Practice

BE PREPARED

Perfection Achieved

neighbor approved

SOME CHRISTMAS CHEER

-------  

.. Because of the way our calendar works the neighborhood is starting the year end holiday season a wee bit early this year.

DE-CORKER, DE-CAPPER

.. The coming weekend is good for five, (count 'em FIVE,) days. It starts today and we're practicing for the finale.
.. Glogg, (Glögg, Gløgg,) is just one of the libations that are swilled around the neighborhood.
.. In our part of the universe the overwhelming favorite is sangria, (or some variant thereof.) We have a large Hispanic population of neighbors.
.. There are, however,  other ethnicities in our neighborhood. We celebrate the diversity of food and drink that appears during the holidays. There are several concoctions that appear during this time of the year. 
.. This year we've been delegated to augment the neighborhood supply of Glögg. We're happy to do it.

SIMPLE  STANDARD  RECIPE

• 2 bottles dry red wine
• 1 bottle sweetish red wine
• 1 lemon
• 1 orange
• 10  or 15 cloves, (lightly ground to freshen)
• 10 cardamom pods (or ground cardamom)
• 3 or, 4 or, 5 cinnamon sticks
• 1 inch fresh ginger, thinly sliced
• 1 cup raisins
•  As many prunes as desired 
• 1 cup blanched almonds, (or slices)
• 1 cup sugar (or to taste)
• 1 tablespoon bitters
• 1 cup Aquavit or Vodka 

SIMPLE  STANDARD INSTRUCTIONS

1. Combine wines in a large pan. Using a vegetable peeler, remove the zest of citrus fruits. Squeeze fruits and add juice to wine.
2. Tie up lemon peel, orange peel and spices in cheesecloth, (or you can use an old sweat sock for added flavor,) and add to wine. Add raisins, almonds and sugar.
3. Bring wine mixture to the first steam - IMMEDIATELY -  reduce heat and gently warm for 15 minutes, or until flavors are well blended and almonds are soft. Skim wine from time to time to remove any foam. Taste glögg and add sugar as necessary.
4. Just before serving, remove the sweat sock and add bitters and and Vodka. Ladle glögg into mugs or cups. 
5. Provide each guest a spoon for eating the raisins, almonds and prunes if the revelry is a formal affair.

.. Our local recipe uses gallon jugs of cheap wine. We use the combination of Burgundy and Merlot, (substitute Port if you like.) We put the bucket in the fridge for four to six hours before reheating to serve.
.. To hell with bitters! We stick with a generous slug of tasteless cheap Vodka and simple sugar to taste.

-----

DOUBLE MIDGE

.. This first batch will be ready about sundown.
.. It shall be good and ready for a post fishing warm up.
.. It's true; the neighbor kids went out early to catch the early streamer bite.
.. They will be home right after the midges quit, about 3:00 PM.
.. We promise to make a quality control check.

-------

WALLPAPER:  TACOS AMERICANO - SPICY ROAST BEEF