April 1 – Limoncello Tom Collins & Goat Cheese and Herb Egg Bites

A sunny and beautiful April Fools Day to you! Don’t we all wish this pandemic and our current reality was a bad April Fools prank? I sure do. Okay, enough with the fantasizing, time to get serious and think about dinner, and my #quarantinecocktail. I am thinking carnivorously this morning, maybe a tri tip, bloody mary style? I will enlist the help of my sous-vide device for this. Roasted Brussels sprouts with a little maple syrup, and I’m considering throwing some rhubarb on the sheet pan too, just to see. A bright green salad with lots of herbs, and now I think I’ve got dinner sorted. Onto cocktail hour with a Limoncello Tom Collins and some Goat Cheese and Herb Egg Bites. I plan to make extra egg bites because they make a great, high-protein snack or breakfast the next day.

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Limoncello Tom Collins

Did you know some people keep limoncello in the freezer? I don’t due to lack of space, but this liqueur is best served very cold, so not a bad idea. Remember this drink as the weather warms up; so nice for a party (when we can have parties again).

Makes 1 cocktail

  • 2 oz Limoncello

  • 1.5 oz gin

  • 1 oz fresh lemon juice

  • 2 oz sparkling water or club soda

  • Thinly sliced lemon wheels for garnish

  • Mint sprig for garnish

Mix the limoncello, gin, lemon juice in a tall glass with ice. Top with sparkling water or club soda. Stir gently. Garnish with lemon wheels and mint sprig.

Goat Cheese and Herb Egg Bites

Not your Starbucks egg bites. These make a great snack with drinks or a light lunch with a salad. Save the leftovers for breakfast.

Makes about 18 mini bites

  • 1⁄2 shallot, chopped

  • 1 c shredded kale (or spinach)

  • 2 T parsley, chopped

  • 2 T fresh thyme leaves

  • 1 T chives, chopped

  • 7 eggs

  • 3⁄4 c crumbled goat cheese, divided

  • 1⁄2 t kosher salt

  • 1⁄4 t black pepper

Preheat oven to 350.

Butter 24 mini muffin tins.

Add shallot, kale, herbs, eggs, 1⁄2 cup goat cheese, salt and pepper to the jar of a blender. Mix well. Fill muffin cups 3⁄4 full, then top each egg bite with remaining crumbled goat cheese.

Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden on top and set.

Drinks, AppetizersChouquette KitchenLimoncello, Tom Collins, Goat Cheese, Herb, Egg Bites, Breakfast, Gin