Local, wild morel mushrooms are treasured like gold and every spring fungi enthusiasts rush out to scope their secret spots, looking for the first signs of this delicacy!

Morels fruit in two types of habitat. In areas where they are naturalized, they fruit every year. It is usually a grassy area where natural composting occurs or along a stream where leaves drop to give them food.

(Photo from the Outdoor Life)

The other type of habitat is disturbed areas, such as logged or burned areas, where the morels will come up only once because there is no continuous source of food. But sometimes we get really lucky and even find morels in our backyards where new grass has been planted, thus disturbing the soil.

Predicting where and when these jewels will appear is the real art. If you’re not an experienced picker then you need to join a mushroom interest group or find an experienced picker to go with, but most fungi hunters keep their spots pretty secret.

Check out the Puget Sound Mycological Society to learn about field trips and more about our NW wild mushrooms. Or visit your local farmers markets for local forager’s finds.

And if you’ve been out foraging then you deserve a little splurge – as cream and morels are so amazing together! Try out Morels in Cream Sauce, it’s good on anything! From chicken to halibut to salmon, to crostini … yum! Happy Spring! – Kathy

Morels in Cream Sauce
I also like to add a squeeze of fresh lemon and zest to pop the flavor.

Makes about 4 – 6 servings

2 Tbsps. olive oil or butter
1/2 lb. fresh morels, cleaned and sliced
1 chopped shallot
1 cup dry white wine
1 cup whipping cream
2 Tbsps. butter (optional)
salt & pepper to taste
snipped fresh chives

Heat skillet on medium-high to high, add oil, then mushrooms and shallot. Saute for 1 minute, then add the wine. Continue cooking over high heat until the wine is reduced by half. Then add the cream and reduce by half. Reduce the heat to low, add the butter, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook until thickened. Sprinkle with chives.

Serve as an appetizer with fresh, crusty bread for dipping, or serve atop sauteed chicken breasts or your favorite fish or seafood.

Recipe by Kathy Casey Food Studios®.

Ah, arugula! This bold green livens up any dish it’s in. Nicknamed “Garden Rocket,” it grows fast, almost like a weed in our northwest climate.

Well, weed or not, this tasty leaf is full of great health benefits. Just 4 ounces of this green is just 25 calories – wow! It’s also full of vital antioxidants and vitamins – 3 cups gives you 100% of your daily vitamin K needs!

Arugla’s taste is nutty and peppery. Try it tucked into sandwiches, or tossed in a little olive oil and scattered over a sexy cheese pizza. This tasty green also complements meat and seafood beautifully. It makes a perfect bed for a piece of grilled fish or steak.

Of course, it’s great in salads like in my Baby Arugula, Orange & Fennel Salad with Grilled Shrimp & White Balsamic Vinaigrette. It’s also a delicious add-in to a homemade pesto recipe for a robust, peppery edge!

So get your arugula on and dig into this peppery green that’s so good for you! – Kathy

Photo from Kathy Casey’s Northwest Table, Chronicle Books.

Baby Arugula, Orange & Fennel Salad with Grilled Shrimp and White Balsamic Vinaigrette
Makes 6 to 8 servings

Shrimp
1 Tbsp undiluted orange juice concentrate
Pinch of red pepper flakes
2 Tbsp minced orange zest
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
2 Tbsp minced shallots
1/2 cup olive oil
2 Tbsp minced fennel fronds
1 Tbsp fennel seed, toasted and crushed
2 1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 lbs large raw shrimp (32 to 40)

Salad
1 large or 2 small fennel bulbs, trimmed
6 oranges or tangerines
6 cups baby arugula
2 heads baby frisée, torn, rinsed and spun dry
White Balsamic Vinaigrette (recipe follows)

To marinate the shrimp, whisk all the ingredients, except the shrimp, in a large bowl. Peel, devein, and remove tails of the shrimp then add them to the marinade and toss to coat. Refrigerate and marinate for at least 1 hour or overnight.

To prepare the salad, finely shave the fennel bulbs with a sharp knife or a mandoline and crisp in ice water for 10 minutes. Spin dry before using. Cut the peel off the oranges, trim away all the white pith, then cut the fruit into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Flick out any seeds. (If prepared ahead, refrigerate the fennel and orange slices separately, for up to 2 hours.)

