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  • How To Make Shaved Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Almonds

    Ingredients

    4 pounds Brussels sprouts, trimmed and thinly sliced
    6 slices bacon, chopped
    1/3 cup sliced almonds
    2 tablespoons minced garlic
    2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
    salt and pepper to taste

    Directions

    Fry bacon in a large deep skillet over medium heat until browned and crisp, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside on paper towels.

    Add the garlic and almonds to the fat in the skillet and cook briefly over medium heat until toasted. Add the Brussels sprouts and quickly toss to coat with the hot oil. Sprinkle the red wine vinegar over the sprouts and toss again to coat. Cook, stirring frequently, until sprouts are wilted. Remove from the heat, stir in the bacon and season to taste with salt and pepper.

  • How To Make Port Wine Chocolate Cake

    Ingredients

    10 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate
    3/4 cup butter
    5 egg yolks
    3/4 cup white sugar
    3/4 cup port wine
    1/2 cup all-purpose flour
    5 egg whites
    1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
    3 tablespoons white sugar
    1 cup chopped walnuts

    1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
    1/2 cup butter
    1/2 tablespoon corn syrup
    1/2 cup port wine
    1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

    Directions

    In the top of a double boiler, melt unsweetened chocolate and 3/4 cup butter, stirring occasionally, until smooth. Set aside to cool to room temperature. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 10 inch Bundt or tube pan.

    In a large bowl, beat egg yolks and 3/4 cup sugar together with an electric mixer on High speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Gradually stir in the 3/4 cup of port wine and flour. Fold in the cooled chocolate mixture.

    In a clean bowl, whip egg whites with cream of tartar until frothy. Gradually whisk in 3 tablespoons sugar, and continue to whip until stiff peaks form. Fold 1/3 of the whites into the batter, then quickly fold in remaining whites until no streaks remain. Quickly fold in walnuts. Pour batter into prepared pan.

    Bake in the preheated oven for about 45 minutes, or until tested done with a toothpick. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Invert onto serving plate. Cool completely.

    To make the glaze: In the top of a double boiler, over lightly simmering water, combine chocolate chips, 1/2 cup butter and corn syrup. Stir frequently until chocolate is melted. Stir in the remaining 1/2 cup port wine and vanilla until mixture is smooth. Set aside to cool for about 30 minutes. Pour glaze over the cooled cake.

  • Great-Aunt Nina’s Noodles and Chicken

    Ingredients

    2 carrots, sliced
    2 onions, sliced
    2 stalks celery, cut into 1 inch pieces
    1 (4 pound) whole chicken
    1 teaspoon salt
    1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
    1/2 cup white wine
    1/4 teaspoon dried basil
    2 eggs, beaten
    1/4 cup water
    1 pinch salt
    2 tablespoons shortening
    1 cup all-purpose flour, or as needed
    2 quarts low salt chicken broth

    Directions

    Place the carrots, onions and celery in the bottom of a slow cooker. Place the whole chicken on top of the vegetables and season with salt and pepper. Pour in the white wine and sprinkle basil over the top. Cover and cook on Low setting for 8 to 10 hours.

    In a medium bowl, stir together the eggs, water, salt, shortening and flour to form a stiff dough. After I’ve mixed in as much flour as possible using a fork, I knead the dough with my hand in the bowl to incorporate as much flour as possible. Let the dough rest for a few minutes.

    Roll the dough out on a well-greased board to 1/8 inch thickness. Use a pizza cutter or pie crust cutter to cut into strips about 1/2 inch wide and 3 inches long. Dust lightly with flour, and leave to dry for a few hours while the chicken cooks.

    When the chicken is done, remove the meat and vegetables to a platter. Transfer the juices to a large pot and stir in 2 quarts of chicken broth. Bring to a boil and add the noodles. Cook for about 10 minutes, until tender. Meanwhile, remove the meat from the chicken and shred. Discard bones and skin. When the noodles are done, return the vegetables to the pot and add shredded chicken meat. Serve.

  • Pickled Eggs I Recipe

    Ingredients

    1 (15 ounce) can pickled beets, juice only
    1 cup white vinegar
    2 1/2 cups water
    1/2 cup red wine
    1 clove garlic, chopped
    1 bay leaf
    1 teaspoon pickling spice
    1/2 teaspoon salt
    12 hard boiled eggs, shells removed
    1 onion, chopped

    Directions

    Drain pickled beets and reserve 1 cup of the juice. Place beet juice, vinegar, water and wine in a large non-reactive glass bowl or jar.

    Add garlic, bay leaf, pickling spices, and salt. Mix well. Add eggs and onion rings. Cover tightly, refrigerate for one week before eating.