5 O’Clock Friday
Last summer Jim and I were gifted a bottle of Peach Whiskey. Fast forward to this summer and still a full bottle of whiskey. Jim came across a recipe using plain whiskey so I made a number of changes and out came this summer filled, delightful peaches and cream cake. Calling it a cake is a bit of a stretch but we are going to go with it.
This is great for a snack, dessert, or with your morning cup of coffee. I did not overkill it with the whiskey but if you want to have more whiskey in your loaves go ahead and add some to the batter by adding extra whiskey and less cream in the glaze. I made this in 3 four-inch loaf pans, you know the little aluminum ones you find in the supermarket. I like using the smaller pans as most of the time it’s just Jim and I home and I like to share with family and friends. This would be great to share around the holidays as well! UPDATE- this is my own creation I submitted to taste of home and won in a contest! It’s a keeper!
INGREDIENTS
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup brown sugar plus 2 Tablespoons
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 Tablespoon of Peach Whiskey
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup (2 large peaches) peeled and diced peaches (see below)
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
FOR THE GLAZE
- 1 cup confectioners sugar
- 4 Tablespoons of heavy cream or milk
- 3 Teaspoons peach whiskey or to taste
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 3 mini loaf pans and set aside. To make peeling the peaches really easy simply bring a large pot with water to a boil. On the bottom of both peaches using a sharpie knife score an X through the skin but not too far just enough to break through the skin. When the water is at a boil put the peaches in for 2-3 minutes depending on the size of your peaches but you will be able to see the skin where you sliced it to pull away just slightly, that’s when you know it’s ready. Put the peaches in an ice bath to stop any further cooking of the softening of the peaches. Once cooled simply peel with your hands or you can use a knife to help get the skin off but it usually comes off very easy. Once they are peeled cut into small dices and add to a small bowl with the 2 Tablespoons of peach whiskey and the 2 Tablespoons of brown sugar and set aside.
In a large bowl combine vegetable oil, sour cream, vanilla, and two eggs. Fold in the remaining dry ingredients and stir until combined. Add the peaches and whiskey mixture along with the pecans. Stir to combine. Divide evenly between the loaf pans and bake for 30-35 minutes or until cooked through. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 10-15 minutes and then remove the loaves from the pans and continue to let cool completely.
FOR THE GLAZE
Simply add all of the glaze ingredients together and stir well. When the loaves have cooled drizzle or coat the top of the loaves with your glaze.
Enjoy!
Super Bowl Sunday is fast approaching and I know exactly what I will be making! These ham and cheese rolls are delicious and a perfect game day food. I made these a couple weeks ago and the entire dish was gone in a matter of minutes. Simple to make and great for any game day or gathering!
INGREDIENTS
1 stick of butter
1 Tablespoon brown sugar
1 Tablespoon worcestershire sauce
2 Tablespoons dijon mustard
1/2 Tablespoon poppy seeds
1 roll crescent sheet or rolls
(if you buy the rolls just seal the seams making it a sheet.)
12 slices Swiss cheese
1/4 to 1/2 pound of thinly sliced ham (I used a honey ham)
DIRECTIONS
In a microwave safe dish melt butter, brown sugar, worcestershire sauce, mustard and poppy seeds. After butter is melted, stir to combine and set aside. Unroll the crescent sheet and layer the ham covering the crescent dough. Top the ham layer with the cheese forming another layer. Roll the entire crescent dough with the ham and cheese into a log and cut into 12 sections. Place the rounds in a baking sheet and pour the butter mixture over all of the rolls. Bake in a 350 degree oven until golden brown. Serve warm.
Enjoy!
Since I have talked about Halloween and parties this week, I had to give you a beverage recipe for your party right? Adding a little wiggle to your party will make you everyone’s favorite host or hostess! As you can guess this recipe comes from my friends at Wiggly Bridge Distillery in York, Maine!
INGREDIENTS
1 ounce of ginger beer, plus 2 ounces
1.5 ounces Wiggly Bridge distillery barrel aged rum
1 egg white
TO RIM THE GLASS
Cinnamon
Brown sugar
FOR GARNISH
Dash of ground cloves
Cinnamon stick for garnish
DIRECTIONS
Add one ounce of the ginger beer and all of the other ingredients together in a shaker with ice (not using the other 2 ounces of ginger beer yet). Shake like crazy, blending ingredients well. Mix a small about of cinnamon (1/4 teaspoon) with about a Tablespoon of brown sugar, rim your chilled glass. Add the remaining 2 ounces of ginger beer in your glass and strain the shaker into the glass on top of the ginger beer. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and ground cloves.
Cheers!
