then moved on the several others including Green Man Brewery and the new Funkatorium which opened in October. It was a great tasting event and a great time out of town with my BFFS. I was so appreciative that they came out to celebrate me in a way that I adore!

 

A little fun at Burial Brewing with my girls.

Enough about Asheville, lets talk about the best brewery in Greenville, SC and one that I support often. A few weeks ago, my girlfriends and I went to Quest Brewery for their chili cook off. This is my favorite brewery here in my Greenville, SC area. We all had an exceptional time. The event took place in the actual brewery right under the fermenters. I was going to enter with my Turkey Pumpkin Chili but since the event was only a day after I returned home from my big Pennsylvania excursion, I decided to just go and enjoy and imbibe rather than putting a bunch of work into it. As it turned out, there were several great chillies to sample. They had everything from venison chili to an awesome spicy sausage chili with handmade sausage ravioli floating in it, to chili that featured some of the porter that is made by the brewery.  Some impressive cooks were represented. 

A Smoking Mirror Smoked Porter last Friday Night  when we came to see Zac Parks. Check him out!!

I have to admit that I got this recipe idea from there. This chili was the chili that my friends and I loved! The unfortunate part is this was one of the employee submissions so we could not vote for it. When I got home, I scoured the web for the recipe and found this one, which is spot on. And what better way to celebrate it than with a Quest Smoking Mirror Smoked Porter. 

Cheers!

Maple Bourbon Roasted Chicken Legs with Beets and Butternut Squash

I know a lot of you are struggling through some pretty bitter, cold temps and snowy days. This would be the perfect recipe to warm you up after shoveling snow or trudging through the "white stuff" to pick up your kids at the bus stop. I know that my little snow story here in South Carolina does not compare with what my family in Pennsylvania or a lot of you from up in that area (that are devoted readers) are suffering through. However, last week, we had snow here in South Carolina- a whole inch!! And Yes! I know we become the laughingstock of the east coast every year when this happens, but if you have ever lived in the south you know why. There really are no resources to deal with snow- regardless of the amount. There is also no need to waste tax payers money on the equipment and supplies when there is only a slight chance that a winter event will even occur. And most importantly, for a lot of local kids, why not take a day off to enjoy a once in a year phenomenon.

Anyway, I was cold and had the day off and I wanted to make some comfort food to warm up a little. Unfortunately, I did not want to do a lot of work nor did I have a lot of ingredients. So, I came up with this simple, one pan dish. For me, these ingredients are staples in my house, so that part was not hard and neither was the prep.  I watched the oven as this awesome marinade bubbled away. When it was done I was so happy to cuddle up on the couch with a big bowl, my fuzzy blanket and a few episodes of Sex in the City. Warm, I was!!

Dark Chocolate Red Wine Cake

 

What is my favorite food? Well, of course it is CAKE!!! And this has been my lucky week! I have been in CAKE HEAVEN!! I am so fortunate to have some great friends and family who love me and are enablers in my CAKE addiction. (Yes, I realize I have capitalized CAKE every time! That is how excited I have been about this past week!!) This past Wednesday was my 37th birthday and I have been fortunate enough to receive three really amazing CAKES (hehehe!!!) to help me celebrate. All of them have been chocolate and delicious. Two of them were homemade, which (if you have been reading) is the way to my heart.

 It all started 2 weeks ago when my sister bought me a marble CAKE with chocolate butter cream frosting.  Then, at work, my co-worker brought a chocolate layer CAKE with strawberry filling and chocolate ganache.  And, a day after that, my guy really branched out with his first foray into baking (he is already an excellent cook) by making a double, dark chocolate layer CAKE and decorating it with cute caricatures of US!!! Can you tell I am smiling while I am writing this?? It was a happy, happy CAKE filled week!!

Now in all my post-birthday glory, I will drag my "post-CAKE eating self" off to the gym at lunch!

Ugggg.....

Vanilla Extract

So, this is just a simple project that makes great gifts and can save you a little money. I decided to start making my own vanilla extract because as you might guess, I go through a lot of vanilla! I prefer to use real extract, not imitation. As most of you know, that can get a little costly. So, after some research, I decided to start to make my own. I have been really happy with the results. The best part of this recipe is that it only takes 2 ingredients: vanilla beans and bourbon.  You might have to go out to buy the beans, but they are easy to find in any natural food store and you will definitely get your money's worth as they last for a long time.  If you are like me, I am sure you have bourbon or whiskey in your house. If not (let me know, cause I won't be visiting,) go get you the biggest bottle! You will need something to sip on while you are waiting for your extract be ready to use!

