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Cornbread Chili Pie Casserole Recipe

Main Dishes

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April 5, 2020

Though chili pairs well with many foods, you can't go wrong with sweet cornbread. The classic combination is hearty, satisfying and full of flavor. So, why not make both in a cornbread chili pie casserole? In this two-for-one recipe, you can enjoy cornbread and chili in every bite. Read on to meet your new go-to potluck dish.

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Chili Layer

Things You\’ll Need

1 pound ground beef, turkey or chicken
1 medium onion, diced
1 medium green bell pepper, deseeded and diced
15 ounces canned corn
3 garic cloves, minced
15 ounces canned red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
28 ounces crushed tomatoes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Olive oil

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 3-quart casserole dish.

In a large skillet, heat about 2 tablespoons oil. Cook the bell peppers and onions for 5 to 7 minutes, or until tender. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute.

Step 2

Add the ground meat and cook for 10 minutes, or until no longer pink. Use a spatula to break up the meat as it cooks. Drain the fat, if necessary.

Step 3

Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, corn, beans and spices. Stir well and simmer for 7 to 10 minutes or until thick.

Cornbread Layer

Things You\’ll Need

3 8.5-ounce boxes Jiffy corn muffin mix
3 eggs
1 cup milk

Step 1

Add all the ingredients in a large bowl.

Step 2

Stir until combined.

Cornbread Chili Pie Casserole

Things You\’ll Need

Chili
Cornbread batter
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, plus more for topping

Step 1

Fill the casserole dish 2/3 full with chili. (You'll likely have 1 to 2 cups of chili leftover.) Top with shredded cheese.

Step 2

Layer the cornbread batter on top, spreading into an even layer.

Step 3

Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the cornbread is golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean. Serve with sour cream, scallions and/or extra cheese.

For an extra kick, garnish with sliced jalapeño peppers or a drizzle of hot sauce.

How to Properly Salt & Lime a Corona

drinks-cocktails

M.H. Dyer

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April 5, 2020

0

Things You\’ll Need

Sharp knife
Coarse salt

Corona beer has been brewed and bottled in Mexico since its creation in the 1920s and imported to the U.S. since 1981. Brewed from filtered water, corn, hops, malted barley and yeast, Corona is a moderately light beer that falls between light domestic beer and heavy, darker European imports. Enjoying a cold Corona with lime and salt gives it a bold, tangy twist.

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Step 1

Rinse a lime thoroughly, then cut off both ends with a sharp knife. Slice deeply enough to remove the white membrane and reveal the green fruit.

Step 2

Cut the lime in half lengthwise, then cut each half into thirds to make wedges. If the lime is large, cut it into quarters.

Step 3

Rub the lime over the entire lip of the bottle. The larger the area covered, the more salt will stick to the bottle.

Step 4

Push the lime slice carefully into the neck of the bottle.

Step 5

Sprinkle coarse salt such as Kosher salt, margarita salt or beer salt, over the lip of the bottle. Lick the salt just before taking a swig.

Tip

Select brightly colored, smooth limes that feel heavy for their size. A few brown spots won't affect the flavor, but avoid shriveled or hard limes.

Place uncut limes in a plastic bag and store them in the refrigerator for 10 day. Once sliced, the limes last about five days.

How to Recycle Mini-Kegs

drinks-cocktails

Daisy Cuinn

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April 5, 2020

0

Drinking draft beer at home cuts down on waste.

For environmentally conscious beer drinkers, mini-kegs have several advantages over individual bottles or cans. They result in much less waste, with one larger container replacing 20 or more smaller containers; there is no need for a cardboard box or plastic rings; and mini-kegs save space, so manufacturers can transport more beer using less gasoline. Mini-kegs are also recyclable, so dispose of them for recycling whenever possible.

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Step 1

Inspect the keg for recycling information. Most mini-kegs are made of aluminum or steel and will be marked as such. Plastic mini-kegs should have a number inside a recycling symbol — most likely "1."

Step 2

Check your local recycling program's rules for your mini-keg's material online by searching "[your city or state] recycling," or go to the website for the recycling company you use. Most recycling programs accept aluminum and several types of plastic; some accept steel.

Step 3

Call your city or state's recycling program or solid waste authority if you're still unsure about whether you can put the mini-keg in the recycling bin for pickup or whether it can be left at a drop-off location.

Step 4

Dispose of the keg as directed for your locality, which will likely be in your metal recycling bin. If your local program picks up mixed loads of recyclables, you might not even need to remove the hose.

Tip

Before you recycle mini-kegs, make sure they are not refillable. If they are, return them to the place of purchase instead of recycling.

