Cider Cocktails and Fig-Goat Cheese Beggars Purses

Two weeks until Thanksgiving. I think I told you all how I really love having a “cocktail of the night” feature when I entertain. This is especially true on holidays. It can be so fun to tie a cocktail in to the holiday or time of year. It helps set the tone for the night. This is a cocktail I served on Halloween but it truly has all the flavors of Thanksgiving, with apples, apple cider, maple syrup – it’s perfect. It was delicious and a big hit on Halloween. It’s officially called Martha’s Sinister Cider Cocktail but for Thanksgiving you can just take out the “sinister” from the name. For an appetizer this week, I wanted to share Beggar’s Purses. These are pretty easy to make and can be assembled, covered with damp paper towels and plastic wrap and placed in the fridge. Just stick them in the oven before serving. You can get really creative with what you put in them too. Try replacing the Fig Jam with Pumpkin Butter and adding some toasted walnuts. Enjoy!

Recipe: Martha’s Cider Cocktail
Recipe from Martha Stewart seen on The Party Blueprints Blog.
• 1 Lady Apple -chopped
• 1/2 a Lime – cut into wedges
• 1 oz Maple Syrup
• 1 oz Apple Cider
• 2 oz Vodka
• Ice
• Club Soda
• 1 Lady apple – thinly sliced, for garnish

1. In a cocktail shaker, muddle together apple cubes and lime wedges.
2. Add syrup, cider, and vodka.
3. Fill shaker with ice. Cover and shake until well combined.
4. Strain into a martini glass and top with club soda.
5. Garnish with apple slice and serve.

Serves 1

Recipe: Fig-Goat Cheese Beggar’s Purses
• 1 package of Phyllo dough
• 16 oz Goat Cheese
• 1 jar Fig Jam
• 2 tbs Unsalted Butter, melted
• 1 bunch of Chives

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cut the phyllo dough into 3″ squares and brush with melted butter.
3. In the center of each square place 1 tablespoon goat cheese and top with about 1 teaspoon jam.
4. Gather phyllo around filling and tie a chive in a knot to close the purse.
5. Bake 8-10 minutes, until phyllo is a golden brown in color. Serve immediately.

Note: Phyllo dough dries out easily. Only keep the phyllo sheets you are working with out of the fridge and try to work quickly. I also found that it helps to make a circle with the chive before putting it around the top of the phyllo and then tighten it around the top.

For more recipes, cooking and entertaining tips from Zareen, check out her blog Cooking With Z.