Prepare a hot fire in a charcoal grill, or preheat a gas grill to high. Grill the shrimp until just pink and done, about 1 to 2 minutes per side.

Meanwhile, toss the arugula, frisée, fennel, and oranges with enough of the vinaigrette to coat nicely—taste for flavor, adding more dressing if needed.

Serve the salad on a large platter or divide among individual plates, arrange the shrimp on top, and drizzle with a little extra dressing, if desired.

White Balsamic Vinaigrette
The vinaigrette keeps, refrigerated, for up to 2 weeks.

Makes 2 cups

1/2 cup white balsamic vinegar
2 Tbsp minced shallots
1 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
1/4 cup undiluted orange juice concentrate
Pinch of red pepper flakes, or 1 Tbsp harissa paste
2 tsp kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 Tbsp fennel seed, toasted and ground
1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp chopped fennel fronds

In a large bowl, whisk the vinegar, shallots, mustard, and juice concentrate. Whisk in the pepper flakes, salt, pepper to taste, and fennel seed. Slowly drizzle in the oil, whisking constantly to emulsify. Stir in the fennel fronds. If made ahead, refrigerate until shortly before needed, then rewhisk before using.

Recipe from Kathy Casey’s Northwest Table, Chronicle Books.

Cinnamon has a spicy history. Wars were fought over trading rights and Ancient Romans paid more for cinnamon than its weight in gold!

Fresh cinnamon sticks from World Spice Merchants at Pike Place!

It has been used for thousands of years in Chinese medicine for its warming qualities to provide relief at the beginning of a cold or flu, especially when mixed in tea with fresh ginger.

Today everybody’s spice rack has a jar of ground cinnamon lying around. It’s a must for all those recipes that are oh-so-American from apple pie to cinnamon rolls to snicker doodles. We love our cinnamon!

But it’s not only used for sweets. It flavors all TYPES of foods from Greek eggplant moussaka and spicy Indian curries to Mexican hot chocolate and Middle Eastern pastries. Cinnamon adds a warming touch to Garam Masala, a spice mix with cloves, cardamom and cumin used in finishing vegetables and meat dishes.

I also love it in couscous dishes and even in a sultry Spiced Vinaigrette on a salad. Cinnamon Scented Basmati Rice will change how you cook rice forever!

One thing to remember ground cinnamon only lasts for about 6 months, and cinnamon sticks stay fresh for about a year. Keep your spice jars tightly sealed and in a cool spot.

Keep things spicy with a hint of cinnamon! – Kathy

Spiced Vinaigrette
Makes 1 cup

1/4 cup white wine vinegar
4 tsp. light brown sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/8 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
1/8 tsp. ground cloves
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp. ground coriander
1/8 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 cup olive oil
1 tsp. finely minced fresh ginger

Combine vinegar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, spices, and salt in mixing bowl, whisking well.

Gradually whisk in olive oil, emulsifying the dressing. Whisk in minced ginger. Let sit 8 hours or longer before using.

Store extra dressing refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.

Recipe by Kathy Casey Food Studios® – www.KathyCasey.com

Cinnamon Scented Basmati Rice
Makes 4 to 6 servings

1 cup basmati rice, rinsed and drained well
3 Tbsps. butter
3/4 cup 1/4-inch-diced onion
1 cinnamon stick, cracked in half
1 1/2 tsp. minced garlic
Small pinch cayenne
1 1/2 cups water
1 Tbsp. fresh lemon (or lime) juice
1 1/2 tsp. minced lemon (or lime) zest
2 Tbsps. cream
1 1/4 tsp. salt
2 Tbsps. thinly sliced chives

Preheat an oven to 375°F. Place the very well-drained rice in a 1 1/2-quart baking dish.

Melt the butter in a nonstick or heavy saucepan. Add the onion and cinnamon stick and sauté over medium heat until soft, about 2 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds. Add the cayenne, water, lemon juice, lemon zest, cream, and salt, and bring to a boil.

Stir the mixture into the rice, being sure to scrape up and include all the goodies. Seal tightly with foil and bake for about 20 to 25 minutes, or until the rice is tender and all the liquid is absorbed. Fluff with a fork before serving, then fold in the chives.

Recipe adapted from Dishing with Kathy Casey Cookbook.

Who would have thought that carrots would be the next “it” veggie?

