Things have been unusually quiet here on the blog mostly due to multiple career and family deadlines. But one of the things that slipped through the cracks was the announcement of who won Zack Tremaine’s Whiskey Challenge.
The last post left us with Detective Garza making his famous New Jersey Bourbon and Bacon Chili. Since Garza was a latecomer to the contest, and Zack Tremaine wasn’t thrilled with the extra competition, I knew the situation on the patio behind Iron Rack’s Gym would become tense. And apparently, when Garza’s chili disappeared faster than Cain’s Bourbon Bacon Grilled Cheese, Ty’s Bourbon Ribs, Alex’s Bourbon Burgers, and Zack’s Bread Pudding and Whiskey Sauce, things between the contestants became heated. Thankfully, the women who love these men (and were also judging the contest) had anticipated the situation.
Sarah Walker (Nate’s wife) ~ “I knew, when Zack first announce his Whiskey Challenge, that there was going to be trouble. Although the men of Iron Rack’s Gym (all ex-Green Berets who now work for their former commander Kells Torridan) are the best of friends, and have served together in the hottest combat zones in the world, they’re also all super competitive. Add to the mix the fact they’re all working in a rundown pirate-themed gym, and they have no idea when their enemies will strike next, they now live with a volatile combination of frustration and anger simmering just beneath their easy-going demeanors.
Luckily the men hold it together pretty well on a daily basis. But this contest has tested them more than I think they even realized. And the judges (me, Juliet Montfort, Charlotte Marun, Samantha Barclay, Allison Pinckney, Vane’s nana, and Carina Prioleau) were expected to pick a winner after eating Detective Garza’s Bourbon & Bacon Chili and dancing in the makeshift disco he (and Calum’s butler Ivers) set up on the patio behind Iron Rack’s Gym. So we came up with a plan ahead of time–a plan to keep everyone happy.
Once we’d eaten Garza’s Bourbon and Bacon Chili (which was amazing!), we danced until the sun began to set. Then we (all the female judges) asked the men to start clearing the tables so we could pick a winner. While the men brought everything inside, we surreptitiously set up an outdoor bourbon bar (thank you Carina for buying all that super-expensive liquor!) and a dessert bar featuring Chocolate Kentucky Bourbon Balls (courtesy of Carina) and Bourbon Bacon Pecan Brownies (made by Allison). When the men came out, we plied them high-end whiskey and sweet desserts until they sank into sugar-and-alcohol-induced hazes. Then, as we returned to the dance floor, we handed Garza a paper crown we’d made that said “Bourbon King.”
Yes, Garza’s Bourbon and Bacon Chili was so good there was no other choice other than to crown him the victor. It’s not that all the other entries weren’t wonderful–because they were awesome as well–but the chili was something Garza must’ve brought down from Heaven.
As we suspected, it took a while for the other men who’d entered the contest (Zack, Ty, Cain, and Alex) to realize Garza had been crowned the “Bourbon King”. But by the time they realized (it was already dark), they didn’t really care anymore. They were all searching for more of Carina’s Bourbon Balls and Allison’s Bourbon Bacon Pecan Brownies. And I think a few of them were watching us (the female judges who unsuccessfully stayed away from the high-calorie desserts) dance our hearts out on Garza’s makeshift disco dance floor.
When the party ended at three a.m. (Yes, you read that right!), we all made a pact: No more whiskey for an entire year. While we love it, we are now totally sick of the stuff. So the next party we have will be based entirely on lemonade… and vodka. 🙂
Bourbon Bacon Pecan Brownies
I love these brownies. They are a bit more work than my other brownie recipes, but they are worth it for special occasions!
Ingredients
- ½ pound bacon, cooked reserve the fat
- 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate chopped
- 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate chopped
- 1 stick plus 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- 3 Tablespoons reserved bacon fat
- 3 Tablespoons bourbon
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1½ cups flour
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup chopped pecans
Instructions
-
Preheat the oven to 350℉. Line the bottom of a 9" square baking pan with parchment paper. Spray the paper with vegetable oil (I prefer avocado oil). Set the pan aside.
-
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crisp. Remove the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Reserve at least 3 Tablespoons of bacon fat. When the bacon is cool, break into small pieces.
-
While bacon is cooking sift together the flour and cocoa powder. Set aside.
-
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the chocolate and butter, stirring continuously. When it's melted, pour the chocolate into a large mixing bowl. Add the sugar, brown sugar and bacon fat. Beat well with an electric mixer. Then slowly beat in the bourbon, the eggs, and the salt. When that is all mixed well (but not overtaxed!), slowly beat in the flour/cocoa powder. Beat until just combined. But don't overheat or you'll toughen the eggs.
-
Pour the batter in the 9" baking pan. Top the better with chopped pecans and broken bacon bits. Press the topping into the batter gently and bake for 50 minutes or until the edges are set.
Cool for at least 30 minutes. Then you can cut and serve!
One Comment
Comments are closed.