More Recipes from Past Events

Before we head into October's event (coming up in a couple of days at one of our favorites, Weegee's Lounge in Chicago), here are the recipes from our last two events:

August 2008 - Meet Us in St. Louis

Planters Punch
2 oz Dark Rum
Juice of one lime and half of a lemon
2 tsp Grenadine
1 tbsp + 1 tsp sugar syrup

Pour all ingredients into a large mixing glass and stir. Add ice cubes and stir until thoroughly chilled. Strain into a tall glass that is 3/4 filled with cracked ice. Garnish with fresh fruit.


St. Louis Toasted Ravioli (recipe adapted from allrecipes.com)
2 tbsp whole milk
1 egg
3/4 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 package of frozen cheese ravioli, thawed
3 cups vegetable oil
1 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
16 oz marinara sauce

Combine milk and egg in a small bowl. Place breadcrumbs and salt in a shallow bowl (and stir). Dip the ravioli into the milk mixture, then coat with breadcrumbs. Meanwhile, heat marinara over medium heat in a saucepan, bring to a simmer.

In a large heavy pan, pour oil to a depth of 2 inches. Heat oil over medium heat until a small amount of breading sizzles and turns brown. Fry a few ravioli at a time, for 1 minute on each side until golden. Drain onto paper towels. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and serve immediately with hot marinara.

September 2008 - Parlez-vous Français?

Kiki's French 75 Cocktail
2 oz Gin
1/2 oz Simple Syrup
1/2 oz Fresh Lemon Juice (or more, to taste)
Champagne

Pour gin, simple syrup and lemon juice in a shaker with ice. Shake until chilled and pour into a champagne flute. Top with Champagne. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Apple Tarte Tatin (Serves 8)
Step One: Caramelized Apples - the apples can be made several days in advance and stored in the frig.

• 6-8 medium firm apples (I used golden delicious...and I used 8 apples).
• 1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter
• 1 3/4 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup unfiltered apple cider
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon (I actually used a bit more because I like the flavor)

Peel, core and thickly slice apples. Heat in large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add butter, stir in apples. Sprinkle with half of the sugar and cook until apples begin to brown a bit (about 10 min).

Stir in the remaining sugar. Cook and stir until apples are golden (about another 10 min). Stir in cider, salt and cinnamon. Heat to a boil, cook, stirring until apples are tender - about 5 min (don't let them get mushy). Remove apples with a slotted spoon to a plate or bowl. Cook pan juices until they thicken slightly. Our over apples. If making these ahead of time - store in fridge. Otherwise proceed to next phase.

Step Two: Prepare the Apple Tarte Tatin
Carmelized apples (see recipe above)
1 unbaked refrigerated pie crust (or if you are a Martha Stewart type - make your own pie crust)
Sweetened whipped cream or softened vanilla ice cream (I used regular whipped cream and did not add any sugar to it)

Heat oven to 400 degrees. If apples have been refrigerated, warm them in a skillet on stovetop (or lightly microwave them if in a hurry). Transfer to 9-inch buttered pie plate. Fit the pie crust over the apples, tucking the crust inside the dish between the fruit and the dish. Cut a few slits in the crust to allow steam to escape.

Bake until crust is golden brown - about 25 minutes. Remove from oven and cool on rack about 10 min. To serve, place a large serving platter over the pie plate, quickly invert the tarte onto the platter. Remove the pan. Serve warm with whipped cream or ice cream.