“There is no easy walk
to freedom anywhere,
and many of us
will have to pass
through the Valley of the
Shadow of Death again
and again before we reach
the mountaintop of our desires.”
~ Nelson Mandela
The Shadow That Never Leaves
Author: Gail
Eating My Way Through the Alphabet; Letter I
What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Appetizers to Desserts: Ina Garten’s Fruit Crunch Sundae! The Barefoot Contessa is a familiar face on the Food Network these days. Not only does she offer great ideas for any meal, but she makes them seem incredibly simple. Today’s recipe comes from a recent episode where Ina wanted to serve up a special breakfast for her husband. I like the idea of taking everyday food and turning it into something extraordinary. By baking a batch of crunchy granola and storing it in an airtight container, single servings can be assembled in a flash. Use whatever fruit is on hand to make it unique.
INA GARTEN’S FRUIT CRUNCH SUNDAE
Ingredients:
1 cup old-fashioned oats
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup sliced almonds
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons pure honey
4 strawberries
1/4 cup blueberries
1/4 cup pineapple tidbits
1 cup Greek yogurt
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°. Toss the oats, coconut, almonds, oil, and honey together in a large bowl until completely combined. Pour into a baking sheet and bake until mixture turns golden brown. Stir occasionally. Remove the granola from the oven and allow to cool. Stir once. Combine the strawberries, blueberries, and pineapple in a bowl. Using stemmed glasses or parfait glasses, layer granola, yogurt, and fruit until full. You may alternate ingredients to repeat layers. Serve immediately.
Historic Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego is an Architectural Marvel
Historic Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego, California is an Architectural Marvel! Explore this district by foot or trolley to appreciate the area once known as New Town, simply because the gas-lighted street lamps marked saloons, gambling halls, and bordellos for sailors on shore leave. Today the area is a hub of shopping, dining, and nightly entertainment with music, festivals, and other events. The buildings are still magnificent, having been restored and utilized as a popular focus for local flavor. Grab ahold of the past as you enjoy the present while soaking up the character of these dynamic painted ladies.
Eating My Way Through the Alphabet; Letter H
What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Appetizers to Desserts: Havarti Mashed Potatoes! The best kept secret for staying organized during the flurry of activity of family gatherings is “make-ahead” recipes that have the oven doing most of the work. By creating this side dish the day before you eliminate everyone hovering in the kitchen while you whip it up at the last minute. And leftovers are a breeze because they automatically become Divine Duchess Potatoes.* Do yourself a favor, enjoy that glass of wine with your guests while the mashed potatoes bake in the oven.
HAVARTI MASHED POTATOES
Ingredients:
10 potatoes, peeled and cut up
4 tablespoons butter, softened
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup yogurt
1/2 teaspoon rosemary
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/8 teaspoon cracked black pepper
1 cup Havarti cheese, shredded
1/2 cup extra sharp cheddar cheese, finely shredded
1 tablespoon parsley
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°. Grease a 1 1/2 quart casserole dish. Place potatoes in a 4 quart pan. Cover with water. Salt if desired. Heat to boiling; reduce heat to medium-low and cook potatoes until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain well. Add butter and mash. Slowly add milk beating slowly to eliminate lumps. Add yogurt, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Beat vigorously until potatoes are fluffy. Fold in Havarti cheese. Transfer to casserole dish and top with cheddar cheese. Bake uncovered 30-35 minutes. Garnish with parsley.
*Leftovers can be used to make Divine Duchess Potatoes. See link
La Jolla Shores Park is Home to Sea Lions in San Diego, California
La Jolla Shores Park is Home to Sea Lions in San Diego, California! Among the rock formations, cave crevices, crashing waves, and sandy beachfront lies a hidden cove where wild sea lions congregate and claim the area as their own. This seal sanctuary gives passersby the opportunity to step gingerly on sandstone cliffs to get a closer look at the colony of marine mammals at rest and at play. Watch them safely from above or bravely head down to the ocean’s edge where snapshots can be taken effortlessly. After all, these sea lions enjoy the sun, wind, water, and company of seagulls just as Nature intended. When you follow the scenic walkway along the shoreline, expect to see pelicans in flight, body surfers, scuba divers, and snorkelers. Not far from Shell Beach, against a concrete barrier, the tide pools fill La Jolla Children’s Pool which is another gorgeous spot to marvel at breathtaking sunsets and unpredictable sea life. Although it’s a temptation to gain proximity, stay a safe distance away and keep the interactions to a minimum. These creatures are, after all, in their natural habitat. It is best to pay attention to the bark or growl warning when invading their space. Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words.
