A Sunday Apéritif

The French call it apéritif, the Italians call it aperitivo. Whatever it’s called, I’m a huge fan and I ‘m always on board!

Derived from the Latin verb, apirire, it literally means to *open the palate*. It refers to the hour or two before dinner, where you can enjoy a small nosh or nibble of finger food, with alcohol, prior to the big meal.

On occassion, depending what is on offer, apéritif can replace the large meal. Like in the heat of summer, when just the thought of cooking a big meal in my postage-stamp size kitchen, makes beads of sweat appear upon my forehead.

No thanks!

Today happened to be one of those days. Plus, it’s a lazy Sunday. An apéritif was in order.

I am pretty familiar with the types of foods both cultures typically serve for apéritif, many of which are always on hand a casa.

Part of the fun is having an imagination about what you would like to serve and combining that with what you have on hand. It’s a perfetto time to use leftovers, or items that you only have a few morsels of.

A common French drink, especially in the South of France, for apéritif, is Pastis. An herbal anise drink which is usually diluted with water in a tall glass. It is different from Absinthe, but closely related.

Italians will drink campari, prosecco or maybe even a bellini. In recent years, wine has become an acceptable alternative to the classic campari and soda.

Today our apéritif consisted of:

* almonds

* olive

* vine ripened tomotoes dressed in olive oil, sea salt, pepper and fresh torn basil

* marinated cippolini onions

* toasted Italian bread, drizzled with olive oil and fresh rosemary from our garden

* Italian sweet summer sausage

* fresh local cheese- one cow’s milk, one goat’s milk

* a honeycomb

And to wash it all down, a chilled, crisp Sicilian vino bianco.

Now, the one thing I didn’t have on hand that is always on my table for apéritif, are sweet baby gherkins. Cornichons are very much a French classic, but I prefer sweet to sour.

Other popular alternatives for noshing are pistachios, potato chips, grilled veggies like eggplant or zucchini, marinated favorites like mushrooms and artichokes, prosciutto and melone and whatever fruit is in season, such as figs, cherries or strawberries.

I have admittedly read way too many memoirs containing story upon story of apéritif in the French Countryside and aperitivo in its Italian counterpart. Each tale filled with deliciously prepared food of the season, friends and family gathered around the old wooden communal table dressed in white linen and placed under the afternoon shade of the nearest olive or fruit tree, sharing stories, clinking glasses of continuously topped-off wine until dinner arrives and it’s all repeated well into the wee hours of the night.

Oh, what I would not give to be a part of that.

But today, myself and my vivid imagination were joined by Chris and Madison as we sat on the covered front porch, surrounded by fresh herbs, flowering plants, garden statuary and antique urns, and we enjoyed our Sunday apéritif.

As I was daydreaming of taking an apéritif with friends in France, the clouds moved overhead and rain began to fall, gently, from the sky.

Without missing a beat, Chris and I looked at one another as he said, “Now it really feels like Paris.”

I guess I am not the only one with an imagination!

What are your favorite things to eat for apéritif/aperitivo? What about to drink? What stories do you have to share?

Strawberries in Balsamic

Our farmers markets are brimming with fresh, sweet, juicy, ruby-red strawberries. I love to eat them right from the basket. In fact, many don’t make it on the car ride home.

I also love to come up with quick, easy ways to enjoy the lucky ones that made it home as a dessert.

Especially desserts that don’t require turning on the oven in the scorching heat of summer!!

Strawberries in Balsamic is one of my favorites. With balsamic vinegar as one of the ingredients, I can call it an Italian dessert.

Strawberries in Balsamic

a few handfuls of strawberries(hulled and halved or quartered for large ones)
a splash of good quality Balsamic Vinegar
a spoonful of sugar
handful of fresh mint leaves, chiffonade

Combine berries and balsamic in a bowl. Sprinkle with the sugar and mint. Toss gently.
Let sit at room temperature for about an hour.

Serve with a dollop of fresh whipped cream,Greek yogurt or ricotta cheese mixed with a bit of honey.

Yep, it’s that easy! Enjoy!