Nowadays, the quintessential orange carrot we have come to love has close competition with some unexpectedly colorful varieties. Typically found at your local farmer’s market, these beautiful heirlooms come in wonderful shades of purple, ruby, yellow and white.

I like to pick-up a bundle of fresh heirloom carrots, rub them with some olive oil and flavorful seasoning like Duqqa; an aromatic Egyptian mixture of toasted nuts and seeds like hazelnuts, sesame seeds, coriander and cumin, or Harissa then roast them in a hot oven and top with a dollop of Greek yogurt and a scattering of fresh cilantro. The roasting brings out the sweetness and the spices really compliment the carrot flavor. Oh and don’t be afraid to char the carrots a little – they can handle it – yum!

Of course we all enjoy carrots as the perfect snack too, sweet and satisfyingly crunchy – they are filled with antioxidants, Vitamin A and C, beta-carotene, minerals, fiber and so much more yet are still a low calorie treat. For a great appetizer, try roasting and pureeing carrots with garlic and lemon for a simple carrot hummus or blending them into a gingery salad dressing!

Besides baking into a sweet carrot cake, or roasting with warm spices, I also love drinking carrot juice too! Because of their bright color and sweet flavor, I love adding fresh carrot juice to citrusy drinks like lemon – or limeades, sparkling water, and of course, cocktails.

Whether you are roasting, baking, juicing, or snacking – carrots are one veggie that won’t ever let you down. – Kathy

Harissa Roasted Carrots

Serves 4

12 heirloom carrots peeled and split in half, leaving about an inch of stem.
3 – 4 Tbsp Moroccan Harissa Paste
2 Tbsp Olive Oil plus more for drizzling
6 – 8 oz of Greek Yogurt
Finishing Salt to taste

Preheat oven to 475 degrees. Combine the Harissa paste with the olive oil in a small bowl and mix together until well combined. Toss the carrots in the harissa mixture until nicely coated then add to a roasting pan, being sure carrots are evenly separated and not overlapping. Roast the carrots for 10 minutes or until the carrots are tender and have a nice char to your liking.

Once you are ready to serve, plate the carrots and dollop with Greek yogurt. I like serving this with warm couscous, drizzled with olive oil and a sprinkling of finishing salt.

Recipe by Kathy Casey Food Studios®

Honey Mint Carrot Collins

Makes 1 cocktail
1 1/2 ounces gin
3/4 ounce Honey Mint Syrup (recipe follows)
3/4 ounce fresh pressed carrot juice
3/4 ounce fresh squeezed Sunkist Lemon juice
————————————
1 ounce chilled Perrier
Garnish: Fresh Origins Micro Carrot and Micro Mint

Measure gin, Honey Mint Syrup and juices into a mixing glass. Fill with ice, cap and shake vigorously. Pour drink into a Collins glass and top with soda. Garnish.

Honey Mint Syrup
Makes about 10 ounces
8 sprigs fresh mint
3/4 cup clover honey
3/4 cup water

Combine ingredients in small saucepan. On medium-high heat, bring liquid to a boil while siring to combine well. Immediately reduce heat to low, and simmer for 1 minute. Remove from heat and let steep for 45 minutes. Strain and store refrigerated for up to two weeks.

Recipe by Kathy Casey Food Studios®

Have you seen ginormous citrus fruits that look like monster grapefruits? They’re called pummelos – and are the biggest variety of citrus! Not as well known in the citrus family but they will be soon!

If you are a citrus fanatic like me, you will love pummelos. Pick one out that feels heavy for its size and is more green than yellow – in this case, green is good! These big babies pack a wallop of vitamins, and have a wonderful flavor, very similar to a grapefruit, but sweeter and in my opinion a little floral.

The biggest hurdle is getting through the peel, but once you know how, it’s really quite simple. First cut off the top and bottom – just enough so you can see the flesh of the fruit peeking through.

Next, score the peel on four sides. Just deep enough to get through the whole peel. Then, with your fingers, pull the pieces of the peel off and break the sections of the fruit apart. Remove the membrane from the segments, and then you’re ready to enjoy the fruit. I know it sounds like a lot of work, but it is SO WORTH IT!

Here’s a video of demo-ing how to peel one!

Great on its own or try adding it to a favorite dish that you want a citrus punch – like in my recipe for Pummelo Tabbouleh.

