Thursday, December 16, 2010

The Year of Ginger?

Is it me, or is this going to be the start of the year of Ginger? And I'm referring to the spice, not the fabulous drag queen Ginger Grant!



That Ginger is always in vogue and ever fabulous! No, I'm referring to the spice.Ginger is one of the most versatile spices we know. It's pungent citrus-like flavor is a compliment to many ingredients, both sweet and savory! We absolutely love it in our holiday cakes and cookies, but then I also throw a teaspoon or two into long braises and savory root vegetable gratins. Careful, though - ginger can quickly go from being a tantalizing back-note to overpowering the entire dish, just like Ginger Grant!!! Sorry girl, you never thought you'd be used in a food post did ya? Remember when pomegranate was all the rage in drinks and good food? Well, the other day my good friend and fellow blogger Kailyn were discussing Ginger sidecars, a lovely little cock-a-tail that the Mistress just became acquainted with. Boy are they mind altering!!!! On my recent trip to the liqueur store I got all the fix ins for the lovely little gem, and here's the one I made.



It contains muddled ginger, four oz of brandy, two oz of Cointreau,lemon juice and two teaspoons of maple syrup. And I also added a pinch of ginger brandy, you know, for good measure. Yum! Anywho, Kailyn and I were saying that ginger is popping up everywhere! Since then I have seen ginger candy, ginger popping up like crazy in all my favorite restaurants seasonal menus and I even had a Ginger Latte at the local coffeehouse. Even the chocolate boutique Godiva has come out with a ginger truffle! Fresh ginger is good for so many things. We love how crystallized ginger safely and naturally soothes an upset stomach. We love ginger, strong and spicy, in hot tea. We really love it in pumpkin pie. When buying ginger look for full, plump roots that are juicy and not dried out on the ends at all. Some of the most recent other things I had with Ginger.

Grilled chicken with a ginger sauce


Brown fried rice with ginger and scallions


Even a ginger gelleto.


And of course, who doesn't love gingerbread! And if any of you try the Ginger side car let me know what you think. It's great to have when coming in from the cold. I can see I'm going to be drunk alot this winter! Tootles!

16 comments:

  1. They all sound so good! I love ginger and sometimes I love making my own crystallized ginger and then eating the resulting ginger syrup with tofu pudding. Sooooo good on a cold winter day!

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  2. I love garlic and ginger together, in spicy Indian or Thai dishes. I will have to try that drink. It might be a little strong for me though.

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  3. Our sister Miss Ginger Grant will always be my favorite Ginger.

    However, that Ginger hooch drink you concocted sounds pretty damn good too...

    XOXOXOXO

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  4. I adore ginger! I sprinkle a little ginger powder on top of vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup. It cuts through the sweetness really nicely. And of course your diva Ginger is fabulous too!

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  5. Pocono Bear12/16/2010

    I'm not a huge ginger fan. O f the spice that is, the Ginger queen? I could be!

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  6. I could eat candied ginger all day, but my favorite ginger recipe, by far, is the ginger tea from the Moosewood Restaurant. It's incredibly strong, but SO good... just the right amount of spice. I found a recipe online once. If I recall correctly, it involves about a cup of grated ginger, a cup of sugar (I use less), maybe 1/2 C of lemon juice (I use more), and some cinnamon sticks and cloves. Then you pour 6 cups of boiling water over it and let it sit for an hour. I like it really gingery, so I let it go for many hours... Then you filter it and drink it hot, cold, as a mixer... whatever. It's wonderful. And in the winter. I'll have to try that drink too.

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  7. You know I'm all about the Ginger vodka these days. And of course I know keep a bottle of homemade ginger syrup in the fridge to add a little extra kick to a Dark & Stormy. Just remember. One cannot hsve more than two Sidecars in a single evening. The last time I had more than two... Well let's just say it was interesting. And thank heaven for firefighters.

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  8. Mmmm, that ginger sidecar DOES sound yummy! Maybe I'll forego the eggnog and rum this year!

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  9. this looks and sounds good

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  10. It's always the year of a stunning queen! Love Ginger also. And brown rice so that sounds good. And do we dare ask Kailyn the details? Firefighters? LOL!

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  11. I like ginger and need to include it in more things I make. Good ideas and suggestions!

    Fun shout out to Miss Ginger, too!

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  12. I like ginger and need to include it in more things I make. Good ideas and suggestions!

    Fun shout out to Miss Ginger, too!

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  13. Mmm, I just started making my own caramel sauces at home and I am DEFINITELY going to try one with ginger in it now! What a great post. And I ve tried a ginger sidecar....Mistress you must have a iron stomach! And is the beautiful drag queen a friend.....so elegant!

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  14. I second the ginger cocktail. Two more words: ginger martini.And I love the stately queen, how regal does she look!

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  15. Brock should sing less and take his shirt off.....I subscribe to the Jack mcFarland method of acting

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  16. Wow, it's about time somone named a cocktail after me!! I have to try one next time I'm in the mood to get "muddled"!

    Don't know how I missed this adorable post when it first ran! What sweet comments from your many readers!! I hope they will check out my blog, too! http://missgingergrant.blogspot.com/

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Go ahead darling, tell me something fabulous!