Caroline, Author at Columbus Culinary Connection

February 14, 2016 by Caroline

Brunchin’ it Up: Forno Kitchen + Bar

721 N High Street
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 469-0053
http://www.fornoshortnorth.com/

Top Tastes:
1. Breakfast Pizza
2. Chicken and Waffles
3. True Grit
4. Arancini
5. Nutella Stuffed French Toast

Like so many Columbus food fans, I finally made it to Forno for brunch. Why did I take so long?! What a lapse in personal judgment. Located in the heart of the Short North, the vibe at Forno is clean and modern. The restaurant is filled with great natural light that is ideal for brunch lingering. I was ready to dine.

For an appetizer, we picked the arancini, tasty fried risotto balls with tomato sauce. It was a great start. Upon a quick scan of the menu, I knew I had to order the breakfast pizza, since it covered every component of brunch you could ever want: cheese, runny egg yolks, crispy Brussels sprouts, pancetta, wood-fired crust. Check all the boxes. When I woke up the next morning and came to the realization that I still had leftovers of this pizza, I got on my knees and thanked the food gods. I think it’s the garlicky, Parmesan crust that makes it so addictive. Chicken and Waffles seem to be everywhere right now, but this version was toothsome. It hit all the flavor spots: crunchy chicken, sweet maple syrup on waffles, and spicy hot sauce aioli. Forno also has Nutella Stuffed French Toast, biscuits and gravy, a BLT, + more lunch-leaning dishes such as salads and chicken saltimbocca available. What’s not to love?

If you eat brunch and don’t have a cocktail, can you even call it brunch? I think not. If you order a brunch entree, you can add on a mimosa for just $4, or a bloody mary for $5. I went with a mimosa and wasn’t sorry. As a bourbon-lover, I also sampled the True Grit cocktail, containing Bulleit Rye, bitters, lemon juice, and a muddled luxardo cherry, but the Kiwi Mule caught my eye as well. I need to come back at night too, for their happy hour specials and Forno’s late-night menu that includes spiked strawberries topped with whipped cream, and 1/2 off bottles of wine and champagne from 10 pm – 1 am!

Culinary Clue: Forno is the sister restaurant of Pint House, just down the block. Make your own tour of High Street and nosh at Forno, then head to Pint House for sports-viewing and craft beers.

Keep Connected,

Caroline

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February 7, 2016February 10, 2016 by Caroline

Soul at the Joseph

620 North High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Phone: 614-227-0100
http://www.lemeridiencolumbus.com/soul-at-the-joseph

Top Tastes:

1. The Soul Burger
2. Hamachi
3. Rye & Thai
4. Sautéed Brussels Sprouts
5. Toast

I’m totally sold on Soul! The new hotel hot spot at Le Méridien Columbus, The Joseph offers exquisite small plates and innovative cocktails (plus one bold burger) in an impeccable atmosphere. Whether you’re waiting to nosh on a full meal at The Guild House, dining in with friends, or craving a late-night bite as a hotel guest, you won’t be disappointed.

The menu is the brainchild of neighboring The Guild House Chef John Paul Iaccobucci and Roger Vivas; almost every dish is meant for sharing and for devouring. If you follow this blog at all, you know I have a serious obsession with appetizers because I love to try a little of everything. Mission accomplished, Soul! Honestly though, it was hard to narrow down the Top Tastes list here, because I scraped the plate on every single dish that I sampled.

The setting seems too posh to get a burger but please do! The Soul Burger is a bite you won’t want to miss, consisting of bacon, Manchego cheese, greens, pickled zucchini, and a tender brioche bun enveloping a juicy patty. The Toast is a much classier version of your mom’s Sunday pot roast on bread, with mustard-braised beef, tomato jam, and Ohio-based Blue Jacket cheese. I am down with fried Brussels anytime, anywhere, and the Sautéed Brussels Sprouts are sheer bliss, perfectly charred with caramelized onions and pecans for crunch. Further, I am never the person who orders sashimi at sushi restaurants, but the Hamachi was lovely, with yuzu vinaigrette and radish slivers. So many other choices sounded delectable too, from ribeye to gnocchi to flatbreads.

