Everyone has their favorite way to relax. Some people meditate, practice yoga, or take a nap. Others exercise, bike, or do something active. When I want to relax I pour myself a nice glass of wine and start slicing, dicing and prepping. I think about what I'm going to cook and how I'm going to do it. Pressures, anxieties, and stresses slide right out of my mind, off my back and into the deep background. As I saute onions and garlic, roast vegetables, and sear meat or the protein du jour, I am at peace. There have been times in my life when I've not been able to sleep because of an upset, argument or problem in my life. I've gotten up in the middle of the night and baked bread, cinnamon rolls, scones, muffins, and cookies. My daughter sometimes woke up in the morning to a batch of pastry or cookies that puzzled her in the way of Christmas presents. Writing is something that is a deep part of my psyche but I cannot say it brings me the kind of peace and tranquility that cooking does. There is too much struggle, sweat, and tears, although I couldn't not write. Cooking brings my physical and mental self into a deep harmony that blocks out everything except my senses. It's love and lust combined, like a good marriage.

A Zest for Limes and Life

It was 98 degrees and climbing the last time I looked at the temperature. Some people blanch at that kind of heat and humidity, but I love it. It's balmy, beachy, and the best way to beat the heat is to find ingredients and recipes with crisp cool flavor. Here's a few ways to cool down with limes. The last one is our favorite when we hit the beach.
If you have a juicer make your own limeade. Always choose limes that feel smooth and heavy, with an unblemished green skin. Simply cut them in half, juice them and pour into a pitcher. You can dilute it with some water to taste and add a small amount of simple syrup or your favorite artificial sweetener. Make your pitcher look pretty by adding sliced limes into the drink and/or a sprig of mint. You can drink this straight out of the fridge, use it in cocktails, or freeze in popsicle molds for a tart summer treat.
Try limes instead of lemons in your favorite Mexican dishes, such as guacamole. It lends a tarter, unique flavor that is a nice change. Squirt a lime over your south of the border dishes just before serving and garnish with a wedge of fresh lime and a sprig of cilantro. You could also mix some lime juice and zest, a dash of hot sauce, and some freshly chopped cilantro into fat free sour cream for a tangy Mexican topping.
Squeeze some lime juice into your favorite smoothie recipe. You can make a healthy and delicious fruit dip by combining light lime or vanilla yogurt with a drizzle of lime juice and some zest. Marinate fruit salad in lime juice and place in the freezer 15 minutes before serving for an icy tart summer snack.
Make a lime vinaigrette. Simply blend ¼ cup of lime juice with 2 tablespoons EV olive oil, a clove of garlic, lime zest, a tablespoon of honey, either basil or cilantro, and salt and pepper to taste. If you want an Asian twist add some light coconut milk and a teaspoon of hot sauce to the blender. You can drizzle this on salads, or use as a marinade or sauce for fish, shrimp or chicken.
You can create a simple lime granita by pouring your limeade into a shallow pan and placing it in the freezer. After it’s frozen scrape the surface with a fork to form this delicious “Italian ice.” Serve it in an elegant martini glass with a lime zest garnish. You could also drizzle a little bit of lime limoncello over the top for a more adult treat.
Make a lime meringue pie by substituting lime for lemon in your favorite recipe. If you don’t want to make a meringue you can just top it with a light whipped topping. It’s a unique twist on a traditional dessert.
Of course, one of the best ways to use limes is to cut them into wedges, pop them into an icy cold bottle of Corona Light, and enjoy it on your patio, by the pool, or at the beach. Cheers to limes!

New Beginnings

I've been sufficiently distracted from Mangia for a while, but it's time to begin anew. It's hot and steamy down here in Charleston, SC, and that means lighter meals to enjoy on the patio or screened porch. We have a great view of the green golf course from our patio and like to sip a chilled glass of white or rose with our meal. Here are a few ideas for you in your favorite summertime place.
Light is not a word that immediately comes to mind when you think of French food. While it’s true that their more upscale cuisine makes use of lots of butter, cream and rich sauces, their everyday bistro-style food is simple yet elegant. The French like to combine fresh ingredients with minimal fuss and seasoning so the true flavor of the food shines through.
Appetizers don’t have to be heavy or complicated and make a pleasant segue into a meal. For everyday suppers the French favor a small collection of nibbles to whet the appetite. A small bowl of mixed olives, a bright burst of radishes dusted with salt and rubbed with a hint of butter, sliced whole grain bread drizzled with a little bit of olive oil, a spread made of pureed white beans and garlic, and cashews roasted with rosemary are typical offerings. You could serve them all for a larger crowd or pick one or two for a family dinner.
Fruits de la Mer means literally, fruits of the sea. The French love seafood and a simple and healthy dinner is a mixture of steamed shrimp, crab, mussels, oysters and any other seafood available. Lightly steamed and served with a cocktail sauce, remoulade sauce, and a tangy vinaigrette, fruits de la mer are visually stunning and equally tasty. Serve with a bistro salad dressed in a white wine vinaigrette and a hearty loaf of whole grain bread for a complete meal.
Enjoy these suggestions tonight and stay tuned for many more to enjoy during the hot, humid days of summer.