Eating My Way Through the Alphabet; Letter G
What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Appetizers to Desserts: Glorious Glazed Pecans! Go to any big city or farmers market and you’ll find street vendors roasting sweet and savory candied nuts. The bakery aroma practically has you walking on air. Now you can bring this enticing smell and sugary sweetness right into your very own kitchen. I’ve made it a tradition to bake a couple batches for holiday gift-giving. When mixed with an assortment of smoked almonds, wasabi peas, salty cashews, and honey roasted peanuts, these glazed pecans become a gourmet choice for absolutely anyone on your list. In fact, anticipation creates excitement followed by open delight and thanksgiving.
GLORIOUS GLAZED PECANS
Ingredients:
1 pound pecan halves
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 egg white, room temperature
1 tablespoon water
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 300°. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick oil. In a small bowl mix sugar, salt, and cinnamon. Stir well and set aside. In a large bowl beat egg white and water until frothy. Add one pound of pecans and coat well to cover. Pour sugar mixture over nuts. Stir completely to form a coating over pecans. Transfer nuts to the baking sheet. Form a single layer. Bake 30 minutes, turning every 10 minutes to form a crystallized finish. Remove from oven. Let cool and then store in an airtight container.
Point Loma in San Diego, California Offers a Cliffside View
Old Point Loma Lighthouse and Cabrillo National Monument in San Diego, California. Imagine discovering a land of plenty with unbridled beauty from cliff to sea. The 16th century explorer, Juan Cabrillo, managed such a feat on a voyage that began in Europe and ended on the California coast. Today it is known as an Historical Landmark. Many years later in 1855, 422 feet high above sea level, the Old Point Loma Lighthouse served as a coastal beacon and California’s first of its kind. Challenge yourself to ascend the spiral staircase leading to a 360° panoramic bird’s eye view of the Pacific Ocean, the skyline of San Diego, Coronado Island, and the Mexican coastline. During the winter months it’s not uncommon to walk around the grounds and watch migrating grey whales from several vantage points. Visit Point Loma for a view to remember.
Eating My Way Through the Alphabet; Letter F
What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Appetizers to Desserts: Fried Green Tomatoes! The key to success is using solid, firm green tomatoes. Ripe ones will turn mushy and very disappointing. Even if you don’t live in the South, everyone can enjoy these crisp and juicy medallions. The seasoned cornmeal crust will have you resurrecting a southern drawl that sounds as authentic as a waitress in a country café. Try the first one with a fork and then have seconds as a sandwich.
FRIED GREEN TOMATOES
Ingredients:
2 green tomatoes, sliced with skin on
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup cornmeal
1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/4 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1 large egg, beaten
2 tablespoons milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
Instructions:
On a sheet of waxed paper, combine flour, cornmeal, breadcrumbs, cheese, seasoned salt, and pepper. Blend with a fork. In a shallow bowl, mix egg and milk. Dip a green tomato slice in the egg mixture then coat with breadcrumb mixture. Repeat. Set aside. Continue until all slices have been coated. In a deep skillet on medium-high heat add vegetable oil for frying. Place tomatoes in a single layer. Do not crowd. Fry each side 3 minutes until golden brown. Turn over and fry the other side. Remove and place on a wire rack to remove excess oil. Repeat until all green tomato slices are used. Serve hot. Garnish with a dollop of wasabi aioli.
Seaport Village is Waterfront Destination
Seaport Village is Waterfront Destination in San Diego, California! Laughter fills the air as hand-carved animals move to and fro on an 100-year-old lighted carousel. Anyone can ride, you know. Nearby calypso music captivates passersby crisscrossing the food court on a quest to step into the fudge shoppe for a tempting sample. Will it be a ‘Cookies and Cream’ concoction or the ‘Traditional Chocolate’? Perhaps both. Several walking paths wind past marble statues in waterfront fountains, yachts awaiting carefree guests, open-door shops, interesting art galleries, and aromatic eateries. Entertainment takes all forms from sword swallowing to pet cockatoos and parrots perched on the shoulders of a jolly pirate. As you meander towards the bay where the sunset is mesmerizing, the lapping waves provide sound therapy.
snapshotsincursive 