This isn’t your average hotel bar, either. Bump up your expectations with drinks like the Down By Law (including double chocolate bourbon + chocolate and black walnut bitters). Bubbles are always a good option, so try the Champagne Cocktail: Hennessy VSOP, bubbly, bitters, and a sugar cube. A fun option is the Rye & Thai, a concoction of chili-infused rye, mezcal, bitters, and more. It has a slow-burning heat that will surprise you. The wine list is upscale, with half-glass options available, so that you can taste an expensive wine before investing in a pricey bottle you don’t love. There are also local craft beer options on tap for us hopheads! The whole staff was incredibly attentive without suffocating us, and the entire experience was truly memorable.

Culinary Clue: Le Méridien would be the perfect place for a Columbus staycation or a bachelorette party. The rooms are gorgeous, and there are tons of great places to sight-see within walking distance of the hotel, and you can cap off the evening dining right at Soul. I spy a long weekend lounging at The Joseph in the works!

Keep Connected,

Caroline

Disclosure: The kind folks at Soul contacted me to try and review their menu. Any opinions expressed within this review are my own unbiased views.

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January 31, 2016August 24, 2016 by Caroline

5 North Market Treats to Take Home

Visitors and residents alike delight in everything North Market has to offer: Katzinger’s sandwiches, Pistacia Vera macarons, cheeses, fall-off-the bone ribs, craft beer, and of course, Hot Chicken Takeover. I want every single thing, pronto. But sometimes there is so much to do and see, that is it easy to be overwhelmed by the deliciousness overload when deciding what goodies to grab for later. Here are 5 unique items found at North Market that are awesome to enjoy at home!

Everything Bagel Spice Mix – North Market Spices

http://www.northmarketspices.com

North Market Spices have perfectly portioned packets of every herb and spice you could ever dream of, and a couple more to boot. One of my favs is the everything bagel mix. It’s perfect for sprinkling on steaks, grilled veggies, and (naturally) yeasty bread of any variety. The spice gurus also sell seasoning mixes from local joints, like Katalina’s Spicy Hot Chocolate and Double Comfort’s fiery heat mix.

Frozen Chocolate Chunk and Sea Salt Pretzel Twists – Brezel

http://brezelpower.com

In my quest to eat all things sweet and salty, I’m lucky to have found my mecca, Brezel. The pretzel eatery offers all variety of pretzels ranging from jalapeño to French onion. They carry some frozen options as well, for you to take home and bake later. I’m loving the Chocolate Chunk and Sea Salt twists though. Chocolate is rolled into doughy, twisty goodness, partially baked, and then frozen and put in bags for your take-home enjoyment. You sprinkle on the salt after baking to keep it crunchy!

Coffee & Brown Sugar Bacon – North Country Charcuterie

https://www.facebook.com/NCCharcuterie/

I’m pretty sure I can exist on a charcuterie diet, and fortunately North Country Charcuterie has started a pop-up shop at North Market. They create some scrumptious salami using Rockmill beers and Blue Jacket cheeses, and something else wonderful: coffee and brown sugar bacon. It’s everything you want at breakfast, in one tasty slice. Bake it in the oven for maximum flavor and crispiness.

Gorgonzola and Pear Ravioli – Pastaria

http://www.pastarianorthmarket.com

Pastaria has oodles of noodles up for sale, along with some killer sweet potato gnocchi and many sauces. But a fun take-home choice is a pound of the Gorgonzola and Pear ravioli. All you need for an impressive entree is some boiling water and a splash of brown butter to pour over these pretty pasta parcels.

Apple Pie Salsa – CaJohns Fiery Foods

http://cajohns.com/store/

My husband will try literally any hot sauce out there, so we always end up carting out some CaJohns. But they also have some fun salsa options, ranging from strawberry to pumpkin and more. A fun selection? Apple Pie Salsa! You’ve had apple pie moonshine and regular ole apple pie, but salsa? Try it! This salsa is savory and cinnamon-laden with chunks of apples. I had the first round with chips, but can’t wait to pour it over pork tenderloin.

