7 Ways to Sneak Whiskey Into Dessert

Hey all! Well, it’s Monday morning and according to the ES calendar, that means it’s time to talk whiskey. In particular, with the weather getting colder we’re thinking about cooking with whiskey. There’s just something about a dessert with a little wild turkey thrown in the batter that gets our hearts racing and warms you up all over. Not sure what we mean? Check out the Island of Kentucky recipe page for all kinds of good ideas of what to cook with said whiskey, or keep reading for seven of our simmering favorites.

1. Whiskey Caramel Marshmallow Bacon Bark

Whiskey Marshmallow and Caramel Bacon Bark_Endless Simmer

Say the first four words above in the same sentence and you can get me to do pretty much anything. I mean, COME ON.

Recipe: Whiskey Caramel Marshmallow Bacon Bark

2. Mudslide Cupcakes

Mudslide-Cupcake

 

Make your own Bailey’s at home, mix it with some coffee, add a dash of the good stuff…yeah, baking ain’t so girly anymore, huh?

Recipe: Mudslide cupcakes

3. Cherry Whiskey Upside Down Cake

Cherry and Whiskey Upside Cake _Endless Simmer

Don’t think of soggy pineapple upside down cake. This one is tender and springy, while the whiskey adds an extra subtle dimension that quiets the caramel topping and brings it in balance with the cake and fruity sweetness of the cherry.

Recipe: Cherry-Whiskey Upside Down Cake

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Top 10 Ways to Use Butternut Squash

‘Tis the season. NO—not to be jolly and sing Christmas carols. We still have a good month left of fall enjoyment. That means to leave the Christmas decorations in the basement, put down the Christmas songs CD, and bring on the fall foods and drinks. Butternut squash has become a food staple of the fall season. But there is only so much Butternut Squash Soup that you can eat. SO…for the next month, try some of these. You’re welcome.

10. Butternut Squash Chantrelle and Brie Pizza

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Pizza pizza! Girlfriend and I tried making this ourselves and it came out pretty well. Any variation would be delicious, but I saw this version and I think the brie would make the perfect pairing with the butternut squash. All it needs now is some short ribs…

Recipe: Heather Christo

9. Butternut Squash Muffins

butternut squash muffins 1

Pumpkin muffins are delicious, but what about butternut squash? I could see these muffins being eaten as snacks, dessert, or even with a savory breakfast. Maybe some butterscotch chips in these?

Recipe: WendyInKK

8. Butternut Squash Stuffed Shells

ButternutSquashStuffedShellsFifteenSpatulas

When I first saw this recipe, I thought the shells would be stuffed with some kind of butternut squash mixture. Instead, it is the traditional stuffed shells, but the sauce is a savory butternut mixture. Looking for a quick meal on a cold night? Try these out.

Recipe: Fifteen Spatulas

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The Brews of Summer: 100 Beers to Enjoy in the Heat

For those of you complaining about pumpkin beer and Oktoberfest releases coming too early, I bring you this masterpiece. Now you have 100 beers to choose from while you bask in the last month of summer. As per the top ten list, I defined a summer brew as: Wheats, Saisons, Wits, Pilsners, Pale Ales, IPAs, and fruity beers. Of course this list is NOT exhaustive. You should know that you will be able to go to any microbrewery near you and enjoy a summer seasonal. And I included microbreweries that may not distribute as well….road trip, anyone?

I leave you with this: “And I can tell you my love for beer will still be strong after the beers of summer have gone.”

You’re welcome.

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 7_image_brooklyn-pilsner_large  lagunitas-a-little-sumpin-sumpin-ale summerfest-nodate2  SummerLove-Bottle
 kellerweis  60-minute-ipa
 beer_rb_prod  PMScaldis-bout-verre-241x400
 
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 strawberry  bottledetaillargeporchrockerv2--en--82748a16-b61b-4111-95c7-4e8de783a4f9  sahtea

 2013-08-02_1339  Always-Sunny--300x198
 saison_0  longest-day-500x250
 timthumb  img.apa.lg  BlackEye_web  Devils-Backbone-Kilt-Flasher-Label
 StarrSaison_Bottle_Fixed1_thumb  3bottles
 blue-mountain-uber-pils 01-Dales-Pale-Ale-062510-lg
 beer_weizen-thumb-75  raspberrywheat_logo  farmhouse-400  woodycreek2013
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 sawtooth_ale_bottle_glass_548862380 (1)  White_Label  hopfive  beer-highway22wheatsmall
 monte_weizen
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 steam-bio  caferacer22  SummerSqueeze_Bottle_tab  Citra_Blonde_Summer_Webshot
 Blueberry-Belch-poster  Bottle120  cape northerLightsFixed
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 summerlyte  sweetaction_front  goofyfoot_logo
 B&C  our_beers_SOLACE  SummerBeer-2013-Modal  SmmrAleCan_Drps_LRG-e1319817438847
 apollo_front  robot-surf-factory_web-large_transparent  st-lupe-bottle-glass  psblueberrylyte
 ind_bp_label_2xipa  american-amber-label  littlewhitelielogo  Victorian Secret
 Bottle90  a8bacd58-7288-4f6a-8873-d9bb852be99c  beer_pils-thumb-75  saison_logo
 she-monster_web_large_transparent  PILS  kolsch  bitteramerican_can-230x409
 bengali_front  melonheadlyte  tripel-detail  Gose_2013_WebProductPhoto
 racerx  summer-bio  productpic  ind_bp_label_pmx
 honey-orange-wheat-label
 aud-blonde-v2  Hob_Label
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Missed one? Let us know what you would include!