Oh and yea…. if you Google Pummelo Cat Hat… you may just get inspired for some citrusy crafting LOL! –Kathy

Photo by Kathy Casey Food Studios®

Pummelo Tabbouleh
Pummelo adds a beautiful color and tangy sweet flavor to this classic dish-up salad. Different brands/varieties of cracked wheat cook differently. More rustic types tend to be slower to absorb the water.

Makes 6 – 8 cups depending upon the style of cracked wheat used

1 3/4 cups boiling water
1 tsp. Kosher salt
1 1/2 cups cracked wheat (bulgur wheat)
——————————–
1 Sunkist® Pummelo
1/4 cup fresh squeezed Sunkist Lemon juice
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp. Kosher salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
2 roma tomatoes, diced 1/2 inch
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
4 green onions, thinly sliced

Place bulgur wheat and the 1 teaspoon of salt in a heat-proof large glass bowl or plastic container. Measure boiling water carefully and pour over the bulgur. Cover quickly with plastic wrap and let sit for 1 hour or until all the water has been absorbed. Uncover and let cool. (See headnote on cooking varieties of bulgur.)

To finish the salad: Peel the pummelo and tear the citrus flesh of each segment into pieces (discarding the white pith), set aside. (See how to open a pummelo.)

In a large bowl mix together the lemon juice, olive oil, remaining teaspoon of salt and pepper. Add the cooked bulgur and stir to combine. Then add the pummelo, tomatoes, parsley, and green onions and stir gently until coated with dressing.

Sunkist Twists:

Recipe developed for Sunkist by Kathy Casey Food Studios®.

Need some new d’lish ideas for the big game? I have some tasty recipes for your next big party!
Everyone loves the classics: crab dip, wings, deviled eggs, but how about some new variations?

Warm Crab, Mushroom & Brie Dip is my play on Hot Crab Dip is made with Alaskan King Crab, sherry-sautéed mushrooms, and brie – ooo la la! It can be made the night before and heated up before guests arrive. Just serve with some artisan crackers or slices of baguette. Touchdown!

And it’s not a party without some deviled eggs – you know how much I love these! The 12th Egg – AKA – Chipotle Deviled Eggs – features spicy chipotle for some KICK BUTT flavor.

Photos by Kathy Casey Food Studios®.

And for a new twist on wings try my recipe for Sticky Pomegranate Chicken Wings! A d’lish sweet and zesty finger food, sure to impress the fans.

And the best thing is that all these apps can be prepped ahead so you’re not stuck in the kitchen and have more game time. Now go enjoy the game! -Kathy

Warm Crab, Mushroom & Brie Dip
Dungeness crab meat is tasty but also pricy. Try purchasing Alaska King Crab legs and picking the meat out. It’s easy to do by using a pair of clean scissors to open up the legs. Then just give the meat a very coarse chop to cut it into 1/2 inch pieces.

Dip can be prepared up to 2 days in advance if using very fresh crab and baked when your guests are just starting to arrive. Easy to make Fresh Thyme & Sea Salt Crostini bake at the same oven temperature to make things easy!

Makes about 6 cups — serves about 12 – 24 people

1 small (8 oz wt.) wheel brie cheese
——————————————
2 tsp olive oil
1 cup thinly sliced onion
2 cups thinly sliced crimini mushrooms
2 tsp minced fresh garlic
1/2 cup dry sherry
——————————————-
1 1/2 cups mayonnaise (Note: do not use reduced-fat or fat-free, I like to use Best Foods in this recipe)
3 cups (about 10 oz. wt.) shredded, high-quality parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp Tabasco
1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup thinly sliced green onion
1/4 cup minced sweet red bell pepper (optional)
1/2 cup minced celery
3/4 pound crab meat, drained well (about 2 1/2 cups drained), see note above
Garnish: Minced fresh parsley

Cut the brie cheese into 1/2” pieces, set aside and then let come to room temperature.

Meanwhile, heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook stirring often till half cooked, about 4 minutes. Add the mushrooms and continue cooking until the onions are very soft and the mushrooms are tender, about 4 minutes. Then add the garlic and sherry and continue cooking until the sherry is completely reduced about 8 minutes. (There should not be any liquid left.) Set aside to cool.

