Fried Chicken with Pineapple Hot Sauce
Ingredients
Serves 6
PINEAPPLE HOT SAUCE
12 oz (340 g) fresh pineapple, cut into chunks
1 lime, zest and juice
2 Thai red chilies, seeded and finely chopped
½ tsp (2.5 ml) smoked paprika
½ tsp (2.5 ml) ground cayenne
½ tsp (2.5 ml) kosher salt
1 tbsp (15 ml) clover honey
1 tbsp (15 ml) unsalted butter
FRIED CHICKEN
1½ lbs (750 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 6 thighs), cut in half
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1½ tsp (7 ml) smoked paprika
kosher salt, to taste
freshly ground black pepper, to taste
½ cup (125 ml) all-purpose flour
½ cup (125 ml) cornstarch
1 tbsp (15 ml) dried oregano
oil, for frying
1 green onion, thinly sliced, for garnish
Instructions
- Start by making Pineapple Hot Sauce. In a blender, purée pineapple chunks until smooth. Pour into a medium saucepan along with lime zest and juice, chilies, smoked paprika, cayenne and salt. Bring to a hard simmer over medium-high heat and let cook, stirring very often, for 5 minutes. Add honey and cook another minute, stirring constantly. Transfer sauce to a heatproof bowl and stir in butter. Set aside to cool to room temperature. Sauce may be made ahead and refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days before using.
- To make Fried Chicken, start by setting out 2 medium bowls on a clean work surface. In 1 bowl, whisk together eggs and smoked paprika along with a good pinch of salt and black pepper. In other bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch and oregano. Set aside.
- In a large, heavy-bottomed stockpot, pour 3-in (8 cm) oil. Heat oil to 350 F (180 C) over medium heat.
- While oil is heating, dredge chicken. Dip each piece of chicken into flour mixture, shaking off any excess before dipping in egg mixture then back into flour mixture, to coat. Transfer to a wire rack and repeat with remaining chicken pieces. Working in batches, fry a few chicken pieces at a time, making sure not to crowd pot, turning occasionally until golden brown all over, about 5 minutes total. Place chicken on a paper towel-lined baking tray and lightly sprinkle with salt. Repeat with remaining chicken.
- Arrange chicken on a platter garnished with a sprinkle of green onion, and serve with Pineapple Hot Sauce for dipping.
Drink Pairings
Spiced Grilled Pineapple with Maple Sesame Brittle
Ingredients
Serves 6
MAPLE SESAME BRITTLE
1 tbsp + 1 tsp (15 + 5 ml) maple syrup, divided
½ cup (125 ml) granulated sugar
7 tbsp (105 ml) unsalted butter
1 tbsp + 1 tsp (20 ml) water
1/3 cup (75 ml) sesame seeds
½ tsp (2.5 ml) flaky sea salt
SPICED GRILLED PINEAPPLE
¼ cup (60 ml) maple syrup
¼ tsp (1 ml) freshly grated ginger
2 limes, zest and juice
1 medium pineapple
vegetable oil, for brushing grills
small fresh mint and basil leaves, for garnish
1 cup (250 ml) whole milk plain yogurt, for serving
Instructions
- To make Maple Sesame Brittle, line a baking tray with parchment and set aside. In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan, add 1 tbsp + 1 tsp (20 ml) maple syrup, sugar, butter and water. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar has melted. Stop stirring and let mixture come to a hard simmer. Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture reaches 300 F (150 C). Stir in sesame seeds and salt then pour onto parchment-lined baking tray. Using a heatproof spatula, spread out in a thin layer. Set aside to let cool and harden.
- While brittle cools, prepare Spiced Grilled Pineapple. In a large bowl, whisk together ¼ cup (60 ml) maple syrup, ginger, juice from 2 limes and zest from 1 lime. (Set aside zest of second lime for serving). Top and tail pineapple and cut away rind, then quarter, core and cut into 1-in (2.5 cm) wide wedges. Add to bowl, toss to coat in maple syrup mixture and set aside to marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- While pineapples marinate, preheat grill to medium-high heat. Lightly oil grill. Add marinated pineapple spears and grill, turning occasionally, until grill-marked and warmed through, about 4 to 6 minutes total.
