Infused Bourbon? We'll See

I've been meaning to try this ever since I had the house-made bourbon at Luxe.  Bourbon infused with lavendar and basil.  Here it is.

1 bottle Bourbon Supreme

2 sprigs fresh lavendar (flowers and all, no pesticides or fertilizers)

A handful of fresh basil leaves

Combine and let stand.  After infusing, pour through a sieve.

Beth's Sausage

Another good one from Beth, received by email, and I quote:

First, made me laugh to type the subject line.

Second, I made italian sausage today.

So, we have all this pork in the freezer. A couple of fresh ham roasts. I've tried different ways to cook it and while Greg will eat it, it makes me gag. So, I borrowed sister in laws grinder attachment for the Kitchen Aid mixer. Thawed the fresh ham roast in the refrig. Cut it up in small pieces and put it thru the grinder and wha la, ground pork.

So I'm guessing there was 3 to 4 lbs. Left it in the bowl and added the following:

2 tbl kosher salt

1 1/2 tbl pepper

1tbl garlic powder

1 1/2 tbl papkrika

1 tbl fennel

1tbl red pepper (was probably a little shy of that).

Set a side a portion. Wrapped what I guessed to be 1 lb portions in plastic then put it in a freezer bag. Didn't put it in casings or anything.

So I just browned some of it to put in pasta sauce. It is terrific!!

Prior to the sausage making I stopped at Penzey spices. Needed Fennel. What a fun place. I want to own a spice store!!

Beth