It’s 5 o’clock somewhere right? I have added a new category to the blog called
5 o’clock Friday. I will not post every Friday, but once in a while there will be a post. Today’s post comes from my friends at Wiggly Bridge in York, Maine. If you read yesterday’s post you already know how much I love that York, Maine gem! And remember if you don’t want to make this drink at home, go visit my friends at Wiggly Bridge and have their creative bartenders make you one!
INGREDIENTS
2 oz. Wiggly Bridge Distillery Vodka
2.5 oz. Apple Cider
0.5 oz. Thyme Simple Syrup
DIRECTIONS
Syrup – Add 4 sprigs of fresh thyme to 1/2 cup of hot water to steep. Add 1 cup of sugar, stir to dissolve sugar. Mix noted amount in your glass and garnish with a fresh sprig of thyme and an apple slice if desired!
Cheers!
I recently had the chance to meet with the very impressive folks from Wiggly Bridge Distillery, a family owned and operated business in York, Maine. You’re probably wondering what a food blogger is doing in a distillery? I think I have friends in all the right places! My friend Tim pointed me in the right direction! Tim works there Tuesday night’s and gets to share the amazing experience with friends, family and locals! There is a lot happening in York, Maine and I can’t wait to tell you about it! Wiggly Bridge started as a joke over the family dinner table. After David Woods (father) gave it some thought, he and his son, also named David Woods, went to the Caribbean on the island of Montserrat. Both of them started the trial and error process of making the best distilled liquor on the market! They soon realized their product was excellent and started the process of bringing their products to York, Maine. On July 3, 2012 they started their copper stills and in May of 2014 they had their first product.
Let’s talk about their award winning products. I had the chance to meet with David Woods (father) and Amanda Woods, who is son David’s wife. She is also an intricate part of the family business as she does the marketing for Wiggly Bridge. David and Amanda were kind enough to tell me all about how they started and where they are going, along with giving me a quick lesson on each of their liqueurs, starting with their White Whiskey. The White Whiskey is 100 proof and spends a very short amount of time inside the distilling barrel. One of their favorite drinks made with this is their “Bridge Bloody”, their version of a Bloody Mary. Next was the Small Barrel Bourbon. This was very smooth and is 86 proof. The bourbon is aged for 22-26 months and the color comes from the inside of the charred barrels. A great beverage to use this bourbon is in the Orange Marmalade Manhattan.
Let’s talk Vodka, this is a great tasting vodka that is distilled from french wheat. The vodka also goes through the still. Although I don’t typically drink these drinks on their own, I can say this was very smooth and certainly can stand on its own.
Typically, if Jim and I are out and want a drink, we both tend to get something made with rum, so this part was my favorite part of the tasting! Their White Rum is made with 100% Caribbean molasses. It does have a slight butterscotch smell, but it certainly did not taste like it, and was very good! I also had the chance to taste their base for the rum punch they serve. It was the best I have ever had and look forward to making it at home!
The Small Barrel Aged Rum is also very tasty! This too is made from 100% Caribbean molasses. The difference with this rum is that it is has rested in their freshly dumped bourbon barrels for 6 months. Last, but certainly not least, is the Small Batch Dry Gin. I would have said this would be my least favorite but to my surprise, it was very good! The gin is made from a sour mash family recipe, with notes of jasmine and citrus that really come through . Their Rum was rated #4 from USA Today!
After tasting these spirits I can see why they have won so many awards and named in the top four in the United States! This family has already made a name for themselves in the craft distillery business. Something the label on the bottle does not tell you about, is their drive to make products the best you will find and to continue to evolve, grow and challenge themselves to continue to be the very best!
Now that you know about the products, I still have a lot to tell you about this York, Maine gem! They are going to have a lot to offer. Cribbage tournaments and bartending classes are planned to start in mid-November, with on line videos through winter! You don’t think that’s all this dynamic family has planned, do you? No way! They are going to change the way York, Maine eats by opening a steakhouse right in the distillery. It’s not going to be just any steakhouse, this will be a seven to nine course dinner priced at $110.00 – $130.00 per person. Much of the dinner will include table side service. This will be a reservation required dinner that you will need to pick your side dishes in advance, to help reduce food waste. They are hoping to open the steakhouse next winter (2017) or early spring. I know I want to be first in line for dinner. Seeing what they have done with the distillery, I can only imagine the amazing food that will come out of the steakhouse!
Check out their website for distillery tour information along with their location, recipes and upcoming events! You will be hearing a lot more about Wiggly Bridge, but in the meantime you can find their products in some local liquor stores or in the NH State Liquor Store. Also, the Hannaford stores in Maine, and of course right at the distillery on US, Route 1 in York Maine. https://www.wigglybridgedistillery.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/WigglyBridgeDistillery/
Visit their site to book at tour or have a tasting with their experienced staff!
Cheers!
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