RECIPES WITH BRANDY IN THEM RECIPES

Steps:

• 1. Ingredients out • Kettle boiled • Medium lidded pan, medium heat • Food processor (fine slicer) • Large frying pan, high heat
  2. START COOKING Put 1 mug of rice, 2 mugs of boiling water, the thyme leaves and a pinch of sea salt and black pepper into the medium pan and put the lid on, stirring occasionally.
  3. Peel the onions, then finely slice them with the gherkins in the processor and tip into a bowl.
  4. Finely slice the parsley stalks and roughly chop the leaves, then toss into the bowl with a swig of gherkin vinegar and a pinch of salt, scrunching together well.
  5. Tear or slice the mushrooms into the frying pan with 2 tablespoons of oil, then squash in the unpeeled garlic through a garlic crusher and add two- thirds of the parsley pickle, stirring regularly.
  6. Slice the steaks about 1cm thick and toss with salt, pepper, the paprika and the finely grated lemon zest.
  7. Tip the mushrooms on to a plate, then add 2 tablespoons of oil and the steak to the pan in one layer, turning when golden
  8. Add the spinach to the rice pan and replace the lid. Add the brandy to the steak, carefully light it with a match (if you want), let the flames subside, then return the mushrooms to the pan with the yoghurt and milk and bring to the boil.
  9. Transfer the wilted spinach to a nice serving platter, then fluff up and scatter the rice over the top. Spoon over the stroganoff, squeeze and drain the remaining pickle, then scatter over from a height.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with a baking mat or parchment paper. 
• To make the cookies/shells, melt butter in a skillet with molasses, sugar, and brown sugar over medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. Allow to bubble and cook for one minute, then turn off heat. 
• Dump in flour, ginger, and salt. Stir together quickly until just combined, then stir in brandy. 
• Use a tablespoon to spoon mixture onto cookie sheet; do only eight cookies per sheet, as they will spread out in the oven. 
• Bake for 10 minutes, or until bubbling in the oven. Remove cookie sheet from oven and allow to cool on the pan for 2 to 3 minutes. Lift up circles one at a time and drape them over a cannoli mold (or a large metal handle of a whisk or potato masher!) The cookies will naturally drape over the mold; help it along by pressing the seal. 
• Slide cookies off the mold and set them on a cool plate. Repeat with remaining cookies. Be prepared to slightly reshape cookies as they cool. Fill with cream filling when completely cool.
• For filling, combine cream, sugar, and brandy (make sure cream is very cold.) Place into a cold mixing bowl (chill ahead of time) and mix on high until cream is very stiff. Place cream into a pastry bag fitted with a large tip. Carefully fill cooled brandy snaps. Serve within a couple of hours.*Adapted from an old Helen Corbitt recipe