Book excerpt: Recipes with spirit for every meal and every season: “A great resource and an essential for unlocking the flavors of bourbon in the kitchen.” ―Tucson Citizen Once thought to be only the tipple of southern gentlemen and the companion of confederate roughnecks, bourbon has gained a steady resurgence in popularity over the years with an ever-expanding and diverse audience. A beverage distilled almost exclusively in Kentucky, bourbon has attained prominence and appreciation for its complexity, history, and tradition. In The Kentucky Bourbon Cookbook, Albert Schmid provides readers with the best recipes using the famous spirit of the Bluegrass. From classic Kentucky cocktails such as the Mint Julep, to bourbon-inspired desserts such as Bourbon-Pecan Crème Brulée with Chocolate Sauce, and more savory fare such as Steaks with Bourbon Ginger Sauce, this book supplies recipes for every course. Schmid uses the four distinct seasons of the Bluegrass State to guide you through this rich collection of bourbon dishes and color photographs. In many ways a lesson on the flavor profiles that pair with and improve the flavor of bourbon, this book can be used by the home cook and the professional chef alike for inspiration to create new dishes—and also recounts bourbon lore, food traditions, and Kentucky history, for a full appreciation of America's native spirit. “All the recipes are straightforward, are easy to prepare, and involve readily available ingredients. As with most good home cooking, the emphasis is not on the painstaking or the exotic but on easy prep and easy eating.” ―The Wall Street Journal