I love inspirational quotes. They say in a few words what philosophers say in a few hundred words. Here are just a few quotes that I like, and try to keep in mind as I go about the business of living.
1. Tough and funny and a little bit kind, that is as near to perfection as a human being can be.
2. Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.
3. If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door.
4. Great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, small minds discuss people.
5. Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you've imagined.
6. Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're going to get.
7. Keep calm and carry on.
Friday, December 29, 2017
Wednesday, December 27, 2017
Universal Basic Income Revisited
The idea of a universal basic income, or UBI, dates back to Thomas Paine (1797), and has interested thinkers as diverse as Huey Long, Milton Friedman, Martin Luther King and Richard. It is getting another look today, due to the fact that our current social safety net isn't capable of dealing with the challenges of today.
The basics of UBI are simple. Everyone gets a check, guaranteed, whether they're employed or not. No one has to qualify, pass a drug test, look for work, etc. It's unconditional cash. The Bay Area is a hotbed of UBI thinking, and a pilot program aimed at providing as many as 1,000 residents of Oakland with a guaranteed income, that can effect their lifestyle (work, education, child-rearing), is being looked at. Elon Musk told CNBC news "I think that there's a pretty good chance we end up with UBI or something like that due to automation. Guaranteed income would give people time to do other things and more complex things, more interestings." San Francisco is also exploring the possibility of a pilot program.
Other programs are further along. Finland launched a three year test providing monthly checks worth 560 euros, to 2,000 unemployed workers. They'll give up their government benefits in return, but will still receive the checks if they get jobs. Utrecht, in Holland, has started a two year pilot program awarading $1,100 a month. Ontario in Canada has launched a project giving $13,000 per year to 4,000 randomly chosen residents in three provinces.
UBI attracts adherents across the ideological spectrum. Conservatives like it because they think it can replace the web of social assistance programs, at a lower cost. Progressives like it because they think it can be used to modernize the social safety net to accommodate the modern workplace. A UBI gives people the flexibility to deal with changes in the labor market. It's too early to say how it will play out. UBI is either a bubble or a movement. The question is whether it sticks, and whether anyone has a better idea.
The basics of UBI are simple. Everyone gets a check, guaranteed, whether they're employed or not. No one has to qualify, pass a drug test, look for work, etc. It's unconditional cash. The Bay Area is a hotbed of UBI thinking, and a pilot program aimed at providing as many as 1,000 residents of Oakland with a guaranteed income, that can effect their lifestyle (work, education, child-rearing), is being looked at. Elon Musk told CNBC news "I think that there's a pretty good chance we end up with UBI or something like that due to automation. Guaranteed income would give people time to do other things and more complex things, more interestings." San Francisco is also exploring the possibility of a pilot program.
Other programs are further along. Finland launched a three year test providing monthly checks worth 560 euros, to 2,000 unemployed workers. They'll give up their government benefits in return, but will still receive the checks if they get jobs. Utrecht, in Holland, has started a two year pilot program awarading $1,100 a month. Ontario in Canada has launched a project giving $13,000 per year to 4,000 randomly chosen residents in three provinces.
UBI attracts adherents across the ideological spectrum. Conservatives like it because they think it can replace the web of social assistance programs, at a lower cost. Progressives like it because they think it can be used to modernize the social safety net to accommodate the modern workplace. A UBI gives people the flexibility to deal with changes in the labor market. It's too early to say how it will play out. UBI is either a bubble or a movement. The question is whether it sticks, and whether anyone has a better idea.
Monday, December 25, 2017
Do You Have A Complete Place Setting?
Getting married today is pretty much as it has always been. Engagement party, showers and registering are all part of the experience. Men and women often register for everyday dishes and fine china. A place setting of china today usually consists of the following pieces: dinner plate, salad plate, butter plate cup and saucer and soup bowl. Additionally, things pieces like gravy bowl, sugar and creamer and serving dishes can be bought.
Years ago, my mom bought a set of 12 place settings of Royal Copenhagen, Blue Rose pattern. She is cleaning out cupboards, trying to give away items she no longer uses. I was with her in October, and she showed me the china, asking me if I wanted it. She showed me a place setting far different than what current companies are producing. The picture here shows only the plates that are part of Blue Rose pattern. The plates include the following: dinner plate, salad place, butter plate, two types of soup bowls (one with handles, one without), cup and saucer, ASH TRAY and CIGARETTE HOLDER. Can you imagine seeing these items in a place setting today? Other pieces in the pattern include a coffee server, salt and pepper shakers, gravy bowl and serving pieces.