What are your favorite North Market treats? Let me know in the comments below.

Keep Connected,

Caroline

January 24, 2016 by Caroline

Top Secret Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

I love to bake almost anything, but these cookies might be my favorite concoction ever. In life. There’s something so satisfying about a chocolate chip cookie, warm and gooey from the oven. And I’m going to put it out there – I am a soft cookie girl. It’s a polarizing topic, but you won’t find any hard or crispy cookies in my kitchen. I like to bake these until they’re just firm enough that they won’t fall apart when you pick them up. The cookies stay tender and soft for days in a container, and will please any crowd. The proof (and the secret ingredient) is in the pudding!

Ingredients

2 sticks butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 package instant cheesecake pudding mix (I used Jell-o brand)
2 eggs
1 tsp. almond extract
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips (12 oz)

Preheat oven to 375° F. In a large bowl, mix together brown sugar and butter until sugar is fully incorporated. I like to mix up these cookies by hand, because I think it keeps them from being over-worked. They come together pretty quickly with a simple rubber spatula.

Next stir in the pudding mix. This is the key element to the cookies: cheesecake pudding. It sounds crazy, I know. But you don’t taste the cheesecake part, and the pudding mix keeps the cookies super soft. I’ve tried other puddings to mix in, such as coconut and white chocolate, but cheesecake is the best. Don’t question it.

Add the eggs and vanilla. Once mixed, add the flour and baking soda in as well. Fold in the chocolate chips until evenly distributed. If you put in more chocolate chips, you won’t get any judgment from me. I mean, is there such a thing as too much chocolate in a cookie? I think not.

Drop tablespoon-sized balls of dough on a cookie sheet and bake until the first hint of golden brown appears on the tops, about 8-10 minutes. Let the cookies sit for 20 minutes to firm up before removing them from the cookie sheet. Gobble them up! Warm or cooled, these are bound to be one of your new favorites.

Keep Connected,

Caroline

Check out some of my other baking adventures here:
Sugar Cookie Peach Cobbler
Bacon Cheddar Zucchini Scones

Save Print

Top Secret Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Author: Caroline

Recipe type: Dessert

Prep time: 15 mins

Cook time: 10 mins

Total time: 25 mins

Serves: 40

Ingredients

2 sticks butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 package instant cheesecake pudding mix (I used Jell-o brand)
2 eggs
1 tsp. almond extract
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips (12 oz)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375° F
In a large bowl, mix together brown sugar and butter until sugar is fully incorporated
Next stir in the pudding mix.
Add the eggs and vanilla.
Once mixed, add the flour and baking soda in as well.
Fold in the chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
Drop tablespoon-sized balls of dough on a cookie sheet and bake until the first hint of golden brown appears on the tops, about 8-10 minutes.
Let the cookies sit for 20 minutes to firm up before removing them from the cookie sheet.

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January 17, 2016January 16, 2016 by Caroline

Strongwater Food and Spirits

Strongwater Food and Spirits
401 W. Town St.
Columbus, OH 43215
http://strongwatercolumbus.com/

Top Tastes
1. Pumpkin Spiced Coffee Cheesecake
2. Nashville Hot Chicken
3. Jackfruit Taco
4. “Champagne” Cocktail
5. Maple Shake

The verdict is still out on whether I love the food or the drinks better at Strongwater Food and Spirits. I sincerely hope I don’t have to choose between either, because the vibe and the menu is one of the most unique in the city, in the best possible way. An anchor in the revival of the Franklinton neighborhood (along with Land-Grant Brewing) this fun and funky spot is great for a casual dinner out or late-night drinks with friends. Located in an old industrial building, Strongwater has kept the integrity of the structure, with exposed brick and leaving intact the former executive offices as private mini-rooms. On my most recent visit, I went with a group for New Year’s Eve, and it was so nice to have one of the offices as our own little space.