Travel Tip Tuesday- Top 20 Reasons to visit the Hudson Valley

Budget Travel ran an article listing the Top 50 reasons to visit NYC. That gave Cherrye and I an idea for this TTT installment, listing the reasons to visit where we live.

So, without further ado, here is my Top 20 List for the Hudson Valley.

1. The CIA. No, not that one. The Culinary Institute of America is about a 6 minute drive for me. The grounds are amazing, the restaurants-to die for.

2. Restaurants. Many of those CIA grad's stick around to open their own restaurants and we have some of the best in the area. We can find everything from cafes, French, Italian, Chinese, Thai, Japanese, Steakhouses and Indian. We have it all!

3. The Hudson River. It's beautiful, photogenic and well-traveled. Especially in the summer. You can go boating, fishing, water-skiing or take a tour boat and do some sightseeing. And my local crossing, called the Mid-Hudson Bridge is a small suspension bridge that provides a stunning scene day or night.

4. Drive In Theaters. Yep, they are still around here. In fact, we have two!

5. Big old houses. The city of Poughkeepsie, as well as other cities in my area, are home to some grand historic houses, many of which have been restored. I love to drive by and look at the wrap around porches, stained glass windows and original woodworking on some of the best on Garfield Place, Franklin and Academy Street.

6. Farmers Markets. There are about fourteen markets in our area. Three are close enough to frequent often and support our local farmers. I love that it's so easy to get everything from local honey to flowers to wine.

7. Organic and Slow Food Movement. There is a big focus on this in our Hudson Valley Region. Places like Sprout Creek Farm make local cheese, Fleisher's specializes in grass fed meats, Hudson Valley Fresh distributes organic milk and Mother Earthhas always carried organic foods. Many local restaurants have adopted this philosophy as well, which makes it so easy to eat healthy!

8. Wildlife. Bunnies, deer, groundhogs, squirrels, wild turkey, pheasants, black bear, foxes, chipmunks, bald eagles, owls and great blue herons…not to mention thousands of birds. We are a veritable Noah's Ark here in the HV. And I love that!

9. Spring and Fall. Winter is cold and Summer, hot and humid. But the Spring brings bright blue skies, lush greenery, tons of blooming trees and flowers galore. We get the most beautiful colored foliage in the fall, as well as pumpkins, apples, cider, hayrides, Halloween and cool, crisp temperatures.

10. Antiques and Flea Markets. Our area is old. It is loaded with antique shops, barns, junk gems, salvage yards auction houses and flea markets. It is a flea market girls paradise!

11. Diners. A thing of the past, many have disappeared. We have about 8 in our area. Many are open 24 hours a day, a perfect stop after you go out partying!

12. Historic Sites. The Vanderbilt Mansion, Mills Mansion, Montgomery Place, FDR Home and Valkill are just a few of the great places to tour historic mansions, walk the beautifully manicured grounds and learn about the rich and interesting history of New York State. They make great spots for picnics too.

13. Proximity to NYC. Just one hour and 40 minutes by train makes New York City a quick and easy trip for me. For about $25 round trip, I can have a day in the Big Apple…anytime I want!

14. The Art Scene. With museums like DIA, community theaters like the County Players and the Rhinebeck Performing Arts Center, Upstate Theater for cultural, foreign and indie films that don't hit the big cinemas and tons of art galleries, you never have to go far to appreciate art in the Hudson Valley.

15. Wineries. My favorites in the area are Benmarl and Clinton Vineyards. But there are about a dozen others worth a visit in my general area.

16. Stewart Airport. The Port Authority is spending beaucoup bucks to upgrade and expand the local airport. It recently became an international airport, which is great. However, I am still waiting for affordable flights to Europe, so I can leave from my back-door!

17. Rhinebeck. A perfect mix of everything I have listed here. It's a mini-SOHO, with a small town feel. Boutiques, galleries, B&B's (including the oldest Inn in America, where George Washington slept) and 27 different restaurants make this my favorite little town in the area.

18. The Bardavon. Another historic wonder, restored. The inside is magical, romantic and charming. It is home to the Hudson Valley Philharmonic. Great classical concerts as well as Opera, classical movies on the big screen and big name shows like Chris Botti, Madeline Peyroux and Blondie.