What struck me most was two things. 1. In over 50 years, my mom still has every single piece of china, and she uses the china often, some pieces, like salad plates, almost daily. 2. Ash trays and cigarette holders, I can't even imagine. Years ago, a dinner party would include cigarettes on the table at each place, and an ash tray for every person. I'm taking some of the china, not all of it, and here's what I plan to do. I will repurpose the ash tray and cigarette holders. The ash tray will become a plate for wasabi and soy sauce when serving sushi, and the cigarette holders will become cups for saki. Pretty clever? I thought so. Now, all I have to do is have a sushi part, and use the new china. (The ash tray is on the right, below the salad plate, and cigarette holder is on the bottom right.
Years ago, my mom bought a set of 12 place settings of Royal Copenhagen, Blue Rose pattern. She is cleaning out cupboards, trying to give away items she no longer uses. I was with her in October, and she showed me the china, asking me if I wanted it. She showed me a place setting far different than what current companies are producing. The picture here shows only the plates that are part of Blue Rose pattern. The plates include the following: dinner plate, salad place, butter plate, two types of soup bowls (one with handles, one without), cup and saucer, ASH TRAY and CIGARETTE HOLDER. Can you imagine seeing these items in a place setting today? Other pieces in the pattern include a coffee server, salt and pepper shakers, gravy bowl and serving pieces.
What struck me most was two things. 1. In over 50 years, my mom still has every single piece of china, and she uses the china often, some pieces, like salad plates, almost daily. 2. Ash trays and cigarette holders, I can't even imagine. Years ago, a dinner party would include cigarettes on the table at each place, and an ash tray for every person. I'm taking some of the china, not all of it, and here's what I plan to do. I will repurpose the ash tray and cigarette holders. The ash tray will become a plate for wasabi and soy sauce when serving sushi, and the cigarette holders will become cups for saki. Pretty clever? I thought so. Now, all I have to do is have a sushi part, and use the new china. (The ash tray is on the right, below the salad plate, and cigarette holder is on the bottom right.
Friday, December 22, 2017
The Lanai: Hawaiian Fare in Del Mar
The menu is mostly Hawaiian, with poke bowls, rice bowls and pork sandwiches. They also have a Vietnamese influence, offering a vegetarian banh mi sandwich. (I was going to order that, but they were out of the rolls). Kimchee, a Korean condiment, is also on the menu, and served as an accompaniment to many entrees. Their version of kimchee is made with bok choy, and it is not spicy, like typical kimchee. I ordered a Hawaiian style cuban sandwich, with shredded pork, spam (I omitted this item), swiss cheese, pickles and mustard. It was delicious. Fran ordered two tacos, served with avocado, mango salsa and special sauce.
Many sandwiches are served with their signature tapioca poppers. They are like potato chips or popped chips. They are small balls of tapioca that are deep fried, creating a delicious popped chip. They not salty, just light and airy.
It's a great place for a casual lunch in a very casual setting. Thanks, Linda, for a great recommendation.
Wednesday, December 20, 2017
Life Can Change In An Instant
It was less than 24 hours ago that my 98 year old dog park friend, Paul, lost his dog to a hit and run driver. I am still reeling from the sight of Tiger, his 8 year old bichon, lying in the crosswalk, just steps from the dog park. Paul was almost hit too, as the car hit and mangled his walker.
I usually go to the dog park from 4-5 pm each day, but not yesterday. I was at a meeting in the village, just a few blocks from the park. We finished up around 5:30pm, and I started to drive home. As I drove down Leisure Village Drive, I noticed blinking yellow lights near the crosswalk by the park. This is not normal, so I slowed down to see what was happening. To my horror, I saw Tiger lying dead in the street, and Paul, just a few feet away, just standing there, in shock. I also saw someone from the Community Patrol unit, and one or two dog park friends. I knew there was enough help to handle the situation, so I drove home.
I was sobbing after viewing this horrific sight, and hardly slept a wink last night. I was thinking of how the loss of his dog, his best friend and constant companion, is going to effect Paul. After all, at age 98, it doesn't take much to put one into a downward spiral. Today we are meeting at the dog park to talk about how we can get Paul through this tragedy. Lots of suggestions are being bantered about. My suggestion is that he get another dog right away, an older dog, maybe 10-12 years old. He'd be saving an older dog from possible euthanasia and he would have someone new to care for. We'll see what the group thinks will help most.
