The Runaway Cook

A diary of culinary adventures

My Apple Pie Cocktail


That cold bite of the wind on my cheek and the crackle of leaves under my feet are a little reminder that it is time to fill the kitchen with all things spiced, baked, and flavored with apple. This cocktail is my own creation. As the granddaughter a pie legend, I believe pie to be nearly a religion and that perfect balance of sweet and rich filling with the salty crisp crust my center. So when I decided to make a cocktail that would have pie in the name, no ordinary apple and cinnamon combo would do. The sweet and salty rim on the glass makes this cocktail as satisfying as a great slice of pie. It may sound strange, but I urge you to try using Cinnamon "Salger" and experience the my apple pie cocktail


Ingredients
3 oz apple cider
1 oz cranberry juice
1 1/2 oz brandy
1/2 oz caramel or butterscotch liqueur
1/4 oz fresh orange juice
2 dashes of bitters

Procedure:
Using and orange to moisten the outer edge of the glass, garnish glass with the cinnamon mixture below making sure to have an even coating on the outside of the glass edge and nothing on the inside. This is important. you can achieve this by tipping the glass and rolling the moistened outer edge through the Cinnamon "Salgar." Then, shake all ingredients together and strain into a cocktail class

Cinnamon “Salgar”
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tbsp kosher salt
2 tbsp sugar

-Combine and place on a small saucer for ease of use. 

Where's the Rest of It!

Hello Foodies!

For those of you who have been awaiting the end of my travel tales you will soon be able to read them on a separate page titled "Continued: Travels Through Germany." I know a lot of you have been waiting for me to finish this and I'm excited that I have some time to tend the blog!  I'll post on Facebook when the first story is completed.

Taste and see,
The Runaway Cook


You'll always get it right if you use mascarpone, grappa, and fresh eggs!


Ingredients
2 eggs
8 tbsp sugar plus 2 more for the coffee mixture and another 4 more for the whites 

1/4 tsp cream of tartar
16 oz mascarpone cheese
1 cup heavy cream
2 pkg pavesini cookies or dry lady fingers (lady fingers can be home made if you desire)
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2 cups espresso coffee 1/4 cup grappa or rum cocoa powder for garnish


  1. Separate yolks from whites and beat the whites until stiff using cream of tartar add sugar gradually to help stabilize the texture.
  2. In a separate whip the cream until smooth soft peeks form. Do not over whip .
  3. In a third bowl, combine the yolks, sugar, and mascarpone. Beat until well
    combined.
  4. Fold the cream and whites into the yolk mixture and set aside.
  5. In yet another bowl, combine coffee, sugar, and grappa
  6. In a deep glass baking dish spread a layer of mascarpone filling then dip the
    lady finder into the coffee mixture covering both sides the removing before cake/cookie disintegrates. Placing dipped cake/cookies on top of the cream layer and continue doing this until there are three layers ending with a layer of cream.
  7. Sift cocoa powder on top of the cream and refrigerate at least 2 hours for soggy perfection, or eat immediately and forgo the excruciating wait... for those who do not wish to wait leaving the lady fingers in the espresso mixture just a hair longer is acceptable. 

    NOTE: I like to prepare this in individual portion using wine or cocktail glasses. It makes for easy serving and a beautiful presentation.