Art in the Age of a New Age: Ushering in 2012 (Part One)

New Years Eve 2011

The idea first hatched when colored leaves were falling, and I added a splash of Rhuby to a cinnamon roll recipe– what if an entire weekend of meals were dedicated to the Art in the Age herbal elixirs?

What if that weekend took place in a setting removed from everyday routines, frenzies and fits?

What if that weekend ushered in a brand new year?

Thus friends, a special someone and I schemed “Art in the Age of a New Age: Ushering in 2012.” With a rustic crate of alcohols and bags of groceries, we escaped to a memory filled cabin. I dare say, it was pretty close to perfect!

Having just come from a home FILLED with the scent of fresh baking gingerbread with no spare bits for sampling (all pieces were destined for an epic gingerbread house building endeavor), I had an immense craving for gingerbread. With a waffle iron at my disposal, the delivery of my craving was obvious!

New Year’s Eve Brunch Menu

Gingerbread Waffles
with Caramelized Snapples, Whipper Snapper Cream & Pure Maple Syrup

Snap Candied Bacon

Chai with a Snap!

The very best bite…

The Brunch Recipes

Gingerbread Waffles with a Snap!

Ingredients

4 eggs
1/3 cup organic brown sugar
1 cup molasses
1 cup buttermilk
3 teaspoons Snap
3 cups whole-wheat pastry flour
1 Tablespoon fresh chopped ginger
1 1/4 teaspoons cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup organic, unsalted butter, melted

Directions

With an electric mixer, beat the eggs until they’re light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.

Add the sugar, molasses, buttermilk and Snap and mix until blended, about 1 minute more.

In a separate bowl, combine the flour, ginger, spices, salt, baking soda and baking powder.

Add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture and stir until smooth. Stir in the butter.

Cover and refrigerate the batter overnight or cook immediately in a waffle iron until golden brown, 2 to 4 minutes.

Serve with whipped cream and apple topping.

Snapple Topping

1 pink lady apple, sliced
2-3 Tbs organic unsalted butter
½ shot Snap
cinnamon
nutmeg
organic brown sugar

Sautee the apple slices in melted butter until softened.

Sprinkle cinnamon, nutmeg and brown sugar over the apples and continue to stir. As the apples caramelize, add the Snap. Serve warm over waffles.

Whipper Snapper Topping

1 cup organic heavy whipping cream
1 shot maple syrup
1 shot Snap

Place a medium sized bowl in the freezer until chilled. Remove from freezer and add the whipping cream, maple syrup and Snap. Use an electric mixer to combine until stiff peaks form. Keep chilled until ready to serve.

Snap Candied Bacon

Ingredients

Maplewood Smoked Bacon
Organic brown sugar
Organic maple syrup
Snap

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Lightly butter a small glass baking dish or stone.

Arrange bacons in strips, and avoid overlapping.

Brush each piece of bacon with maple syrup, followed by Snap.

Sprinkle brown sugar over each piece.

Bake for 8-10 minutes, then flip each piece of bacon.

Continue to bake to desired level of crispness.

Enjoy!