Peppermint Patty

If you love peppermint and dark chocolate, then you must adore peppermint patties. You can thank Henry C. Kessler of The York Cone Company for this love affair.

In 1940, Henry Kessler wanted to expand on the ice cream cones that were made at The York Cone Company and came up with The York Peppermint Patty. The original was firm and crisp and was an immediate hit.

February 11th is Peppermint Patty Day

Irish Coffee

If you are a fan of Irish Coffee, and who isn't, you can thank Daveina Davidson, the head chef at Foynes, County Limerick. Foynes' port was the precursor to Shannon International Airport. The coffee was conceived after a group of American passengers departed from a Pan Pam flying boat on a dreary winter evening in the 1940's. Davina added whiskey to the coffee to warm the passengers. The passengers asked if they were being served Brazilian coffee. Davenina said no, it's Irish coffee.

So, go ahead and warm your bones with an Irish Coffee is winter. Afterwards, you may just want to find an Irishman, and thank him with a big kiss for this very fine drink!

January 25^th is Irish Coffee Day

Irish Coffee

1 ½ oz Irish whiskey

1 teaspoon brown sugar

6 oz hot coffee

heavy cream

Combine whiskey, sugar and coffee. Stir. Add cold cream on top. Do not stir, sip and enjoy.

Hot Toddy

Well, it is cold season and I am sure you have wondered if that hot toddy everyone suggests you drink really work. I guess that depends on who is making it. And, if the alcohol ratio is high enough to knock you out so you can sleep.

Toddy is a drink in India which is produced by fermenting the sap of palm trees. The term may have be introduced into Scotland by a member of the British East India Company.

Either way, it does feel good going down and it just may help you forget about being sick in the first place.

January 11 is Hot Toddy Day

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone. As the year ends we all tend to reflect on all we have done and would like to do in the coming year. Of course, my 'to do list' always centers around food.

In 2011, I have continued my canning adventures, which advanced to chutneys. I dived into the world of beer. And, played with sugar. All have been fun and challenging.

Next year, I plan to brew more beer, can other fruits and veggies, and have more fun with sugar. Any new adventures will come to me when the spark hits me. That is the best part about being a chef.

I wish everyone a year of good food and cooking. So, before the year ends I plan to make challah for the first time. The adventure continues.

Playing with Sugar

A few days ago the weather was dark, rainy and gloomy. And, I needed a diversion quickly. I didn't want to play outside, so I decided to play inside. My playmate was sugar. I recently pick up a sugar cookbook and wanted to try a few techniques out. First game, cotton candy.

Homemade cotton candy is very different from carnival cotton candy. It is much harder. It has a certain crunch to it. The whole process is part of the hard-crack sugar stage, which is used in many desserts.

It took about 25 minutes to get the sugar mixture up to 320 degrees (hard-crack stage). I quickly worked with the sugar and began to whisk to back and forth on to parchment paper creating strands of spun sugar. After I rolled the spun sugar into balls. The whole process is done quickly because the sugar hardens fast.

Personally, I did not care for the taste of homemade cotton candy. I did learn a lot and now I am ready to make my first croquembouche. Plus, I forgot about the weather for awhile.

December 7th is National Cotton Candy Day

Chocolate Mousse

Today I had a craving for chocolate mousse. I wasn't sure if I wanted to make one with cream or an egg base. So, I did some searching and found a vegan recipe made with avocados. I know what you are thinking, avocados and chocolate, no way. I too thought the same thing, but it was very good. I even trick someone, you does not care for avocados, to eat it and enjoy it.

The recipes was very easy. Three avocados, ¾ cup honey, one teaspoon vanilla extract and ¾ cup of cocoa. First peel the avocados and puree in a food processor until smooth. Add honey and vanilla. Process until combine. Slowly add sifted cocoa to the puree and combine well. Chill and serve. Healthy and delicious!

November 30 is National Mousse Day

Holy Guacamole!

Avocado just may be the perfect fruit. It is loaded with health benefits and is available all year round.

Here are a few health benefits. One, it contains oleic acid, a monounsaturated fact that may help lower cholesterol. Two, it is a good source of potassium, a mineral that helps regulate blood pressure. Three, it contains carotenoid lutin for eye health. And, it contains fiber and protein. There are not many fruits or vegetables that can claim all of those benefits.

And, if you need any more benefits, you can eat it with chips when the avocado is used to make guacamole. To your health!

November 14 is Guacamole Day