I'm in a New York State of Mind...

…yesterday was a little unusual for me.  I woke up at 5:15 and started working (a wonderful advantage of working from home) so that I could go see “The Avengers” that afternoon.  I love the movies and have a good working knowledge of movies from the early 1900’s through the movies of today.  I have the ability to appreciate many kinds of movies and be pretty objective about a film even if it isn’t to my liking.  My own tastes in film are varied and a little idiosyncratic – I love “Gadget Goes Hawaiian”, have never seen “Forrest Gump” “Toy Story” or “Avatar” and love almost anything in the “noir” genre. 

I love action films so my only regret going into the theater on Wednesday was that I hadn’t seen the movie on the day it opened.  I loved the movie but like some many films I enjoy, I love the work of the people involved but am so saddened by the isms by which they adhere.  Though I wasn’t alive in the ‘40’s I would have loved being a movie fan in the height of the studio system.  I don’t want to know what people believe in – I wait for the ones I admire personally to disappoint me and am ambivalent about like the work of those whose lives are in direct contradiction to my life- so give me the glossy, soapy, studio hype so I can watch movies in peace.

Excuse my digression, that had nothing to do with punch, but sometimes I get carried away.  But “The Avengers” does fit with my punch theme – most of the movie takes place in New York City.

Today’s punch is inspired by a weekend trip to Manhattan by Nick and Meg to celebrate their 1^st anniversary (Greg and Tina are in Disneyworld for the week – imagine the punches that will be inspired by that trip).

The Menu:

·         New York Style Pizza (thin crust, homemade tomato sauce and lots and lots of cheese)

·         Waldorf Inspired Salad

·         New York Style Cheesecake

·         Big Apple Punch

The Punch: I was surprised that there were not more punch recipes with apple juice in them.  There are plenty of “autumnal” hot apple punches, but cool and refreshing spring punches, not so much.  But a punch for New York had to involve apple juice so I was able to find one.

Big Apple Punch:

·         1 (32 oz.) apple juice

·         1 (12 oz.) can frozen cranberry juice concentrate

·         1 cup fresh squeezed orange juice

·         1 bottle champagne

Mix the apple juice, cranberry juice concentrate and orange juice in a large pitcher.  Stir until well mixed.

To serve: pour the juice mixture into each glass until ½ full.  Pour champagne into each glass until full.

 This punch was delicious. It is really easy to make and can easily made with ginger ale for a non-alcoholic version.  Meg and I really enjoyed it, Nick and Sam are not as much punch fun as I would like.  It went great with the dinner.  As Meg said, the juice mixture is a little sweet, so the champagne really cuts the sweetness.  I was afraid it would seem unseasonal with the cranberries and apple juice, but the champagne really made the difference – it added a complexity that nuanced the apple and cranberry juice but didn’t mask their fruitiness J

This has nothing to do with the blog but promised Katie pictures of our dog, Joni!

Thank you for being a part of my little blog – it is so fun to have a part of my life that is so blessedly uncomplicated!

When life gives you limes, make Fiesta Margarita Punch!

This is blog is becoming a good way to find out things about myself.  First, I am way too influenced by all things Mexican, my favorite dishes ….Fiesta Ware (never mind they’re made in West Virginia) and my favorite food to put on my Fiesta Ware…Mexican food.  I am going to need to break out of my everyday cooking routine and broaden my cooking boundaries to truly explore the world of punch. 

This weekend’s punch was a toss-up: Cinco De Mayo is Saturday, the running of the Kentucky Derby is Sunday, Margaritas or Mint Juleps?  Of course I chose Margaritas.  This is what led me to realize my over reliance on Mexican food, I am vowing less Latin, more everything else.

Second, I have a hard time doing things the easy way.  This recipe calls for limeade, which can be bought frozen, but not by me.  I made the limeade from scratch; I think it will give the punch a richer taste.  As I continue on my punch journey I might give way to convenience but I really do like making as many of the various syrups and such as I can.  We shall see am I more Barefoot Contessa or Semi-Homemade?

Menu for Tonight:

·         Raspberry Margarita Punch

·         Ropa Vieja (Shredded Beef) Tacos with Flour

·         Santa Maria Style Beans

·         Salad

·         Guacamole and Chips

·         Over the Top Chocolate Chip Cookies with Vanilla Ice Cream and Dulce de Leche Sauce

Fiesta  Margarita Punch

·         2 cups frozen raspberries, thawed, pureed, and seeded

·         1 quart limeade (see recipe below if not using frozen concentrate)

·         2 cups orange juice

·         1 ½ cups tequila (I used Silver Agave)

·         2 thinly sliced limes

1.        In a blender, puree the raspberries with the orange juice.  Strain through a sieve to remove seeds.  Pour in punch bowl.

2.       Mix the limeade and tequila in the punch bowl along with the raspberry/orange juice mixture.

3.       Add ice (as much as you like – I took a block of ice and broke it into large chunks and small pieces to get it cold but not watered down too quickly)

4.       Float the lime slices on the top.

5.       If desired serve in glasses with salted rims.

Limeade: Yest one lime and add to medium saucepan.  Add one cup of lime juice (about 4-6 limes) and one cup sugar.   Add 3 cups water, stir one.  Let come to boil and boil until sugar dissolved (usually by the time the mixture boils).  Remove from heat and let cool a few minutes.  Pour mixture through a stainer into a pitcher (to remove zest).  Add 2 more cups of water.  Keep refrigerated until use.

Tonight our good friends and co-ministers Dean and Chrystal came over for dinner.  Andy and I have been in ministry for over 30 years, during that time we have learned to hold so many of our colleagues “lightly” as the call to this ministry can change in people’s lives.  There are a few though that we hope will serve alongside of us for the long haul.  Dean and Chrystal are two such people. 

Dean had just finished leading one of the two national trainings we do a year.  Andy and I come in and teach and leave – Dean is there the week from start to finish.  He has a strong leadership team around him, but he bears the mantle of leadership in a unique way.  He bears it with grace and wisdom.  Chrystal releases him with great grace; it’s never easy to have your husband gone from Friday to Friday.

The punch was delicious, my favorite so far.  Chrystal said it was like a combination of Sangria and a margarita!  It really was fresh and quite yummy.  I would recommend it highly.

Friends gathered round a punch bowl sharing not only about the week that was but the years of memories experienced together—a lovely end to a long week!