19. The Mountains. Bear Mountain to the South, the Catskills to the North-west and the Berkshires to the North-East. Great for hiking, skiing, exploring or just looking at the scenery.

20. Italian Influence. Other than the numerous Italian restaurants in our area, we have a local Italian Center, several different Italian festivals in the Summer and many gourmet Italian food stores like Rossi's Deli, Roma Deli, Leonardo's and Joe's Italian Marketplace.

So, that's my Top 20. What do ya think? Wanna come for a visit?

If so, feel free to contact me, as I would be glad to make recommendations or to help plan your HV itinerary.

Now, run right over to Cherrye's for her Top 15 List for Catanzaro.

Sangria

You all know I am a wine lover, but even I can't bring myself to pop the cork on my favorite Cote du Rhone or Chianti in the blistering heat of the summer.

No, at that point, it is time for something cool and refreshing. But still alcoholic.

I like to make Sangria.

I know, I know. It's not French or Italian. But we all love Spain too right?

Yeah, it is still ok to love other parts of Europe!

Sangria, is like fruit punch with wine, named for the word sangre, meaning blood, in Spanish. This could be due to its dark ruby red coloring. It is typically served at parties, picnics and informal gatherings in both Spain and Portugal.

courtesy of MarthaStewart.com

There are hundreds, probably millions, of Sangria recipes floating around out there, most of which consist of fresh fruit, red wine, fruit juice, brandy, ice and some type of carbonated water.

Some versions of white Sangria, called Sangria Blanca, are made with white wine peaches, sliced strawberries, even blood oranges.

Mmmmm.

Sangria is so quick and easy to make, you can prepare it well ahead of time and you can double, even triple the recipe for parties!

But, the best part about making Sangria is that you can use a basic recipe as a guide and then experiment with what you think might taste good – add a little twist of your own. Use what you have on hand, and you might just find that you create your new favorite.

Obviously it is important to use a good quality wine for your Sangria and make sure it is chilled before using it in the recipe. Use a Rioja if you want to remain true to the Spanish version, but any dry red will work. Just make sure you like the taste of it!

For a white version, try a Pinot Grigio or a Sauvignon Blanc.

Here is a basic recipe I used to make a delicious Sangria, found on MarthaStewart.com

Summer Sangria

4 oranges, 2 juiced, 2 halved lengthwise and slices crosswise
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup brandy
1 bottle dry red wine, chilled
2 lemons, thinly sliced
2 cups seltzer or club soda
Ice cubes, for serving

In a large pitcher, combine orange juice, sugar and brandy. Stir well until sugar is dissolved. Add wine, orange slices, lemon slices and seltzer. Stir to combine. Fill glasses with ice before serving. Serves 8.

I prefer to chill mine in the fridge for at least a few hours so all the flavors can mingle, but hey, that's just me!

Ahhh, summer refreshment doesn't get any better than this! Salud!

>>Other great recipes to try are a Peach White Wine Sangria or the Party Sangria.

>>For more delicious, authentic, creative Sangria recipes visit Spain Recipes or Wine Intro.

Sunset on the Seine

Sunset on the river Seine, Paris shot in the Square du Vert-Galant at the tip of the Ile de la Cité

The Pont des Arts, in the foreground, is the only wooden pedestrian footbridge on the Seine.

I love the bird and the dark silhouettes on the bridge.

Peony Prize Winner

Thanks for all your wonderful responses to my lovely Peony Bouquet!

I let the Random Number Generator pick the winner….and it picked comment #8.

Congratulations Erin of Fully Alive, Ready to Smile.

Isn't that a great name for a blog?!

Erin, email me your full name and address and your prize will be on it's way!

Thanks again for playing. It's always so nice to hear from all of you.

Travel Tip Tuesday- Rising Airline Fees

This Travel Tip Tuesday, we are talking about US airline fees. Lots and lots of fees. And they are rising before our very eyes.

Do you remember when you would stand on line at airport check-in behind a family of four going to visit their family for Christmas? Dad was pushing a rolling cart jam packed with 8 suitcases and 15 gift wrapped boxes teetering on top. He paid zippo, zilch, nada in additional charges for that baggage.

