Rat Tails Recipes

Steps:

• Heat 3 tablespoons of the butter in a skillet over high heat for 1 to 2 minutes, until it melts, foams up, and subsides. Brown the pork and then add the brandy or applejack, heat for one minute, then blaze with a match. When the flames die transfer the mixture to a bowl and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and pepper and set aside. Keep the skillet handy.
• In a small saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of the remaining butter over medium heat. Blend in the flour to make a smooth paste. Add the broth and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt; cook for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until thickened and smooth. Remove from heat and reserve.
• Add the final 3 tablespoons butter to the skillet and melt over medium heat. Add the onion and saute till limp and golden. Add the mushrooms, reduce heat to low, and saute for 5 minutes, stirring often until the mushroom juice evaporates. Add the white and red wines, raise the heat to medium high, and boil uncovered for 3 to 4 minutes, until the skillet liquid reduces by two-thirds. Add the tomatoes, olives, and pimentos and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Mix in the reserved sauce, mustard, Worchestershire, hot sauce, port, and cream. Adjust the heat so the mixture simmers gently, uncovered, for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring often, until the skillet liquid is reduced by half and is like a gravy. Mix in the corn, reserved pork, and all of the pork liquid and simmer, uncovered, for 3 to 5 minutes, just until it hot enough to serve. Ladle over fluffy rice and serve.

Steps:

• In a microwave, melt chocolate chips; stir until smooth. Stir in 1 cup wafer crumbs and sour cream. Refrigerate, covered, 1 hour or until firm enough to shape., Place remaining wafer crumbs in a shallow bowl. For each mouse, roll about 1 tablespoon crumb mixture into a ball; taper one end to resemble a mouse. Roll in wafer crumbs to coat. Attach nonpareils for eyes, sliced almonds for ears and licorice pieces for tails. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.