Single Malt Whisky Crystallized Ginger And Pecan Ice Cream Food

CARDAMOM ICE CREAM

Steps:

• In a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the heavy cream, milk and 1/2 cup of the sugar. Bring to a boil, and immediately remove from heat. Add crushed cardamom pods, cover and allow to steep for 20 minutes. Pour through a fine strainer into a clean saucepan, and discard the contents of the strainer.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine yolks with remaining 1/2 cup of sugar. Whisk until blended. Place milk mixture over medium heat, and bring to a boil. Gradually mix 2 cups of the hot liquid into eggs, then pour egg mixture into saucepan of boiling milk. Whip constantly until thick and creamy, about 3 to 4 minutes.
• Remove saucepan from heat, and strain contents into a mixing bowl. Place bowl in a container of ice water to cool. When ice cream base has chilled, freeze in an ice cream maker, according to manufacturer's instructions.

SINGLE MALT WHISKY, CRYSTALLIZED GINGER AND PECAN ICE CREAM

Steps:

• Have ready an ice cream maker with a frozen bowl, or whatever equipment will be needed for freezing the ice cream.
• In a small heavy skillet or saucepan over very low heat, melt butter and add pecans and salt. Saute pecans until they begin to darken, 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer them to a plate. Reserve butter.
• In a large mixing bowl, whisk eggs by hand for 1 minute. Gradually add sugar, and whisk until blended, 2 minutes. Add cream and milk, and blend. Add melted butter; whisk until smooth and thoroughly blended.
• Pour mixture into ice cream maker, and freeze according to manufacturer's instructions. When ice cream is stiff and about 2 minutes from finished, add pecans and chopped ginger while the drum is still turning. When really stiff and frozen, add whisky, and blend until whisky is incorporated. The ice cream will soften slightly with the addition of whisky. Transfer to an airtight container, and store in freezer until serving.

BRAISED RABBIT WITH POLENTA

Steps:

• In large casserole over medium-high heat, heat olive oil and add onion, bacon, bay leaves, sage, rosemary and cloves. Saute, stirring constantly, until onion is wilted, about 4 minutes.
• Season rabbit pieces with salt and pepper to taste. Add rabbit to casserole, and saute until lightly browned, about 3 minutes a side. Add tomato paste and wine. Stir, scraping bottom of pan. Add stock. Simmer partly covered until rabbit is cooked, about 40 minutes.
• Remove rabbit pieces to a platter, and keep them warm. Strain sauce, and return it to a clean pan. Bring it to a boil, and reduce for 5 minutes. Adjust seasonings. Pour sauce over rabbit, and serve with polenta.

MALT WHISKEY & GINGER WINE

Steps:

• Pour the malt whisky and ginger wine into a saucepan. Add the cloves and cinnamon sticks.
• Heat until warm, but do not allow to boil. Pour and serve at once.

BUSH'S BLARNEY

Steps:

• Mix whisky, Irish mist, lemon juice and bitters, and serve on the rocks or straight up. Garnish with lemon rind.