You might be able to sell your mini-kegs as scrap metal if they're made of aluminum or steel.

You do not need to remove the CO2 cartridge or otherwise disassemble the keg itself, just as you don't have to disassemble an aerosol can to recycle it.

Different Ways to Cut Up Cucumbers for a Party

Veggie Faves

Cassie Damewood

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April 4, 2020

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Different Ways to Cut Up Cucumbers for a Party

Cucumbers can be cut in various ways for party presentations.

Serving fresh vegetables cut into bite-sized pieces and served with a cold dip as party snacks or appetizers is a healthy choice that looks appealing. Also called crudites, the selection is more attractive if the vegetables are cut into interesting shapes. Cucumbers can be cut in a variety of ways for crudites, inclusion in salads or side dishes, or served as edible garnishes.

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Practical Cuts

For easy dipping and eating, cut cucumbers into wedges. If you serve English cucumbers, there is no need to peel them first. Cut the cucumber in half across its diameter and slice each half length-wise into quarters or thirds, depending on the circumference of the cucumber. If the seeds are very large or watery, scoop them out with a spoon before slicing into spears. The vegetables can also simply be cut into thin slices in various thicknesses and the ends discarded. To dress up cucumber rounds, run the tines of a fork down all the peeled sides to score the flesh before cutting to create a pattern on the surface of the slices. For whimsical cucumber balls, use a melon baller to scoop out balls and garnish each with a sprig or two of fresh chive. To give the balls volume, leave the seeds intact.

Fancy Cuts

Cut unpeeled cucumbers into 1/4- to 1/2-inch-thick slices. Use miniature cookie cutters to cut the centers of the slices into various shapes such as stars, flowers cloverleafs and diamonds. To make cucumber baskets, cut each slice with a waffle-pattern garnishing tool that makes the flesh in each round look like woven bamboo, and attach the rounds together with toothpicks to make an edible basket to hold other vegetables.

Garnish Cut Cucumbers

The sturdiness of cucumbers makes them good garnishes. Use a vegetable peeler to cut long, thin strips down the sides of whole, unpeeled cucumbers. Soak the ribbons in ice water and arrange them in flowing patterns to garnish salads and crudites trays, or put them in stemmed cocktail glasses and hold the sculpted creations in place with cocktail toothpicks. Slice peeled cucumbers very thinly and make one cut from the center of each round to the outside of the disc. Twist each side in opposite direction to create a delicate, three-dimensional garnish. Overlap cucumber slices like flower petals on a plate and serve a colorful salad in the center of the display. To hold small hors d'oeuvres or make umbrella garnishes for drinks, cut off the ends of unpeeled cucumbers and carefully hollow them out, leaving only the green skin behind.

Sculptures

Purchase the biggest, most uniformly shaped cucumber available and transform it into a food sculpture. Turn it into an exotic bird or a biplane with long, thin carrot planks for wings, attached to each side with toothpicks; use cherry tomatoes, jumbo black olives or other carved vegetables for the bird's head or the pilot in the cockpit. Hollow out the top of the cucumber and fill it with dip for other vegetables.

How to Make an Antioxidant Smoothie

drinks-cocktails

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April 4, 2020

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Antioxidants cleanse your system of disease-causing free radicals, helping your immune system stay strong and keeping your cells functioning efficiently. Making a high-octane antioxidant smoothie is an easy way to have a meal high in these nutrients… and it only takes a few minutes. Simply toss superfoods in a blender for a delicious and super nutritious breakfast or snack.

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This smoothie includes some of the most nutrient-dense antioxidant foods. Blueberries are high in Vitamin C, manganese, and fiber; beets are packed with Vitamins C and B, folate, and manganese; cranberry juice contains a great deal of Vitamin C and manganese; and green tea powder (also known as matcha) is high in Vitamin C, selenium, zinc, and magnesium. All of the ingredients combined result in a power-house elixir to boost the immune system and ease inflammation.

Things You\’ll Need

1 cup cranberry juice
1 cup cooked or raw beets, chilled
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
1 teaspoon matcha powder
5 large ice cubes

Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients

Assemble your favorite flavor combination.

Mixed berries and deeply colored vegetables such as beets, kale, and/or spinach are always a smart choice. Using 100% fruit juice helps make the smoothie sweet, while still maintaining health benefits, and incorporating unsweetened almond milk or coconut milk yields a creamier texture (plus these milks are lower in sugar than the fruit juice).

Get creative with your ingredients. Image Credit: Julia Mueller

Step 2: Add Everything to a Blender

Add about one cup of liquid for every two cups of fruit and/or vegetables, along with some ice cubes, to a high-powered blender.

