Day 33

This is so simple and refreshing.

Adapted from Laura Calder.

Great for breakfast, for dessert, as an appetizer, or between courses as a palate cleanser......

WINE JELLY WITH GRAPES

1 tablespoon unflavored gelatin

2 tablespoons water

1 cup sugar

2 cups wine (I use a pinot grigio this time but use any white, including sparkling)

2 cups of seedless grapes, any color

Optional: finely minced ginger

Stir gelatin into the water and set aside.

Put sugar and wine in a pan and heat just to dissolve the sugar. Do not boil.

Remove from heat and whisk in the gelatin until completely dissolved.

Cool.

Add ginger if you'd like.

Fill ramekins or tea cups with grapes.

Pour in the wine mixture to cover.

Chill to set.

To serve, run a knife around the edge.

Dip bottoms in hot water for a few seconds then invert onto serving dishes.

Yummy!

Day 32

Your presence is a gift to the world.

You're unique and one of a kind.

Count your blessings, not your troubles.

Within you are so many answers.

Have courage and be strong.

Nothing wastes more energy than worrying.

The longer a problem is carried, the heavier it gets.

Don't take things too seriously.

Remember a little love goes a long way.

Take time to wish on a star.

Don't miss out on a blessing because it isn't packaged the way that you expect.

May you recognize, forgive and walk thru the fears

you encounter in others, and yourself.

Day 31

These make ahead chocolate souffles go directly

from freezer into the oven - do not thaw.
Thanks to the marvelous Mary Sheh.

CHOCOLATE SOUFFLES

Butter 8 - 1 cup ramekins 

(or use whatever size you have and adjust the cooking time)

Sprinkle with sugar.

Chop 8 oz bittersweet chocolate and melt with

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

(either in a bowl over simmering water or very gently in the microwave)

Add 1/8 teaspoon of salt

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 tablespoon Godiva chocolate or Kahlua liqueur

Bring to boil 1/3 cup of sugar with 2 tablespoons of water.

Beat 6 egg yolks in a bowl until thick and pale yellow.

Drizzle in the sugar syrup.

Fold into chocolate mixture.

Optional: add 1 teaspoon of orange zest.

Clean beaters.

In a separate bowl

Beat 6 - 8 egg whites for 30 seconds.

Add 1/4 teaspoon of cream of tartar

And 3 tablespoons sugar gradually

Until the whites form glossy soft peaks.

Add 1/4 of the whites into the chocolate mixture and mix well.

Slowly fold remaining whites into mixture.

Fill each ramekin almost to rim.

Cover with plastic wrap and freeze.

Bake 400 degrees, uncovered 15 to 18 minutes.

They should rise above the rim, have a firm outside and a soft pudding like interior.

Serve with ice cream or freshly whipped cream.

Day 30

Art is the only way to run away without leaving home.

Twyla Tharp

Until one has loved an animal,

a part of one's soul remains unawakened.

Anatole France

Money can't buy happiness,

but it can make you awfully comfortable while you're being miserable.

Clare Boothe Luce

Success and failure are equally disastrous.

Tennessee Williams

Life is too short to have anything

but delusional notions about yourself.

Gene Simmons

Have a short memory for painful things.

Seize the moment.

Remember all those woman on the Titanic

who waved off the dessert cart.

Erma Bombeck

We are more alike, my friends,
than we are unalike.
Maya Angelou

My goal in life is to become as wonderful

as my dog thinks I am.



Day 29

I've had this hundreds of time with a white fish so decided to make it with red.

CEVICHE

A salmon fillet - about the size of your hand, remove skin and chop finely

Add some chopped fresh dill

A pinch of sea or kosher salt

The zest of 1/2 a lime

The juice of a whole lime

A bit of cayenne

A dash of red pepper flakes

Mix all together and let the lime juice "cook" the fish.

Serve with crackers, tortilla chips, tiny boiled potatoes, on a bed of lettuce.

You may add a finely chopped jalapeno chili  or red pepper.

Be inventive.

Creativity can be quite delicious.

Day 28

Health News from THE WEEK:

Naps make you smarter.

Sleep seems to reboot the brain.

Dreaming makes you smarter still.

They are the brain's way of processing,

integrating, and understanding new information.

Laughter improves your appetite.

And can offer some of the same benefits as exercise,

such a slower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Good-luck charms give you an advantage - if you believe in them.

It's the confidence - not magic - that makes the difference.

Getting older makes you happier.

Life experience effects the regulation of emotions,

resulting in a consistently happier, less stressed, and less worried person.

Sighing helps you breather easier.

It shakes up the lungs to become more effective.

A good massage boosts your immune system.

It lowers cortisol levels, which cause stress

and increases oxytocin which make people feel pleasantly high.

