CINCO DE MAYO

Contrary to popular belief, Cinco De Mayo is not Mexico’s Independence Day. The Holiday is a celebration of the Mexican Army’s 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War, which lasted from 1861-1867. Although Cinco De Mayo seems like a popular holiday in the US, Mexican Independence Day, on September 16, is a much bigger celebration.

In American Culture, Cinco De Mayo has become a holiday for everyone to enjoy festivals, fiestas, Latin food and lots of alcohol for the adult crowd.

Enjoy!

Kentucky Derby

Good morning readers. Lots going on this weekend. Kentucky Derby. Wanted to include my Mint Julip recipe. You will need to do the mint simple syrup. This is a very strong drink. But very Yummy. Got the recipe from the show Creative Juice. The recipe for the simple syrup is: 2 cups water, 2 cups sugar in a sauce pan over medium heat, stir until sugar is dissolved. Pour into a glass bowl. Add a large handful of Fresh Mint. Stems and leaves. Press down into the syrup with a spoon. Plastic wrap top of bowl and put into fridge, 1 hour at least. Pour infused simple syrup into a glass pitcher. Will look nice with the mint in there. Keep in fridge. For each drink, use crushed ice.  If you don’t have a derby glass that’s Ok. A short fat glass will do the same. Add 1 shot simple syrup. and 2 shots whiskey. Stir. Garnish with a fresh mint sprig. I use Woodford Reserve Kentucky Whiskey for this drink. But what ever brand you want will be fine. The drink starts out very strong, but gets sweeter as you drink it. And don’t forget to wear your special hat!

400 Red Roses are used in the Kentucky Derby garland of roses given to the winning jockey and horse.

If you are ever in that area when the race is not going on, Take the time to do the Tour of Churchill Downs. It is very interesting and fun. Enjoy the Race everyone. Have a great Weekend.

All the riders and the horses, Be Safe! Have a good race!

COLD WEATHER DRINKS

JAZZ UP YOUR JAVA

Treat guests-or yourself-with these seasonal twists on the basic joe.

Gingerbread cookie: Sprinkle ground ginger,nutmeg,cinnamon,allspice and cloves over coffee grounds before brewing. Stir in a little sugar and enjoy.

WARM VANILLA: Add ground cardamom, a member of the ginger family, to your favorite vanilla-flavor creamer.Heat in a microwave or steam with a wand before adding to fresh coffee.

HOMEMADE MOCHA: Brew a cup of hot coffee and add powered hot chocolate, mix to taste. Top with whip cream and sprinkle with nutmeg and cinnamon.

Caffe Medici: Pour hot, fresh coffee over a few squares of chocolate and orange peel. Stir until chocolate is dissolved. Top with whip cream and ground cinnamon.

Information from the Publix Family Style Magazine.  Thank U publix for these wonderful Yummy cold weather drink ideas.

Thanksgiving Recipe

Good Morning Readers. Today I want to share a Wonderful Recipe. Turkey Roast Dip with Melted Gruyere. The recipe came from Kelsey Nixon from Kelsey’s Essentials. The only thing I did different was she made it in a slow cooker and I slow roasted it in the oven. OMG! It was Great! Here is the recipe.

In a small bowl mix: 1/2 stick softened butter, 1 Tbsp. fresh thyme. 1 Tbsp. fresh parsley and S/P.  I used a large rectangle baking dish. Lined with foil and sprayed for easy clean up.You will be using a Turkey Breast bone in skin on. Pat dry very well. Rub this butter mixture all over it and under the skin. To the baking dish add 1 chopped medium yellow onion, 1 cup chicken stock, 1/4 cup worchestershire sauce. On top of that place the turkey skin side up. Cover tightly with foil. I lined a cookie sheet with foil and placed under the baking dish to catch any drips that may happen while roasting. Didn’t want my oven to get dirty. Bake 325 for 1 1/2-2 hours until 170 degrees. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing. French Bagette, slice long ways, brush both sides with softened butter. Add sliced Gruyere to one side. Broil until toasted and melted. Place sliced turkey on sandwich. Have the juices- sauce on the side. Kelsey Nixon said it was like a french onion soup on the side and she was right. It was Wonderful! Dip the sandwich in and Eat. I have made a lot of whole birds for Thanksgiving but never has the breast meat turned out this moist and tender. This was sooo GOOD! Last year I made a whole bird and all the trimmings. But this year I think I am going this way. I am going to  make a couple breasts this way and maybe try a couple of turkey legs also, place them on the platter whole with all of the holiday sides to go along with. The Turkey breast before it’s sliced is beautiful enough to serve to guests on Thanksgiving. The butter melts into the meat but those fresh herbs stay on top and it looks lovely. And I can’t say enough about how tender and moist it was. No basting was required at all. With the foil over the top it did all of that on it’s own.Then the days after I can have the Roast Dip Sandwiches. The Gruyere Cheese is a must. It has a nice smokey flavor that goes very well with the turkey. Wednesday I will get it all ready. Thursday morning I can let it rest on the counter for about 30 minutes before the slow roast begins. And while the Parade is on in the morning, it can slow roast to a wonderful perfection! And fill the house with the Thanksgiving Aroma that I love. Thank you Kelsey for a Great recipe. I will be making this again and again.

NOVEMBER

NOVEMBER TIDBITS:

Good Morning Readers. Hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween. Today’s post is all about November. The 2nd is National Deviled Egg Day. Third is National Sandwich Day. The 14th is National Spicy Guacamole Day.The 23rd is National Cashew Day. The 29th National Chocolate Day. Veterans Day occurs on the 11th each year. It is for honoring those who have served honorably in the military during both wartime and peacetime. November is Good Nutrition Month, National Pomegranate Month and National Raisin Bread Month. Also National Pepper Month.And let’s not forget Mr. Turkey!!! Thanksgiving will occur on the fourth Thursday this month.