Now let’s get down to business. You will find innovative twists on some classic dishes on the menu here, as well as many vegan-friendly items. Take the tacos for example. You may have tried tofu as a meat substitute, but how about shredded jackfruit? I hadn’t tried jackfruit before either, but the fruit shreds like pulled pork, and takes on the texture and flavor that real meat would. Add the jackfruit to some jalapeno, cilantro sauce, and butternut squash puree and you’ve got one special taco! I’m a sucker for small plates, Brussels sprouts, and anything with a fried egg, so the Brussels was an easy choice. This appetizer has roasted Brussels sprouts, onions, orange gastrique, sweet potato, a yolky egg, and just enough spice. The salmon was a hit at the table too, with a garnish of apple cider foam. Nashville Hot Chicken is taking over the Midwest, and Strongwater’s take was pretty admirable: a heat-heavy sandwich with chipotle aioli and house-made pickles. Desserts were just as tempting. I adored the chocolate shortbread crust on my Pumpkin Spiced Coffee Cheesecake, and the puffy Apple Fritters with bourbon anglaise were remarkably light.

And oh, the drinks! There are beer and wine options of course, but Strongwater really excels at mixology. The Franklinton Mule is a fun riff on a Moscow Mule, with bourbon instead of vodka. A satisfying winter option is the Maple Shake, consisting of coffee, vodka, soymilk, and maple syrup. My absolute favorite libation was the “Champagne” Cocktail, a blend of prosecco, rhubarb bitters, and a sugar cube. There are too many other good drinks to even list.

Don’t be late to the party! Check out Strongwater and the Franklinton area before it loses some of its grittiness, and don’t be afraid to try an unusual menu item while you’re there.

Keep Connected,

Caroline

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January 10, 2016January 13, 2018 by Caroline

2016 Hot List

It’s my dining bucket list! This compilation contains some eateries that are brand-new and some fan favorites that I’m embarrassed to say I haven’t sampled yet. The thing I’m looking forward to the most about 2016 is discovering more Columbus cuisine and returning to the restaurants that I love.

Restaurants to Try

Salt & Pine: http://saltandpine250.com
From ricotta gnudi to short ribs, every photo I’ve seen of the dishes here make my mouth water. Plus with Harvest Pizzeria as a sister restaurant, what could go wrong?

Krema: http://www.krema.com
I’m obsessed with peanut butter anything, so I’m mystified that I haven’t made it to Krema before. With all kinds of peanut butter sandwiches and milkshakes too, this place sounds like my personal paradise.

Copious: http://www.copiouscolumbus.com
This 2015 newcomer pops up on my radar constantly, so its menu must be pretty magical. Crab Dip? Duck Confit Risotto? Count me in.

Tai Tiki: http://www.taitiki.com
Everything about Tai Tiki is tempting! They have seafood-heavy selections, and fruity, pineapple-garnished drinks. Who doesn’t want to be transported to the tropics in the dead of Ohio winter?

Kolache Republic: http://kolacherepublic.com
The Czech bakery’s kolache are yeast dough pockets filled with sweet or savory goodies. I’m sure either kind will be divine.

Angry Bear Kitchen: http://www.angrybearkitchen.com
Innovated dishes are the name of the game here, and I’m dying to check it out. Items like chicken-fried squash or grilled strawberry sauce sound wildly unique.

Sunflower Chinese Restaurant: http://www.columbussunflower.com
I’m crazy for dim sum, so why haven’t I been here yet? This Dublin spot is touted as the best dim sum restaurant in town, and trying one of everything is the key to my heart.

Sweet Carrot: http://sweetcarrotcolumbus.com
The beloved food truck turned brick-and-mortar in Grandview this year, and I’m intrigued by their offerings. Corn cakes and macaroni and cheese sound right up my alley.

Restaurants to Revisit

Here are some spots that I love, but that I’ve neglected lately. Each of these locations deserves a second or third visit, ASAP.

Guild House: http://www.theguildhousecolumbus.com
I’ve enjoyed a remarkable happy hour at this beautiful Cameron Mitchell staple, but to gain a real appreciation for this spot, I need to come back for the full meal experience.

