Archive for December, 2006

Kentucky Bourbon Balls

Bourbon Balls
From Diana Rattray,
Your Guide to Southern U.S. Cuisine.
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Bourbon balls, made with chopped pecans, vanilla wafers, cocoa, and corn syrup, along with bourbon and powdered sugar.

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 cup finely crushed vanilla wafers
  • 1 cup finely chopped pecans
  • 1 1/2 cup of confectioners’ sugar, divided
  • 2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa
  • 2 tablespoons bourbon
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons light corn syrup

PREPARATION:

Combine vanilla wafer crumbs, chopped pecans, and 1 cup of the confectioners’ sugar. In a measuring cup, blend the Bourbon and corn syrup; stir into the dry mixture. When thoroughly blended, cover and refrigerate for an hour or more.

Sift about 1/2 cup of confectioners’ sugar onto a large piece of waxed paper. Shape small amounts of the dough into balls then roll in powdered sugar. Store tightly covered in the refrigerator. These can be frozen. Makes about 3 dozen.

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The Power of Perserverance, Christmas Style

“Looking around for a suitable way of serving the community, Ross Perot decided [in 1963] that he would give a Christmas present to every American prisoner-of-war in Vietnam. Accordingly, thousands of parcels [28 tons] were wrapped and packed, and a fleet of Boeing 707s was chartered to deliver them to Hanoi.

“Then the message came from the government of Vietnam: no such gesture could be considered during the course of the bloody war, which was then at its height. Perot argued. The Vietnamese replied that any charity was impossible while American B-52s were devastating Vietnamese villages.

“‘No problem,’ Perot replied. He would hire an expert American construction company in order to rebuild anything the Americans had knocked down.

“The puzzled Vietnamese became inscrutable, and declined to continue this dialogue. Christmas drew closer, the parcels remained undelivered. Finally in despair Perot took off in his chartered fleet and flew to Moscow where his aides posted the parcels, one at a time, at the Moscow Central post office. They were delivered intact.”

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Pecan Pralines With Bourbon

Here is a new recipe for all of you. Enjoy!

From Diana Rattray,
Your Guide to Southern U.S. Cuisine.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!

Pecan pralines with bourbon and brown sugar, along with cream and butter.

INGREDIENTS:

  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • dash salt
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 2 cups pecan halves, lightly toasted*
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon Bourbon
  • butter for baking sheet

PREPARATION:

In a heavy saucepan over low heat, melt 4 tablespoons butter. Stir in the granulated and brown sugars, dash salt, and heavy cream. Cover and bring to a boil over medium heat. Remove the lid and boil until temperature reaches 242° on the candy thermometer, or almost firm ball stage.

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Danville KY Christmas Tree Lighting

Frequently named one of Kentucky’s “Favorite Small Towns”, Danville is a special place to be on holidays, especially Christmas. The tree lighting was held on Friday, December 1 and it was one of the coldest nights of the year so far. As I post this, it is just two weeks later and it is 65 degrees!

The tree lighting was followed by the Mayor’s reception in the Art Center across from the Court House, giving everyone a chance to warm up and enjoy some refreshments with their neighbors before venturing back out into the cold to see the parade.

Come join us in the Bluegrass and you can be a part of next year’s celebration.

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Best Gifts To Give this Holiday Season!

By Mary Gardner


I just came off the road of a 10 city TV tour where I thrilled news audiences everywhere with the hottest trendy gifts of the season! Wherever I went, I became known as the “chocolate lady” because I surprised people in airports and in airplanes with truffles from Lindt Chocolate. To see the faces of people light up is a wonderful gift and it was so fun, I continued it throughout my journey.

The clock is ticking down to the Christmas but my ideas will get anyone over the hump of what to buy that special person or what to buy the person who you want to do something for, but just don’t have the right gift idea! My suggestions are simple, time effective and will be loved upon receipt.

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