Tip

Add the liquid first, followed by the solids.

Step 3: Blend

Blend until completely smooth.

Pour into a glass and enjoy!

Tip

Foods that are high in antioxidants include, but are not limited to: cherries, cranberries, blackberries, blueberries, dark leafy greens, beets, green tea, chocolate, walnuts, and coffee. Discover your favorite combinations for antioxidant smoothies by experimenting with these flavors.

Does Beer Batter Contain Alcohol?

Food Hacks

Sam Ashe-Edmunds

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April 4, 2020

0

Onion rings are often made with beer batter. Image Credit: ITStock Free/Polka Dot/Getty Images

Beer batter is a combination of beer and flour commonly used to coat seafood and vegetables, and then deep-fried. Beer is loaded with carbon dioxide as well as foaming agents, which both aid in giving the batter a crisp, light, texture. Beer batter contains alcohol too, but the quantity is very small.

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Amount of Alcohol

Beer batter can include salt and water too, depending on the recipe. Some recipes call for a mixture of beer and soda water, which will give the batter an airier texture but still provide the necessary amount of carbon dioxide. The alcohol content in the batter depends then on the other ingredients used, as well as the amount of beer used in the recipe. The level of alcohol in individual beer brands also varies greatly, with most falling between 3 to 8 percent.

Basics of Evaporation

One misconception about cooking with alcohol is that it completely evaporates during the process. The truth is that depending on the amount used and cook times, up to 85% of the alcohol can remain. Beer which itself is a mixture of alcohol and water will boil at around 212 degrees Farenheit. Beer batter is typically fried at a temperature in excess of 350 degrees Farenheit. This temperature allows for some of the alcohol to evaporate, but since frying times are usually very short, it will not be much.

Beer Substitutions

You will not get drunk off of beer batter but if you are looking to avoid trace alcohol content for any particular reason, you can easily make recipe substitutions when cooking at home. Consider what you are going to cook, and what flavors will pair well together. When working with a white fish like cod, swap out a light beer for a dry sparkling white grape juice, in the batter. A rich ingredient like an oyster would typically be battered with a dark beer like a lager, so use something heavier such as a spiced sparkling cider instead.

What to Batter

You can give almost any food a great crunch by dipping it in beer batter. Think outside of the batter box and coat apples and bananas for a sweet and salty snack. For a new take on french fries, cover sliced potatoes in beer batter. Meats such as sausage and even hot dogs taste great when given a hit of batter. Think about adding herbs and spices to your mixture to add some zing. The only consistent with beer batter is that it should be made cold and used immediately, as it will otherwise fall flat.

How to Prepare Easy Make Ahead Breakfast Sandwiches

Main Dishes

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April 4, 2020

0

How to Prepare Easy Make Ahead Breakfast Sandwiches

Of all the make-ahead-meals I've incorporated into my life, nothing has had a bigger impact than these simple sandwiches. Just 20 minutes on a Sunday afternoon and I have breakfast sorted for the week. When I'm ambitious enough, I'll throw them in the oven right when I wake up, and by the time I'm ready to head for the door, they're piping hot and perfectly melty. On days when I'm not as forward thinking, a quick trip to the microwave makes it all come together. They are also the perfect camping breakfast, warming on the coals of the previous night's fire or heating up on the grates of a grill. No matter when I eat them, they always seem perfect.

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Things You\’ll Need

8 English muffins
10 eggs
1/4 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
8 slices bacon, cooked
8 slices cheddar cheese

Tip

Make it low cal! Substitute with whole wheat English muffins, turkey bacon, a thin slice of cheese, and instead of ten eggs, use 5 whole eggs and 6 egg whites.

Step 1: Whisk the eggs

Preheat oven to 350°F. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt and pepper until well combined.

Step 2: Bake

Spray a medium sized (10"x15") cookie sheet with cooking spray. Add the eggs to the prepared pan. This is easiest if you place the pan in the oven, then pour the egg mixture into the baking dish. Bake until the eggs have puffed and the center is no longer wobbly, about 12-15 minutes. Allow to cool completely.

Step 3: Slice

Cut into 8 equal sized rectangles. If you prefer, you can use a circle biscuit cutter to cut out 8 circles.

Step 4: Assemble

Spray a sheet of aluminum foil with cooking spray (this will help prevent sticking if you plan to reheat in the oven or on a campfire). Add the english muffin, then fold one egg piece onto the bottom bun, add a slice of cheese and a slice of bacon. Fold the foil over the sandwich into a tight packet. Add to a freezer size ziplock bag and freeze for up to a month.

