Lemon Pepper Vodka Food

PEPPER VODKA

Steps:

• Add the peppercorns to the vodka and allow to sit in a cool dark place for 7 days. Stir or gently shake to combine every few days. After 7 days, strain through a fine mesh strainer to remove the peppercorns. Place in a sterilized* glass container with a lid and store in a cool dark place.
• Tips on Sterilizing Jars Properly-handled sterilized equipment will keep canned foods in good condition for years. Sterilizing jars is the first step of preserving foods.
• Sterilizing Tips: Jars should be made from glass and free of any chips or cracks. Preserving or canning jars are topped with a glass, plastic, or metal lid, which has a rubber seal. Two piece lids are best for canning, as they vacuum seal when processed. To sterilize jars, before filling with jams, pickles, or preserves, wash jars and lids with hot, soapy water. Rinse well and arrange jars and lids open sides up, without touching, on a tray. Boil the jars and lids in a large saucepan, covered with water, for 15 minutes. Use tongs when handling the hot sterilized jars, to move them from boiling water. Be sure the tongs are sterilized too, by dipping the ends in boiling water for a few minutes. As a rule, hot preserves go into hot jars and cold preserves go into cold jars. All items used in the process of making jams, jellies, and preserves must be clean. This includes any towels used, and especially your hands. After the jars are sterilized, you can preserve the food. It is important to follow any canning and processing instructions included in the recipe and refer to USDA guidelines about the sterilization of canned products.

CHILE-PEPPER-FLAVORED VODKA

Steps:

• Place peppers in a large jar with a lid; add vodka. Cover and let stand at room temperature at least 3 days and up to 1 month. Strain before using.

LEMON VODKA

Steps:

• In a saucepan, bring the juice, zest and sugar to a boil. Stir until the sugar has dissolved. Cool.
• In a bottle or a sealed glass container, combine the syrup and vodka. Allow to infuse in a dark area for 7 or more days.
• Place a coffee filter in a strainer and filter the alcohol.
• Store in the freezer until ready to serve.
• Delicious after a winter activity. This lemon vodka is served in shot glass, in cocktails and martinis.

LEMON-PEPPER VODKA

Steps:

• Prepare the vodka at least 48 hours early. Place peppercorns and lemon zest in vodka, recork and leave to macerate 24 hours. Then place in freezer until ready to serve.
• To keep the vodka icy cold at a picnic, start at home by placing the bottle in a larger container, such as a milk carton. Fill the container with water and freeze. When ready to set out, remove the carton and wrap the icy block of vodka in a towel.

VODKA PEPPER CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.
• Mix black, white, red, and lemon pepper together in a pie dish. Rinse chicken and roll while still moist in pepper mixture to coat both sides of breast. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat and then add chicken, onions, and garlic. Brown the chicken on both sides.
• Add vodka and let cook until chicken is cooked through, approximately 8 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet, place on a lined pan, and keep warm in preheated oven. Add tomatoes, olives, Worcestershire, and oregano to the sauce and mix ingredients well with a wooden spoon. Let simmer for 3 to 5 minutes. Return chicken to the skillet and cook until the tomatoes break down and make a sauce, about 15 minutes.
• Place the cut potatoes in a large stockpot, cover with cold water, and add some salt. Bring to a boil, then simmer until tender when pierced with a fork, approximately 30 minutes.
• Drain well in a colander; place into a bowl for mashing. Mash the potatoes with a potato masher and add sour cream, cream cheese, milk, chives, and garlic; mix well. Serve warm.

VODKA LEMON CHICKEN

Steps:

• Char the lemon slices on both sides in a pan over a high heat and set aside.
• Return the pan to a moderate heat and add the oil.
• Whisk the eggs and milk in a small shallow bowl. Tip the flour into another shallow bowl.
• Dredge a chicken breast in the flour, and then in the egg mixture. Place immediately in the pan. Repeat with the remaining breasts and saute the chicken until golden and cooked through. Set aside.
• Deglaze the pan with the vodka and loosen the flavor bits at the bottom of the pan by scraping with a wooden spoon.
• Add the butter, lemon juice, parsley, basil, capers, salt and pepper. Continue to cook until the mixture reduces by about a quarter. Return the chicken and grilled lemon slices to the pan and toss.
• Serve the chicken breasts topped with the sauce.

LEMON-FLAVORED VODKA

Steps:

• Using a vegetable peeler, remove peel from lemons in large strips, making sure not to remove any of the white pith. Reserve lemons for another use.
• Place lemon peel in a large jar with a lid; add vodka. Cover and let stand at room temperature at least 3 days and up to 1 month. Strain before using.