You like me! You really like me!

As Time's Person of the Year I would like to say thank you. It's nice to have fans! Do you think I can use that award in my clips file on my resume? Granted I started my Blog after the New Year began, but I still contributed to the Internet as an interactive viewer. There's a food revolution out there and I want to be in on it! Everywhere you look online or on TV there are exciting things happening in the food world. I spent some time this morning exploring other food Blogs and was amazed at how many there are-and I'm sure I only scratched the surface. I'm obviously not the only one out there who is obsessed with all things food oriented. The Food Network and it's Rock Stars have broiled, basted and braised their way to Superstardom. There are a million websites where you can find any recipe you need at any given moment and bloggers who post their cravings, addictions, finds and recipes. You might think that cookbooks would become antiquated but instead it is a booming industry which helps to support not only the current Cheflebrities but also the the rising stars as well. Food Network and other industry giants such as Williams and Sonoma publish cookbooks on a regular basis. I just received for Christmas (thanks again Babe!) the giant, gorgeous butter yellow Gourmet compilation that has over 1000 pages, and as editor Ruth Reichl says, "...every recipe you would ever want." I plan to cook my way through it eventually. Watch out for future posts on hopefully delicious recipes. Yet as I revel in this glorious gourmandry I have a few sobering thoughts. While we discuss the disgustingly PC attempt in Chicago to ban foie gras there are people who can't feed their families. While we sample 20 dollar appetizers and feel the velvety warmth of a good merlot in the back of our throat there are people who can't afford more than a six pack of Miller Lite and some bologna and white bread. There are women and girls who starve themselves to death and others who binge and purge the food that so many would eat to survive. America is a confusing country of contradictions. Yet I believe that wallowing in guilt or defending a lifestyle is pointless. It is what it is. There are rich and poor, lucky and unlucky, sick and well people. Instead I ask myself, what can I do personally to bring a little change about? How can I, in my own small way, make a difference? I'm not sure yet but now that the question is asked the answer cannot be silence. I'll just have to search for my niche. I'll still pursue my obsession with food, wine, and writing. I'll still eat well tonight, drink a glass (or two) of cabernet and embrace my family. I'll probably enjoy it all the more because I know what else is out there. Mangia!!!

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry...

My Mother often told us to "Mangia!" as she set our plates before us at dinner. It's Italian for "Eat!" No, we're not Italian but your general mix of European bloodlines headlined by German and Irish. I'm not sure where she came up with that command but mangia we did, especially if it was lasagna or spaghetti and meatballs. I think she channeled an Italian Grandmother as she cooked those dishes because they tasted deliciously authentic. I'm sure she had no idea that a simple word would become my mantra, my touchstone, my lifestyle, and my obsession over the years. I've worked in restaurants, cafe's and bakeries but my favorite place to cook is in my home with completely free reign-although without the extensive ingredients available. There have been times when I've been worried, anxious or just not able to sleep and I've cooked and baked my way through. Life as a single mother had its challenges. My problems never disappeared but they became manageable and we had good things to eat. Life always seems easier when you're eating a piece of bread fresh from the oven and lavished with sweet butter. I hope I can teach my daughter to enjoy eating with balance in her life. Our life is much stabler and happier since I met my husband almost 8 years ago. He's the man of my dreams, and I know I got lucky. Now I cook out of happiness and employ all my creativity and senses. We both love to eat good food and drink good wines and dance to the blues. I can never understand the people who have told me that they forget to eat! Just like I can't stand those women who can eat whatever they want and stay slender without exercising. You Know Who You Are! I am forever planning my next meal or the next dinner I'm going to cook, or if I should make homemade pizza on Friday night. I have to fight hard at the gym to be able to eat well but it's worth it. If I die today I can say that I didn't deprive myself of blue cheese melting on a ruby red bite of filet mignon, or the chocolate kahlua soaked tiramisu I made for my last birthday. I had that extra glass of wine and probably partied a little too much every weekend during Football season. Let's not even talk about Superbowl Sunday. The only thing I will regret is if I don't accomplish my writing goals and this is the year for me to write my heart out. So this blog is the beginning of a journey for me. I'm not sure exactly what the destination is but I hope to hit all the wild and fun spots along the way and eat, drink and be merry like nobody's watching.