All 100 Ways — 1,500 recipes and counting! — found here.

 

 

Summer Brews Gone Wild! Top 10 Summer Beers

This list was difficult to compile. There are now so many summer beers to choose from, and they are all so different. I took a lot of serious time tasting these beers, tasting more beers, and tasting more beers. I categorized the following styles as Summer Beers: Wheat, Saison, Wit, Pilsner, Pale Ales, IPAs. Is the list exhaustive? Hell no. Can I guarantee that no matter what beer you try from this list, you will enjoy. Hell yes. Here it is:

10. Voo Doo Brewing “Some Say that Cucumbers Taste Better Pickled”

Some people say cucumbers taste better pickled

ABV: 4.7%

While strolling the walk of the Selinsgrove “Hops, Vines, and Wines” Festival, I came upon a sign that simply said “Some say cucumber is better pickled—try our beer.” Clearly that was going to be the first one I tried. I didn’t know what to expect—how can cucumber flavor really come through malts and hops? Somehow, it did. It wasn’t too strong, but you could definitely taste the refreshing cucumber flavor. I’m still trying to figure out how to get it sent to me. This is a great brew to have at one of your kick-ass barbecues and suddenly break out the cucumber beer for all your friends. Refreshing.

9.  Curious Traveler Summer Shandy

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ABV: 4.4%

First, there are the main-stream shandies that we are all familiar with. Then there is this. Curious Traveler Shandy comes in several flavors but I think the original lemon is the best. The beer has a crisp lemonade flavor that does not take over the beer. It is well balanced and includes the essential flavors of a lemonade AND a beer. Kick one back on the porch.

8. 21st Amendment “Hell or High Watermelon” Wheat

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ABV: 4.9%

For those who enjoy a sweet wheat beer in the heat of summer—this is it. Put away the wine cooler and drink like an adult with 21st Amendment’s signature wheat. Watermelon comes through right away and carries itself throughout. The wheat beer flavor is there—sweet and complementing the watermelon in an odd but tasty way. If you like sweet beers, try this out. Plus the artwork on all 21st Amendment cans is just pretty damn awesome.

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4 Super Simple Summer Party Recipes

strawberries

As soon as the first hot and sunny day of summer comes, you know we’re rushing to buy our barbecue meats and sauces, bringing out the Pimm’s and mixing up some unusual cocktails. But, you also gotta have some summer go-tos that are as easy as 1-2-3.

These recipes are fun and young, and since they’re versatile they can lighten up the mood at any event. So if you’re throwing a pool party, planning a picnic or even planning a bingo fundraising night, these recipes are a sure (and delicious) bet.

1. Frosty Strawberry Desert

This refreshing summer desert is perfect for pretty much any occasion. The sweet and crumbling desert is made by mixing:

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup melted butter

Place the mix on a cookie sheet and bake it for 20 minutes at 350°.  At this point, whisk two egg whites until frothy and beat in 2/3 cups of sugar.  Add 1 (10 ounce) package frozen strawberries, two tablespoons of lemon juice for a bit of sharpness and then fold in 1 cup whipped cream. Then make a sandwich with the crumb mixture and strawberry egg mix, using the mix as the filler. Put in the freezer for an hour and you’re ready to go.

2. Death by Chocolate Milkshake

This recipe is unbelievable simple but effective.  It is a three-ingredient recipe which takes no more than five minutes to put together. Mix together a cup of chocolate ice cream, a quarter cup of chocolate syrup and a half cup of chocolate milk.  It sounds really bad for you, because it is, but it tastes real good.

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Top 10 Strategies for Opening a Restaurant With Your Spouse

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These days, it seems every young couple from Brooklyn to Bolivia dreams of quitting their day job and opening at cute little restaurant with their significant o. But as anyone who has done so will tell you, it can end up feeling less like a culinary honeymoon than a fast-track to divorce court. Guest blogger Megan Sullivan joins ES to share these top 10 tips for opening a restaurant with your spouse and not driving each other insane.

It’s common knowledge that a partnership is a lot like a marriage, but what if it is a marriage? Your business partner can be your other half, but there are some things you may want to consider. If you’re dreaming of running a restaurant with your spouse, follow this handy guide to make sure you meet your goals without destroying your relationship.

1. Put your partnership in writing. Just because you’re in love, doesn’t mean you’re going to love working with your significant other. Draft a very clear partnership agreement.

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