Cheers!

Bourbon Balls

 

What is better than spreading a little holiday cheer with an alcohol laced cookie?

This recipe is one of my family's official Christmas party foods. This is my Gram H's recipe. She started this tradition by taking these to her family events and Christmas parties. My Mom also made them and took them along to her holiday gatherings. I remember her taking them to her faculty Christmas party every year because fellow employees were waiting on them. Some years, when I got a little older, I actually made them for her to take. Now, I continue to carry on that tradition. Every year, I find myself making these little cookies because they are easy and people request them. Usually, at a party, they are one of the first things to go! I already made one batch of these this year, but will be whipping up some more for this weekend. They are a good thing!

This year, say "Cheers!" to your friends and loved ones with a cookie!

Peachtini

It is Hump Day!! Who needs a cocktail??? Not just any cocktail but my new favorite cocktail- the Peachtini!! This drink is so reminiscent of summer. I LOVE IT!!!

Give it a try.... IMPORTANT NOTE: I am sending this blog out at lunch in case you need to run out and get any ingredients. Preparation and time management are important parts of life. This includes making sure you have enough vodka when you get home from work on a Wednesday night. Be responsible people!

 Cheers Peaches!!

Peach and Basil Bliss Cocktail

Welcome to Bonbons and Biscotti "Peach Week!" I am really excited to share some of these recipes with you. Here in South Carolina, peaches are the fruit of summer. They are sweet and fragrant and just beautiful. Since I moved here 14 years ago this October, I have learned how to truly love the peach. In the summer, I frequent the local peach farm which is about 4 miles down the road and buy peaches, blackberries, cantaloupe and all things summer that I do not grow myself. I love going to Fisher's Orchard to get my local produce. When I get there, they have a large section of fruit that is called "soft peaches." AKA- they have seen better days or they are marked up in some way (hail damage usually.)  I love this section. Most times, if I am shopping to bake or mash peaches up in drinks, it really does not matter what they look like. On any given day, in the soft peach section, you can find me and at least 2 other elderly women collecting peaches for our baking. It is always makes for an interesting conversation and some true local baking knowledge. This past week when I went, they had half bushels of these beautiful peaches you see in the pictures half off cause they were judged to be too small for sale. I instantly felt sorry for them.... I was worried they would get a complex due to this judgement. I decided to turn their fate around. I bought them, took them home and turned them into all things wonderful.

Limoncello

I made this recipe for our the beach trip. Every year I meet my family in the Outer Banks, NC for a week of fun in the sun and relaxing. I look forward to this event every year. It is one of the few times that we all get together and truly have nothing else to do. Christmas is a nice time to see everyone but here are so many other activities going on that it is hard to spend real time talking or relaxing. The beach has a different vibe though. After the long drives and the hustle and bustle of getting unpacked and the kitchen stocked, everyone goes into "beach slumber mode." This means there is no agenda, no time schedule and no reason to leave our road, our beach house or even the couch if you don't want to. Myself, I am a "beach chair sitter"-with a book, people watching or taking a snooze.  I always say the water, sand and sun instantly take the weight off my shoulders.

As long as the sun is out, I will be at the beach. For years, my mom was been right there beside me. We are the official beach bums. There have been days in years past at OBX where we have refused to come off the beach because we are sure the sun will come out. We bundle up in beach towels and hats and wait; not willing to give up one second of beach sittin'. Then there are the other days when we wake up, immediately see the sun and put "Mission Sunshine" in motion. No one can pack a cooler, get dressed and haul chairs to the beach faster than us. We are like a finely oiled machine. Sure, other family members come and go and we love to see them all, but Mom and I are the diehards. We Love the Beach.... and there is no one I would rather sit there soaking up the sun with than her.

Strawberry Prosecco Jam

 

 



It is summer and fresh fruit abounds. This allows for one of my favorite activities: jam making. Every year I tackle a new jam recipe or two as well as make my usual favorites like my Bourbon Peach Jam. As I have told you before, ever since my teen years I have been making jams and jellies. 