Step 5: Reheat options

Unwrap the sandwich from the foil, wrap in a paper towel. Microwave on high for 1 minute 30 seconds or until cooked through.
Add foil wrapped sandwich to a 350°F oven for 20 minutes or until cooked through.
I've made these for camping trips and reheated right in the campfire! Place the sandwiches on a grill, hot coals, or a rack over the campfire, turning occasionally until warmed through.

Gift for Guys: BBQ Spice Rub and Basket

Food Hacks

Jeff Farris

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April 3, 2020

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1 of 8

Overview

Have a sweetheart who loves to grill outdoors? Build a gift basket around that passion. The star of the basket is a special barbecue rub you can blend yourself with just five ingredients. Instead of a basket, use a pub style 6-pack ice bucket to hold all the goodies. Your griller will think of you every time a burger gets flipped or an icy beverage is popped open.

Image Credit: Jeff Farris 2 of 8

Things You Will Need

For the barbecue rub you'll need kosher salt, turbinado sugar ("raw" sugar), Chesapeake Bay-style seasoning, chipotle powder (optional), smoked paprika (optional), garlic powder, black pepper and a half pint canning jar. For the basket you will need a pub style 6-pack bucket, a heavy duty kitchen towel and your choice of grilling gadgets and tools.

Image Credit: Jeff Farris 3 of 8

Mix the Spice Blend

A barbecue rub is a blend of seasonings applied to the surface of the meat before cooking. Most rub recipes have dozens of ingredients, but this one uses Chesapeake Bay-style spice blend as its foundation, taking advantage of its depth of flavor and limiting the number of things you have to buy. Simply measure the ingredients into the jar in the amounts shown in the slide. Shake vigorously until uniformly distributed.

Image Credit: Jeff Farris 4 of 8

Spicy or Mild?

There are two ways you can go with the spice blend. Chipotle powder is ground smoked jalapeno peppers. "Pimenton" or smoked paprika is ground smoked sweet red peppers. The touch of smoked pepper in the rub gives your meal a hint of smoky flavor, even when you can't get out to the grill. The chipotle powder will add a little kick of heat, too. If that doesn't excite you, the pimenton brings the smokiness without the heat.

Image Credit: Jeff Farris 5 of 8

Lid Cover

Fold a 5 1/2-inch square of printed material twice. Use pinking shears to cut an arc from corner to corner. Unfold the material and you'll have a perfect (or nearly so) circle. Place that over the lid and under the ring of the canning jar.

Image Credit: Jeff Farris 6 of 8

Line the Bucket

Instead of lining the bucket with tissue paper, like most gift baskets, use a colorful heavy duty kitchen towel. You get the color and fill of tissue, but your griller gets something to use instead of something to throw in the landfill.

Image Credit: Jeff Farris 7 of 8

Arrange Items

You can add as many or as few grilling gadgets as you want. Some ideas for items that will thrill your griller include long handled tools, an apron, a high temperature silicone oven mitt, an instant read thermometer and a long reach lighter. Fill out the bucket with a few of your griller's favorite beverages.

Image Credit: Jeff Farris 8 of 8

Dress It Up

Add some colorful ribbon streamers to finish off the festive look of your gift basket (or…gift bucket) and get ready to enjoy some great grilled meals.

Image Credit: Jeff Farris

The Difference in Bourbon and Whiskey

drinks-cocktails

June Farquhar

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April 3, 2020

0

Although it appears the same, Bourbon and whiskey are very different distilled spirits.

To describe the difference between Bourbon and whiskey, many distillers and experts say that although all Bourbon is whiskey, not all whiskey is Bourbon. Bourbon is made according to specific standards and with specific ingredients. Bourbon is named for where it was first produced — Bourbon County, Kentucky in the Bluegrass Region. When it was shipped, it was marked with the name of the county and soon became known by the name.

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Whiskeys and Bourbons

Tennessee whiskeys like Jack Daniel's are similar to Bourbon. Some are served as Bourbon, but they have a different filtration process and are not Bourbon. Kentucky Bourbon must be aged in Kentucky to be known as such. Kentucky straight Bourbon whiskey must not be blended with whiskeys made outside Kentucky. American whiskey is that which was not aged or bottled in Kentucky or Tennessee, and Kentucky whiskey is that which does not meet the standards of Bourbon. There are also rye whiskeys, which contain at least 51 percent rye grain, and Scotch whiskey is made from barley.

Indian Corn

To qualify as Bourbon, a whiskey must be made from at least 51 percent Indian corn but cannot exceed 79 percent. If it exceeds 79 percent it is corn whiskey and not Bourbon. Other whiskeys are made from at least 51 percent rye, wheat, malt or rye malt. Other mixtures included in the Bourbon must be the same types of whiskey.