The biggest takeaway from this is DO NOT USE RETRACTABLE LEASHES. They are outlawed in many cities. With a retractable leash the dog can walk as much as 6-10 feet in front of you, and if a car comes out of nowhere, you have no control over the dog. This is possibly what happened to Paul and Tiger. Paul liked the retractable leash, and Tiger could have been 6 feet in front of him. If a car came, Paul could not pull Tiger back. That is likely what happened. In any event, a hit and run driver killed a dog in a crosswalk, and simply drove off. What kind of person would do that?
I usually go to the dog park from 4-5 pm each day, but not yesterday. I was at a meeting in the village, just a few blocks from the park. We finished up around 5:30pm, and I started to drive home. As I drove down Leisure Village Drive, I noticed blinking yellow lights near the crosswalk by the park. This is not normal, so I slowed down to see what was happening. To my horror, I saw Tiger lying dead in the street, and Paul, just a few feet away, just standing there, in shock. I also saw someone from the Community Patrol unit, and one or two dog park friends. I knew there was enough help to handle the situation, so I drove home.
I was sobbing after viewing this horrific sight, and hardly slept a wink last night. I was thinking of how the loss of his dog, his best friend and constant companion, is going to effect Paul. After all, at age 98, it doesn't take much to put one into a downward spiral. Today we are meeting at the dog park to talk about how we can get Paul through this tragedy. Lots of suggestions are being bantered about. My suggestion is that he get another dog right away, an older dog, maybe 10-12 years old. He'd be saving an older dog from possible euthanasia and he would have someone new to care for. We'll see what the group thinks will help most.
The biggest takeaway from this is DO NOT USE RETRACTABLE LEASHES. They are outlawed in many cities. With a retractable leash the dog can walk as much as 6-10 feet in front of you, and if a car comes out of nowhere, you have no control over the dog. This is possibly what happened to Paul and Tiger. Paul liked the retractable leash, and Tiger could have been 6 feet in front of him. If a car came, Paul could not pull Tiger back. That is likely what happened. In any event, a hit and run driver killed a dog in a crosswalk, and simply drove off. What kind of person would do that?
Monday, December 18, 2017
What Does Net Neutrality Mean For You?
I wasn't really sure what net neutrality meant until I attended a discussion group recently, where the topic was raised. What is net neutrality? It is the internet's guiding principle. It preserves our right to communicate freely online. Net Neutrality means an internet that enables and protects free speech. It means that ISP's(Internet Service Providers like Comcast, ATT and Verizon) should provide us with open networks-and shouldn't block or discriminate against any applications or content that ride over those networks. It's similar to your phone company not being able to decide who you call or what you say on that call.
Until the recent vote by the FCC to remove Net Neutrality from the internet, our expectation was to be connected to whatever website we wanted. We expected that the phone company or cable company isn't messing with the data and is connecting you to all websites, applications and content you choose. You expect to be in control of your internet experience. That may all change soon.
Without Net Neutrality, ISP's will be able to call all the shots and decide which websites, content and applications succeed. They can slow down competitors' content or block political opinions they disagree with. They can charge extra fees to the few content companies that can afford to pay for preferential treatment, relegating everyone else to slower service.
In 2015 the FCC passed strong Net Neutrality rules, giving internet users the strongest protections possible. This new ruling creates particularly devastating results to marginalized communities. (people of color, LGBTQ, religious minorities). These groups rely on the internet to organize, access economic and educational opportunities, and fight back against systemic discrimination.
Who benefits from a more controlled internet? Big business benefits for sure. Small business owners, startups and entrepreneurs rely on the open internet to launch their businesses, create markets and advertise. With the new regulation, ISP's will be able to exploit their gatekeeper position and destroy the internet's fair and level playing field.
If you believe this new regulation is damaging to our democracy, let your congressman and senators know. Laws and regulations are being dismantled at an alarming rate, that will benefit big business and drive out small business and entrepreneurs. These regulations threaten a fair and free internet, and ultimately our democracy. Do something if you care about keeping the internet open and free.
