Raising the Macallan

Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whiskey is barely enough.

Mark Twain, American author and humorist (1835-1910)

I couldn't pass up on an opportunity to quaff a few drams this evening at a Raise the Macallan tasting. Of the five variations, I favoured the final "Rare Cask" that retails for $400 a bottle. Suffice it to say, I have fine taste that is unlikely to be satiated any time soon. In any case, I enjoyed the evening's wee spot and am returning home in fine humour.

Pairings

Once we hit forty, women only have about four taste buds left: one for vodka, one for wine, one for cheese, and one for chocolate.

Regina "Gina" Barreca, American professor of English literature and feminist theory and humorist

 

This week's bazaar baking combined two of my favourite things: chocolate and wine (perhaps not in order of preference). Surfing the web on an evening commute home this week, I happened upon Double Chocolate Merlot Cookies (recipe here). Chances are that after a stressful day at the office, the thought of a nice merlot and some chocolate soothed my soul and determined that the recipe be tested.

While my choice in wine might not be a true merlot (admitedly I was drawn to the label's image of Venice), I am very happy with the wine and the resulting cookie. Both provided a good antidote to a blustery, rainy afternoon.

I am counting on there being a number of 40+ women buying cookies at the bazaar who will appreciate the pairing as much as I do.

With the baking done, I am going to slice myself some nice cheese to accompany the leftover wine. Life is good! :-)

Triple the Pleasure

Spread love as thick as you would peanut butter.

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Peanut butter formed one of my earliest food groups. At a tender age of not yet two, I persistently asked for peanut butter sandwiches. Regrettably, its smell would invariably bring on a bout of nausea for my poor pregnant mother. I still love my PB, so much so that I can't have it in my home to save my waistline. For this reason PB and jam on toast became my go-to breakfast option when staying at five-star hotels on business trips. I'm sure that I raised a few eyebrows but I would try to be as dainty and as grown-up as possible when spreading it on my expensive toast. I relished these treats.

Dangerously, the cafe at work recently introduced double-decker peanut butter cookies with peanut butter cream in between. Manna from heaven for PB lovers.

I was thus inspired on this holiday Monday as I got started on the baking for the church bazaar's Cookie Walk. An internet search provided the recipes for the cookies and cream and I'm very happy with the result (quality control required that I test one with my afternoon coffee). Now I am thinking of alternatives such as changing out the PB cream for strawberry jam or chocolate cream. I am just not sure that the Cookie Walk can handle that much PB-love all in one place.

Spread the love! :-)