Watermelon Sangria and Gone Fishin'

Add blueberries if you like.

I'm going on vacation and the blog is going with me.  See you late June!

In the meantime, make my mean

WATERMELON SANGRIA

My lilacs are in bloom very late this year.

Morning of day needed (or night before) mix together in a large pitcher or jar:

1 750 ml bottle dry white wine, such as Pinot Gris or Pinot Grigio (don't use great wine)
1/4 cup each brandy, Grand Marnier, simple syrup*

Stir in:

4-6 pieces of watermelon, cut into 1/2-inch thick x 3-inch x 3-inches wide tall pieces
4 strawberries cut in half
1 orange cut in half, juice squeezed into the wine, and one piece put into the wine mixture
6 green grapes or a sliced plum or peach, optional

Cover and let sit in refrigerator at least 6 hours or overnight until very cold.

To serve:   For a large wine glass (recommended), use a long spoon to add a piece or two of fruit, and several cubes of ice.  Pour in 1/3 cup of the cold wine-fruit mixture, and 2-3 ounces of sparkling water.  Enjoy cold.  Potent.  Sip slowly.

*Simple Syrup:   Over medium heat, in a small sauce pan, heat together 1/3 cup each water and white sugar until hot and sugar is melted.  Let cool before using.  There's a little extra if you'd like to use it for your tea or lemonade.

Have fun stirring things up for yourself,
Alyce

Here's one of the places I'll be.

Veggie Tacos with Salsa Ranch Dressing or Just Add Egg Whites for Breakfast

I freely admit I'm addicted to these little tacos.  You will not believe how good they are and how quickly they go down.  Picture this:  a gorgeous mound of sautéed or grilled vegetables with just a little, tiny bit of cheese --  all on an über-fiber, whole wheat tortilla.  Top all that goodness off with your favorite salsa mixed with ranch dressing, some fresh spinach leaves, a sprinkle of chopped green onion or cucumber, a quick squeeze of lime, and Bob's your uncle, you're eating. Very happily, I'll add.

Luscious Sides, My Favorites: Cayenne Sweet Potato Fries, Lemon Green Beans, Cumin Carrots, and Spinach Orzo

Dave and I took a pot of Italian Sausage chili and a salad over to our friend Jim's new house the other day. 

 When Jim bought his new house, I promised him I'd bring supper over one night to christen the dining room.  Something terribly simple and portable, complete with a great bottle of wine (or two) that we would "break" open to celebrate this incredible homecoming.  I finally made good on the promise and:  it was a night to remember --complete with dessert later on at Minneapolis' incredible CORNER TABLE restaurant.  (Go soon...)

Derby Pie -- A Pie 101 Post

originally posted May 2012 on More Time at the Table

"Derby" Pie or  Pecan-Chocolate-Bourbon Pie.  Can you say decadent?

When someone needs something baked, I do it if I can.  If I have the time.  Not everyone bakes.  I love to bake and need an excuse now that there are only two of us in the house.  If I bake for an event, I somehow always manage to make enough so that we can share a sample or even have a tiny sweetness for ourselves.  (If it's pie, it's usually for Dave; I eat a bite, that's it.  He loves pie too much for me to eat much.)

(Aside:  After I saw how many people read my basic Pie 101 post, I thought I'd begin a series (quite intermittent) on pies.  I hope  you like them.  Anywho, read on.)