 

 

 

There is one story I always think of when I make jelly. When I was young, my sister and I would go to have weekend visits with my Gram and Pap. We would do all the things that grandparents and grandkids did together; we played putt putt, ate ice cream, and stayed up later than we are allowed at home. We were spoiled at Gram and Pap's. In the summer, we would sleep on the porch and look at the stars. During other times of the year, we would sleep in the guest bedroom in our little single beds. When we would get all tucked in, my Gram would light a candle and tell us a story. One of my favorite stories that she told was of her Mom, my Noni making jelly. She would start by telling us about how hard Noni worked and what a strong woman she was, then she would begin to talk about the jelly. Noni was making grape jelly and as she was stirring the pot she looked out of the window to see the family cow had gotten out of its fence.  She went out into the yard in such a hurry, she forgot about her jelly. By the time she corralled the cow and got back into the kitchen, the jelly was burned in the bottom of the pot. Back in those times, that was a big loss for a family who was on a very fixed income. I can imagine her disappointment.

 

I am not sure why but I was always so enthralled by this story.  Maybe I saw the grown-up me being like my Noni. Maybe I saw my jelly making days ahead. I am not sure, but that is one story that I never got tired of hearing. Of course, my grandma was a great story teller and kept us hanging on every word.

After her story she would stand up kiss each of us and head downstairs. As she went, she would say "Good Night Mrs. Calabash." And my little sister and I would reply, "wherever you are." To this day my sister and I say this to each other! Although I don't see them everyday, my family is my staple.... wherever any of us are.

Baked Turkey Thighs with Baked Bourbon Sweet Potatoes

Baked Turkey Thighs with Baked Bourbon Sweet Potatoes

So, I know, where have I been again?? Well..... this time I have a legit excuse- actually multiple excuses! First, I had a death in my family and had to go home to PA for services and family responsibility (more to come about this in a future post.) Secondly, as some of you already know, I went into battle with a new mandolin and the mandolin won. Three Fridays ago I decided to cut some beet chips with my new mandolin that I got for my birthday. As I proceeded, I thought this is not so hard and that I needed to be careful as my Mom just sliced off the end of her finger in a mandolin accident just a few weeks before. As I thought this, I tilted my hand back to avoid cutting my fingers and in one swift motion, shaved off a huge piece of my palm.... yep down to the muscle. (Insert SCREAM here!!!!) So off to the ER I went. Sparing you the painful, bloody details, I have been in a huge bandage for weeks now. I have not been able to cook, type, see patients, write or even wash my hair, so blogging was completely painful and out of the question. My friends and family have stepped forward in a huge way to take care of my daily duties and hand wrapping, but certain things you just have to do yourself.

This is one of the first recipes that I have made since mauling myself and it felt so good to be back. I love to be in the kitchen.  Being able to make food again was a great relief. There is something to being able to sustain yourself that is empowering to me. I like making things with my hands, and as you all know, that is one of my big stress relievers- baking, knitting, gardening. Moving my hands quiets my mind. Needless to say, in a time right now when I could use stress relief the most, I have been without the ability to quiet my mind and make something beautiful or delicious. It has been depressing.

I hope that you make this recipe and enjoy it. It is something I threw together with ingredients I had at home. The sweet potatoes are amazing. Just a suggestion though- cut them by hand!

Is there anyone out there interested in a mandolin?

OUCH!!!

Beer Braised Beef Stew with Brussels Sprouts

Beer Braised Beef Stew with Brussels Sprouts

Well, this was supposed to be my St. Patrick's Day recipe but due to circumstances beyond my control, I was out of town this past week and was away from my computer, camera, etc. So while this is getting to you a little late, I think it would still be a great weekend meal on these cold March days. Yes, I said cold March days, even here in South Carolina! Nothing warms you up on a cold, rainy day better than a nice soup or stew. This recipe is very simple and filling and once again it includes my favorite local beer- Deepwater Dopplebock by Thomas Creek Brewery. You can substitute any dark beer.  The original recipe calls for Guinness but when you have such great local brews right at your fingertips why not substitute. Another perk with this recipe is that since you only use one beer for the stew, there will be plenty left to sip while cooking.
 Enjoy!

Gram's Tea (aka Grog)

Next time you are feeling under the weather, cuddle up with a blanket and my Gram's tea

For the past three days this girl has been S-I-C-K. Yes, I have caught whatever crap has been going around and it is a doozie! My symptoms have ranged from cough, congestion, body aches, and worst of all a fever of 101. Aside from being sick I am now officially bored to death. I have slept, knitted, watched every House Hunters Episode on HGTV and bubble bathed my way to raw skin. I am an active person and this is depressing!!!

OK enough complaining, right? You all have probably already had this bug and recovered.