Do you remember when customer service was of utmost importance and you could speak to a reservation agent at the airline, anytime, who would gladly book your ticket, just because you were a paying customer?

Why, just last year on my flight to Paris and back, I received complimentary wine with my dinner at no extra charge!

Well folks, I hate to break it to ya, but those days are over.

Now, please, don't get me wrong. I understand that there are certain things that we all should be charged extra for.

No one person should be allowed Carte Blanche on the number of suitcases they carry. And it should cost a little something to take a pet on board, don't you agree?

But some of the fees being leveled and the outlandish things they are charging for is gettin' downright ridiculous!

The fact that oil is trading at nearly $140 a barrel is killing the airline industry. So, they are trying to make up the difference, somehow.

I get it. Really. I do.

Airlines have to make more money. It would be easier in my opinion, to just raise the ticket prices. But instead they get sneaky and tricky by nickel-and-diming you on little hidden fees.

Except of course for Southwest Airlines, who boldly advertises 'No Surprise Fees' on their website home page.

Sign of the times, I guess.

I have compiled a small list of some of the recent fees I was able to find. This is not an all-encompassing list, as that would have taken painstaking hours of research, which I don't have.

>> Jet Blue has raised their fee to change a ticket to $100. United's fee is $150.

>> Booking a ticket by phone can cost $15 through American and $25 through Delta and United.

>> Airlines that offer curb side check-in are charging between $3 and $5 a bag.

>> E-tickets are all the rage. Some airlines are charging you for old style paper tickets. Be prepared to pay $25 at Delta and Northwest or $35 on Frontier.

>> Worked long and hard to earn that free ticket with Frequent Flier miles? Well, on US Airways it'll cost you $25-$50, just to redeem them through a ticket agent now.

>> Pets taken on board the cabin can be $50 one-way, but Fido will have to get a part-time job to afford his $200 pet ~~ticket~~ fee on Frontier.

>> Premium seats are gonna cost you. Virgin America charges from $15-$50 for bulkhead and exit row. Northwest aisle and window seats can cost $50 on international flights.

>> Soda, juice, coffee and water, yes, water will cost $2. Alcohol will be $7.

>> American, United and US Airways are all charging $25 for a second checked bag.

>> And speaking of checked bags. American was the leader in rolling out a $15 charge for your first checked bag. Each way. That's $30 round-trip. Now, US Airways has jumped on the bandwagon.

So, what are you to do?

Some solutions are obvious. Use your e-tickets, solidify your plans so that you don't have to change your tickets, don't check a bag-just carry-on your bag and don't use the curb side check-in.

The next step is to be smart and informed.

Consult the airlines website to see what their fees are. Each airline is required by the Department of Transportation to disclose their fees.

If you are having a hard time finding the information on the company website, make a toll-free call to the airline and ask to speak to someone about their fees. Again, you are entitled to know.

If you find yourself saddled with a charge that you really knew nothing about, or that you felt the airline failed to disclose, try fighting it! Always ask to speak to a supervisor when you plead your case.

And finally, I have seen a new and very controversial idea on the pricing of airline tickets being kicked around in the news and in the blogosphere. I thought I would share it with you and see what your thoughts are.

Many are proposing that individuals should be charged for their airline ticket according to how much they weigh!! This would mean that Calista Flockhart would pay about $5 to say uh, Dom DeLuise's $600.

And let it be known that I am no Skinny-Minnie, so I would not be on the $5 end of the spectrum.

I see this as unfair, as well as a violation of privacy. I could see the Supreme Court all over it as a violation of civil rights. But hey, that's just me.

I want to know what you think! Are you ready to be weighed like a Samsonite in front of your fellow passengers in order to regulate airline ticket prices?

Now it's your turn to weigh in! Pun intended.

And then head over to Cherrye's blog for 12 ways to save money in Europe.

Happy Travels!

Pissaladière

Pissaladière is the best of two of my favorite worlds colliding. France and Italy.

Nice and the South of France are so close to the Italy border that there should be no surprise that influences in food, culture and language exist on both sides.

