Which is better - Sweet or Savory?

Let's take a few examples:  ice cream or french fries? ....  honey or bacon? .... strawberries or mashed potatoes.... chocolate or tomatoes?.... the list goes on and on!

Still can't decide?  (Although I'm pretty sure we would all agree chocolate over tomatoes, right Heather?!?)  Well then head to Heather & Eric's for "Sweet & Savory September" and enjoy the best of both worlds!!!

#3 Cup:  Ryan & MJ

Sweet & Savory can be a little difficult when you think of a drink recipe, but this one turned out beautifully and was enjoyed by both the eyes and the tongue!

Katie even had "spa" water which many of us shared in since it was a Thursday night ;)

Recipe:

#3 Cup:
1oz VSOP Cognac
1oz Ginger Beer
.75oz Sweet Vermouth
.5oz Orange Curacao
.5oz Cherry Heering
.5oz Lemon Juice
4-5 Mint Leaves (plus 1 sprig for garnish)
2 Slices Cucumber (do not peel)
2 Slices orange (reserve 1 for garnish)

Muddle mint, cucumber, and orange slice.

Add everything else, then shake with ice and strain into a chilled Collins glass filled with ice.

Garnish with a mint sprig and an orange slice.

"Spa" Water:
Mint Leaves
Sliced Cucumber
Sliced Oranges
Water
Ice

Mix all ingredients in a pitcher, let it stand for a few hours and enjoy!

Mini Chicken & Waffles:  Ann & Jason

The first thing Jason said when I asked him to describe what "Sweet & Savory" food was:  "Chicken & Waffles of course!"  So we took this decadent main course and turned it appetizer style!

Just remember it takes much longer to bread and fry 40 pieces of chicken than you might think!

2nd Place Winner:  Culinary Couples Year One - Best Appetizer!








Recipe:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/chicken-and-kelloggsreg-eggoreg-waffle-appetizer-bites-recipe/index.html

Pork Chops, Mashed Sweet & Savory Potatoes, and Carrot Soup:  Heather & Eric

The main course was both sweet & savory.... Heather and Eric delighted us with delicious barbequed pork chops covered in a balsamic reduction!

And while all of us were out enjoying our #3 cups by the fire, we heard a dinner bell and came in to find the dining table beautifully set with all of our food served - Heather really does make a wonderful wife! Bon Appétit!

Recipes:

Sweet & Sour Glazed Pork Chops:
http://www.saveur.com/article/Recipes/Sweet-and-Sour-Glazed-Pork-Chops-Maiale-in-Agrodolce

Garlic Rosemary Mashed Sweet & Savory Potatoes:
http://virginiafoodsystemcouncil.org/2012/11/garlic-rosemary-mashed-sweet-and-savory-potatoes/

Carrot Soup with Cucumber Pistachio Relish:
http://www.countryliving.com/_mobile/recipefinder/carrot-soup-cucumber-pistachio-relish-3692

Cheesecake with Raspberry Sauce:  Katie & Denis

Our night truly couldn't get anymore gourmet than finishing with a decadent cheesecake!

Thanks to Katie & Denis for creating such a sweet & savory masterpiece! 

I think we all waddled out full and happy, a great success for any Culinary Couples get together!

Recipe:
http://www.marthastewart.com/332755/new-york-style-cheesecake

Katie substituted half of the cream cheese for reduced fat and added more graham crackers to the crust.  She also created her own raspberry sauce by blending frozen raspberries, then melting those in a saucepan with sugar - delicious!