Xeres

I am unsure where the origins of this cocktail came from however in my research I came across  Jerez, Xeres... Jerez de la Frontera, is located in southwestern Spain and is one of Spain's most historic wine regions. This sunbaked hued cocktail is simply sweet and refreshing. 

Xeres

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makes 1 cocktail

2 oz Sherry

1 dash Peach Bitters

1 dash Orange Bitters

Place all the ingredients into a cocktail pitcher with ice. Stir and strain into a cocktail glass.

More rain came our way however just enough to freshen things up. We got through this week, despite a few bumps, and are looking forward to the long weekend. Although I haven't had much time to think about that. Perhaps a pancake breakfast on Monday. Happy Canada Day! - JD 

Double Chocolate Muffins

Perhaps triple chocolate would be a more suitable name when you factor in the cocoa powder and chocolate used however because of their lack of sweetness and distinct richness double chocolate will do. Indulgent and sinfully delicious. An enjoyable way to alleviate stress and pass by a rainy afternoon.    

Double Chocolate Muffins

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makes 12 muffins

2 cups unbleached all purpose flour

1/2 cup caster sugar

3/4 cup white chocolate chips or Baker's white chocolate chopped into pieces

1/2 cup dark chocolate chips 

1/2 cup cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 egg

1 cup sour creme

1/2 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup chopped pecan pieces or more chocolate chips, for topping, optional 

Preheat the oven to 400ºF (200ºC) Grease 12 muffin cups or line with paper muffin liners or silicone muffin liners.

In a large bowl combine the flour, sugar, white chocolate chips or chunks (which ever you are using), dark chocolate chips, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt. 

In another bowl whisk together the egg, sour creme, milk, vanilla and vegetable oil until blended and smooth. Pour into the dry ingredients and stir until the batter is blended. Fill the prepared muffin cups 3/4 full and sprinkle the tops with the pecans or chocolate chips.

Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean. Allow the muffins to cool in the tin for 10 minutes before removing them from the tin to cool completely on a wire rack. 

Hope everyone had a great weekend. We had a lovely one. End of school... exam time equals stress.... I... we, face this week full steam ahead with plenty of things on the go; so me posting may be a bit hit or miss this week. - JD   

Vermouth Cassis

This summery cocktail is light, refreshing and bubbly. Next time we make this, it may be worth a try to use lemonade, fizzy or still, rather then the suggested soda water.  

Vermouth Cassis

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makes 1 cocktail

3/4 oz Creme de Cassis

1 oz Dry Vermouth

soda water

Pour Creme de Cassis and Vermouth into a tall glass over ice. Stir quickly, add soda water to fill, stir once more.

After a busy week, more rain is on the way... have a great weekend everyone! - JD 

Apple Dumplings

This was my first time making apple dumplings and it won't be my last. A fairly straight forward recipe, equal to apple pie, that has plenty of flavour.  

Apple Dumplings

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4 apples peeled, cored and quartered

homemade pie crust for 1 to 2 pies 8 inch pies rolled and cut into squares or triangles, that will wrap around and cover each piece of apple, or use ready made pie crust or 1 to 2 cans ready made refrigerator crescent rolls 

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup caster sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 cup orange juice
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon rum flavouring

Preheat oven to 350ºF (175ºC)

Wrap each apple piece in one piece of square or triangle cut pie pastry or the crescent roll.

Place seam side down in an 9x13 baking dish and sprinkle with cinnamon.

In a medium saucepan combined the butter, caster sugar, brown sugar and orange juice and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and whisk in the ground cinnamon and rum flavouring. Pour over the apple dumplings. 

Bake for 30 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and the apples are tender. Spoon sauce over rolls when serving.  

Notes: I chose to make my own pie pastry because I just couldn't bring myself to buy refrigerator crescent rolls. 

Hope everyone had a lovely weekend. - JD 

Attention Cocktail

This aqua coloured cocktail is one sipper of a cocktail. It is sharp with a sweet creamy violet aroma. 

Attention Cocktail

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makes 1 cocktail

2 oz Gin

1/4 oz Absinthe

1/4 oz dry Vermouth

1/4 oz Créme de Violette

2 dashes Orange Bitters

Lemon peel, for garnish

Place the gin, absinthe, dry vermouth, créme de violette and orange bitters into a cocktail pitcher with ice. Strain into cocktail glass. Twist the lemon peel over the drink and place it in the glass, if you wish.  

More rain is on the way. Have a great weekend everyone! -JD 

Food Photo of the Day ~ Ploughman's Lunch

Quite simply one of the most simplest however satisfying lunches one can make or have. Rustic bread, dried fruit... or fresh fruit, selected cheeses, nuts, olives and pickled beets, pickled peppers and curated meats. The humble Ploughman's is a complete sampling to nosh and enjoy. 

 Hope the week has been going well for everyone. Overcast skies in E-town today with the chance of some welcoming rain. - JD 

A Tale of Two Gins ~ Berry and Saffron

These two Gins seem to have captivated summer in a bottle or in whatever cocktail you may make; they certainly will change up a classic gin and tonic. Gordon's Premium Pink is berry infused, I recall seeing this in London; we now found it here, in E-town. Mix it with tonic or a lemon-lime soda and garnish with fresh strawberries for a refreshing summertime tipple.    

This saffron infused gin comes from Scotland and is by Duncan Taylor, and is the smooth golden soul of summer. Whether it be served traditional with tonic or served over ice with ginger ale and a slice of lemon this is a relaxing refresher to chill with over the summer.


A few rain showers were sprinkled here and there despite that we had a great weekend! - JD

Bamboo Cocktail

A unique little palette pleaser that is strong with a nice balance of aromatic flavours. 

Bamboo Cocktail

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makes 1 cocktail

1 1/2 oz Sherry

1 1/2 oz Dry Vermouth

2 dashes of Angostura Bitters

2 dashes of Orange Bitters

Place all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and pour into a cocktail glass. 

Notes: for a longer drink pour ingredients into a taller glass with ice and top with chilled soda water over top. Serve with an orange slice. 
 Still raining in here in E-town. Have a lovely weekend everyone! - JD

Oven Baked Bacon

I am finding that there may be a few ways on how to achieve the ultimate cooked bacon. My son had watched a video on how to cook bacon in the oven and was describing the method of such. I have cooked bacon in the oven before however never covered the tray. Covering does change things and although I did not use wire racks, supposedly like the video did, to allow the bacon grease to drip; I am fine with that because I am all about curbing ones cleaning and washing up. 

Quite simply preheat the oven to 400ºF, take a baking tray and line the bottom and sides with aluminum foil. Place the bacon on the prepared baking tray. Cover with more aluminum foil and place the tray in the oven and allow to cook for 15 to 25 minutes or until crispy, checking after 10 minutes and turning once. Cooking time depends on how many slices you are baking and how you like your bacon cooked. Remove bacon slices that are cooked sooner to drain on a plate lined with kitchen towel (paper towel).  

I found that this is an easier way to cook bacon as there was little clean up and no greasy mess. Just allow the grease to cool then careful roll the foil, from the baking tray into a ball and place in the garbage. This also allows one to utilize the stove top, get on with prep work, wash dishes or do something else while the bacon is in the oven.  


Hope everyone is having a good week. - JD     

Food Photo of the Day ~ ELT (Egg, Lettuce and Tomato)

Instead of a BLT, bacon lettuce and tomato, why not an egg, lettuce and tomato. What makes this ELT more complete is the addition of grilled halloumi cheese. This is the best sandwich one can make and devour!

Hope everyone had a nice weekend. - JD