- To serve, arrange Spiced Grilled Pineapple spears on a serving platter and garnish with mint, basil and shards of Maple Sesame Brittle. Serve alongside a bowl of yogurt sprinkled with lime zest.
Drink Pairings
Halibut with Tequila Lime Pineapple
Ingredients
Serves 4
½ ripe pineapple, thinly sliced into ¼-in (0.5 cm) half moons
1 jalapeño, thinly sliced into rounds
1 tbsp (15 ml) fresh lime juice
¼ cup (60 ml) blanco tequila
¼ cup (60 ml) fresh orange juice
1 tbsp (15 ml) clover honey
1 tsp (5 ml) paprika
½ tsp (2.5 ml) cayenne pepper
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 lb (500 g) halibut, cut into 4 pieces
grapeseed oil, for greasing grill
Instructions
- Add pineapple and jalapeño to a shallow, non-reactive bowl and pour lime juice and tequila with a pinch of salt over top. Let sit, stirring occasionally, for at least 30 minutes or up to 8 hours.
- In an 8-in (20 cm) square baking dish, whisk together orange juice, honey, paprika, cayenne, and a good pinch of salt and pepper. Add halibut and gently turn each piece to coat in marinade. Let sit in marinade for 10 minutes.
- Preheat grill to medium-high.
- Oil grills, then add halibut. Grill until cooked through, about 3 to 4 minutes per side, brushing marinade over halibut, as it cooks. Once cooked, transfer to a platter.
- To serve, arrange drained tequila-lime pineapple on and around cooked halibut. Serve immediately.
Drink Pairings
BARBECUED PINEAPPLE & CHICKEN NACHOS
Ingredients
Serves 4-6
1-in (2.5 cm) fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
2 cups (500 ml) pineapple juice
½ cup (125 ml) low sodium soy sauce
¼ cup (60 ml) granulated sugar
1/3 cup (75 ml) apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp (15 ml) toasted sesame oil
1 lb (500 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
1 tsp (5 ml) kosher salt
½ medium pineapple, skin removed, cored and cut into ½-in (1.25 cm) rings
2 fresh jalapeños, divided
1 tbsp (15 ml) grapeseed oil
1 x 12 oz (340 g) bag tortilla chips
2 cups (500 ml) shredded jack cheese
1 large tomato, diced
½ medium red onion, diced
1 avocado, peeled, pitted and diced
2 radishes, thinly sliced into rounds, for garnish
¼ cup (60 ml) fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish
1 lime, cut into wedges, to serve
Instructions
- To make marinade, in a large bowl, whisk together ginger, pineapple juice, soy sauce, sugar, vinegar and sesame oil. Whisk until sugar is dissolved and marinade is well incorporated. Set aside.
- Using paper towels, thoroughly pat chicken dry. Place chicken in a single layer on a cutting board and pound to an even thickness of about ½-in (1.25 cm). With a fork, pierce chicken throughout before lightly sprinkling with salt. Add chicken to marinade, ensuring all pieces are completely immersed (turn halfway through marinating time if unable to immerse completely). Cover and chill for at least 8 hours or up to overnight.
- Preheat grill to medium-high.
- Brush pineapple and 1 jalapeño with oil. Place on grill and cook until slightly charred, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Set aside.
- Remove chicken from marinade and place on grill. Discard remaining marinade. Grill chicken, turning occasionally, until cooked through, about 5 minutes total. Set aside.
- To assemble nachos, dice grilled pineapple and jalapeño. Dice or shred chicken and thinly slice remaining fresh jalapeño. On a foil-lined baking tray that will fit onto grill, layer chips, cheese, diced grilled pineapple, fresh and grilled jalapeño, chicken, tomato and onion. Cook on grill until warmed and cheese has melted, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- To serve, arrange nachos on a platter. Garnish with diced avocado, radish slices, fresh cilantro leaves and lime wedges. Serve while warm.
