Holiday - - Page 28

by forkitude

How to Sop Up Guinness: Cast Iron Irish Soda Bread

Believe it or not, the Irish are serious about their soda bread. I absolutely love the Society for the Preservation of Irish Soda Bread’s website. You really shouldn’t mess around with Irish soda bread wanna-be’s. It’s the real deal or nothing. Go traditional or go home. As an Irish girl and a lover of beer, shamrock tattoos, Irish music, and leprechauns, I can appreciate that. Don’t call something soda bread if it’s not soda bread!

So I think I have done my Irish roots justice in this recipe. Ok, aside from the yogurt, which was not available in Ireland in the 19th century. But, there are no raisins in this bread, nor orange zest, nuts, eggs, baking powder or yeast.

Let me explain. Irish soda bread doesn’t contain yeast. The whole point of the bicarbonate soda was that it was used in place of the yeast as a leavening agent. I even used cast iron like they did back in the day. Plus, I love any excuse to bust out my cute little cast iron skillets.

They are cute. Don’t laugh.

This is a basic, delicious, easy, pretty damn traditional Irish soda bread to sop up the beer that you will drink on St. Paddy’s Day.

Slainte!

by BS

100 Ways to Cook With Guinness

St. Patrick’s Day raises a lot of questions: How is every person in America suddenly Irish-American on this one day only? Is green beer really safe to drink? Where did I leave my car/friends/clothes? But mostly, St. Patrick’s Day makes us wonder: why don’t we cook with Guinness every day of the year? Sure, there are the standard Guinness brownies and Guinness steak pie, but Ireland’s signature brew can also spruce up everything from Guinness risotto to Guinness cornbread and Guinness milkshakes. We scoured the web for 100 delectable recipes that take cooking with Guinness to the next level, on St. Patrick’s or any other day of the year.

Click on the photos for full recipes.

More St. Patrick’s Day food and drink ideas in Endless St. Patrick’s Day

More 100 Ways:
100 Ways to Cook Bacon
100 Ways to Cook an Egg
100 Ways to Cook a Banana
100 Ways to Cook a Tomato
100 Ways to Cook a Pumpkin
100 Ways to Cook a Sweet Potato

More Cooking with Beer:
Chocolate and beer filled donuts
Beer bread with sunnyside up egg
Chocolate-beer truffles

by bakersroyale

A Dessert for St. Patrick: Irish Brownie Bombs

You’ve had your Guinness in a cold mug, your whiskey straight up and your Bailey’s in a mixed drink, and of course maybe all in one for an Irish Car Bomb. But this St. Patrick’s day let’s try it in a dessert with some Irish Brownie Bombs.

It’s a classic brownie bottom with some Guinness mixed in the batter. On top of the brownie is a cheesecake layer blended with some Bailey’s. Finally, mix your Jameson whiskey shot into the three leaf clover piping. And there you have it, Irish Brownie Bombs that won’t leave you with a black-eye.

Order up!

Irish Brownie Bombs

in Desserts / Holiday / Recipe 13 comments

by forkitude

Come Hither, Sweet Vosges Truffle

I am kind of a chocolate freak.
I think a truffle a day keeps the doctor away.
Because truffles are more delicious than apples.
Life is not like a bowl of apples, it is like a box of chocolates.
You really never quite know what you’re going to get.

As is the case from exotic chocolate maker Vosges, which produces things like bacon chocolate, oyster infused cream truffles, and enchanted mushroom chocolate ba rs.

The Vosges Luxe Sweet Coquette Truffle Collection is more of an experience than a box of chocolates. My sampling included instructions on how to eat them:

be present, see, touch, smell, snap, taste, linger and ponder your next move.

Okay, I like it. I rarely follow instructions, but these seemed to be well thought out and cover most of the senses. In fact, I’m gonna have to tell you about each one of these babies:

Kumamoto Truffle: kumamoto oysters, champagne, 36% cocoa butter white chocolate, pearl dust.

Oysters and chocolate? Don’t ask questions, just do it. Beyond the creamy, dreamy white chocolate goodness, the taste inspired visions of the sea. Not the sea as in a ferry to Ellis Island, but the sea as in that Cialis commercial where the couple is relaxing in clawfoot bath tubs overlooking the ocean. There is a hint of oyster cream that will probably make your lady rip her clothes off.

in Holiday 2 comments

by Roo de Loo

50 Ways to Feed Your Lover

Here at ES we know it’s not always just about what you eat — it’s how you eat it, too. And never is that more important than on Valentine’s Day. So we’re embracing our inner love child and suggesting 50 ways (some naughty, some nice) to feed your lover this V-Day.

From breakfast in bed to beer in your bosom, enjoy our most loving countdown to date — and click on the photos for fuller explanations.

50. Giant Gummy Bear on a Stick
Practicing your oral skills has never been so sweet.

49. Electric Cookie Press
With one-hand operation and consistent flow of icing every time, the possibilities are endless.

48. Bialetti Pizza Chopper
Works great for slicing thin crust, deep dish, or unfaithful lovers. “Simply grasp the handle at opposite ends and rock the blade back and forth to create portions in the desired size.”

47. Hillary Clinton Nutcracker
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is busting more than balls in Washington these days. See what she can do with a pecan.

46. Jigsaw Cookie Cutter
Sometimes love is complicated, but isn’t it great when it feels like a perfect fit?

45. Musical Cake Slice
Dream of being serenaded by your loved one? You can have your cake and eat it, too, while listening to an electronic version of “The Wedding March” or other tunes.

44. Rooster Apron
This not-so-subtle kitchen frock is sure to send the message of what’s for dessert.

43. Nun Salt & Pepper Shakers
Don’t let that Catholic guilt get you down. Shake out your sexual repression at your next meal.

42. The Ex – Unique Knife Holder
Re-enact Fatal Attraction in the comfort of your own home.

41. Rainbow Kitchen Utensils
We love our gays more than the U.S. military, and what better way to represent pride than with rainbow kitchen utensils?

40. Flask Bra
For the girl on the go.

in Bacon / Holiday / Pig 3 comments

by bakersroyale

Chocolate and Beer Filled Donuts

What could be more loving than breakfast in bed with a serving of chocolate and beer deep fried to donut perfection? Yep, it’s time to bring your romanticism (and gluttony) to the forefront this Valentine’s Day with these Chocolate and Beer Filled Donuts.

I know one dessert does not fit all, so of course you can couple your chocolate with just about anything — Scotch, Cognac, or even no alcohol at all. This recipe is highly adaptable, so throw in what you like. Shoot, throw in a mini Snickers Bars if that’s your mix for a bit of joie de vivre on your love day celebration.

Chocolate and Beer Filled Donuts

in Desserts / Featured / Holiday / Recipe 14 comments