Sangria, Saaaangria, Sanngrilia... stop at 2 glasses

Photo by Health.com

Sometimes I feel like such a slacker of a blogger.  Take my blatant theft of gorgeous photos when mine look like they've been taken by kodak instamatic..... in the dark...... from a moving vehicle.  I don't have giveaways because I don't have enough readers or posters to get companies to give me stuff to give away.  I have toyed with finding something to give away just to get people to leave comments.  How about.... I have a lovely siamese cat if you want her just post the answer to this question in the comment section.... "How would you treat a cat that attacks strangers, and wakes up sleeping babies?"  I have a lot of oh so tasty soy milk products if you want to answer the question "How long can Eileen go without dairy before she cracks and injects a wedge of brie into her veins?"  I have dust bunnies from under my bed if you would like to answer "Which natural disaster has struck Eileen's home in between having babies, returning to work, and taking finals for a Master's degree?"

Alas.... I don't think many people would want any of those things... I certainly don't at the moment.  I will probably change my mind about the cat eventually so maybe I should take her off the market.  She is awfully cute and sweet (to us anyway, to you?  Not so much but she loves us... and only us so you wouldn't want her).

photo by Lucinda's Legendary

I also never get into the groove and post green things for St. Patricks Day, or hamantaschen which has been gracing everyone's blogs this week, and I don't even post things that are in season.  No wonder I have no book deals or advertising people knocking on my door.

I did plan a lovely Spring dish that I wanted to share which is a spring salad with lardons and goat cheese blossoms which are so yummy and delicious I am jealous of my past diary-eating self.  And since they are so delicious and I cannot have them... you can't have them either because I am mean and spiteful, and refuse to make anythign with cheese in it as it would be torture to see and smell but not eat, and if I must be tortured I am taking you all with me!

Photo by Life Hack

I do however get into foods that FEEL a season.  Spring has taken its time coming to Nebraska this year and there is something about Sangria that makes me think of warm beaches, or breezy porches on calm, warm weekend evenings (more Summer than Spring but I think Mother Nature owes us at this point).  My batch of Sangria was just as  almost as gorgeous as these other photos, only the photos were not.  However, I am willing to bet mine tasted better because it was the best Sangria EVER.... everyone said so!  Of course they may have just been drunk, this stuff is sneaky and STR---OOO---NG!  Watch yourself.

Red Wine Sangria
adapted from Bobby Flay
**unless you are entertaining a large crowd a half recipe might be a good idea

Ingredients

2 bottles red Spanish table wine
1 cup brandy (I will cut this in half next time... just a touch strong for our needs)
1/2 cup triple sec
1 cup orange juice
1 cup pomegranate juice
1/2 cup simple syrup, or more to taste (equal parts sugar and water, heated until sugar dissolves, cooled)
Orange slices
Apple slices
Blackberries
Pomegranate seeds

Method

Mix all ingredients together and let stand in a tightly sealed container or pitcher for at least 24 hours in the refrigerator before serving.



.

Garden Party

I recently had a Mommy friend ask me, "How do you possibly still have time to have dinner parties?" Here is the answer.... ready? Wait for it..... I cheat. That's right! I'm shameless. I used to spend hours pouring over recipes to match up the courses and make extravagant dishes, with expensive ingredients. These days I steal a pre-set menu (this time from Martha Stewart Living, June 2007 actually I combined two different menus, but who's counting). I try to do as many pre-prep or pre-cook items as possible, and I usually buy dessert, I know pathetic right? However, I still get to cook, entertain, and enjoy myself so that must drop the level of pathetic. I'm sure foodies around the world are looking down their noses at me as we speak, I would have as some of you may know from listening to me complain about Sandra's semi-homemade on Food Network, which I still think should be called, Sandra takes store bought stuff out of a container, arranges it on a plate, and calls it homemade. My... awfully judgemental for the girl who bought brownies for dessert. Okay where were we? Oh yes....


We had a garden party last Saturday, it was full of quick and easy menu items that can be prepped around Blues Clues, Peek-a-boo and nap times. I also believe that this menu would be just as appropriate for a quick family dinner as for entertaining, and plan to use it again in the future. Here is the menu, I will give you two recipes this week, and two next week as I will be travelling for my lovely cousin's wedding. Also, I am trying to do a Mom friendly blog here, and if it would honestly take more time to write it all out than it did to cook it.

Italian Sangria

Shrimp with Herb Sauce

Pancetta Burgers with Grilled Zucchini and Balsamic Mushrooms

Brownie Sundae

The first thing served and the hit of the party was what Martha Steward (Living July 2002) calls Herb Fruit Carafe, but since I spent the night saying... It's like an Italian Sangria I think for my recipe collection I will rename it Italian Sangria and save everyone the trouble. This is a perfect drink for people who like drinks to be refreshing but not super sweet, however it is dangerously deceptive and you should remember that it does contain alcohol.

Italian Sangria

Ingredients

5 sprigs of basil
4 cups of fruit
3 tablespoons white sugar
1 bottle of sparkling Italian wine prosecco
3/4 cup vodka
ice

Method

Place basil, fruit, and sugar into a pitcher, mull together, pour vodka over the fruit let sit for at least an hour. Right before serving add a lot of ice, and pour the Prosecco over, stir to combine. Serve over ice, and garnish with small basil leaves.


We served two hors d' oeuvres .... pita chips with guacamole, and home made grilled jalapeno poppers (thanks mom) which are simple and a huge hit. Cut jalapeno in half, fill with cream cheese, wrap in bacon, grill until pepper skin blisters and bacon is crispy..... next!


Shrimp with Salsa Verde (also being renamed to Shrimp with Herb Pesto as Salsa implies tomato to me)

Ingredients

3 garlic cloves
2 tablespoons capers, rinsed and chopped
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1 cup fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
¾ cup chopped fresh flat leaf parsley
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 lemons, 1 juiced 92 ½ tablespoons), 1 cut into 6 wedges for garnish
1 tablespoon red-wine vinegar
3 lbs large shrimp
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Wooden skewers

Method

Soak skewers for at least 30 minutes. Place garlic, capers, and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, mint, parsley, olive oil, lemon juice, and red-wine vinegar into a mini food processor. Give a quick spin so it's not too liquidy. Add the oil a little at a time and spin again.

Preheat the broiler or prepare a grill. String shrimp onto wooden skewers for easy turning. n both sides to lay flat. Season with the remaining ½ teaspoon of salt and the pepper. Broil or grill for 2 minutes per side. Place 4 shrimp on each plate and spoon some of the sauce on the plate next to them so picky eaters can tread lightly. Serve with lemon.

Serves 6

Stay tuned next week for the rest of the menu.... enjoy your week.