Men Free Blog

I come from a long-line of Irish alcoholics. And although I myself hold my liquor like a ten-year-old, I have a special place in my heart for alcohol-flavored sweet things. Indeed, I have had a torrid love affair with the bourbon ball ever since my mom first let me try one during the holidays when I was a kid.

See, at my house, bourbon (or rum) balls were holiday fare. But I’m told they’re traditional at the Kentucky Derby as well. I’ve never been to Kentucky, and I know next to nothing about the event, which, I’m told, involves race horses and women in elaborate hats.

But in the spirit of this prestigious event, I offer you my family’s decidedly un-traditional recipe for bourbon balls.
One gallon-sized Ziploc bag
One cup chopped nuts
2 cups crushed Vanilla wafers (approx. 4 dozen)
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tsp. melted butter
1/2 cup bourbon (or rum if preferred)
2 tblsp. corn syrup (lite Karo)
2 tsp cocoa

Put all the ‘Nilla wafers into a gallon Ziploc bag and seal it well. Smash them to a fine crumble with a hammer and great satisfaction. Mix ingredients together and roll into little balls. Roll these through a dish of powdered sugar. Refrigerate for one hour or longer.

I suppose you could grind the Vanilla wafers in a food processor, but really, a hammer is more fun, especially if you’re nipping the bourbon as you go.

Too funky for you? You could try this recipe, which includes chocolate, from the Washington Post.

If you can’t find your hammer, or you’re just feeling a smidge more traditional, try and find some Rebecca Ruth bourbon balls. They’re hard to find outside of Kentucky, apparently, but in this age of the internets, you might have some luck.
Read
Read

Looking for more economical recipes that don’t involve canned chili or hot dogs? Kevin Weeks, a food writer at Gather.com, does a twice-monthly column called Paisano, which offers luscious-yet-affordable rustic recipes from culinary traditions worldwide. Think rich, slow-cooked, peasant-y foods - sumac-spiced chicken kebabs, steak and mushroom pie, lamb with caramelized onions. Stuff from cultures that, out of necessity, invented really really tasty ways to use up that cheap cut of beef.

I might try the Middle Eastern-inflected chicken kebabs, marinated with yogurt, garlic, lemon juice and spices, over green salad for a quick warm-weather dinner. Do you have any favorite peasant recipes in your repertoire?
Read

Drinks are usually on the top of the favorites list for Dads and they are so easy-to-make too. Unlike moms, dads usually love outdoor activities more such as a round at the golf course or watch the football match on the T.V. and what can be better for them than a cool drink to fight the sweat and recharge his energy meter to the fullest again.

Whether you are planning a special bar-be-cue party on this special day for him or not, you can always present him with top-notch cocktails, punch or cake that he will simply love. Even if he is a teetotaler, there are a few recipes that you can use for you cool, cool Pa. If you want to make a Fathers Day brunch then click here Fathers Day Brunch Idea

Here are few easy recipes for the occassion of the Father’s Day: -

One of the colors of the rainbow of Indian festivals, Raksha Bandhan holds a special significance in the Indian culture. Rakhi stands for the chaste and subtle bond of love and affection bond between a brother and a sister. This festival is one of the few festivals of India that indulges very deeply into the minds and emotions of every Indian
On the day of Raksha Bandhan the sisters get up early and after taking bath start preparing special rakhi delicacies for their loving brothers. Here we have complied few easy recipes for Rakhi.