The Bicycle Chef’s Collingswood Food Swap with Spirit

My friend Denine (aka The Bicycle Chef) started a Food Swap in Collingswood, New Jersey, that’s gaining great momentum.

For anyone unfamiliar with a Food Swap it’s for all those foodies out there that are more than just good in the kitchen; in addition, they like to pickle things and make large batches of stuff, it’s for those that like to vacuum seal a glass jar and do some old-fashioned canning. And for those that specialize in sauces and spreads. And most of all, find adorable and handy ways of displaying and presenting such delectables.

None of this is me, far too much effort involved. However, Denine invited me to this latest gathering (Saturday 3/8/14) to sample homemade spirits! Which is me! There were all kinds of homebrews and brandys, bathtub gin and candy.

Denine decided to do a take on the currently popular Fireball Cinnamon Whisky liqueur – she calls her version Firecracker. The recipe is below. The Burbon, Cherries and Jalapenos fermented for a month, then she added the syrup a day before the Swap. The result is quite an elixir.

Firecracker Burbon Recipe – click to enlarge

The Collingswood Food Swap was held in a really funky space (right off of Haddon Ave.) called The Factory, which is a Coffee House-Art Gallery-Music-Tech-Wood-Metal-Studio and Workspace.

Because it was 2nd Saturday in Collingswood (rather like 1st Friday in Olde City Philly) The Factory hired a band – Kharmatrain. I gotta say, I was rather diggin them. As you can see they’re an eclectic looking group, but the lead vocalist, Angela, has good pipes and I liked that they played everything from Adele to Daft Punk, Tracy Chapman to Led Zeppelin and pulled off each cover quite well.

facebook.com/kharmatrain

I didn’t get the name of the guy who made the Amaretto, but I think he musta cheated and went to the States Store, cause it tasted just like the real thing.

Kate gave me a jar of her spicy peanut brittle and I’m addicted, almost addicted enough to tackle the recipe, but I think instead I’ll get my Aunt to make it for me.

Kate S Spicy Peanut Brittle – click to enlarge


Ingredients to Spicy Peanut Brittle

Denine’s hosts the Collingswood Food Swappers a couple times a year, it’s open to anyone, but you do need to register – It’s a good format, first everyone goes around sampling, and meeting and greeting. Each person gets a sheet like a silent auction with empty lines for the quantity you have of your product, then people come around and put their name on your sheet indicating they wish to swap with you. I think it’s kinda like Valentine’s Day in Kindergarten, where you just send a cartoon Valentine to every kid in the class. In other words, I don’t think anyone ever says, no I don’t want to swap with you cause I don’t like what your brought. It’s all friendly and neighborly and fun 🙂

Denine and fellow swapper making an exchange

Food & Film Moment: Denine and I have been supporting each others blogs for years, but I’d really like to thank her for contributing to my Tribeca Film Festival Fund.

See Below Slideshow Featuring Some of the Swappers and their Goods.