Store in a Cool Dry Place

I love this blog because I can share the fun that I have in the kitchen – the successes and the…no so successes. This is in the second group.

As you know, some vegetables – potatoes, onions, etc. – are to be stored in a cool, dry place. It is not uncommon for those vegetables to begin sprouting roots if they have been stored too long. Last week I went into my pantry and was surprised by the sight on an onion that was trying to take over an entire shelf! After laughing for a while at it, I had to take a picture and share it. 

The Onion Gone Wrong!

Don’t worry, I didn’t throw it out. I actually planted it in my garden. We’ll see if this crazy onion gone wrong can grow into a healthy plant.

Beachcomber Sangria

Last weekend I had the opportunity to entertain a few great friends at the beach. The weekend was a classic time with everyone enjoying themselves and the great weather. While relaxing in the sun, I wanted to create a unique drink that everyone would enjoy. From that, came the Beachcomber Sangria recipe below. Enjoy.

Beachcomber Sangria
- ¾ cup tequila
- ¼ cup triple sec
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1 can lemon/lime soda
- 1 bottle Moscato wine
- 2 tablespoons sugar (if necessary*)
- Diced fruit (apples, pears, strawberries work best for this recipe)

*Note: Depending on the sweetness of the Moscato, you may not need the additional sugar. Stir the pitcher and sample it, then decide whether or not to add it.

More American Then Apple Pie?

I’m just back from an extended Independence Day holiday and had a wonderful time. This is a great holiday for me because in my family we all got together at the beach each year and celebrated with friends, great food and fireworks. This year was no different!

While relaxing one afternoon, we heard that familiar song of the ice cream man as his truck drove down the street. With one quick glance, I knew that everyone was thinking the same thing I was and we bolted for the door together. Like children, we lined up and each picked our favorite frozen treat. As usual, I went with the classic Rocket Pop. While it is good all summer, on July 4th Weekend, the red, white, and blue icy treat is even better. As I was enjoying the sweet coolness, it hit me – the Rocket Pop could be more American than Apple Pie! I know that it doesn’t have the history of that American classic or the iconic status, but I feel it should have a place as alongside the apple pie as America’s dessert. While there will never be anything more American that “mom and apple pie” as the expression goes, I believe that Independence Day belongs to the Rocket Pop.

Happy Memorial Day Everyone

From the east coast...
-New York strip steak
-Baltimore blue claws
-Philly cheese steaks

To the west coast...
-Fish tacos
-Napa wines
-Wild salmon

And everything in between...
-Kansas city barbecue
-Biscuits and gravy
-Apple pie

We live in the best - and most delicious - country in the world.  Thank you to everyone who has sacrificed to make this country what it is today.  Happy Memorial Day to all!  Enjoy!

Cook Out Season: Salute to a Classic

With summer comes many, many dinners outside with the focus on the grill. I believe that the most iconic of these outdoor cookers is the classic black Weber kettle grill. When I was a kid, my father had one and we loved it. There was something about the smokey taste from the charcoal and wood chips that made every dish – from burgers to salmon – that much better.


For that reason, every time I see this Weber ad it makes me smile. And, before you ask, I have danced in front of my grill! Enjoy!

Count Down To Memorial Day

Memorial Day is right around the corner so it is time to start planning your holiday weekend – and more importantly your cook out menu. Like everyone else, my plans are set and include a barbecue with family and friends. This is an annual tradition and something I look forward to every spring. With that, the challenge is keeping the event fresh each year. No one likes to attend the same party every Memorial Day so I encourage you to put a little more thought and creativity into your menu this year.

Here are a few twists on the cook out classics to give you some inspiration:
Hamburgers
-Blue cheese and bacon burger
-Barbecue sauce, caramelized onions, and bacon burger
-Jalapeno peppers, fresh onions, and pepper jack cheese burger

Hot Dogs
-The German Sheppard: Sauerkraut and diced fresh onions
-The Boston Terrier: Baked beans, cheese, and caramelized onions
-The Hawaii Beach Dog: Pineapple chutney
-The Mutt: A little bit of everything

Potato Salad
-Red-skin potato salad
-Dijon potato salad
-Grilled potato salad

Beverages
-Summer seasonal beers (the smaller the brewery, the better)
-Strawberry mojitos
-Sangria (see my May 24 ’09 post)

Desserts
-Individual strawberry short cakes
-Homemade ice cream
-Key lime pie (see my July 26 ’09 post)

This Memorial Day, be creative…and have fun. Enjoy!

Saturday Morning: Cartoons and Cereal

Saturday mornings always remind me of childhood. Waking up first, going downstairs to watch cartoons and enjoy a bowl of the sugary cereal that defined that time in my life. Enjoying some quality time with my close friends Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck until my parents woke up. Now, being older, things are much different. I reach for Raisin Bran or Cheerios – always longing for those colorful boxes with cartoon characters smiling back at you. But I’m an adult – I have to worry about sugar intake and fiber levels. My biggest concern is no longer the free toy inside the box.

This week, my wife and I laughed talking about growing up and the memories of Saturday mornings. Despite growing up three states away from me, she too went through the weekly childhood ritual of cartoons and cereal. Now, the world is much different. Children can’t have real sugary cereal. They can’t even watch real cartoons. The Warner Brothers classics have been replaced by Pokemon and Yu-Gi-Ho because they were too violent. I don’t even know what a Pokemon or a Yu-Gi-Ho even is! Was Bugs Bunny really that bad? Were their children growing up and dropping pianos or anvils on people’s heads because they saw it on Saturday morning? I think I missed that memo.
Let’s take a quick trip back to that time in our lives when every day was more fun…and they each started with that sugary treat. Here are our top five children’s cereals. Enjoy.

My Top Five Children’s Cereals

1: Fruity Pebbles

2: Cocoa Pebbles

3: Sugar Crisp (now Golden Crisp)

4: Sugar Pops (now just Pops)

5: Cap’n Crunch

The Girl’s Top Five

1: Cinnamon Toast Crunch

2: Cap’n Crunch

3: Cocoa Pebbles

4: Trix

5: Raisin Bran Crunch