Homemade Brandy Food

SIMPLE BRANDY

Steps:

• Enough fruit to somewhat fill a gallon jar, (cherries, apricots, crabapples, etc.).
• Place fruit, any kind, into glass jar -- pits and all, just cut off the yucky parts.
• Add sugar and vodka.
• Set on your kitchen counter and flip it every day for three months. (If you put it away you'll forget about it!)
• The first few days I place the jar into a bucket in case my lid leaks, that way I can pour it back in and go hunt for a new lid. I put a sticker on it indicating the date it will be ready and "Up on even" if I happen to start it on an even day, you wouldn't believe how many times I've thought to myself "did I turn the brandy today?")
• In three months strain it through cheesecloth or a clean dishcloth or what have you, if you want it even clearer then strain it again through a paper coffee filter.
• Bottle it and wowee it's delicious! I do up a nice label on my computer and bottle it into smaller than micky bottles to tuck into my Christmas baskets.

CHERRY BRANDY OLD-FASHIONED

Steps:

• Muddle 8 thawed frozen cherries, 8 dashes each angostura and orange bitters, the juice of 1 orange and 3 tablespoons sugar in a liquid measuring cup. Add 1 cup brandy. Divide among 4 ice-filled glasses; stir and garnish with orange twists.

SANGRIA

Steps:

• Place the fruit, sugar, and brandy in a 2 to 3 quart pitcher and stir to combine. Set in the refrigerator for 6 to 8 hours. Add the wine and stir to combine. Serve over ice.

HOMEMADE VANILLA EXTRACT

Steps:

• Fill a quart mason jar with vanilla beans standing on end. Top up with brandy to cover the beans and seal. Let it sit for a month before using to allow the vanilla to permeate the brandy. Top up with fresh beans and brandy from time to time.

HOMEMADE BRANDY

Steps:

• Stuff a one gallon jar with fresh ripe fruit.
• If plums or cherries are used, take pits out.
• If berries are used, leave whole.
• If pears or apples are used, cut them, leaving out the cores.
• Add 2 to 3 cups sugar.
• Cover with vodka.
• Put a lid on the jar.
• Let stand for 2 to 3 months.

HOMEMADE GRAVY

Steps:

• In a large (10 to 12-inch) saute pan, cook the butter and onions over medium-low heat for 12 to 15 minutes, until the onions are lightly browned. Don't rush this step; it makes all the difference when the onions are well-cooked.
• Sprinkle the flour into the pan, whisk in, then add the salt and pepper. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the hot chicken stock mixture and Cognac, and cook uncovered for 4 to 5 minutes until thickened. Add the wine and cream, if desired. Season, to taste, and serve.

HOMEMADE BLACKBERRY BRANDY LIQUEUR

Steps:

• In a gallon screw-top jar, mix all of the ingredients. Cover tightly. Invert the jar and let it stand for about 24 hours. Turn the jar upright and leave it for another 24 hours.
• Repeat this process until all of the sugar is dissolved. Store the jar in a in cool, dark place for at least 2 months. Strain the mixture through cheesecloth into a decanter.

BRANDY SNAPS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 180C/ 160 fan/ gas mark 4 and two baking trays with baking parchment.
• Put the butter, sugar and golden syrup in a saucepan and heat gently until the butter and sugar have melted. Put the flour and ginger in a bowl and make a well in the centre. Add the lemon zest and juice and the brandy. Pour in the butter mixture and gradually beat it into the flour until the mixture is thoroughly combined.
• Use a teaspoon to dollop 3 - 4 heaps of mixture onto the prepared baking tray. A heaped tsp is enough for a cigar and two heaped teaspoons is enough for a basket. Space them well apart as they will spread. Cook in batches for 8 - 10 mins until set, golden brown and lacy in appearance. Do not allow to go too dark as they will taste bitter. Leave for a minute before shaping - the snaps should still be pliable but set enough to move without tearing.
• You can shape the brandy snaps into cigars or baskets. To make cigars, oil the handle of a wooden spoon and wrap the brandy snap around. If you have a long handle or more than one spoon, you can do a few at a time. The base of the biscuits should be the bit that touches the spoon so that the top 'presentation' side of the biscuit is seen. Transfer to a cooling rack. To make baskets, oil the base of small ramekins or narrow tumblers and drape the biscuits over them. The top of the biscuit should touch the base this time as this is the bit you'll see.
• Pipe whipped cream into the cigars or use the baskets or cones for ice cream and berries. If not using straightway, store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