Until the recent vote by the FCC to remove Net Neutrality from the internet, our expectation was to be connected to whatever website we wanted. We expected that the phone company or cable company isn't messing with the data and is connecting you to all websites, applications and content you choose. You expect to be in control of your internet experience. That may all change soon.
Without Net Neutrality, ISP's will be able to call all the shots and decide which websites, content and applications succeed. They can slow down competitors' content or block political opinions they disagree with. They can charge extra fees to the few content companies that can afford to pay for preferential treatment, relegating everyone else to slower service.
In 2015 the FCC passed strong Net Neutrality rules, giving internet users the strongest protections possible. This new ruling creates particularly devastating results to marginalized communities. (people of color, LGBTQ, religious minorities). These groups rely on the internet to organize, access economic and educational opportunities, and fight back against systemic discrimination.
Who benefits from a more controlled internet? Big business benefits for sure. Small business owners, startups and entrepreneurs rely on the open internet to launch their businesses, create markets and advertise. With the new regulation, ISP's will be able to exploit their gatekeeper position and destroy the internet's fair and level playing field.
If you believe this new regulation is damaging to our democracy, let your congressman and senators know. Laws and regulations are being dismantled at an alarming rate, that will benefit big business and drive out small business and entrepreneurs. These regulations threaten a fair and free internet, and ultimately our democracy. Do something if you care about keeping the internet open and free.
Friday, December 15, 2017
What Does Doug Jones' Win Means For America?
I've been listening to reporters talk about the stunning upset by Doug Jones in the race for the senate seat in Alabama. Yes, a Democrat hasn't won in over 25 years. A Democrat hasn't even come close. Was it that Roy Moore was such a flawed candidate that cost him victory? Was it the support of Bannon and Trump? Or was it something else? I think it was a combination of factors.
I don't need to rehash what a despicable person Roy Moore is, and that that should have been enough to disqualify him from running. We all know what he is, and nobody liked him, even the staunchest Trump supporter. But his supporters would rather have a twice removed from office judge and accused pedophile in the U.S. Senate than a Democrat. That's party above everything, if I've ever seen it.
Blacks came out in droves to vote for Doug Jones, and that really helped. Jones had a larger percentage of the black vote than Obama got. Democrats really got out the vote. But it was the women that really put Jones over the top. College educated women and women with children, although largely Republican in the past, made a moral judgement. Mothers and educated women could not stand by and watch Roy Moore win, so they came out an voted. Many former Republicans crossed over to a candidate whose morality they could relate to. This was a win not just for Doug Jones, but for women. Women should now understand that they CAN make a difference.
In staunchly Republican states like Alabama, women often voted however their husband voted. Women are developing a voice. They are understanding that they can think for themselves, and when they go into the voting booth, they can make their own decision and help determine outcomes. It's a new era for women, and hopefully they will come out in droves next year and vote for the best candidate, regardless of party. I'm hoping that the Alabama election is the first of many elections around the country where citizens reject bigotry and misogeny, and vote for the best candidate.
I don't need to rehash what a despicable person Roy Moore is, and that that should have been enough to disqualify him from running. We all know what he is, and nobody liked him, even the staunchest Trump supporter. But his supporters would rather have a twice removed from office judge and accused pedophile in the U.S. Senate than a Democrat. That's party above everything, if I've ever seen it.
Blacks came out in droves to vote for Doug Jones, and that really helped. Jones had a larger percentage of the black vote than Obama got. Democrats really got out the vote. But it was the women that really put Jones over the top. College educated women and women with children, although largely Republican in the past, made a moral judgement. Mothers and educated women could not stand by and watch Roy Moore win, so they came out an voted. Many former Republicans crossed over to a candidate whose morality they could relate to. This was a win not just for Doug Jones, but for women. Women should now understand that they CAN make a difference.
In staunchly Republican states like Alabama, women often voted however their husband voted. Women are developing a voice. They are understanding that they can think for themselves, and when they go into the voting booth, they can make their own decision and help determine outcomes. It's a new era for women, and hopefully they will come out in droves next year and vote for the best candidate, regardless of party. I'm hoping that the Alabama election is the first of many elections around the country where citizens reject bigotry and misogeny, and vote for the best candidate.