Drink Pairings
Hot Honey Spring Carbonara
Ingredients
Serves Serves 4
1 cup (250 ml) clover honey
1 tsp (5 ml) crushed red chili flakes
1 tbsp (15 ml) apple cider vinegar
½ lb (250 g) dried spaghetti
6 large egg yolks
1 cup (250 ml) finely grated Parmesan, divided
½ tsp (2.5 ml) freshly ground black pepper
¼ tsp (1 ml) kosher salt
½ cup (125 ml) diced pancetta
1 cup (250 ml) frozen green peas, thawed
10 to 12 spears asparagus, cut into 1-in (2.5 cm) pieces
1 cup (250 ml) packed baby spinach
Instructions
- To make hot honey, in a small saucepan over low heat, stir together honey, chili flakes and vinegar. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 to 20 minutes. Honey should be warm but should never come to a simmer. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. Transfer to an airtight container; honey will keep in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months and will get spicier the longer it sits.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook spaghetti according to package directions, reserving 1 cup (250 ml) pasta cooking water. Drain and set pasta aside
- Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together egg yolks with ¾ cup (175 ml) Parmesan, pepper and salt until well combined. Set aside.
- In a large skillet, cook pancetta over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until crisp, 6 to 8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Drain all but 2 tbsp (30 ml) fat from skillet. Return half the pancetta to skillet along with peas and asparagus and cook over medium heat, stirring, until heated through, about 2 minutes. Add spinach and let wilt. Remove skillet from heat. Add pasta and ½ cup (125 ml) reserved cooking water. Toss everything together. If pasta has cooled, return to heat, tossing for another 1 to 2 minutes, until hot.
- Working quickly, scrape egg yolk mixture into hot pasta. Toss until sauce is thickened, adding additional reserved pasta cooking water if needed to reach desired consistency. Divide between warm plates and garnish with a drizzle of reserved hot honey, as desired. Alternatively, mix 1 to 2 tbsp (15 to 30 ml) of hot honey into pasta before plating. To finish, sprinkle with remaining ¼ cup (60 ml) Parmesan and pancetta, and serve.
Drink Pairings
Peach Tea Cocktail
Ingredients
Serves Serves 1
1½ oz (45 ml) Hennessy VS Cognac
2 oz (60 ml) Earl Grey Tea*
½ oz (15 ml) Dr. McGillicuddy’s Peach Liqueur
¼ oz (7 ml) lemon juice
fresh or dehydrated orange wheel, for garnish
Instructions
- In a mixing glass with cubed ice, combine cognac, cooled tea, peach liqueur and lemon juice. Stir to chill, then strain into a teacup. Garnish with an orange wheel.
- * Steep 1 earl grey tea bag in 1 cup (250 ml) boiling water for 3 minutes. Remove tea bag and let tea cool to room temperature.
Featuring
Genmaicha Tea Punch
Ingredients
Serves Serves 1
1½ oz (45 ml) The Sexton Irish Whiskey*
2 oz (60 ml) Genmaicha Green Tea**
1 oz (30 ml) pineapple juice
¼ oz (7 ml) lemon juice
¼ oz (7 ml) Simple Syrup
dried pineapple, for garnish***
Instructions
- In a mixing glass with cubed ice, combine whiskey, cooled tea, pineapple juice, lemon juice and Simple Syrup. Stir to chill, then strain into a teacup. Garnish with dried pineapple.
- * If you can’t find The Sexton Irish Whiskey, substitute 1 oz (30 ml) Bushmills Black Bush Irish Whiskey and 1 tsp (5 ml) González Byass Nutty Solera Oloroso Sherry.
- ** Steep 2 tsp (10 ml) loose leaf Genmaicha in 1 cup (250 ml) boiling water for 30 seconds, then strain out tea and let tea cool to room temperature. (Over-steeping will result in bitter tea.)
- ***To make dehydrated pineapple, slice fruit evenly, approximately ⅛-in (0.25 cm) thick. Place slices in a dehydrator at 135 F (57 C) for 8 hours, or place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at lowest oven temperature (convection if possible) until completely dry, about 4 to 5 hours. Without convection, rotate sheets every 1 to 2 hours. Store in an airtight container; will keep indefinitely in a cool, dark place.