BRANDY ALEXANDER

Steps:

• To make the garnish, mix the sugar, nutmeg and cinnamon together and set aside.
• Pour the brandy, crème de cacao and double cream into a cocktail shaker (or see tip, below), then add a generous handful of ice. Shake until the outside of the shaker is very cold, then strain into two small coupe or cocktail glasses.
• Garnish with a sprinkle of the spiced sugar, then serve.THREE TWISTSServe these cocktails at your next dinner party. They're so delectable, they double as dessert - serve with a teaspoon to enjoy all the toppings.Trifle alexanderDrop 1 black cherry in syrup into the bottom of two small cocktail glasses along with a dash of the syrup. Tip 80ml brandy, 50ml sweet sherry, 50ml double cream, 1 tsp sugar syrup and ¼ tsp vanilla bean paste into a blender with a small handful of ice. Blitz until smooth and very cold, then pour into the prepared glasses. Top with whipped cream and sprinkles, then serve with savoiardi biscuits or sponge fingers for dipping. Serves 2.Strawberry alexanderBlitz 80ml gin, 50g frozen strawberries, 50ml double cream, 25ml triple sec and 25ml water in a blender until very smooth. Pour into two tumblers and garnish each with a mini meringue, mint leaves and a pinch of freeze-dried strawberries. Serves 2.Passion fruit & coconut alexanderTip 80ml cachaça, 50ml coconut rum, 50ml double cream and the flesh of 1 passion fruit into a cocktail shaker with a handful of ice. Shake until the outside of the shaker is cold, then double strain the cocktail into two martini glasses. Cut 1 passion fruit in half and drizzle the halves with a couple of drops of coconut rum. Float one half, cut-side up, on top of each cocktail. Serves 2.

PEACH BRANDY

Steps:

• Use only fully ripened, unblemished fruit.
• Wash and remove pits.
• Chop and mash fruit.
• Place in a plastic container or large glass bottle.
• Dissolve sugar in the vodka or brandy.
• Pour over the fruit.
• Cover and let sit in a cool dark place for 4 to 6 months.
• Strain out the fruit and bottle.
• Your peach brandy is ready to drink!

CHERRY BRANDY

Steps:

• Use only fully ripened, unblemished fruit.
• Wash and remove stems and pits.
• Chop and mash fruit.
• Place in a plastic container or large glass bottle.
• Dissolve sugar in the vodka or brandy.
• Pour over the fruit.
• Cover and let sit in a cool dark place for 4 to 6 months.
• Strain out the fruit and bottle.
• Your cherry brandy is ready to drink!

PLUM BRANDY

Steps:

• Make sure the plum halves are clean and dry, then put them in a large sterilised glass jar. Add the sugar, brandy, cinnamon stick and star anise. Seal and gently rotate the jar to help dissolve the sugar.
• Continue to gently shake or rotate the jar (trying not to bash the fruit too much) every day for a week.
• Once the sugar has dissolved, leave it in a cool dark cupboard for another 2 weeks to infuse.
• Strain the mixture through a sieve lined with muslin, kitchen paper or coffee filter paper. Discard the plums, any fruit pulp and the spices, and pour the strained brandy into a bottle. Will keep for two months.

BRANDY BUTTER

Steps:

• Beat the butter, sugar and vanilla together until pale, then whisk in the brandy, one tbsp at a time, until you are pleased with the taste. Scrape into a serving bowl and chill for 1 hr or for up to 3 days, before serving. Freeze for up to a month.