Day 27

Normally I'm not a stickler for brands

but I've tried this recipe with a variety of frozen meatballs
and these works the best.

The size is perfect - you can pop one them into you mouth -
perfect for an appetizer.

And they taste wonderful.

If you ever have leftovers (quite doubtful)

you may add them to a pasta sauce or make hero sandwiches.

WORLD'S BEST MEATBALL APPETIZERS

Costco's Kirkland Signature Italian Style Meatballs (96oz bag)

KC Masterpiece Barbecue Sauce-Hickory Brown Sugar

Red Wine

Place some meatballs in a glass pie plate to cover bottom.

Drizzle on a couple tablespoons of the barbecue sauce.

Splash on a couple of tablespoons of red wine.

Microwave for 2 minutes.

Stir.

Microwave 2 minutes.

Stir.

When totally heated thru spear with fancy toothpicks and eat.

Day 26

I believe something wonderful is going to happen to me today.

There are persons so radiant, so genial, so kind, so pleasure bearing

that you instinctively feel in their presence they do you good;

whose coming into a room is like the bringing of a lamp there.

Henry Ward Beecher

"I am the problem"

is the solution.

Don't be a human doer,

be a human being.

If you love someone enough,

you can forgive anything.

What a glory it is to be me!

You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience

in which you really stop to look fear in the face.

You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.

Eleanor Roosevelt

I am blessing lucky.

Day 25

Ulpio was this wonderful Italian composer I knew -

a quintessential European gentlemen and total madmen all rolled into one.

This is his recipe.

ULPIO'S BISTECCA ALLA ROMANA

Get a very good fillet of beef

and have your butcher scaloppine it or slighty freeze it and do it yourself.

Saute the steak quickly in butter until it loses its color.

Squeeze one or two garlic cloves thru a press onto the meat.

Pour at least 1/2 cup red wine into pan.

Add chopped fresh oregano.

Simmer briefly.

Serve immediately.

Day 24

Chris Centofante's Witticisms:

We have enough YOUTH

How about a fountain of "SMART?"

A fool and his money

Can throw one  heck of a party.

When blondes have more fun do they know it?

If at first you don't succeed

Skydiving is not for you.

Ninety-nine percent of all lawyers

Give the rest a bad name.

Artificial Intelligence is no match for Natural Stupidity.

I think congressmen should wear uniforms like Nascar drivers

so we can identify their corporate sponsors.

Day 23

PORK CHOPS SAUCED

What a yummy surprise this sauce is!

Prepare (4) pork chops your favorite way and then keep warm.

In a small saucepan place

1/2 cup balsamic vinegar

1/2 cup honey

2 cloves minced garlic

1 teaspoon freshly chopped rosemary

Optional: finely chopped scallions or shallots

Bring to boil, then simmer 5 minutes till it reduces a bit.

Remove from heat.

Whisk in 1/2 stick soft butter till smooth.

Add salt and pepper.

Drizzle on chops.

Delicious!!!!!!!

Day 22

Nothing is more difficult and therefore more precious than to be able to decide.

Napoleon Bonaparte

Devote yourself to loving others.

Only an open heart will allow you to float equally among everybody.

The more confusing a situation is, the more the Higher Spirit is involved.

Say a million times a day:

Thank you for my life.

Carolyn Myss

Surround me with positive energy and let me transmit it.

I am one with the vast Universe.

I am the Light that flows through the heart of all living things.

Practice contentment.

The Dalai Lama

You're only old once.

Day 21

I was all prepared to make individual chocolate souffles

for my sweetie on Valentine's Day

and then at the very last moment, neighbors invited us to dinner.

The souffles we made last night to his delight,

but I think they need a bit of tweaking

before being blog worthy.

So here is another favorite, a colorful and yummy antipasto.

PEPPERS WITH ANCHOVIES

4 anchovy fillets, rinsed and chopped fine

3 bell peppers, any color (I like red and yellow)

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh oregano

1 clove of garlic, finely minced or thinly sliced

1 tablespoon of capers, drained and chopped

Half the peppers, remove ribs and seeds and roast 20 minutes at 400 degrees.

Cut each pepper into strips.

Place on serving platter.

Sprinkle with anchovies, oregano, garlic, capers, salt and pepper and olive oil.

Let sit up to 2 hours to blend flavors before serving.

Day 20

Be here now.
You are where you should be.
All is right.

The best things to give:
To your Enemy - Forgiveness
To your Opponent - Tolerance
To your Friend - Your Heart
To your Child - A Good Example
To your Parents - Conduct to make them proud
To Yourself - Respect

Stop the drinking of depression and stinking thinking!

The human spirit that passionately honors its desire, cannot be denied.
Guru Singh

Everything is a reflection.

