Maker's Mark Bourbon Balls
A classic Kentucky Christmas treat!
In my family, it isn't Christmas until somebody makes a batch of bourbon balls. This recipe, passed down from my Great-Aunt Marie, is the only one that will do. Because the bourbon isn't cooked down, the candy retains the taste of the bourbon used. I think it's pretty important to use a rich wheated bourbon like Maker's Mark to retain the sweetness of the dough. Bourbon balls made with a rye blend bourbon (think Early Times or Old Forester) tend to add a bitter note.
This yields between six and seven dozen bourbon balls.
1 to 2 cups good bourbon whisky (I use Maker's Mark)
1 cup chopped pecans
1/2 to 1 cup whole pecan halves (optional)
1 two-pound bag of powdered sugar
1 stick butter, softened
2 bags Ghirardelli semisweet chocolate chips
paraffin wax
Place 1/2 to 1 cup of chopped pecans in shallow bowl. Pour Maker's Mark over nuts, immersing completely. Cover and let soak 12 hours to overnight.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place pecan halves in shallow pan and toast lightly for about ten minutes.
Cream butter in stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment. Combine bourbon-pecan mixture with just enough powdered sugar to form a stiff ball. Refrigerate to let stiffen slightly.
Roll dough into small balls.
In double-boiler (or a sauce pan placed over a cooker full of boiling water), add a third to a half a bag of semisweet chocolate chips and a small shaving of paraffin wax (no more than 1/4 cup). Heat until just smooth. Dip dough balls into the chocolate mixture. The key is to coat them quickly and make small, frequent batches of melted chocolate.
Place bourbon balls on wax paper to cool. Top each with a toasted pecan half, if desired. Results are better if you leave them to cool at room temperature rather than in the refrigerator.
Pappy & Co Holiday Gift Sets
Holiday gift sets with a Kentucky bourbon flair!
How's your holiday shopping coming along? If you're like me, you're still trying to find the perfect gift for several folks on the list. I had the opportunity to visit the ladies of Pappy and Co this week, where I got some great holiday gift ideas that I think y'all will love, too!
Pappy and Company is a merchandise and lifestyle brand was founded by the great-grandaughters of the famous distiller "Pappy" Van Winkle. I love the way that Pappy & Co products combine the quality and reputation of the Pappy bourbon brand with a fun and unique line of products. I think y'all will love the bourbon-themed holiday gift sets that Pappy & Co has just released!
I couldn't resist getting the Christmas Morning gift bag for our house. It includes a Louisville Stoneware coffee mug, Weisenberger Mills pancake mix, and Pappy & Co maple syrup that's been aged 6 months in a Pappy barrel!
What a great way to add a Kentucky flare to your holiday mornings!
There's also a Sweet & Spicy Gift Box, which includes the maple syrup as well as a box of delicious Pappy Van Winkle bourbon balls and a bottle of Pappy hot pepper sauce, and a Pappy Hour Gift Tote, with crystal rocks glasses, bourbon balls, a Smathers & Branson key fob, and more!
Here's to gifts that put a little extra Kentucky flair in your stocking!
The HerKentucky Guide to Black Friday in Kentucky!
Y'all have probably gotten 10 million emails today with sales and specials, but here is a rundown of the best local sales and bargains over the holiday weekend!
Bourbon
- Maker's Mark -- free wax-dipped rocks glass set with $50 online purchase. Coupon code RED16
- Lucky's Market Louisville -- 20% off all bourbon in-store!
Derby & Horse Racing
- Kentucky Derby Store -- 15% off orders over $30 with code DERBY15
- Kentucky Derby Book -- 20% off your book purchase with code THANKS20
Events
Taste of 502 -- $20 off tickets, this weekend only!
Exercise & Fitness
- JCC Louisville --New members get a month free if they join today; current members can bring a friend to join today and both will get a free month!
- Barre3 -- 20% off 5 Class packages
- B.You Fitness -- All TEEKI leggings $50; 10 class package for $100; 5 class package for $50; 1 month unlimited for $99;
Food
- Ghyslain Chocolatier -- complementary 4 piece box of chocolate with purchase of holiday box, code hol16gift.
- Wick's Pizza -- free $5 gift card with every $25 in gift card purchases.
Local Boutiques & Specialty Stores
- Louisville Stoneware -- 10% entire online purchase with code BF2016 (through midnight Nov 28)
- Quest Outdoors -- 20% off purchase plus in-store promotions today.
- Hadley Pottery -- Use Coupon Code BF1575 to save 15% on a $75 online order, Use Coupon Code BF25175 to save 25% on a $175 online order.
- Beaufort Bonnet Company -- 30% off site wide with code PINKFRIDAY16
- Rodes for Him & for Her -- Tax free weekend + Free Shipping!
Kentucky Tees & Swag
- Southern Brewed Tees -- all shirts $10!
- Shop Local Kentucky -- 25% off tees; 20% off sweatshirts
- State Traditions -- 35% off sitewide with code BLACKFRIDAY35
- Kentucky for Kentucky -- buy three pairs of Southern Socks, get the fourth free with code BLACKFRIDAY. (Bob swears these are the most comfortable socks ever!)
