Benis Vodka Balls Recipes

CAKE VODKA BALLS

Steps:

• Stir melted vanilla chips, white sugar, vodka, and corn syrup together in a bowl; mix in vanilla wafers. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled, at least 1 hour.
• Pour confectioners' sugar into a shallow bowl. Form vanilla wafer mixture into 1-inch balls and roll in confectioners' sugar to coat.

PENNE WITH VODKA SAUCE AND MINI MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water, then drain.
• Meanwhile, mix the beef, 1/4 cup parmesan, the breadcrumbs, egg, 1/2 cup basil, the minced garlic and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large bowl with your hands until just combined. Form into 3/4-inch meatballs (about 20). Grate the tomatoes into a medium bowl; discard the skins.
• Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil, then the meatballs. Cook, turning, until browned on all sides, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the sliced garlic and cook until just golden, about 1 minute. Gradually add the vodka, then the grated tomatoes and cream. Bring to a simmer and cook until the sauce thickens and the meatballs are cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper.
• Add the pasta and the remaining 1/4 cup basil to the skillet; toss, adding the reserved cooking water as needed to loosen. Remove from the heat and add the remaining 1/2 cup parmesan; toss.

BOOZE BALLS

Steps:

• Put the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and heat on medium for 1 minute. Stir and repeat until the chocolate melts, about 3 minutes in all, depending on the power of your microwave. Alternatively, put the chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Bring a saucepan filled with an inch or so of water to a very slow simmer; set the bowl on the pan (without touching the water). Stir occasionally until melted and smooth.
• Process the cookies in a food processor until finely ground. (You should have about 1 1/2 cups ground cookies.) Alternatively, put the cookies inside a heavy resealable plastic bag and crush by moving a rolling pin over the cookies.
• Stir the cookie crumbs, dried plums, confectioners' sugar, bourbon and condensed milk into the chocolate until evenly combined. Cover and refrigerate the mixture until firm enough to roll into balls, about 45 minutes.
• Scoop a tablespoon or so of the mixture at a time into a small ball with a cookie or small ice cream scoop and set onto a baking sheet or large plate. Roll each portion by hand into a smooth ball.
• Store the booze balls in an airtight container at room temperature for a day to allow the flavors to come together. Store the balls in the refrigerator for a week or freeze for up to 1 month. Roll in decorating sugars or wafer crumbs and serve.

BEST MATZAH BALLS

Steps:

• Whisk eggs and olive oil in a bowl until combined; stir both amounts of club soda and salt into egg mixture. Mix matzo meal into wet ingredients to form a workable dough; if mixture is too wet, stir in 1/4 cup more matzo meal. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Bring water to a boil in a large pot. Wet your hands and form matzo ball dough into walnut-size balls. Gently place matzo balls into boiling water. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer matzo balls until tender, 25 to 30 minutes.

CAROL WOLK'S MATZOH BALLS

Steps:

• Place the chicken broth in a deep pot over medium heat. Meanwhile, in a mixing bowl, combine the matzoh meal and eggs. Add the salt, vodka, club soda, chicken broth and vegetable oil. Mix well. Put in the freezer for 45 minutes.
• Use two tablespoons to form matzoh balls that are about two inches in diameter. When the broth is hot but not yet boiling, use a slotted spoon to place each ball into the soup. Cover the pot and cook for 40 minutes and serve.

BLUE CHEESE VODKA BALLS (FINGER FOOD)

Steps:

• Cream together the blue cheese, cream cheese, vodka and parsley until smooth.
• Refrigerate for 35 minutes.
• Shape into small balls and then roll into the sesame seeds.
• Refrigerate until needed.

BEANS AND GREENS ALLA VODKA

Steps:

• In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high. Add the onion and garlic, season with salt, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the tomato paste, vodka and red-pepper flakes. Cook, stirring, until the tomato paste is a shade darker and starts to stick to the bottom of the pot, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add 2 cups water, the beans and the kale, season with salt and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to maintain a simmer, cover, and cook until the liquid is flavorful and the kale is tender, 7 to 10 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and stir in the heavy cream. Taste and if it needs more salt, stir in some grated Parmesan. Serve with more Parmesan on top.