In my world, nothing ever goes wrong.
Nisargadatta Maharaj

Love, not time, heals all wounds.

The easiest way to grow is to surround yourself with smarter people.

Everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.

No one is perfect until you fall in love with them.

Life is tough, but I'm tougher.

Day 19

HOLE IN ONE

It doesn't get any simpler than this.

Ingredients:

Egg

Bread

Butter

Usually I just use a glass a cut a hole in a slice of bread.

Today I cut a heart shape (for my beloved Valentine husband).

Square works, too.

Melt butter in a pan.

Add the bread.

Break the egg into the cutout shape and fry (the cutout, too)

Flip over, cook till desired doneness (probably not a real word)

Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Eat.

All your golfing friends will love this - it might be the only time they get

A hole in one.



Day 18

From Jane Seabrook:

Forget health food. I'm at an age where I need all the preservatives I can get.

If  there's no chocolate in heaven, I'm not going.

As you get older, your secrets are safe with your friends because they can't remember them either.

I would be unstoppable. If I could just get started.

The quickest way for a parent to get a child's attention
....is to sit down and look comfortable.

You can't stay young forever. But you can be immature for the rest of your life.

Gone Crazy. Back soon.

I live in my own little world. But it's OK...they know me here.

Day 17

STUFFUN MUFFUN

Take a great soft roll (maybe ciabatta) slice in length

and toast cut side down in a hot skillet with melted butter and a bit of oil

(to prevent the butter from burning)

I place my teakettle on the bread like a panini press

As soon as it's lightly toasted, remove

Add add three slightly whipped eggs to the hot pan (you may add a splash of milk)

Cook until the top is no longer runny and flip over

Sprinkle on any grated cheese

or crumble on goat cheese, Gorgonzola or blue

and fold the egg over on itself and turn off the heat.

Lay some prosciutto onto the bread.

Spread on some mayonnaise.

Arrange the egg onto the bread.

Top with salt and pepper and  a hint of crumbled sage.

Savor.

Take that Ronald McDonald!

Day 16

He who loses money, loses much.
He who loses a friend, loses much more.
He who loses faith, loses all.

Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been.
Mark Twain

The most wasted of all our days are those in which we have not laughed.

Boldness be my friend.
William Shakespeare

No one can reject you if you accept yourself.

Through opposition you grow much.

Let your dreams be your North Star.

May today there be peace within you. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

It is only by going "too far" that we discover our strengths and expand our power.



Day 15

Some days you just need to come home and make yourself a stiff drink,

put your feet up, listen to some great music and forget about the day.

These tasty, warm nuts help sooth those raveled edges.

HOT NUTS

Take about 2 cups of assorted unsalted nuts

(almonds, Brazil, cashews, hazel, pecans and/or walnuts)

Roast carefully in a 350 degree oven for about 10 minutes

Watch carefully so they don't burn - you'll smell them getting toasty

Meanwhile, mix this in a small bowl:

2 teaspoons of salt

2 teaspoons of brown sugar

as much cayenne as you like

1 tablespoon finely chopped rosemary

Place the warms nuts in a bowl

Add 1 - 2 tablespoons of soft butter

And toss with the spice mixture.

Try with an ice cold sauvignon blanc,

or my favorite Jose Cuervo Familia Reserve on the rocks.

What problems?

Day 14

The best is yet to come.

Don't ever criticize yourself. Always be loving.

When you find your life full of stumbling blocks, turn them into stepping stones.

Only the mediocre are always at their best.

Go into yourself and see how deep the place is from which your life flows.

Rilke

Deny sorrows in your mind and it will no longer exist.

How is your magnificence today?

Every day is a special occasion.

Live to give.

Sex is one of the nine reasons for reincarnation. The other eight are unimportant.

Unknown.

Day 13

This is a fabulous take on a recipe from one of my favorite celebrity cooks - Nigella Lawson. She is the only one on TV that has any sex appeal and brings a bit of bawdiness to the kitchen. I even forgive her when some of her food is a bit tasteless - she is English. But this one got two thumbs up from husband and son.

STEAK WITH LEMON AND HERBS
Grill any steak (she said rump - I used tri tip) to your favorite degree of doneness (we both went rare).
As the steak cooks, mix together this marinade:
1/3 cup olive oil
1/2 lemon, zested and juiced
1 clove finely minced garlic
1 tablespoon fresh herbs - (Nigella liked thyme - I had oregano from my garden)
salt and pepper
Let your steak sit for about 10 minutes
Slice. Place in shallow dish and pour the marinade over and serve.
Delicious!

I'll try to remember to start taking pictures of the food.