Denmark on High: http://www.denmarkonhigh.com
It’s been far too long since I stopped back into Denmark, where my husband and I used to be regulars. The house-made cocktail components really shine through, and they serve up a mean charcuterie plate.

Hounddog’s 3 Degree Pizza: http://www.hounddogspizza.com
They know how to make a pie at this campus-area dive. Oh Smokin’ Joe’s crust, how I miss you. Can we get back together soon?

Veritas Tavern: http://www.veritastavern.com
Every course I ate at Veritas Tavern this year blew my mind and the menu changes seasonally, so a return visit is definitely in order.

Lola and Giuseppe’s Trattoria: http://www.lolas-italian.com
The teeny Gahanna gem is one of the best Italian spots in the city, but doesn’t get enough recognition. I could survive on the sweet onion bisque alone for at least a week.

The Refectory: http://www.therefectoryrestaurant.com
It’s been forever since I’ve stopped into this upscale French classic. For my next special occasion meal, you’ll find me here.

Mikey’s Late Night Slice: http://www.latenightslice.com/
I’m always in the mood for some Mikey’s. With the opening of the Fourth Street location with an expanded menu, there’s no time like the present!

What restaurants are must-try places for you in 2016? Have you been to any of these joints?

Keep Connected,

Caroline

in Drink / Food 4 comments

January 3, 2016January 3, 2016 by Caroline

Brassica

Brassica
680 N. High St.
Columbus, OH 43215
614.867.5885
http://brassicashortnorth.com/

Top Tastes
1. Falafel
2. Hummus & Pita
3. Brisket
4. Marinated Cauliflower
5. Spiced Carrots

I have yet to decide which menu items at Brassica are my favorite, and I don’t know that I ever will. Never been to the new Mediterranean joint? You’re in for a treat. I hate to compare Brassica to Chipotle, because it’s an insult really. But it has the same fast-casual, customizable format as the Mexican chain. It’s a segment in which the Short North was severely lacking, and Brassica fits the bills perfectly.

Everything about this spot screams fresh. The menu itself is small but delicious. You choose a base for your goodies first; select either a salad, pita sandwich, or a hummus plate. Side note: the pita is toasted until warm and puffy in a wood-fired oven, then propped up with a metal ring to allow maximum stuffing – I highly recommend it! Then, pick your primary filler. I am crazy about the falafel, but the tender harissa-marinated brisket is also a stellar option. Other choices are just as mouthwatering: house-cured and peppered lamb bacon, succulent chicken, or all-veggie.

I’m the first to admit that I skimp on veggies sometimes, but this is a vegetable-lover’s heaven where even carnivores can come aboard. Slather your salad or pita with amazingly creamy hummus or baba ghanoush and a scoop of lentils and rice. Next, go for topping choices like crispy onions, beets, pickled cabbage, or cucumbers for crunch. Or add the spice-packed marinated carrots or cauliflower. On second thought, maybe just throw on everything, it’s so tempting! Top it all off with a sauce like the secret house dressing or tahini to amp up the flavor.

There’s an emphasis on local here as well, with Columbus-based brews on tap, such Land-Grant, Zauber, and Seventh Son. Look for Ohio-grown produce and Lucky Penny feta cheese on the menu too. The bottom line: head to Brassica as soon as you can!

Culinary Clue: The brisket option is often “while supplies last” so hurry in if that’s what you’re craving.

Keep Connected,

Caroline

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December 27, 2015December 26, 2015 by Caroline

2015 Year in Review

2015 has been a spectacular year for so many reasons, but deciding to start this blog has been one of the most fulfilling. It’s provided me with a creative writing outlet and been a way to document my favorite hobby. So as I reflect on all of the fun I’ve had this year, here are some of the Columbus Culinary Connection posts that you as readers have loved the most, and a few of my favorite snapshots from my first year as a blogger. This is a lengthier post, but it’s too challenging to narrow down my experiences!

