Happy Birthday, Cheryl

"Let them eat cake"  Who said that?  Maybe Marie Antoinette but I wasn't there for that.  But I was at the Boat Club on the shores of the Mystic Lakes when Cheryl uttered those words to celebrate her birthday and our graduation.  That was when?   No telling. But a great day and great wishes are sent your way as you celebrate this great birthday.  With love, amica

National Hamburger Day

Honey-Shallot Ketchup

add a homemade touch to your grilled burgers or steak

makes 3 cups

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 2  shallots, minced (about 3/4 cup)
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/3 cup apple-cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 3 pounds tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and diced
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/8 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice

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1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over low heat. Add the shallots and garlic and cook until soft -- about 10 minutes. Add the vinegar and honey, increase heat to medium, and cook for 2 minutes. Add remaining ingredients and bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until the mixture has reduced and thickened -- about 40 minutes. Let cool. Store refrigerated in a covered container for up to 1 month.

YaYaSisters diet

 Breakfast 
   1 apple
   1 slice whole wheat toast
   1 cup skim milk
   Lunch 
   1 small portion lean, steamed fish
   1 cup spinach
   1 cup herbal tea
   1 Hershey's kiss
   Afternoon Tea 
   The rest of the Hershey Kisses in the bag
   1 tub of Hagen-Daaz ice cream with chocolate chips
   Dinner 
   4 glasses of wine (red or white)
   2 loaves garlic bread
   1 family size supreme pizza
   3 Snickers Bars
   Late Night Snack 
   1 whole Sarah Lee cheesecake (eaten directly from the freezer)
  Remember:  stressed spelled backwards is desserts.   
Thank you, Janet,   Finally a diet I can live with!

Wine Day

We'll leave the discussion of vintages and terroirs to the oenophiles.  Let's enjoy our wine like the fruit juice it is.  Sangria is one of my favorite summer drinks.  A white version follows:   

• 1 750 ml. bottle of white wine (choose a variety you like; all work well)
• 1/2 cup peach schnapps
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup sugar (depending on your sweetness preference; you can use Splenda substitution)
• 2 sliced peaches (frozen peach slices work well)
• 1 sliced orange
• 1/2 mango peeled and sliced
• 1/2 liter of ginger ale or club soda       

Pour wine and schnapps in the pitcher, add sugar and stir to dissolve, then add peach, orange, and mango slices.   Chill mixture for at least one hour. Add ginger ale or club soda just before serving. If you'd like to serve your Sangria right away, use chilled white wine and ginger ale and serve over lots of ice.