Gin

(parts)
Juniper 60
Cardamom 1
Coriander 1
Cinnamon .5
Rosemary .5

add appropriate amount to Vodka and steep.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb lean ground beef

Strawberry Ice Cream

2 yolks
2C Cream
shake of salt
100g of Sugar
2C of strawberries
1tsp Vainilla Extract

Prepare yolks, 50g of sugar, and 1C of cream custard method:
beat together. Heat slowly to almost a boil, whisking the whole time.  Transfer to a chilled bowl and allow to cool.

Prepare strawberries by removing greens, blending or mashing with 50g sugar.  Chill.

Combine remaining ingredients (salt, 1C cream, 1tsp extract) and make ice cream according to manufacturers instructions.

Butternut Squash Soup

This is a wonderful soup that is fairly easy to make and Rachel loved it too.

Peppernuts

 Peppernuts are a traditional German Christmas cookie.  They are small, often fairly hard, and contain no nuts.  Most of the recipies I've seen make huge batches that take all day to make and fill several ice cream pails full of cookies.  I made a small batch today.  It took about 90 minutes from start to finish.  Here is my recipe:

Dill Pickled Carrots
(Nov 2008)

I had lots of small carrots this year, so figured pickling was the best way to go.  This is what I did.  I will add tasting notes later.

UPDATE: Well, I ate one jar already.  I guess that means they're okay. They might be a touch too spicy for my 6yo, but I thought they were very good.  (Actually, she dove into them too, so maybe not too spicy.)

Marinade:
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp white wine
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 tbsp chopped parsley
1 tsp lemon juice
salt and pepper
Marinade the chicken pieces (breasts, or thighs work) for a few hours at least

Roast potatoes:
(Get these going just before you start cooking the chicken)
peel and cube 4 medium potatoes
Mix:
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp rosemary
2 tbsp lemon juice
Coat potatoes with mixture.  Add salt and pepper.
Roast in oven @ 375F

Yellow (Vanilla) Cake

Salted Butter Crackers