Place the room temperature brie in a mixer with a paddle attachment. Mix on medium-high speed for about 1 minute or until the cheese softened. Scrape down the sides of the bowl then add half of the mayonnaise. Mix for 3 more minutes on medium-high speed. Add the remaining mayonnaise, parmesan, Tabasco, and lemon juice. Mix together on medium speed until well mixed, about 1 minute.

Remove bowl from mixer and fold-in the cooled mushroom mixture, green onion, pepper, celery and crab meat – being careful not to break up the crab meat. Do not over mix.

Place dip in a 7×11 baking dish, or 2 quart ovenproof serving dish. Smooth out but do not compact it (dip can be covered and refrigerated up to 1 day at this point).

When ready to serve dip, place in a 400°F preheated oven. Bake for 15 – 20 minutes or until dip just starts to bubble around the edges, heated through and the cheese is melted (be careful not to overcook). If desired, garnish dip with minced fresh parsley. Serve immediately with Fresh Thyme & Sea Salt Crostini, or rustic flat bread or crackers.

Recipe by Kathy Casey Food Studios®. – www.KathyCasey.com

Sticky Pomegranate Chicken Wings
These chicken wings get a big-flavored, lacquer-y glaze in this low-and-slow method. You can make the sauce a few days ahead of time, but be sure to allow a full hour for cooking the wings.

Makes 24 pieces

3/4 cup pomegranate juice
1/2 cup soy sauce
2 Tbsps very finely minced peeled fresh ginger
1 Tbsp minced fresh garlic
1 Tbsp of lemon zest
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
3 Tbsps cornstarch
1 dozen whole chicken wings or 2 dozen drummettes, about 2 1/2 to 3 pounds

Garnish: 1/2 cup pomegranate arils* and thinly sliced green onion tops

In a small saucepan, whisk together the pomegranate juice, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, sugar, pepper flakes, vinegar, cornstarch, and water. Set the pan over medium heat and bring to a boil, whisking constantly, to thicken. Mixture will be very thick. Let cool. If not using immediately, store, covered and refrigerated, for up to 4 days.

If using whole wings, disjoint the wings and remove and discard tips; you should have 24 pieces. Put them in a large bowl and set aside.

Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Add the sauce mixture to the chicken and mix well to coat evenly. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray or lightly oil it. Arrange the drummettes and sauce in a single layer in the dish.

Bake for 30 minutes. Stir and turn the chicken pieces over and bake for 20 minutes more. Stir and turn the chickens pieces again and bake for 10 minutes more, or until chicken is tender and sauce is thick and glazed. Total cooking time should be about 1-hour.

Stir the drummettes in the sauce once more, and then transfer the chicken to a serving platter. Sprinkle with the pomegranate seeds and green onions.

*Pomegranate seeds, called “arils”, can be purchased or you can easily remove them from a fresh pomegranate with this trick: cut it across cross-wise and hold over a bowl, smack the back of the fruit with a wooden spoon – the seeds will fall out with ease.

Recipe by Kathy Casey Food Studios. – www.KathyCasey.com

Whole grains are all the rage, and with good reason. Their health benefits and high-fiber content make them a great addition to your regular menu!

One of my favorites is quinoa, an ancient grain-like seed. It’s a high-quality protein with eight essential amino acids and a good source of fiber, as well as B vitamins, iron, and other minerals. You can get regular quinoa, red and tri-colored – all are tasty tasty!

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad at Dish D’Lish

I like to toast it dry in a pan before cooking to add a bit of nutty flavor. I love it made into a salad to take for lunch such as my Big Protein Red Quinoa Salad – cooked quinoa, cucumbers, carrots, garbanzos, raisins, hazelnuts and fresh herbs all dressed up with olive oil and lemon juice. The combination of textures and flavors is d’Lish and so good for you!

Another fave is farro, an ancient hulled wheat that was served as the daily ration of the Roman legions. Today it is making a huge comeback and can be seen on restaurant menus everyhwere (and also grown locally in eastern Washington). I love its toothsome bite. Most instructions say to soak it before cooking (preferably overnight). This is great to speed up the cooking, but I typically just give it a long slow boil until it is tender. I love it in a dish of Kale Lacinato, Wild Mushrooms and Goat Cheese. Perfect for this time of year.