Eats and Treats

Doing so much writing forced me to discover new restaurants that I’d never set foot in previously, and I’m so glad it got me out of my usual rotation. I unearthed gems like Hot Chicken Takeover and Veritas Tavern, and became a regular at places such as 101 Beer Kitchen, Harvest Pizzeria, and Harvest Moon Cafe. I want to take up residence at Fox in the Snow. I also started a food truck series that has been super entertaining; you adored posts about Por’Ketta and Tortilla Street Food the most.

Brews and Bottles

I relished getting the chance to chronicle my most-loved watering holes, and add some new ones to my list as well. From wineries like Buckeye Lake to campus-area meadery Brothers Drake, it was a joy sampling local spirits! I upped my craft beer numbers too, by picking up rare finds at Crafted Drafts and Rockmill Brewery. Curio curated one of my favorite cocktails, the Dapper Dan, and I began writing monthly boozy recipes for Drink Up Columbus.

Local Love

Columbus as a community is all about helping others and supporting local, family-owned businesses. There are so many options for gifts, tours, or non-chain spots to grab a bite. In 2015 I featured joints like this in one neighborhood in particular, Grandview. Next year, look for a neighborhood guide on a new section of Cbus! I also started a “5 to Try” column, highlighting topics like products or pizza. I had a blast visiting the Ohio History Center Speakeasy event, and traveling to South Carolina, Biltmore Estate, and Pittsburgh, with a few other quick jaunts in between.

Recipes

Sharing new cooking creations and my family’s favorite meals was very personal for me. Grilling pork tenderloin with this marinade proved tasty beyond belief, and this easy sweet Italian salad dressing was also a hit. My mom shared the first guest post on the blog, detailing our Christmas cookie traditions.

Instagram is a platform that truly lets food photos shine, and it’s been so enjoyable sharing a photograph each day as I eat my way through the capital city. Below, you will find my most memorable Instagram shots and a few extra pics sprinkled in. Follow along at @cbusconnect :

It’s always been my mission to share my love of all things culinary and all things Columbus, and I can’t wait to see what the future has in store! I am so humbled and grateful that so many of you have taken the time to read the posts, send me emails, and promote this brand.

What has been your favorite post this year? Is there a can’t-miss restaurant you want to see featured? Let me know in the comments!

Keep Connected,

Caroline

in Drink / Food / Food Trucks / Local Love / Recipes 0 comments

December 20, 2015 by Caroline

My Family’s Christmas Cookie Recipe

This post is one that is very personal for me, as it chronicles one of the family traditions I relish the most: making Christmas cookies. I am equally eager to share this post because it is a guest post written by my mom! She is the reason that I love to cook, and I am so excited to share her Christmas cutout recipe with you. The cutout cookies are buttery and beautiful, and always get eaten quickly. At Valentine’s Day, she also uses the base recipe to make heart cutouts and dip half of each cookie in chocolate. My mom is the best cook around, so I’ll leave it to her to tell you more!

My name is Jennifer and I am Caroline’s mother. I was thrilled when she asked me to be a guest on her blog, and since it is Christmas time, I decided to share our family tradition of baking Christmas cookies together.

Cooking is one of my hobbies and I feel nothing brings a family together more than sharing a meal. Fortunately, our family loves to eat and try new recipes. Many of our get-togethers are centered around food. Sometimes we even have a theme: for Christmas Eve we all bring an Italian dish to share, we honor my husband’s German heritage with a German feast for Father’s Day, and we even had a Derby-themed party for the Kentucky Derby.

My first experience with cooking came when I was five and Santa brought me an easy-bake oven. I’m sure my parents and brother got very tired of eating my cakes and cupcakes. As I grew older, I learned from helping my mother and grandmother in the kitchen. Every Christmas, I can remember helping my mother bake cookies to share with family and friends. When I married, it became a tradition to still get together for a day of cookie-baking. When my daughters were old enough, they also joined in on the fun.

My mother is no longer with us, but we continue what she started many years ago. We honor her by still using her buttery sugar cookie recipe and many of her cookie cutters. The baking and icing is done at my house now, and our baking group has changed over the years. What used to be an all-girls activity now includes my husband and son-in-law. They only like to help ice the cookies and come up with some very unique ways to decorate snowmen and trees; some of those cookies don’t make the give-away trays and have to be eaten by us.

This year I made 12 different kinds of cookies along with the iced cookies we made together. Almost all the trays of cookies will be given away to neighbors, friends, teaching colleagues, my husband’s basketball team, and my daughters’ offices. Many people have been receiving cookies for years but there are always new names to add to the list!

I have included below my mother’s cutout cookie and icing recipe. During this holiday season, my wish for you is to share your memories or create new traditions with your own family and friends. The food is important, but it is also the time you spend with others!

Happy Baking and Eating!!!

Jennifer

Butter Cutout Cookies

1 cup butter (2 sticks)
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 cups flour
1/4 teas. baking powder
1/4 teas. salt

Mix all ingredients with an electric mixer until just combined. Flour the rolling surface and a rolling pin to prevent dough from sticking. Turn out dough onto surface and roll to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut with floured cookie cutters and placed on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees. I bake small cookies about 7-9 minutes and larger ones 8-10 minutes. Cool and ice as desired.

Icing

1 stick softened butter
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teas. almond extract
1 Tbsp. milk or more as needed

Beat butter, sugar and extract together, adding milk as needed to make a creamy icing. Divide into bowls and add food coloring as desired to achieve colored frosting.

Save Print

Butter Cutout Christmas Cookies

Author: Caroline

Recipe type: Dessert

Prep time: 45 mins

Cook time: 8 mins

Total time: 53 mins

Serves: 36

Ingredients

1 cup butter (2 sticks)
½ cup powdered sugar
2 cups flour
¼ teas. baking powder
¼ teas. salt

Instructions

Mix all ingredients with an electric mixer until just combined.
Flour the rolling surface and a rolling pin to prevent dough from sticking.
Turn out dough onto surface and roll to ¼ inch thickness.
Cut with floured cookie cutters and placed on ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake at 350 degrees. I bake small cookies about 7-9 minutes and larger ones 8-10 minutes.
Cool and ice as desired.

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December 13, 2015December 13, 2015 by Caroline

Kraft House No. 5: Brunch

5 S. Liberty St.
Powell, OH 43065
614-396-9091
http://www.krafthouse5.com/

Top Tastes

Waffle Flight
Orange Crush
Short Rib Hash
Build Your Own Bloody Mary
Breakfast Burger

Kraft House No. 5 is one spot for brunch that I’m crazy about, but I don’t feel it gets enough love. With some unique takes on what can be a very generic meal, this spot won’t disappoint you. So plan a jaunt to Powell, take in some shopping, and fill up with some tasty food and drink at Kraft House.

Because I always want to try everything, I am crazy about flights of anything. Beer, wines, you name it. But waffles? I’m all in, and you should be too! Kraft House No. 5’s waffle flight allows you to sample three differently topped confections, each with an infused syrup. Here are the pairings: bacon and banana with rosemary maple syrup; dried cherries with bourbon cherry maple syrup; and fresh blueberries with spiced vodka maple syrup. You can also get your waffle fix with a Chicken and Waffle dish offering.

If you want to go the more traditional egg route for maximum brunch satisfaction, you’re covered here too. The Short Rib Hash (Potato onion hash, poached eggs, tomatillo salsa, cotija cheese, killer fried plantains, and hollandaise) is an entree you will gobble up quickly. Another fun option is the Breakfast Burger, which consists of maple aioli, hash browns, Benton’s bacon, an egg, and Ohio white cheddar. There are other great choices too, such as the rotating egg benedict special, or a classic breakfast club.

For breakfasty booze, try the Orange Crush: bourbon, orange juice, vanilla honey, and an egg white; it’s the perfect morning pick-me-up. Or, if you are a Bloody Mary person, pick your poison among Rosemary Vodka, Serrano Tequila, or Bacon Bourbon, and then build your own skewer for dunking in it.

Culinary Clue: Kraft House also does some awesome tap takeovers with local breweries. Soon to come: December 10th – Ill Mannered Brewing, and January 21st – Four String Brewery.

Keep Connected,

Caroline

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