Featuring
Jasmine Tea Salon Cocktail
Ingredients
Serves Serves 1
1½ oz (45 ml) Hendrick’s Gin
2 oz (60 ml) Jasmine Green Tea*
½ oz (15 ml) lemon juice
½ oz (15 ml) Simple Syrup**
fresh or dehydrated lemon wheel**, for garnish
Instructions
- In a mixing glass with cubed ice, combine gin, cooled tea, lemon juice and Simple Syrup. Stir to chill, then strain into a teacup. Garnish with a lemon wheel.
- * Steep 1 jasmine green tea bag in 1 cup (250 ml) boiling water for 1 minute. Remove tea bag and let tea cool to room temperature.
- **To make Dehydrated Lemon Wheels, slice 2 lemons evenly into wheels, approximately ⅛-in (0.25 cm) thick. Place slices in a dehydrator at 135 F (57 C) for 8 hours, or place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at lowest oven temperature (convection if possible) until completely dry, about 4 to 5 hours. Without convection, rotate sheets every 1 to 2 hours. Store in an airtight container; will keep indefinitely in a cool, dark place.
Featuring
Pink 75
Ingredients
Serves 1
1 oz (30 ml) Gordon’s Premium Pink Gin
½ oz (15 ml) fresh lemon juice
½ oz (15 ml) Simple Syrup*
3 oz (90 ml) Villa Teresa Prosecco Rosé
Long strip lemon zest, for garnish
Instructions
- In a mixing glass with cubed ice, combine gin, lemon juice and Simple Syrup. Stir to combine, then strain into a flute glass and top with Prosecco Rosé. Garnish with lemon zest. * 1:1 ratio of sugar dissolved in boiling water. Allow to cool before using.
Featuring
Sesawi
Ingredients
Serves Serves 1
¼ oz (7 ml) Green Tree Absinthe
1 lime wedge
Sesame-Kiwi Rim*, for garnish
4 fresh basil leaves
½ oz (15 ml) Simple Syrup**
1 oz (30 ml) Sesame-Kiwi Purée***
1½ oz (45 ml) Long Table Texada Vodka
½ oz (15 ml) fresh lime juice
½ oz (15 ml) Cointreau
fresh herbs, for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a rocks glass with ice, add absinthe and stir for 20 seconds, then discard ice and absinthe. Wipe edge of glass with lime wedge. Scatter Sesame-Kiwi Rim on a plate and dip edge of glass into mixture to coat. Set aside. In a steel cocktail shaker, muddle basil leaves until leaves are crushed. Add remaining ingredients to shaker and fill with ice. Cover and shake until outside of shaker becomes frosty, about 15 seconds. Fill prepared glass with ice and strain contents of shaker into glass. Garnish with fresh herbs.
- * To make Sesame-Kiwi Rim, dehydrate reserved kiwi skins from Sesame-Kiwi Purée in a dehydrator on medium, or in an oven at 165 F (74 C), for 2 to 3 hours, until no moisture remains. In a blender, combine dried kiwi skins with ¼ cup (60 ml) sea salt and blend until it becomes a coarse dust. Transfer to a small bowl and set aside. In a small, dry frying pan over low heat, toast 1/8 cup (25 ml) black sesame seeds until seeds start to pop, about 5 minutes. Add to bowl and stir to combine. Makes enough for 8 cocktails. Will keep for up to 1 month in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
- *** To make Sesame-Kiwi Purée, peel 6 kiwis (reserve skins for Sesame-Kiwi Rim) and transfer to a blender. In a small, dry frying pan over low heat, toast ¼ cup (60 ml) black sesame seeds until seeds start to pop, about 5 minutes. Add to blender along with 3½ oz (100 ml) Simple Syrup. Blend for approximately 30 seconds, until smooth. Makes about 2 cups (500 ml). Will keep for up to 4 days in refrigerator in an airtight container.