Wednesday, December 13, 2017
Great Mediterranean Food In An Unlikely Place
I love shopping in ethnic markets. The Asian and Korean markets have always been favorites of mine. I love a great Italian market. North Park Produce is a full supermarket, with a strong emphasis on foods from the Middle East. Imports from Iran, Turkey, Israel, Poland and Scandinavia are common. I had to refrain from buying spices and pickled vegetables and breads of all sorts. I only bought a few persimmons, delicious baklava (5 kinds to choose from) and some herring fillets from Scandinavia. The array of prepared foods is impressive. You won't be able to refrain from buying something!
Lunch was delicious. I ordered the beef shwarma plate. For $4.99 (special of the day) I got a huge plate of Persian rice (delicious) piled high with beef shawarma, and nice salad with lettuce and tomatoes, and some soft, warm, lavosh. I could barely finish half, so I packed up the rest and took it home to Ron for dinner. He loved it, and can't wait to go back for another meal. Audrey ordered the falafel wrap, again, more than one person could eat. Lots of shish kebob, chicken and beef, cooked over an open fire. They looked great. Lots of bread of all kinds. The most interesting one was a big ball of dough cooked over an open fire that puffed up. I could hardly resist it, but it was so big I didn't know what I would do with it all. Hummus, babaganoush and other Persian salads were also on the menu. If you're in the area around lunch or dinner time, stop by North Park Produce, and eat at Aladdin Grill. You will love it.
Friday, December 8, 2017
When Western Medicine Fails You
All of us have probably faced a situation where our doctor is unable to cure what ails us, or make us feel any better. I have had a condition for over 20 years, and am no closer to resolving the problem now than I was in 1996 when it first appeared. Out of nowhere, I started clearing my throat, and multiple doctors and tests later, I am still clearing my throat all the time. Western medicine has failed to find an answer. What should I do next? Here's what others have done when Western medicine has failed them
My friend was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis 15 months ago, and has been suffering terribly. After seeing a top rheumatologist, taking drug, after drug, after drug, with no relief, she was depressed and desperate. She found another medical doctor who used diet, rather than drugs, to help her. Within a month of stopping all drugs, and changing to a diet that eliminated gluten, sugar, milk and egg products, she is pain free, inflammation free and HAPPY. I know it sounds too good to be true, but when Western medicine failed her, she turned to something so simple, it's amazing. One more thing. She takes turmeric every day, but that will be the subject of another blog.
The day after I heard the story about my friend with rheumatoid arthritis, I heard another similar story. An acquaintance of mine used to be a harpist. She has not been able to play for months because of arthritis, in this case osteoarthritis. She too, went from doctor to doctor, drug to drug, in search of relief. She finally started taking 1,000 mg of turmeric everyday, and within a month she was pain free and back to playing the harp.
These stories sound too good to be true, and if I didn't know the people involved and what they had been through, I might think they were "fake."
Another friend has a grandchild who was diagnosed with a rare "orphan" disease. (I can't remember the name of it right now). She went to specialists, and was treated with many drugs, including chemotherapy. It wasn't until her parents, who did hours of research, put her on a special diet, that she got significant results. She is off gluten, and she possibly has other dietary restrictions. She is now in remission and doing well, all from a change in diet.
So,when Western medicine is not helping, look elsewhere. Do research, ask a million questions, learn about foods, and what causes inflammation, a source of many of our health problems. Learn about herbs and supplements. Don't accept that feeling bad, achy, tired, etc. are just because of age. We can do something about these conditions, and if your Western doctor doesn't know what to do, look at nutrition, acupuncture, or other alternatives.
For me, Western medicine is always the first place to look for answers. But there are many conditions that can be helped through diet, herbs and supplements, something most American trained doctors know little or nothing about. If one thing doesn't work, try something else. I plan to try to get my throat clearing dealt with soon. I need to do research and perhaps see another doctor with a different perspective.
My friend was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis 15 months ago, and has been suffering terribly. After seeing a top rheumatologist, taking drug, after drug, after drug, with no relief, she was depressed and desperate. She found another medical doctor who used diet, rather than drugs, to help her. Within a month of stopping all drugs, and changing to a diet that eliminated gluten, sugar, milk and egg products, she is pain free, inflammation free and HAPPY. I know it sounds too good to be true, but when Western medicine failed her, she turned to something so simple, it's amazing. One more thing. She takes turmeric every day, but that will be the subject of another blog.
