Flutemaginley Cider Punch Food

CIDER PUNCH

Steps:

• Combine 4 cups apple cider, 1 cinnamon stick, 3 whole cloves and a pinch of salt in a saucepan. Halve 1 orange; squeeze the juice into the pan and add the peels. Bring to a simmer, then remove from the heat and let steep 10 to 15 minutes. Strain into a pitcher and add 3/4 cup apple brandy or bourbon. Chill at least 2 hours or overnight. Serve in tall glasses on the rocks or reheat and serve warm in punch mugs. Garnish with orange slices.

DUCK RAGU

Steps:

• In a large saute pan over medium-low heat, heat olive oil and add garlic, rosemary, thyme, marjoram, sage and nutmeg. Saute for 1 minute, then add carrot, onion and celery. Saute until vegetables just begin to soften, another minute or two, then add duck pieces skin side down.
• Raise heat to high, and sear duck pieces, stirring vegetables so they do not burn. Turn duck pieces to sear other side. When duck is lightly browned, add about a cup of wine, and stir gently while wine evaporates. Turn duck pieces again, and add another cup of wine, repeating procedure until all wine is gone and duck is dark brown.
• Reduce heat to medium. Add tomato paste and stock, stirring and scraping bottom of pan. Cook for a few more minutes, then remove from heat. Transfer duck pieces to a platter, and allow to cool. Set aside pan of sauce.
• When duck is cool enough to handle, remove all meat and cut into bite-size pieces. Remove sprigs of herbs and garlic cloves from sauce. Return duck meat to sauce, and place over medium heat. Add plum tomatoes, breaking them with a spoon. Simmer mixture until sauce has reduced and thickened slightly, about 10 minutes. Season to taste. Serve over pappardelle.

THE REANIMATOR

Steps:

• Stir the rye and amaro together with plenty of cracked ice. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Top with the lemon peel.

FISH HOUSE PUNCH WITH LIME

Steps:

• Pour the lemon and lime juices into a large punch bowl. Add the brown sugar and gently stir until dissolved. Slowly add the rums and the brandy, stirring constantly. Slip in a large block of ice and chill for at least an hour, stirring occasionally. Add ice if necessary.

ONION RAGU WITH PENNE

Steps:

• In a large heavy-bottomed pot over low heat, warm olive oil and add garlic. Slowly saute garlic just until light golden brown. Add onions, scallions and leeks, and mix well. Cover and simmer until onions are very soft and beginning to caramelize, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Add cherry peppers and pickling liquid, and mix well. Cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add penne, and cook until very al dente, 6 to 7 minutes. Reserve a cup or two of pasta water, then drain pasta well.
• Season ragu with salt and pepper to taste, and mix in the parsley. Add pasta to ragu. Simmer pasta in ragu for 2 minutes, adding some pasta water if it is too dry.
• To serve, arrange pasta mixture on a large heated platter. Sprinkle with Parmigiano-Reggiano to taste, and serve.

TONIC SYRUP

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, combine cinchona bark, lemon grass, lime zest and grapefruit zest. Add grapefruit juice, lime juice, allspice berries and 2 cups water. Simmer, covered, for 25 minutes. Remove from heat and pass through a fine strainer lined with muslin or cheesecloth into a bowl. Allow mixture to rest for at least 30 minutes, then carefully pour off liquid, leaving behind and discarding grainy particulates that have settled at bottom of bowl.
• For each cup of the resulting tonic water, add 3/4 cup of sugar and 1 teaspoon citric acid. Cover and refrigerate until used.

SPARKLING PUNCH

Steps:

• Thinly slice the lemons and the oranges and place in a large punch bowl. Pour in the thawed lemonade. Gently stir in the club soda and the sparkling apple cider. Add sugar to taste. Add ice.

FLUTEMAGINLEY CIDER PUNCH

Steps:

• In a 3-quart pitcher, muddle the sugar and the lemon peel to extract some of the lemon oil. Add the sherry and stir until the sugar has dissolved.
• Stir in the brandy, fill the pitcher halfway with ice and top off with the chilled cider. Grate nutmeg over punch in the pitcher, and serve.