Birthstone: Topaz, Meaning: Fidelity   Flower: Chrysanthemum: Meaning: Sensitivity

Just a few November Tidbits. Have a Wonderful Day!

Thanksgiving Recipe

Good Morning Readers. Today I want to share a Wonderful Recipe. Turkey Roast Dip with Melted Gruyere. The recipe came from Kelsey Nixon from Kelsey’s Essentials. The only thing I did different was she made it in a slow cooker and I slow roasted it in the oven. OMG! It was Great! Here is the recipe.

In a small bowl mix: 1/2 stick softened butter, 1 Tbsp. fresh thyme. 1 Tbsp. fresh parsley and S/P.  I used a large rectangle baking dish. Lined with foil and sprayed for easy clean up.You will be using a Turkey Breast bone in skin on. Pat dry very well. Rub this butter mixture all over it and under the skin. To the baking dish add 1 chopped medium yellow onion, 1 cup chicken stock, 1/4 cup worchestershire sauce. On top of that place the turkey skin side up. Cover tightly with foil. I lined a cookie sheet with foil and placed under the baking dish to catch any drips that may happen while roasting. Didn’t want my oven to get dirty. Bake 325 for 1 1/2-2 hours until 170 degrees. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing. French Bagette, slice long ways, brush both sides with softened butter. Add sliced Gruyere to one side. Broil until toasted and melted. Place sliced turkey on sandwich. Have the juices- sauce on the side. Kelsey Nixon said it was like a french onion soup on the side and she was right. It was Wonderful! Dip the sandwich in and Eat. I have made a lot of whole birds for Thanksgiving but never has the breast meat turned out this moist and tender. This was sooo GOOD! Last year I made a whole bird and all the trimmings. But this year I think I am going this way. I am going to  make a couple breasts this way and maybe try a couple of turkey legs also, place them on the platter whole with all of the holiday sides to go along with. The Turkey breast before it’s sliced is beautiful enough to serve to guests on Thanksgiving. The butter melts into the meat but those fresh herbs stay on top and it looks lovely. And I can’t say enough about how tender and moist it was. No basting was required at all. With the foil over the top it did all of that on it’s own.Then the days after I can have the Roast Dip Sandwiches. The Gruyere Cheese is a must. It has a nice smokey flavor that goes very well with the turkey. Wednesday I will get it all ready. Thursday morning I can let it rest on the counter for about 30 minutes before the slow roast begins. And while the Parade is on in the morning, it can slow roast to a wonderful perfection! And fill the house with the Thanksgiving Aroma that I love. Thank you Kelsey for a Great recipe. I will be making this again and again.

NOVEMBER

NOVEMBER TIDBITS:

Good Morning Readers. Hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween. Today’s post is all about November. The 2nd is National Deviled Egg Day. Third is National Sandwich Day. The 14th is National Spicy Guacamole Day.The 23rd is National Cashew Day. The 29th National Chocolate Day. Veterans Day occurs on the 11th each year. It is for honoring those who have served honorably in the military during both wartime and peacetime. November is Good Nutrition Month, National Pomegranate Month and National Raisin Bread Month. Also National Pepper Month.And let’s not forget Mr. Turkey!!! Thanksgiving will occur on the fourth Thursday this month.

Birthstone: Topaz, Meaning: Fidelity   Flower: Chrysanthemum: Meaning: Sensitivity

Just a few November Tidbits. Have a Wonderful Day!

OKTOBERFEST

                      OKTOBERFEST

A little Oktoberfest etiquette: Despite it’s name, Oktoberfest  2022 runs from September 17 – October 3. The event began in the early 1800’s as a celebration to honor Bavaria and it’s royal family. Booths selling beer eventually were added, and by 1896 they had morphed into the new iconic beer tents.

In Germany a stein is called a Krug. Everyone at the table drinks together, and all glasses are “clinked” before drinking. Not making eye contact during this exchange is considered rude.

The word for cheers is “Prost”.

Enjoy!

CINCO DE MAYO

Contrary to popular belief, Cinco De Mayo is not Mexico’s Independence Day. The Holiday is a celebration of the Mexican Army’s 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War, which lasted from 1861-1867. Although Cinco De Mayo seems like a popular holiday in the US, Mexican Independence Day, on September 16, is a much bigger celebration.

In American Culture, Cinco De Mayo has become a holiday for everyone to enjoy festivals, fiestas, Latin food and lots of alcohol for the adult crowd.

Enjoy!

COLD WEATHER DRINKS

JAZZ UP YOUR JAVA

Treat guests-or yourself-with these seasonal twists on the basic joe.

Gingerbread cookie: Sprinkle ground ginger,nutmeg,cinnamon,allspice and cloves over coffee grounds before brewing. Stir in a little sugar and enjoy.

WARM VANILLA: Add ground cardamom, a member of the ginger family, to your favorite vanilla-flavor creamer.Heat in a microwave or steam with a wand before adding to fresh coffee.

HOMEMADE MOCHA: Brew a cup of hot coffee and add powered hot chocolate, mix to taste. Top with whip cream and sprinkle with nutmeg and cinnamon.

Caffe Medici: Pour hot, fresh coffee over a few squares of chocolate and orange peel. Stir until chocolate is dissolved. Top with whip cream and ground cinnamon.

Information from the Publix Family Style Magazine.  Thank U publix for these wonderful Yummy cold weather drink ideas.