August 16th, 2010
 Al Fresco I was taking, Addy, my dog, for a walk early this morning. It was humid. So much more than yesterday and I started to wonder what would I want for dinner tonight. I have not had anything for breakfast yet, and already dinner was on my mind.
I think dinner is my favorite time of the evening. Having it al fresco makes it even better.
The following 3 recipes would be perfect for a day like today. They are easy too.
Flank Steak Wrap
1 beef flank steak – 1 to 1-1/2 lbs.
4 cups pre-cut coleslaw mix
1 cup chopped green onions
salt and pepper to taste
8 medium flour tortillas
1/2 cup honey roasted peanuts, coarsely chopped
Dressing:
1 cup rice vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
2 tablespoons sesame oil
For the dressing, just combine the rice vinegar, honey and sesame oil in a jar and shake vigorously.
Place beef steak and half of the dressing in a plastic bag. Close bag securely and marinate in refrigerator for 1/2 hour.
Pour other half of dressing in a large bowl and toss with coleslaw, green onions, salt and pepper.
Place steak on grill over medium coals and cook 17 to 21 minutes for medium rare to medium doneness. Let it rest on a cutting board for a few minutes and sprinkle with salt (optional) and pepper. Slice into thin strips on the diagonal.
Warm tortillas 10 to 15 seconds in the microwave.
To assemble: Place beef slices, some coleslaw mix and peanuts on a tortilla and roll tortilla. Garnish with green onions and peanuts.
Note: Allergies? To make it gluten free, then you will need to find corn tortillas and read the ingredients on the peanuts. Peanuts are usually dusted with wheat. Crazy, isn’t it? Peanut allergy? Then you know what you need to do. But maybe you can give it a little “cha-cha” by adding chopped jalapenos instead of peanuts.
Raspberry-Lime Agua Fresca (Non-alcoholic)
If you like raspberries, then you will probably like this refreshing drink; definitely, better than soda.
3 cups or a 12 ounce bag of frozen raspberries
1/2 cup sugar (you may use sugar substitute, please adjust)
1/2 cup lime juice
ice cubes
fresh mint sprigs
lime wedges
Place raspberries, sugar and lime juice in a blender along with 2 cups of cold water. Puree, and then pour the mixture into a large pitcher.
Sir in 6 cups of cold water. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 2 hours.
Stir well before serving. Pour the agua fresca over ice and garnish with mint sprigs and a lime wedge.
Note: If you would like to spike it, then white rum or tequila would be the liquor to add.
White Sangria
There is nothing better than a good Sangria on a hot summer day. I will admit that my favorite is the traditional red one but it also good to alternate and serve a white one on a warm day.
1 green apple, cored and cut into 1 inch chunks
5 strawberries, hulled and thinly sliced
1/2 cup canned pineapple chunks with 1/2 cup juice
2 limes, thinly sliced
one 750 ml. bottle of white wine
1/4 cup triple sec
1 cup orange juice (4 oranges)
1/2 cup lemonade
ice cubes
Combine all ingredients except the ice cubes in a large pitcher and chill for at least 2 hours or up to 2 days. Serve the white sangria in glasses filled with ice, being sure to include a selection of the fruit in each glass.
Makes about 8 cups. Can easily be doubled.
Enjoy it and make it your own!!!
Talk to you later…you know I will…
August 13th, 2010
I cannot believe I have put so much thought into the superstition of Friday the 13th.
No nothing happened, in this unluckiest day on the calendar. Nothing was done that could have compromised my well being. Am I crazy?, I just actually took two airplanes. Other than the airport in Charlotte being packed, piercing screams from two of our younger passengers on US Airways Express; it was smooth landing.
I was a little worried about my suitcase. You know, this company is notorious for misplacing luggage on a non stop flight and I had changed planes. The luggage made it, as well.
Regarding this superstition, the New York times has quoted in the past that people “would no more buy or sell a share of stock today than they would walk under a ladder or kick a black cat out of their path”.
Millions of dollars are lost every Friday the 13th because people refuse to travel, purchase major items or even conduct business.
And listen to this. The dealiest associations with the number 13 are the facts that there are 13 stairs leading to the gallows; the blade in a guillotine fell from a height of 13 feet; and a hangman has 13 knots in a hangman’s noose. I knew you could use this information.