When I was a little girl and got sick, I was very privileged to have my Gram and Pap H come to the rescue. Since my mom was a teacher it was not often that my sister and I got to stay home from school. As in most families, since both of my parents worked it made it hard for one of them to take off of work to stay with us at home. So those rare moments when we woke up a little ill, my mom would come in and take our temp, bring ginger ale and the bathroom trash can (in case of barfing emergencies) and head off to the phone to call my Gram. My Gram was a nurse for the majority of her life but by the time we were children she was retired. She worked in all wings of the Miner's Hospital but loved pediatrics the most. They lived about 30 minutes away, so after my mom called we waited for Gram. When she arrived, she was stern but sweet and I knew not to mess with her.   As I sat on my pallet, that was then made up on the couch in front of the TV (Strawberry Shortcake pillow and all,) Mom would begin telling her my symptoms.  Shortly thereafter, Mom would leave for work and Gram would take over. She was a nurse of the old school variety and a lot of it was very holistic. (Most of it is being prescribed now because more and more modern medicine is failing.)  If a fever was involved, she believed in sweating it out. So the footie PJs would be put on as well as multiple blankets. She kept us hydrated and she always made us this special tea.  Of course, at that age there was no whiskey in it, but as I grew up, this is the one ingredient that she added to the mix. As a kid,  I hated this stuff and I hated laying there "sweating it out" but I knew there was good things to come- Chicken noodle soup, a hand of Rummy or Kings on the Corner and of course Price is Right.  If I was real lucky, my Pap would go out and buy me some Cherry Soda. And a the end of the day,  there was always the hope in the back of my head that maybe tomorrow I will still be coughing too much and I will get to spend another day in Gram's care.

My Gram on duty at Miner's Hospital. Isn't she beautiful?

Today, I still make this tea when I am sick and especially before I go to bed. It is sooo much better than any cough syrup that you can buy and while it does have whiskey in it ........ have you ever looked at the ingredients in NyQuil??? Give this a try instead, and if you have a fever throw on a blanket and Sweat It Out!!!

Peanut Butter Cup, Chocolate Stout Cookies



Peanut Butter Cup Chocolate Stout Cookies

So this is a hard one to write y'all. If you have followed my blog at all you know that this whole thing started as a way to vent during a hard time in my life (as well as a simple way to document my life as it is in present time.) It is also a way to revisit my heritage and recipes that have been my family recipes for years. I think, up until this time, I have used this blog to revisit where I am from and what I have been through and you all have helped me in that journey. And by no means has that journey stopped, I am just hoping that it has evolved....
Let me start by saying that, at times, in life as a relationship evolves or become stagnant, it can either change and improve or disappear. I am at that stage....

I am doing all that I can to change. I have been working for quite a while at getting ME back.  I have made this blog to help in the process of transformation.  In the past year, as you know, I have had hardship in my personal life, (hello newcomers, read my About section, LOL!) but these past two weeks I have taken it upon myself to ask another for a change; a change that I wanted for for a long time but was unable to go after.   In the past year, I have worked so hard to become the stronger person that I am. I have made stronger personal relationships, family connections and business commitments.  But most importantly, I have renewed strength in my personal and love requirements and I hope that will make all the difference.

At times, in life, I have learned through my experience, and through some trusted friends experiences (who I love more and more each day because they were willing to share their heartache with me,) people loose sight of what is important.  For whatever reason, life has a way of throwing each of us into situations that, at the time we are not ready to deal with.  While it might break us for a while, and distract us in our path, it does not mean we don't know the way.... It just makes us more able to define ourselves and what as individuals makes us happy. And there is nothing wrong with a little self discovery, as long as it leads you in the right direction in the end. In the past year, this is a path that I have traveled.

There are some really scary questions I have been asking myself lately.  Will my personal  change come in enough time???? Will others be able to forgive???? Can love overcome everything else????..... And unfortunately, I don't have those answers but I am ever hopeful and full of love and commitment.

I have included this recipe for this post because it is a super simple recipe that anyone could make. It was one of my Mom's favorites for that reason. I am not sure where she got it, but it was a staple in my house growing up and still is present every year at our beach trip and multiple other occasions. In this post, I have changed the original to make it evolve with the times; a little complicated, a little difficult to define but still the original recipe we all fell in love with;  a lot like the people I hold dear... Is your recipe ready to evolve.... to become better than it ever was.... to change.....  mine is!

Strawberry Riesling Slush

Ready for the weekend? I don' know what the weather is going to be where you are but here is SC it is going to be in the 90s. Why not sit on your back porch with a group of friends and share a frosty summer drink? I have the perfect one here. So simple and you can prepare it before and have it in the freezer for that after work drink or the group of unexpected friends that stop in for a chat. Make extra and make it tonight!