- Kentucky Branded -- Buy one get one 50% online only; no code needed.
Shop locally
Red Gold Tomato Risotto
Thanks to Red Gold Tomatoes for partnering with HerKentucky on this post! Check out my segment on WHAS-11 for a how-to!
Many people think risotto is hard to make, when in reality it takes only about 30-40 minutes to make, start to finish. Chicken stock, tomatoes, basil, garlic and shredded Parmesan help make this risotto recipe both simple and super fresh!
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 1/2 cups Arborio rice
- 2 (14.5 ounce) cans Red Gold® Diced Tomatoes Basil, Garlic & Oregano, or 1 (28 ounce) can Red Gold® Diced Tomatoes with Basil, Garlic & Oregano, drained
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Directions
• Place a 4-quart saucepan on medium heat. Add the oil and when hot add the onion and garlic. Simmer slowly until the onions are clear. Add the Arborio rice and cook in oil for 1 minute. Add half of the tomatoes and 1/4 cup chicken stock; cook gently.
• Simmer adding 1/4 cup additions of stock as the rice absorbs each addition. Repeat adding stock until rice is tender. Stir in Parmesan cheese, basil and remaining tomatoes. Season with salt and black pepper.
Election Day Info!
This election cycle feels like it has run on forever. Whether you love one candidate or hate them both, please stop and think about how special the right to vote truly is. American women have had the right to vote for 96 years. This is only the 25th Presidential election in which women are eligible to vote. Exercising your right to effectuate change and make your voice heard is far more important than which candidate you like.
So, whether your polling place anthem is Sufferin' 'til Suffrage or Suffragette City, remember that American women have both the obligation and the right to vote!
In case you still need more incentive to vote, here's a list of several local businesses that are offering special perks with your I Voted sticker or your polling place selfie. (You CAN pull a Timberlake in Kentucky; there are no laws prohibiting selfies at Kentucky polls!)
Do you need a little art therapy for stress release while you wait for the Election results? Paducah's MAKE studio has free coloring sheets and supplies all day!
If you need a little zen in your life after your trip to the polls, 502 Power Yoga in Louisville is offering a free practice with your sticker or polling place selfie. Visit them at 2210 Dundee Rd #203 in the Highlands.
Of course, good hair is a universal right. Here in Louisville, Primp Style Lounge is offering $25 blowouts for anyone wearing their sticker. Visit them at 3917 Chenoweth Square or 13301 Shelbyville Road #102.
If you're in Lexington today, Kentucky for Kentucky is offering 25% off all in-store purchases with your "I Voted" Sticker. Visit their Fun Mall at 720 Bryan Ave!
Krispy Kreme is offering a free donut for anyone wearing their "I Voted" Sticker. Visit locations in Lexington and Louisville!
In case you need more Election Day incentives, here's 20% off Bob Evans after 2 P.M. and a free Uber ride to your polling place!
Get out and vote, y'all!!
Orange + Green Halloween Quilt
Every Thursday, I show y'all one of the gorgeous quilts that my grandmother has made for me over the years. Today, it seemed seasonally appropriate to show you this Jack O'Lantern themed quilt she made me a couple of years ago. How fun are the sad and surprised pumpkins?
Check out more Quilt of the Week posts here:
Join the Fight Against Breast Cancer with Dean's DairyPure Milk!
This post was sponsored by Dean's Dairy. As always, all opinions are my own. Thanks to all the sponsors who make HerKentucky a reality!
Two causes that resonate with me are breast health and proper nutrition. My own mother is at very high risk for breast cancer, as she was diagnosed with fibrocystic breast disease in the early 1980s and has spend most of her adult life enduring high risk mammograms, lumpectomies, and biopsies. Like most women my age, I have watched several friends fight breast cancer. We need to work toward raising funds for the nonprofits that work toward research and patient advocacy, like the American Cancer Society.
Here in Louisville, Dean's Dairy products have been providing gallons of nutrition to our families for over 75 years! Now, Dean’s Dairy is also providing gallons of hope in the fight against breast cancer. This October, as part of the American Cancer Society’s 19th annual “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer,” Dean’s Dairy will kick-off an initiative to build awareness and generate resources for the fight against breast cancer in Kentucky and Southern Indiana.
Throughout the month of October, Dean’s Dairy invites us all to make a difference! For each sale of specially-marked gallons of Dean’s DairyPure white milk sold in the Louisville area, Dean’s Dairy will donate five cents to the American Cancer Society!
“Breast cancer ranks second as a cause of cancer death in Kentucky women,” says Kendall Anderson, senior director of corporate relations at the American Cancer Society (and my friend and sorority sister!) “The support of partners like Dean’s Dairy is instrumental in winning our fight.”
Products eligible for the five cent donation will feature the pink ribbon and the American Cancer Society logo. Consumers can find the specially-marked bottles of Dean’s DairyPure white milk at most major retail outlets, including Dollar General and Meijer.
For more information about Dean’s Dairy, visit DeanDairy.com and find Dean’s Dairy on Facebook. To learn more about the American Cancer Society and the upcoming “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” events in Kentucky, please visit MakingStridesWalk.org.