Speckled Hen Inn

Category Archives: Recipes

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Comments Off on A Cool Summer Breakfast Dessert – Very Berry Sorbet
Info for Foodies, Recipes, Summer

A Cool Summer Breakfast Dessert – Very Berry Sorbet

When berries come into season in July, we have so many different kinds in abundance that we really enjoy using them in a variety of ways.  One of the traditions here at The Speckled Hen Inn is our sorbet served as the 3rd (or in many cases during harvest seasons the 4th) course.    We discovered a mulberry tree near the back gardens this year so we have added it to our list of sorbets we make and serve but you can add any berry you like – blueberry, raspberry, strawberry, blackberry – just strain the seeds. Here’s the recipe:  Mulberry Sorbet We recommend using a sorbet/ice cream maker. Ingredients: 4-1/2 cups mulberries (or any berry) 6T lemon juice (may add more
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Comments Off on Cherries are in season
Info for Foodies, Recipes, Summer

Cherries are in season

Cherry Almond Clafoutis We have a lot to be grateful for here at The Speckled Hen Inn.  We have 20 acres of heaven that is only 10 minutes from downtown yet a world away from it all – in fact most people drive right past us because we’re so hidden and if it weren’t for their GPS they may not even find us!  But when you come in, you will see the most beautiful, serene landscape of a brilliantly green pasture surrounded with trees, a white fence,  and the happiest sheep and llama you will ever find.  There are gardens, orchards, berry patches, and a vineyard that produces amazing fruits and vegetables.  I still pinch myself and thank God every day that we
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Comments Off on Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Recipe
Recipes

Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Recipe

How many Wisconsin specialties can you list? Artisanal cheeses, craft beer, the Packers, our beautiful, great outdoors. There’s a lot to be proud of. One thing that likely does not come to mind is asparagus. Is it really a Wisconsin delicacy? Well, maybe not to everyone, but it is delicious and Wisconsin does grow some of the most tender and flavorful asparagus.  The Bacon Wrapped Asparagus recipe that follows is proof that you can even enjoy Asparagus for breakfast.   Being able to grow an asparagus patch takes patience, the perfect soil conditions and, because it can take two to three years to establish and produce a crop, it requires even more patience. Even though it can grow in most
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Comments Off on Mexican Hot Chocolate Creme from The Speckled Hen Inn
Recipes

Mexican Hot Chocolate Creme from The Speckled Hen Inn

Mexican Hot Chocolate Creme recipe from The Speckled Hen Inn Bed and Breakfast in Madison  3 Egg Yolks ½ cup sugar 2 Cakes of Ibarra Mexican Chocolate chopped into pieces. 1 Cup of Whipping Cream 1 Cup of Milk  In a medium saucepan whisk together the yolks and sugar.  Add cream and milk and begin cooking over medium low heat whisking constantly.  As the milk begins to warm add in the chopped chocolate and continue cooking and stirring until chocolate has melted and the mixture thickens to the consistency of thick cream.  Serve warm topped with whipped cream and shaved chocolate or cinnamon sugar.  Serves 8 – 10 (demitasse cups). _______________________________________________________________________ The source of warmth in the winter, conversations shared
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Comments Off on Grape Harvest in Wisconsin
Info for Foodies, Recipes

Grape Harvest in Wisconsin

Warm days and cool nights signal the beginning of the Grape Harvest in Wisconsin. The grapes, hanging heavily on the vine, have soaked up the rays of the sun throughout the summer turning plump and juicy meaning it’s time to begin harvesting them.  What an ideal time to visit the local wineries, like Wollersheim Winery just down the road from the Speckled Hen Inn, located in Sauk City. They’ve begun their collecting the fruit and will commence creating some of our favorite blends including their best seller, Prairie Fume. Among some of their other awards and praises, in 2012, Wollersheim won the “Winery of the Year” award at San Diego’s International Wine Competition.   Another winery nearby is the Fisher
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Comments Off on Raspberry Chocolate Muffin Recipe from the kitchen of The Speckled Hen Inn
Recipes