The day after I heard the story about my friend with rheumatoid arthritis, I heard another similar story. An acquaintance of mine used to be a harpist. She has not been able to play for months because of arthritis, in this case osteoarthritis. She too, went from doctor to doctor, drug to drug, in search of relief. She finally started taking 1,000 mg of turmeric everyday, and within a month she was pain free and back to playing the harp.
These stories sound too good to be true, and if I didn't know the people involved and what they had been through, I might think they were "fake."
Another friend has a grandchild who was diagnosed with a rare "orphan" disease. (I can't remember the name of it right now). She went to specialists, and was treated with many drugs, including chemotherapy. It wasn't until her parents, who did hours of research, put her on a special diet, that she got significant results. She is off gluten, and she possibly has other dietary restrictions. She is now in remission and doing well, all from a change in diet.
So,when Western medicine is not helping, look elsewhere. Do research, ask a million questions, learn about foods, and what causes inflammation, a source of many of our health problems. Learn about herbs and supplements. Don't accept that feeling bad, achy, tired, etc. are just because of age. We can do something about these conditions, and if your Western doctor doesn't know what to do, look at nutrition, acupuncture, or other alternatives.
For me, Western medicine is always the first place to look for answers. But there are many conditions that can be helped through diet, herbs and supplements, something most American trained doctors know little or nothing about. If one thing doesn't work, try something else. I plan to try to get my throat clearing dealt with soon. I need to do research and perhaps see another doctor with a different perspective.
Wednesday, December 6, 2017
Taking Life One Step At A Time
Ron and I are going through some health issues that we never saw coming. After being diagnosed with diabetes in 2002, having serious business difficulties from 200-2010, being diagnosed with ALS in 2015, we thought our difficulties were behind us. Not so. Several weeks ago Ron was diagnosed with Stage 2 bladder cancer, so we now have another battle to fight. As we've done with all difficulties in the past, our approach is to take one day at a time.
I call it "peeling away the layers of an onion." It's daunting to think about the future if you think about all the obstacles. My idea is to take each day, each issue as it comes, and not think too much about all the things you are going to go though. First, we had to get all our doctors on board, consult with them, and determine a course of action. Next, we had to set up appointments. Then, we had to take each day and deal with whatever happens. Each day, peeling each layer of the onion, gets us closer to the end of treatment. We are just getting started, and I will not write much about the process, but I just wanted to talk about my feeling that taking things step by step keeps you from getting overwhelmed.
Many years ago Ron had a business problem that was extremely complex, and I mentioned to him at the time that taking each step to completion before going on to the next was the best way to approach the problem. It worked. He took it one step at a time, and the project was completed and things were fine. I'm hoping that approach will work for him now. We're just getting started on this difficult road, but one step at a time is our approach to getting to the finish line.
I call it "peeling away the layers of an onion." It's daunting to think about the future if you think about all the obstacles. My idea is to take each day, each issue as it comes, and not think too much about all the things you are going to go though. First, we had to get all our doctors on board, consult with them, and determine a course of action. Next, we had to set up appointments. Then, we had to take each day and deal with whatever happens. Each day, peeling each layer of the onion, gets us closer to the end of treatment. We are just getting started, and I will not write much about the process, but I just wanted to talk about my feeling that taking things step by step keeps you from getting overwhelmed.
Many years ago Ron had a business problem that was extremely complex, and I mentioned to him at the time that taking each step to completion before going on to the next was the best way to approach the problem. It worked. He took it one step at a time, and the project was completed and things were fine. I'm hoping that approach will work for him now. We're just getting started on this difficult road, but one step at a time is our approach to getting to the finish line.
Monday, December 4, 2017
Homemade Cracker Candy: An Easy Sweet Treat
When you need an easy sweet treat for home use, or a hostess gift, or to take to a pot luck, look no further. This chocolatey, nutty brickle, is just the thing. Here's the simple recipe. The only thing that takes any time is cooling it before breaking it up!
Homemade Cracker Candy
40 saltines (one sleeve)
1 c. butter
1 c. + 2 T. firmly packed brown sugar (I like light brown sugar)
1 bag chocolate chips
chopped nuts (your choice)
Spread saltines side by side on a cookie sheet, filling the entire sheet. Boil butter and brown sugar for five minutes, then spread on top of the saltines. Melt the bag of chocolate chips and spread on top of the butter and brown sugar mix. Then sprinkle with nuts, pushing them into the chocolate a little. Place tray in freezer and cool until mixture is hard. Break into pieces like brittle, then store in an air tight container. This won't last long, it's so delicious.
