Ginger Peach Soda Food

GINGER-PEACH SODA

Steps:

• To make the syrup, in a saucepan, combine the water, sugar, and ginger over medium-low heat and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from the heat, cover, and steep at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
• Pour the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the ginger, pressing all the flavor out of the ginger with the back of a spoon against the sieve. Transfer to a jar or other storage container, cover, and refrigerate until well chilled.
• Evenly distribute the peach slices among the glasses. Carefully smash the peaches with the end of a wooden spoon to release their juice. Pour about 2 tablespoons chilled syrup over the peaches in each glass. (The remaining syrup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.) Add ice cubes and then top off each glass with soda water. Mix each drink with a straw or spoon to distribute the syrup, peach juices, and peach bits evenly. Float a few mint leaves on each serving, then serve immediately (especially on really hot days).

GINGER ICE CREAM

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan combine the cream, 1/2 cup of the granulated sugar, vanilla extract and ginger. Bring to a boil, turn off the heat and let sit for 1 hour.
• In a small bowl, combine the eggs and the remaining 1/2 cup sugar and beat to a homogeneous consistency.
• Bring the cream-ginger mixture back to a boil and turn the heat off. Immediately strain and whisk a third of the cream mixture into the egg-sugar mixture and then immediately whisk the egg mixture back into the remaining cream mixture.
• Chill the mixture over an ice water bath.
• Churn the chilled mixture in an ice cream machine according to the manufacturer's directions.
• Serve as is, or to make ice cream sandwiches, place 1 generous scoop of ice cream on the bottom of 1 Molasses Cookie and place another cookie on top. These can be done ahead and frozen. Let warm for 5 to10 minutes before serving.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and salt and set aside.
• In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and then the molasses. In thirds, gently mix in the flour mixture until just combined.
• Using an ice cream scoop, scoop out the cookie dough into 1-inch balls onto a sheet tray covered with turbinado sugar. Gently toss the cookies in the sugar, covering them completely. Place the sugar-coated dough balls on another sheet tray and gently squish a little.
• Bake for 9 to 10 minutes. Remove the cookies to a rack to cool.

HOMEMADE GINGER ALE

Steps:

• Make syrup:
• Cook ginger in water in a small saucepan at a low simmer, partially covered, 45 minutes. Remove from heat and let steep, covered, 20 minutes.
• Strain mixture through a sieve into a bowl, pressing on ginger and then discarding. Return liquid to saucepan and add sugar and a pinch of salt, then heat over medium heat, stirring, until sugar has dissolved. Chill syrup in a covered jar until cold.
• Assemble drinks:
• Mix ginger syrup with seltzer and lime juice (start with 1/4 cup syrup and 1 1/2 teaspoons lime juice per 3/4 cup seltzer, then adjust to taste).

GINGER-PEACH MUFFINS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°; spray a 12-cup muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray.
• Sift flours together in a bowl; add in the sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; stir to combine.
• Beat the eggs and buttermilk together in another bowl; add in the butter, peach, ginger, and vanilla, stirring to combine.
• Pour into the dry mixture and stir together quickly, taking care not to overbeat.
• Spoon batter into muffin tin, filling cups 2/3 full.
• Bake 8-10 minutes or until tops are browned; remove from oven; cool in pan for 5 minutes and remove to finish cooling on a wire rack.

HOMEMADE GINGER CARDAMOM SODA WITH LIME

Steps:

• In a small, dry pot, toast cardamom over medium heat until fragrant.
• Remove the pot from the heat. Add ginger, sugar, water, and lime zest. Place back on heat and simmer until sugar is dissolved, about 5 minutes. Cool syrup; strain and discard solids.
• In a cocktail shaker(or a jar with lid), add 1 oz. syrup (or to taste) and lime juice. Add ice and shake to blend. Divide between two tall glasses, filled with ice.
• Top with sparkling water, club soda, or sparkling cider. Stir gently and serve immediately.
• Enjoy!