New Oak Barrel

To be Bourbon, a distilled spirit must be aged for at least two years in new oak that has been charred on the inside. It is very important legally that the barrel must be new, but the Bourbon is usually aged for four years rather than two. The barrels used can be made from any kind of oak, but distillers most often use American white oak to distill Bourbon because of the wood's porosity. The porosity of American white oak helps the Bourbon to age well, but it is not so porous that the barrels leak. Whiskey, along with Scotch and other distilled spirits, is generally aged in used barrels.

Bourbon Contains No Foreign Whiskey

Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms standards for distilled spirits state that Bourbon cannot be produced with any spirits distilled in a country other than the United States. These same standards also state that the term Bourbon cannot be used to describe any whiskey or whiskey-based distilled spirits produced in a foreign country. If foreign whiskey is used, the percentage of foreign whiskey and the country in which it was produced must be on the brand label.

Which Apples Are Sweet Apples?

Veggie Faves

Jenny Yu

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April 2, 2020

0

Knowing the names of a few sweet apple varieties can help.

Boasting over 7,500 varieties, apples are ideal for eating fresh, baking in pies or pressing into juice. Sweet, juicy, tart and crisp are some of the many characteristics of apples, but each apple variety has its own unique flavor and features. With such a large selection of apples available in supermarkets today, it can be difficult to tell which apples are sweet. Knowing the names of a few sweet apple varieties can help.

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Golden Delicious

Golden Delicious apples are large, firm and green or golden in color.

Golden Delicious apples are large, firm and green or golden in color. Crisp with a mildly sweet flavor, these apples get sweeter as they ripen on the tree longer. Available year-round, they are ideal for eating raw, baking or making applesauce.

Pink Lady

Pink Lady apples are yellow with a pink hue and have a tangy yet sweet flavor.

Pink Lady apples originated in Australia and are a cross between the Golden Delicious and Lady Williams apples. They are yellow with a pink hue and have a tangy yet sweet flavor. These apples are grown in hot climates and require extensive sunlight to develop their pink color. They taste great raw and are ideal for pies and salads.

Red Delicious

Red Delicious apples are one of the most largely grown varieties in the United States.

Red Delicious apples are one of the most largely grown varieties in the United States. These tall, deep red apples are crunchy and mildly sweet. They are best when eaten raw but aren't good for baking.

Fuji

Fuji apples are large, reddish-pink, crisp and very sweet.

Fuji apples originated in Japan in the 1940s and are a blend of Red Delicious and Ralls Janet apples. Requiring plenty of sunshine to ripen, they are are primarily grown in Japan, China and the United States. Fuji apples are large, reddish-pink, crisp and very sweet. They are refreshing to eat raw and are great for baking because they hold their shape.

Gala

Eat these apples raw or make a scrumptious pie.

Gala apples originated in New Zealand and are a cross between the Cox's Orange Pippin and Golden Delicious apples. Available year-round, these sweet apples have an attractive yellow hue with orange-red blush. Eat these apples raw or make a scrumptious pie.

Ambrosia

Ambrosia apples are a newer variety that originated in western Canada.

Ambrosia apples are a newer variety that originated in western Canada. These honey-sweet apples have an orange-red hue over a yellow background. Thought to be a cross between the Golden Delicious and Jonagold varieties, Ambrosia apples have a soft crunch and are best eaten when chilled.

Spartan

Spartan apples are small, sweet and juicy, with bright red skin and white flesh.

Spartan apples are small, sweet and juicy, with bright red skin and white flesh. An offspring of the McIntosh apple, the Spartan variety was developed scientifically in British Columbia in the 1920s. Spartan apples are easy to grow in your backyard and are ideal for children because of their small size.

Chili Layer

Things You\’ll Need

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Cornbread Layer

Things You\’ll Need

Step 1

Step 2

Cornbread Chili Pie Casserole

Things You\’ll Need

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Things You\’ll Need

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Tip

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Tip

Practical Cuts

Fancy Cuts

Garnish Cut Cucumbers

Sculptures

Things You\’ll Need

Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients

Step 2: Add Everything to a Blender

Tip

Step 3: Blend

Tip

Amount of Alcohol

Basics of Evaporation

Beer Substitutions

What to Batter

Things You\’ll Need

Tip

Step 1: Whisk the eggs

Step 2: Bake

Step 3: Slice

Step 4: Assemble

Step 5: Reheat options

Whiskeys and Bourbons

Indian Corn

New Oak Barrel

Bourbon Contains No Foreign Whiskey

Golden Delicious

Pink Lady

Red Delicious

Fuji

Gala

Ambrosia

Spartan

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