Aebleskiver - Danish Pancakes

Aebleskiver are Danish pancakes made in a aebleskiver pan (mine is seasoned cast iron). I prefer to make them with seedless blackberry jam. The jam isn't necessary though, so you can make them plain and dip them in syrup, applesauce, honey or serve them with fresh fruit. You will need a knitting needle, bamboo skewer or fondue fork to flip these. I recommend one of the first two to prevent scratches. The quarter is to give you an idea of size, they're about the size of a half-dollar and just shy of an inch thick. While they do require a special pan to make, they are reasonably priced and can be found at most Scandinavian stores or from Amazon or various resources online. They are easy to make and kids love them.

Aebleskiver

INGREDIENTS
3 eggs, separated
2 cups all purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 cups milk
3 tablespoons butter

Butter

optional:
seedless jam/preserves/jelly
powdered sugar

DIRECTIONS:
In medium nonreactive bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form.
In large bowl mix together flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, and baking powder.
Mix in milk and egg yolks until smooth.
Cut 3 Tbsp butter into 7 pieces and place in aebleskiver pan over medium heat until melted. (This serves to prep the pan as well as melt the butter)
Completely incorporate melted butter into the batter.
Fold in beaten egg whites.

Have 2 Tbsp butter cut into small blocks to add to pan every pancake. (About 20 cubes, 5 slices each quartered)

Drop pancake batter into pan, filling each well about halfway.

Optional: Drop approximately 1/4-1/2 tsp jam in each well, push in and cover with a bit of batter.

Flip with a knitting needle or bamboo skewer after about a minute (edges with be sort of dry like normal pancakes).
Cook about 1 more minute.
Flip onto plate.
Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired.

Cocktails - Appletini, Ocean Breeze, Mojito, Raspberry Creme, Pomegranate Champagne

Just a small sample of my favorite cocktails that are consistent favorites at our yearly cocktail party.

Appletini

1 oz Shakka Apple Liqueur
2 oz Apple Juice
1 oz Smirnoff Apple

Shake with ice, strain into martini glass
optional: Garnish with apple cubes or slices

Ocean Breeze

1.25 oz Malibu rum
.75 oz Curacao
.5 oz Orange juice
.5 oz Pineapple juice

Shake with ice, strain into martini glass
optional: Garnish with an orange slice or pineapple spear

Mojito

3 oz Light rum
Juice of 1 Lime (1 oz)
2 tsp Sugar
2 Mint sprigs, crushed in glass to release flavor
Soda water
Muddle mint and sugar together into shaker with a splash of soda water
Add remain ingredients, shake with ice
Strain into highball glass
optional: Rim glass (dip in lime juice, then sugar) and garnish with a mint sprig

Raspberry Creme

1 oz Chambord
1 oz cream
1 oz creme brulee liquer (Just Desserts)

Shake with ice, strain into martini glass
optional: Garnish with White Chocolate shavings, or a raspberry

A personal favorite:

Pomegranate Champagne

2 oz champagne
1 oz pomegranate juice
0.5 oz orange liquer: Grand Marnier or Cointreau
1/2 tsp simple syrup

Shake orange liquer, pomegranate juice and simple syrup with ice, strain into champagne glass
Pour in champagne and stir gently
optional: Garnish with pomegranate arils