So cook up some ancient grains this fall and get your freekeh on – yes that’s another type of new grain! –Kathy

Big Protein Red Quinoa Salad
I like to make this salad with all organic produce.
Makes about 4 cups

3/4 cup red or tri-color quinoa
1 1/2 cups water
1 tsp. minced garlic
2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 tsp. minced or grated lemon zest
1/2 cup peeled, seeded and 1/4-inch-diced cucumber
1/2 cup canned organic garbanzo beans, drained
1 Tbsp. chopped fresh dill
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/2cup organic golden raisins
1/2 cup organic hazelnuts, lightly toasted and coarsely chopped
1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions
1/4 cup grated carrot
3/4 to 1 tsp. sea salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper

Rinse quinoa in cold water and drain well. Put the drained quinoa in a heavy medium saucepan and dry roast the grain over medium heat, stirring occasionally for about 1 minute. Add the water, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cover with a tight-fitting lid. Cook for about 15 minutes or until all water is absorbed. Remove from the heat and let stand, covered, for 10 minutes. Remove lid, fluff grains with a fork, and let cool to room temperature.

In a large bowl, combine the cooked quinoa with the remaining ingredients and toss well.

Recipe © Kathy Casey Food Studios® – www.KathyCasey.com

Farro with Kale, Wild Mushrooms & Goat Cheese
I love this dish made with fall chanterelles.
Makes 4 to 6 servings

1/2 cup whole farro, dry
2 quarts water
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 cup sliced wild mushrooms
4 cloves garlic, sliced paper thin
pinch red chili flakes
1 large bunch black kale (lacinato)* or green kale, torn
1/4 cup chicken broth (or substitute vegetable broth)
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 lemon
3 ounces fresh goat cheese (chevre)

To cook the farro: In a medium saucepan, combine farro and water and bring to a boil. Then reduce heat to a simmer; cook the grain for about 30 minutes, or until very tender, but do not let it become mushy. Add more water if it gets low. Drain the cooked farro and set aside. (You can do this the day before; refrigerate cooked grain.)

Heat oil in a large sauté pan over high heat. Sauté mushrooms until half cooked, about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Add garlic and chili flakes and sauté for a few seconds. Stir in kale. Add chicken broth and cooked farro, and cook, turning greens several times, until greens are wilted. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Squeeze lemon over dish to brighten flavor. Serve dolloped with goat cheese or grated sexy local cheese.

*Also called dinosaur kale.

Recipe © Kathy Casey Food Studios® – www.KathyCasey.com

I just love this time of year – everything is sparkly, lights are twinkling in the trees, and of course, d’lish candy canes everywhere! There are candy canes found hanging on trees and peeking out of stockings. They are also an ingredient in many of my favorite holiday goodies!

Peppermint and chocolate – oh yea! I love to sprinkle crushed candy canes on chocolate chip cookies or brownies before baking.

Or what about a Spiked Candy Cane Coffee! Baileys, Jäger, a hint of peppermint, and hot coffee topped with peppermint whipped cream and of course crushed candy canes. Recipe is below, but if you’re flying out of Sea-Tac Airport this month you can also sip one at Rel’Lish Burger Lounge on Concourse B.

Who’s ready for a sip of Spiked Candy Cane Coffee?

And have you ever had candy can infused vodka? Just combine 1 1/2 cup of vodka plus 8 – 10 starlight peppermints or 6 mini candy canes in a jar with a tight fitting lid. Shake a couple of times a day until dissolved. Voilla – Santa’s little helper! Enjoy it in your cocoa or frozen as a shot.

Here’s to some holiday cheers with candy cane! -Kathy

Spiked Candy Cane Coffee
Makes 1 cocktail

3/4 oz Baileys Irish Cream
3/4 oz Jägermeister
1/4 oz peppermint syrup
8 oz HOT coffee
Garnish: Peppermint Whipped Cream (recipe follows), crushed candy cane pieces

In a coffee mug, measure in the Baileys, Jägermeister, peppermint syrup, and hot coffee. Stir to combine. Garnish with a swirl of Peppermint Whipped Cream and a sprinkling of crushed candy cane pieces.

Peppermint Whipped Cream
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup peppermint syrup

Measure ingredients into an iSi whipper canister and charge with 1 (N2O) whipped cream charger OR mix together in a bowl until the cream reaches soft peaks.

Recipe by Kathy Casey Liquid Kitchen® – www.LiquidKitchen.com