Day 12

It's never too late for a happy childhood.
Gloria Steinem

The consciousness of loving and being loved brings a warmth and richness to life that nothing else can bring.
Oscar Wilde

And how, you ask, are we to walk the spiritual path? Say little; love much; give all; judge no one;
aspire to all that is pure and good - and keep on keeping on.
White Eagle

How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment to improve the world.
Anne Frank

There are to things to aim at in life: first, to get what you want; and after that, to enjoy it.
Only the wisest of mankind achieve the second.
Logan Pearsall Smith

One joy scatters a hundred griefs.
Chinese proverb

What a wonderful life I've had. 
I only wish I'd realized it sooner.
Colette

Day 11

This is from my wonderful friend Marge Murphy.

I always thought it was her own invention due to

the plethora of lemons from her two trees.

The recipe is actually from the south of Italy.

CALABRIAN CHICKEN

Take as many chicken pieces as you want, wash and pat dry.

Cut up one potato per person into french fry or matchstick shapes.

Melt butter in a large roasting pan.

Begin to saute the potatoes.

Add an abundance of sliced garlic and cook 5 minutes.

Add chicken and 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice per chicken piece.

Season generously with salt and pepper.

Bake 350 degrees until chicken is cooked and potatoes are tender.

May be broiled at the end to crisp everything up.

Rosemary or thyme is a nice addition.

Day 10

These are the inspirational quotes for the CONFITURE DE CARROT post:

And when Love speaks, the voice of all the gods

Makes heaven drowsy with the harmony.

Shakespeare

Lead me from the unreal to the real!

Lead me from darkness to light!

Lead me from death to immortality.

Upanishad

The present moment is where life can be found,

and if you don’t arrive there, you miss your appointment with life.

You don’t have to run anymore.

Breathing in we say - I have arrived.

Breathing out we say - I am home.

This is a very strong practice.

Thich Nhat Hanh

 It is the prerogative of all humans to make ludicrous choices,

to fall in love with the most unlikely of partners,

and to set themselves up for the most predictable of calamities.

Elizabeth Gilbert’s Committed

We all share our houses with Time,

who ticks alongside us as we work our daily lives,

reminding us of our ultimate destination.

Testicle – a humorous question on an exam.

Day 9

CONFITURE DE CARROT
 This was something I saw on Laura Calder's TV show French Food at Home.
 I had too many carrots and not enough bunnies! So when we were invited to a dinner ,
I decided to try something new and wild to give my hostess.
It was fantastic! I'm certain you'll agree.
Confiture is French for jam or marmalade.

CONFITURE DE CARROT
Cook about a pound of carrots till tender, skins removed and chopped
Place them in a Cuisinart or mini processor and grate coarsely
Back into a pot with 2 cups of sugar
Juice of 2 lemons,
The zest of one
Cook until the sugar dissolves
Add 2 tablespoons Cognac (I substituted Amaretto)
10 coarsely chopped almonds
That's it!
A little minced ginger would be OK, too
Serve on buttered bread with a tiny bit of salt

Day 8

see post below:

These are the inspirational statements included on
the CARROT GINGER SOUP page......

The human race has only one really effective weapon, and that is laughter.
Mark Twain

Always tell the truth.

When you see a worthy person, praise him.
When you see an unworthy person, look inside.

Go on a doubt fast.

This is the way of peace:
Overcome evil with good,
falsehood with truth,
and hatred with love.
Peace Pilgrim

If you can dream it,
you can achieve it.
Walt Disney

Mistakes are part of the dues one pays for a full life.
Sophia Loren

You are the fortune in the cookie.

For a whole day, eat only things that come with a free prize inside.

Day 7...extra plus

Silly me....I meant Heathrow Airport...not airpot!

Day 7...extra

This is the original photo I shot near my pool in West Hollywood 9 or 10 years ago.
The background is a favorite Hermes scarf purchased at Heathrow Airpot.
And the china is from Tiffanys.

Day 7

Yesterday was a tremendous success.
Luncheons may now start in the next few weeks on
Thursdays to have the food and recipes critiqued.
And as I promised, the infamous

CARROT GINGER SOUP
Saute one chopped onion
3-4 cloves of garlic
2-3 tablespoons of fresh minced garlic until golden in butter
Peel 1 pound of fresh carrots, cut into chunks and place into pan with all the other goodies
Add 4 cups of water or chicken stock
Cook till tender
Blend everything till smooth
Season with salt and pepper and a bit of grated nutmeg.
If  it's too thick it may be thinned with any liquid, including carrot juice.
My delightful buddy Edith suggests adding
one chopped apple to the blender for an added dimension.

Day Six

Four women are soon to arrive to taste and critique some yummies for me to determine if they are fabulous enough for the ANGEL KISS. I'm enjoying a sample of my carrot ginger soup - it's a keeper! Maybe Ill share the recipe with you tomorrow. Wish me luck........