Otis Elevator Co., which is the world’s largest elevator manufacturer says that 90% of U.S. skyscrapers do away with floor #13.
And, Jack the Ripper and Charles Manson? Yes, 13 letters in their names.
To give you more info. than you would want, there are 13 witches in a coven.
But, do not worry because for 2010 Friday the 13th is only happening once.
The evening is almost over….talk to you tomorrow…about a better topic, I hope…
August 12th, 2010
I had not thought about this superstition for a long time. Today it came to mind when I realized that I would be traveling tomorrow, Friday, the 13th. Even though I don’t believe that it’s an unlucky day to do anything risky like flying, I cannot help to wonder.
Fear of Friday the 13th is calleld friggatriskaidekaphobia. Frigga is Friday and triskaidekaphobia comes from a combination of 2 Greek words attached to phobia.
In the Gregorian calendar this occurs at least once a month, but at most 3 times a year. Any month’s 13th day will fall on a Friday if the month starts on a Sunday.
Before the 19th century no written evidence for that superstition existed. But in numerology, the #12 is considered the number of completeness; 12 months of the year, 12 signs of the zodiac, 12 hours of the clock, 12 tribes of Israel, 12 Apostles of Jesus, 12 god of Olympus and on and on.
The #13 is irregular, Remember Black Friday?
Just a thought; Superstition, forklore?…..
Talk to you later…..
Information for this post taken from Wikipedia.
August 8th, 2010
Salads are perfect for this time of the year. I think this one is a winner but I do love Feta cheese, so maybe that’s why.
Summer Feta Salad
1 head romain lettuce, torn
1 large bunch parsley, stems removed
1 cucumber, sliced
1 (4.5 ounce) can pitted black olives, drained
1 tomato, quartered
4 ounces feta cheese
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
1/8 cup lemon juice
pepper to taste
Toss together lettuce, parsley, cucumber, olives and tomatoes. Crumble feta cheese and add to lettuce; set aside.
Mix olive oil, vinegar and lemon juice together; toss, to taste, with the salad. You might not want to use it all, but I usually do.
Add fresh ground pepper to season and serve.
Serves 4.
As usual, with any recipe, just make it your own and enjoy….talk to you later…
August 5th, 2010
This is one of those recipes that is perfect for this time of the year. Dining al fresco? You bet. Just add a green salad, a glass of wine, atmosphere, a couple of friends and you have a winner.
Shrimp & Pasta Salad
1 lb. macaroni, cooked, drained and cooled
1 lb. medium shrimp, cooked and peeled
4 hard boiled eggs, chopped
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup pitted black olives, sliced or chopped
Dressing
1 cup mayonnaise – regular or low fat
1/2 cup chopped dill pickle
1 tsp. lemon juice
2 tsps. Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp. Dijon mustard
2 tbsp. olive oil
1/2 cup ketchup
hot sauce – to taste
In a large bowl, combine first 6 ingredients. Mix well.
In another bowl, mix dressing ingredients. Pour over macaroni mixture, stir well and chill for several hours before serving.
Too easy right? It serves 8.
Note: This recipe can easily be adapted to be gluten free. Just replace the macaroni for gluten free ones and Emeril’s mustard is also gluten free.
Enjoy it and make it your own!!
Talk to you later…
July 30th, 2010
The Freeman Stage at Bayside offers a wide range of diverse and quality arts experiences to people of all ages and backgrounds.
This Friday and Saturday an Arts and Jazz Festival will be the entertainment for those 2 days.
Various Jazz musicians will perform on the Freeman Stage while local artists showcase their art on the lawn.
Friday, 7/30, the jazz performers will be: the Jazz All Stars from 4 – 6 p.m. and Joe Baione Sextet from 6 – 8 p.m.
Saturday, 7/31 – Pam Miller Band will be performing from 12 – 2 p.m., Radio King Orchestra from 2 until 4 p.m., The Swingin’ Swamis from 4 – 6 p.m. and national jazz recording artist, Gregg Karuka from 6 until 8 p.m.
The Freeman Stage is located just 4 miles west of Fenwick Island, Delaware, at the intersection of Rt. 54 and Rt. 20. Just turn into the Bayside community and proceed straight on Americana Parkway. The Freeman Stage is located on Town Lake at the intersection of Americana Parkway & Lake View Drive. The address for your GPS? 31570 Lake View Dr., Selbyville, DE 19975.