Raspberry Chocolate Muffin Recipe from the kitchen of The Speckled Hen Inn

Raspberry Chocolate Muffin Recipe from the kitchen of The Speckled Hen Inn Raspberry Chocolate Muffins 1 2/3 cup flour 3/4 cup oatmeal 2/3 cup sugar 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1 egg lightly beaten 3/4 cup milk 1/3 cup canola oil 2 Tablespoons orange juice 1 teaspoon vanilla 3/4 cup fresh or frozen raspberries 1/2 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips Combine the first 6 ingredients in a medium bowl.  In another bowl combine the egg, milk, oil, orange juice and vanilla.  Add the chocolate chips and raspberries to the dry ingredients and toss lightly to combine. (If you are using frozen raspberries,do not thaw them). Add the wet ingredients and stir just until all
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Comments Off on Wisconsin Cheese Curds Scramble
Recipes

Wisconsin Cheese Curds Scramble

Our Wisconsin Cheese Curds Scramble was inspired by a recipe from the Spring Green General Store in Spring Green Wisconsin. 8 large eggs ½ cup half and half 2 Tablespoons butter 1 ½ cups Wisconsin Cheddar Cheese Curds 4 pieces of sun dried tomato diced 1 Tablespoon fresh dill chopped or 1 teaspoon of dried dill weed Salt and pepper to taste   Baby Spinach leaves Sautéed Asparagus Toasted Beer Bread   Break or chop the cheese curds into ½ inch pieces and set aside. In a blender combine the eggs and half and half.  In a ten-inch non-stick skillet melt the butter over medium low heat.  Add the egg mixture, tomato, dill, salt and pepper.  Stir the eggs and
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Comments Off on The 12 Treats of Christmas – #4 Spritz Butter Cookies
Christmas, Recipes

The 12 Treats of Christmas – #4 Spritz Butter Cookies

These pretty little cookies are second only to cut-out Christmas cookies in being the cookie that will really dress up a holiday cookie tray.  They are quick to make and only need a few sugar sprinkles or a candied cherry in the center to make them sparkle. This recipe is a bit less sweet than most spritz cookies and the finely ground almonds make them very tender.  The almond and butter flavors develop as the cookie is stored so they really are one cookie that isn’t at it’s best just out of the oven.  Give them a day or two and they will be heavenly. I used a cookie press to make mine.  They can also be piped through a
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Comments Off on The 12 Treats of Christmas – #3 Rosettes
Christmas, News From Speckled Hen Inn, Recipes

The 12 Treats of Christmas – #3 Rosettes

We saw a few flakes of snow this morning and more is predicted tomorrow…finally!  It wouldn’t be Christmas in Wisconsin without snow and it wouldn’t be Christmas at The Speckled Hen Inn without a batch of Rosettes on hand to garnish the morning fruit plates.  We make them to resemble snowflakes but dust them with spiced sugar to pair nicely with winter fruits.  We always have to save a few for our friend, Jay. Making Rosettes does require some special equipment.  You will need a Rosette Iron.  They come in lots of fun shapes but the snowflakes are my favorites.  You can find them at specialty cookware stores especially in areas that have a Scandinavian heritage population.  You can also
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Comments Off on The 12 Treats of Christmas – #2 Mexican Wedding Cakes
Christmas, News From Speckled Hen Inn, Recipes

The 12 Treats of Christmas – #2 Mexican Wedding Cakes

Think about Christmas foods and the first thing that pops into your mind is a Christmas cookie.  Sweet, buttery, nutty, chocolate bites that transport us to our childhood days and fill a kitchen with the smells, sights and sounds of holiday preparation.  The great personal reward for a busy day of shopping, wrapping, or making last minute gifts is a cup of tea and a couple of cookies.  The perfect thank you gift for a holiday hostess is a tray of cookies. Cookies come from the heart and the hearth.  Some are treasured family recipes, reminders of holidays at Grandma’s house.  Others are from ratty looking clippings from a newspaper or magazine that sits in the recipe file until December every
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