Rosemary Liqueur or,

What do ya do with a quarter cup of rosemary that is languishing in your kitchen cabinet?

Back before our move to North Carolina I blended a new concoction at, what was, First St. Beverage Co-op. We had four or five sprigs of rosemary that kept sitting in the cabinet, we would forget we had grown some rosemary and reach for the commercial rosemary when cooking. Eventually, my brewing instinct kicked in. Speaking to me quietly, saying, "We can pickle that." The quiet voice became an overwhelming roar and I turned to the entree-net for help making a Rosemary Liqueur.

My primary sources for this project where Seth's Food Blog and Don Osborn's YouTube resource. I followed the directions from Seth's Blog because I was trying to make a rosemary flavored liqueur, I didn't want it very sweet and I didn't want an orange or lemon liqueur. Don O mentions that the Vodka cost $20 for a liter. I believe I paid $10 to $12 for 750ml of vodka. I don't recall which brand I purchased but I did avoid the stuff sold in plastic bottles.

Here is the process I used to infuse this liqueur:

• Place juice and peel from one lemon and one orange in half gallon glass container.
• I improvised, as I often do in the kitchen, and used the peel and a few pieces from an apple too.
• Add rosemary, about a quarter cup.
• Add 750 ml vodka to glass container and keep refrigerated for thirty days. 
• After 30 days in refrigeration remove all solids, citrus peel and rosemary. Add simple syrup made with 2 cups water and 1 cup sugar to the citrus and rosemary infused vodka.
• (I cut the sugar content in half to avoid too much sweetness in the final product.)
• Refrigerate for another two weeks, enjoy.  

Here is what the blend looked like after a month of refrigeration, before the solids were removed.

Now, I have to admit that the ended product was not a Rosemary Liqueur. It is a citrus liqueur without any noticeable rosemary flavor. I have enjoyed it and have shared it with friends and family and have less than a quart remaining in my refrigerator. It is certainly as enjoyable as any commercial liqueur available. As with all the projects from my secret laboratory, I'll keep working on it.

Revisiting Subconscious Concerns

I had a great date night last night with Sally Wally. We got to enjoy a new dinning experience at Papas and Beer on Tunnel Rd, my Burrito Organico was so huge that I brought half of it home. Afterwards we went to the Crow and Quill and enjoyed some amazing, handcrafted cocktails. I am certain that I will be writing about the Crow and Quill on some other social networks.

Oddly, I had the old dream in which I am still in college, close to graduation, but am confused about my graduation requirements. Amid that confusion I was in the middle of moving my housing from the ground floor of an apartment building to the second story. The new occupants had moved into my old apartment but I had to retrieve my cat and give them the key. I have had cats most of my life but we currently do not own any pets.

My dreams have been very vivid lately and this one certainly was. The cat was even identical to one of mine, a tabby who was quite chubby. In fact, she was the only chubby cat I have ever owned. I am not trying to draw any correlations between the enjoyable evening and these things which no longer need to occupy my conscious thoughts. All I can do is document this as a dream journal.

Back to reality, did I ever tell you about the time I infused a citrus liquor? I hope to share that with you all soon.

Internet food ideas: Ramen Fries

I made Ramen Fries,  for which the video is no longer available.

I used Maruchan Instant Lunch Cheddar Cheese noodles in which the flavoring is included in the packing with the noodles. Rather than having an individual pack for the flavor spices as in other Ramen noodle brands. After boiling and draining the water from the noodles, I used a zip lock bag too store the noodles in the freezer.

Unfortunately the kids, Brook and Abbie, were not crazy about the Ramen Fries. Thinking that they were distracted and that I had not served the "fries" with ketchup or Ranch dressing, I determined to try again.

I used the same cheddar cheese noodles but added some salt and pepper when I mixed the noodles and the egg. I also added about a tablespoon of salsa. The girls still didn't care for the Ramen Fries. I thought, they have potential as an occasional addition to a meal. However, it seems unlikely that I will prepare it for myself very often.

Here's my consolation: