Happy Hour - Hot Toddy

Is this a cocktail or is it medicine?  Many cocktails were created to be medicinal and a Hot Toddy is often said to "cure" a cold or flu.  Speaking from personal experience I can say it does relieve cold symptoms!  

The heat of the drink can clear sinuses and, along with the honey, ease a sore throat.  The lemon is good for vitamin C, and the bourbon just makes you feel better in general before helping you get to sleep.

This drink couldn't be easier, so even someone weak from a cold can handle the recipe. 

Simply stir bourbon, lemon juice and honey with hot water until the honey melts, and drink while relaxing. 

Hot toddies are sometimes made with other whiskey, rum or even brandy. You can use whichever you  prefer or have on hand. Personally, I love the sweetness of bourbon in this drink. 

Here's my recipe but feel free to adjust to your own taste:

2 oz bourbon
1 tablespoon honey
1 oz lemon juice
1/2  cup hot water (just below boiling)

Stir together all ingredients in a large mug until the honey is melted.  Top with a slice of lemon if desired. 

Tart of the Month Autumn Round Up

It's been a very busy month around here, so I didn't have time to make a new tart in September.  Instead, I thought I'd browse the archives for seasonal Autumn tarts I've made in the past.

There are some real winners here!

This Butternut Squash Tart with Sage, Honey & Chilis is really easy and makes a tasty, fancy appetizer or light lunch.

Stone fruits are still in season here in Ontario, and these Plum Tarts with Honey and Black Pepper are a sweet and sour treat.

This Roasted Vegetable Tarte Tatin takes a little more effort, but it is so beautiful and delicious, it's well worth it. 

I can't get enough butternut squash at this time of year, so here's another Butternut Squash Tart, this time with mushrooms and Gruyere.

Little Beet, Cheddar & Apple Tarts on puff pastry are a simple treat for a savoury dessert or snack.

Tarte flambée, or Flammekueche is similar to pizza and makes a wonderful dinner when nights get cooler.  

Carrots are in season and I love the way this Carrot and Herb Tart uses a variety of coloured carrots with the green of fresh herbs. 

And, finally, it isn't really fall without some pumpkin spice. These Pumpkin Spice Tarts have a gingersnap crust I love. 

Get outside and enjoy the season!  

Tart of the Month - Butternut Squash with Sage, Honey & Chilis

You really can't go wrong with these puff pastry tarts.  They come together in minutes and bake quickly.  They work great as an appetizer, side dish or as a quick lunch.  I keep all-butter puff pastry in the freezer at all times now, and I can whip up a tart at a moment's notice.  

This recipe comes from Bon Appetit.  It's a has a few steps, but it's super easy to do.  Here's what you need:

Tart of the Month - Plum with Honey & Black Pepper

I know I've been taking the easy route with these tarts of the month, but this is the easiest one of all!  Just a few ingredients make a sweet and sour tart an a sprinkling of Maldon salt and black pepper add a savoury twist.

This recipe is from Bon Appetit and makes six tarts.  They look and taste fancy enough for company but they only take a few minutes to throw together and bake.

Here's what you need:

Pork Roast with Cider Gravy

I'm really enjoying pork roasts lately.  They are easy to cook and as long as you serve them with a tasty sauce, they're always moist and delicious.  A 1.5 to 2-pound pork roast serves us dinner plus lunch the next day with enough leftovers for another meal, like pork fried rice.  

I roasted this pork in the oven with mushrooms and onions, then made a pan gravy by adding cider, mustard and honey.  Here's what you need:

1 boneless pork loin centre roast

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 large onion, sliced

250g cremini mushrooms, quartered
3/4 cup apple cider or apple juice
1/3 cup Dijon mustard
1/4 cup honey
1/4 tsp ground cardamom and/or nutmeg

Boneless Chicken Thighs in Mustard Orange Sauce

When it's not grilling season I'm sometimes stumped about what to do with boneless chicken thighs.  This easy recipe makes a very delicious change of pace.

Here's what you need for this recipe inspired by Epicurious:  

4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1 tablespoon olive oil
3/4 cup orange juice
3/4 cup chicken stock
1/4 cup grainy dijon mustard
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce