Binny's Blog

This giant sandwich cookie looks like an overgrown version of those store-bought treats and has a very similar flavor profile, but the “wafers” are more akin to disks of chocolate cake. And, in our version, the filling is a thick layer of pillowy, buttery, marshmallowy deliciousness.

It is the beginning of summer and the long-awaited return of strawberry season in the Midwest, which is reason enough to celebrate. If you feel the need for another excuse to make this perfectly rustic summer dessert, June 14 is National Strawberry Shortcake Day. But who needs excuses when it comes to strawberry shortcake? It is THE dessert you should be serving to put an exclamation point on every June cookout and picnic you host.

Two pies are always better than one. We submit as proof positive this mashup of two classic cream pies. We round it all out with plenty of chocolate to make the sum exponentially greater than its parts.

It's March, which means the Barrel to Bottle Crew is contractually obligated to talk about Irish spirits. Last year, we tackled some of Pat's favorite Irish whiskies.

The Scotch and Drambuie based delight known as the Rusty Nail got a 21st century update with the addition of the immensely complex herbal liqueur Green Chartreuse. The result is known as the Carthusian Nail. We must confess that we have “borrowed” this idea to create a St. Patrick’s Day friendly version we are calling the Brass Nail.

The classic Grasshopper cocktail has roots in New Orleans, but it took our neighbors to the north to popularize the decadent ice-cream-based version. This is an adults only Shamrock Shake that packs the punch of a swift knock on the noggin with a shillelagh (in a good way!).

A sophisticated Irish influenced meal full of familiar flavors and perfectly suited for family or a small dinner party - oven roasted salmon with carrot sauce, parsnip puree and caramelized cabbage.  

What's the craic? It's the time of year to brush up on all that our Irish Whiskey aisle has to offer.

Let's answer the question you're asking yourself. What distinguishes gelato from ice cream is the following: more egg yolks, less cream/more milk, and definitely less air churned into it than ice cream.The key to expressing that dense and creamy note is dry ice.

Crème brûlée is not simply about intensely satisfying vanilla notes. The joy of crème brûlée is tasting the contrasts - the hot/savory note of burnt sugar and the cool/sweet interior, and above all the the audible crack of its hard shell giving way to the luxuriantly velvet-textured custard underneath.