For more information, please call 302-436-3015 or visit www.freemanstage.org. They are also on Facebook.
No humidity and perfect weather for all of our beaches. Enjoy!! Talk to you later…
July 29th, 2010
I love buying cookbooks. I read them like novels. And, I don’t discriminate; neighborhood cookbooks, different cuisines, fundraising and school ones.
The last time I was in Boulder I bought a couple of them. They looked easy and a little innovative.
One of them is called Amor y Tacos. In it the recipes are modern Mexican tacos, Margaritas and appetizers. The author? Deborah Schneider.
She combines the recipes of taqueros in roadside stalls in Baja with the ones in Tijuana.
My son decided yesterday, after I had cleaned the kitchen that he wanted to make some tacos. With this book in hand he decided on the Lemon-Garlic Chicken Taco with Mezcal.
The sauce in this recipe is spicy-lemon garlic flavor; almost like a variation of a Caribbean mojo sauce. The meat is to be tossed with all the great flavors of the marinade after it is cooked and not before.
Lemon-Garlic Chicken Taco with Mezcal
4 large boneless chicken thighs, with skin on
1 tsp. olive oil
Kosher salt
1 large clove garlic, peeled and finely minced
1 small serrano chile, minced
Fresh-ground black pepper
1/2 lemon
1/2 lime
1 1/2 tsp. mezcal or blanco tequila
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
12 (4″) corn tortillas, warmed
Shredded lettuce
1 avocado, diced, sprinkled with a little salt
Pre-heat pan over medium heat. Toss the chicken thighs with the oil.
Starting with the skin side down, cook the thighs until the skin is very crisp. Turn and cook them until done.
Sprinkle the crisp with a little salt. (The chicken may be roasted, if you want, skin side up and uncovered, in a 375 degree oven until well done and golden crisp.)
When the chicken is cooked, slice it thinly or dice it. Place it in a bowl and toss it with the garlic and serrano chile, 1/2 tsp. salt, and a couple grinds of fresh pepper.
Squeeze the lime and lemon juice directly over the chicken, add the mezcal (or tequila), and stir in the cilantro.
Serve wrapped in the warm tortillas with lettuce and avocado.
Note: If you cannot find serrano chiles just substitute with a jalapeno, just like he did.
This recipe turned out delicious; it is spicy but the combination is great.
Note: Mezcal is made from agave throughout Mexico. The best ones taste strongly of alcohol.
I love enjoy seeing my children cook. Talk to you later….
Have a great day!!
July 28th, 2010
Last month I lost my driver’s license. I proceeded to go and sit for hours at the DMV located in Georgetown, Delaware.
Did not even look at it until I flew to Florida a week or so ago and almost could not get on the plane. My license said on the top that it was not to be used for Federal I.D. They did let me go through but it was close.
The moment I came back to Delaware I went back to the DMV. Thank God this was a very fast visit.
This is what’s going on with driver’s licenses:
By December 2014 we all need to get a Federally Compliant Driver’s License. This license/identification card will be sufficient identification to fly domestically, travel by train, enter federal facilities, and conduct other offical federal business after December 1, 2014.
All states are going to be on board with this regulation. After the above mentioned date, you will not be able to use your regular license for those purposes. The new compliant license will have a gold star on the upper right-hand corner.
In order to get the Compliant License you will need to bring the following:
1. Birth certificate issued by the Bureau of Vital Statistics or State Board of Health (wallet cards, birth registration or hospital announcements/records are Not accepted).
or
Valid Passport/immigration documents
2. Social Security Card or Official Letter issued by the Social Security Administration (SSA) containing social security number.
3. Two proofs of Delaware residency that includes applicant’s name and is postmarked within 60 days (i.e.; utility bill, cable bill, voter’s registration card or junk mail; personal mail is Not accepted).
3. Legal name change documentation if applicable (marriage license(s), divorce decree(s), court order(s).
Please note that if you do not have a passport, and only have a birth certificate, but are married, then you need to bring the documentation that supports the legal name change mentioned in #3.
Since I did not know this when I went to get my duplicate driver’s license, I only got a Non- Compliant license and had to go back with all my documentation.
I just want to save you that extra trip to the DMV. You know what I mean.
New picture was taken and what can I say? Not happy. A long time ago I had a good picture taken but you cannot use the same picture anymore. Oh, well…
See you, and talk to you later….
 
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