Turmeric + Meyer Lemon Squares

Hey there! 

This weekend I made some yummy lemon squares from the Sakara cookbook. I was really eager to try these vegan squares because they incorporate turmeric. Plus lemon bars are one of my favorite sweet treats!

First I created the crust from almond meal, tapioca flour, coconut oil and maple syrup. This part was super quick and simple. I was surprised! Just whisk together the almond meal and flour, then stir in the syrup and oil. Press the mixture into a parchment lined pan and bake for about 15 minutes. 

While the crust was baking, I created the yummy lemon filling. I whisked together lemon juice and cornstarch in a medium pot until smooth then added the remaining ingredients (minus the lemon slices). For the turmeric you only use 1/2 teaspoon which was just enough of a kick. Keeping the filling on medium heat and stirring frequently it tuned a deep yellow color and started to thicken up. It took about 8 to 10 minutes. 

I removed the filling from the heat and let it cool for about 10 minutes. Then poured the filling into the crust and placed it in the fridge for a few hours. 

It seemed like forever but once the squares were finally firm I carefully lifted them out of their tin and cut them into squares. I topped each square off with a lemon slice and voila, perfection! To be truthful, I was eager to try these but skeptical. I knew they would not be the powder-sugar covered desserts I have come to know. 

Instead these were much more...real and I came to love them. I could taste the lemon, hint of turmeric and maple. The crust was wonderful with the filing, really grounding all that lemon goodness! 

I always ask Craig what his take-away is and I totally agreed. They are refreshingly tart and sweet with a savory crunch he he! I'll definitely have to make them again and share the recipe. Thanks for readin! 
Cheers!
-Bunny

Laoghaire's Whisky Sour

Morning Outlander Fans!

Saturday night I watched the finale (of Outlander) and it still sits heavy with me today. Such a beautiful episode. My eyes filled with tears at Claire's memories and their dance toward the stones. I could see the emotion and love as they were forced to part. Sam and Caitriona did a wonderful job! I still can't believe the season is already over BUT I do have the cookbook to keep me company. Thank you Theresa he he!

Feeling a bit sour about the end, I thought it perfect to start with Laoghaire's Whisky Sour, it just sounded yummy and I was correct! 

Start by stirring together 2 tablespoons of hot water with 2 tablespoons of honey until it's dissolved, then add 2 oz of whiskey and 2 tablespoons of lemon, freshly squeezed. In the OK cookbook it says to use bourbon...but online it says whiskey...unsure about what to use, we chose one of Craig's favorites, Green Spot Irish Whiskey(I hope Theresa won't mind). Then I add crushed ice and a lemon curl and there you have it! A slightly sweet and rich Whiskey Sour. Craig liked it very much and said it was better than any Whiskey Sour he has ordered at a bar. The lemon and honey were perfect! 

As Theresa Carle-Sanders adds: "The perfectly naturally sweet, lightly sour whisky cocktail for a hot summer's evening, whether you shot someone that day or not." he he!

Cheers! Thanks for reading...next, a lovely almond cream pastry!-Bunny

The Comte St. Germain’s Poison

Hello my darlings!

My second drink for Outlander is the
The Comte St. Germain’s Poison, basically a Gin Zesper,which was quite refreshing. Thank you Chef Theresa Carle-Sanders!

*Outlander Kitchen Photograph

I have always loved the smell of St. Germaine Liqueur, flowery and sweet, and the bottle that it comes in... so interesting and almost feels like an old relic from a time long past. Plus the name is perfect for our St. Germaine! What a great idea to create a drink inspired by the Comte. As the Outlander Kitchen says, "Poison never tasted so good!"

Simply take:
Gin – 1½ oz
St. Germaine Elderflower Liqueur – ½ to ¾ oz
Tonic – to taste
Ice and a Lemon Twist

*Jack waiting for his drink ha ha ha! He looks so pleased!

 Pour the gin and St. Germaine over ice into your glass then add the sparkling tonic and the lemon twist. Use as much of the tonic as you see fit. I found that the gin is a bit powerful so I needed some extra bubbles!

*Outlander Kitchen Photograph

*mommies little vampire

Adding in the lemon zest was a nice touch and I even squeezed a bit of the lemon into the drink. Like I said, this one was strong but refreshing. Wonderful for a sunny Saturday!

Cheers Outlander fans! Here's to a lovely season and even more lovely treats. Thanks for reading.

-Bunny

New Year Stake House Special

Howdy!! 

It's a brand new year so I wanted to start it off right with a new cocktail and my favorite thing ever True Blood! Here is the Stake House Special out of True Blood Drinks and Bites. 

To start I pitted 4 cherries and added them to 1/4 ounce simple syrup (I used raw sugar in case you were wondering about the color). Mashed up the cherries as best as I could then added 1 1/2 ounces of Moonshine, 1 1/2 Tsp of lemon juice and ice cubes. Next, I shook the mixture and poured (unstained) into a glass. Garnished with a lemon twist and voila! Delicious!

The Stake House Special is a bit strong, for me, but I liked the natural cherry flavoring. I went ahead and added some more simple syrup he he! Love my sweet drinks!

Here is a link to a better quality video! 

https://youtu.be/JoXwloQ6Weg

Thanks, Bunny

Get Ready!

Game of Thrones is almost over for the season....feels like it just started :( 

With the finale coming up I decided to pay homage to Dorne with a Dorne breakfast! It has been exciting to see the beautiful landscape and something other than shivering Northmen he he!

I will be making a spicy breakfast dish and Lemonsweet. Possibly something else for dinner...but we'll see. 

....SPOILERS...

Oh and a few things. How cool was that White Walker scene last week!!! The episode just started with the usual dialogue...then BAM...horror movie creepiness! 

Completely a feast for the eyes!

Stannis WTF!! I mean I get it...magic but come on! I love how she was reading about Dance with Dragons. I see what you did there.

Daeny is possibly the coolest character ever created. Her story lags a bit in the middle but in this last episode it finally took off, pun intended! The moment I am sure most people were waiting for. Drogon came to her rescue and they took off into the sky. She is a dragon rider now! YES! I just waited for them to pan to Tyrion's face....priceless. That had to be worth his trip! Amazing! I wanted that so badly! LOL

Plus she forgave Jorah....I was totally crying like a baby! 

Thanks, Bunny