Homemade Cracker Candy
40 saltines (one sleeve)
1 c. butter
1 c. + 2 T. firmly packed brown sugar (I like light brown sugar)
1 bag chocolate chips
chopped nuts (your choice)
Spread saltines side by side on a cookie sheet, filling the entire sheet. Boil butter and brown sugar for five minutes, then spread on top of the saltines. Melt the bag of chocolate chips and spread on top of the butter and brown sugar mix. Then sprinkle with nuts, pushing them into the chocolate a little. Place tray in freezer and cool until mixture is hard. Break into pieces like brittle, then store in an air tight container. This won't last long, it's so delicious.
Friday, December 1, 2017
Caramel Oranges
It may not look like much, but this easy dessert, an Italian favorite, is delicious. I rediscovered this wonderful dish recently, in the new magazine 177 MilkStreet. This is the newest endeavor of Christopher Kimball, formerly the host of the PBS TV show,
Cook's Country. He has a web site with recipes, a magazine and a cookbook, and an online store. His recipes are great. I saw this recipe in the most recent edition of the magazine, and it reminded me of a trip Ron and I took over 40 years ago.
Our very first trip to Europe was in the early 1970's. We went through a tour company booked through May Co. We were poor, and the trip was for those on a budget. We had two weeks in London, a meal card at restaurants near our hotel, and the rest was on us. We stayed at Holiday Inn Swiss Cottage, about a 15 minute tube ride from central London. There was an Italian restaurant near the hotel that we could eat at with a voucher given to us by the tour company, so we ate there several nights. They had the caramel oranges for dessert there, and it was the main reason we kept going back. It was so good that I remember it all these years later, and so does Ron.
So I made it tonight, and hope it lives up to my expectations. You know how it is when you remember something from years ago. It never seems to be as good as you remember it. In any event, it's an easy dessert I hope you'll try.
Caramel Oranges
6 naval oranges, peeled, pith removed, and sliced thin, about 6 slices per orange
2 cinnamon sticks
1 cup white sugar
3/4 cup orange juice
2 T. butter
Prepare the oranges, and arrange in a round pan, with rounds slightly overlapping. Make the caramel sauce by melting the sugar with the cinnamon sticks and 1/4 cup of orange juice. Cook over medium heat until frothy and bubbly, then it will start to turn darker with smaller bubbles. Continue cooking until caramel is copper colored. Remove from heat, add the rest of the orange juice. The mixture will bubble up. Keep stirring and incorporate all the orange juice, then add butter to finish. Pour mixture over oranges. Cover dish with plastic wrap, and cool for 3-6 hours. Now, it's ready to serve. Serve as is, or, pour over vanilla ice cream or pound cake. You'll love it.
Our very first trip to Europe was in the early 1970's. We went through a tour company booked through May Co. We were poor, and the trip was for those on a budget. We had two weeks in London, a meal card at restaurants near our hotel, and the rest was on us. We stayed at Holiday Inn Swiss Cottage, about a 15 minute tube ride from central London. There was an Italian restaurant near the hotel that we could eat at with a voucher given to us by the tour company, so we ate there several nights. They had the caramel oranges for dessert there, and it was the main reason we kept going back. It was so good that I remember it all these years later, and so does Ron.
So I made it tonight, and hope it lives up to my expectations. You know how it is when you remember something from years ago. It never seems to be as good as you remember it. In any event, it's an easy dessert I hope you'll try.
Caramel Oranges
6 naval oranges, peeled, pith removed, and sliced thin, about 6 slices per orange
2 cinnamon sticks
1 cup white sugar
3/4 cup orange juice
2 T. butter
Prepare the oranges, and arrange in a round pan, with rounds slightly overlapping. Make the caramel sauce by melting the sugar with the cinnamon sticks and 1/4 cup of orange juice. Cook over medium heat until frothy and bubbly, then it will start to turn darker with smaller bubbles. Continue cooking until caramel is copper colored. Remove from heat, add the rest of the orange juice. The mixture will bubble up. Keep stirring and incorporate all the orange juice, then add butter to finish. Pour mixture over oranges. Cover dish with plastic wrap, and cool for 3-6 hours. Now, it's ready to serve. Serve as is, or, pour over vanilla ice cream or pound cake. You'll love it.
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