This dish is the pizza dough of Italy combined with the olives, anchovies and herbs of the southern France. It is believed that the Romans introduced it to the French during the Avignon Papacy. It is a type of white pizza, as no tomatoes or no cheese for that matter, are used.

This version is from Ina Garten's wonderful cookbook, Barefoot in Paris, which I highly recommend.

For the topping (makes one)

1/2 cup olive oil, plus extra for brushing
2 lbs yellow onions, halved and sliced 1/4 in thick
1 Tbsp fresh thyme leaves
1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
2 whole cloves garlic

For the dough (makes two)

1 1/4 warm (100-110˚) water
2 envelopes dry yeast
1 Tbsp honey
5 Tbsp olive oil
4 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for kneading
2 tsp kosher salt

To assemble each pissaladière

Cornmeal, for baking
12 -18 anchovy fillets
12 French black olives, preferably oil cured, pitted

For the topping heat the olive oil in a very large saute pan and cook the onions, thyme, salt, pepper and garlic over low heat for 45 minutes, until the onions are sweet and cooked but not browned.

Toss the onions from time to time. After 30 minutes, take out the garlic, chop it roughly, and add back to the onions.

Meanwhile, for the dough, combine the water, yeast, honey and olive oil in the bowl of an electric mixer, warmed with water first and fitted with a dough hook. Add 3 cups of the flour, then the salt and mix on med-low speed.

While mixing, add 1 more cup of flour, or just enough to make a soft dough. Mix the dough on med-low speed for about 10 minutes, until smooth, sprinkling it with flour to keep it from sticking to the bowl.

When the dough is ready, turn our onto a floured board and knead by hand a dozen times. It should be smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a well oiled bowl and turn to cover lightly with oil. Cover the bowl with a damp kitchen towel. Allow to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 450˚.

Divide dough into two equal parts, rolling each into a smooth ball. If only using one ball, wrap and freeze or refrigerate for future use. Place the ball you are using onto a baking sheet, cover loosely with damp towel and let rest for 10 minutes.

Roll the dough lightly with a rolling pin, then stretch to a 10 x 15 inch rectangle and place on a baking sheet sprinkled with cornmeal.

Spoon the onion topping onto the dough, leaving a 3/4 inch border all around. Artfully arrange the anchovies and olives on top, brush the edge of the dough with olive oil.

Bake for 15 minutes, or until the crust is crisp.

I like to serve it hot, cut into squares, with a nice salad and glass of chilled Pinot Grigio.

Bo(u)n Appetit(o)!!

The Peony Prize

Peonies. Prose. And Prizes.

Large drooping blossoms

Bright pink, pale pink, white, even peppermint striped

They start tight as a little round ball

and gradually, silky petal after silky petal

they triple their girth

Those fat pom-pom like blossoms, cheering on the rest of the garden

Natures cheer.

Blooms so heavy their stems bow down from the weight, but never break.

I am the lucky recipient of this wonderful bouquet, courtesy of my dear friend Karen, who picked them, especially for me, fresh from her garden.

Aren't they delicious?

The peonies are lovely, but the real prize is her friendship.

And I feel the same about all of you! Thanks to all of you for your friendship and your kindness!

Leave a comment. A little note to let me know you are there.

A little prize will come to one lucky winner, drawn at random.

You have until midnight on Monday evening.

Mon Petit Jardin

Unfortunately, I am not lucky enough to have acres of green land and sprawling flower gardens. That's my Mom.

Instead I have a challanging situation. I have a small porch. And It is longer than it is wide.

We have worked hard on it, but it is no way finished. I like to refer to it as Mon Petit Jardin.

That sounds much prettier than My Plants on the Porch, doesn't it?

I'll have a big reveal, once it is to the point where I am happy with it.

Chris would argue this will never happen, or at least not until the summer of 2015.

I scored a pair of shabby cream colored shutters for twenty bucks from a local salvage yard that will serve as a privacy screen once Chris adds hinges and rigs them to stand up.

I would argue this will never happen, or at least not until the summer of 2015.

And of course, we are still sans our café table and chairs. I can't wait until I can sit out there with a book and drink my morning café au lait.

In 2015.

Here is a sneak peak. Click on the smaller image to see it in full size.