2/07/2009

Med Cafe Greek Sampler



Mediterranean Cafe in Colorado Springs...

12/14/2008

How to make hot spiced cider

Spiced hot apple cider is the perfect beverage for your holiday party. You can add brandy to the mix for your adult guests or keep it non-alcoholic so that everyone can enjoy.

11/16/2008

Perfect Hard-Cooked Eggs

How to hardboil an egg

Cranberry Chutney for your Thanksgiving table

One of my most requested recipes on Thanksgiving Day and all through the holiday season is this Cranberry Chutney. Much better than the cranberry sauce in the can and almost as easy as a quick fresh cranberry relish.

This flavorful, sweet and spicy chutney tastes great with pork, chicken, turkey and vegetarian entrees. It can also be made in advance which is a great time saver on Thanksgiving Day. Make a large batch of this chutney and you can have impromptu holiday, Christmas gifts ready to go in the pantry.

3/16/2008

Independent Thought



O.k. I admit it this is very much a chick-flick but I loved it and may need to watch it again, the play of language and the acting were brilliant. The idea of a woman making a living as an author or "by the pen"...shocking.

My favorite lines "What's she doing?"
"Writing"
"What can be done about that?"


Lovingly,
The Writing Nag

Calming Orange

I like buying packets of bath products. They're relatively inexpensive, I'm not stuck with a huge box or bottle of something I don't like and I get to try lots of different products. This is a new one to me but one of my favorites. Although many products claim they are "aromatherapy" this one really was. The fragrance of sweet orange, patchouli, lemongrass and ylang ylang filled the bathroom as soon as the hot water hit the sea salts and lingered long after my bath was done. It didn't dry out my skin which is a rarity in bath products. 100% pure essential oils and it had none of the bad stuff...no synthetic colors, fragrances or preservatives.


2/16/2008

the Van Gogh Blues

Writing Nag interviews Dr. Eric Maisel on the release of the paperback edition of the Van Gogh Blues. READ HERE.

12/14/2007

11/22/2007

Writing Nag's Pear and Cranberry Chutney

Writing Nag's Pear and Cranberry Chutney

1 Tbsp vegetable oil
2 Bartlett pears, peeled and cut into small dice
1 Granny Smith apple, peeled and cut into small dice
1 small onion, cut into small dice
2 cloves garlic, chopped fine
2 cups water
1 1/2-2 cups brown sugar
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1/4 tsp. allspice
2 cinnamon sticks
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
pinch of ground cloves
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
2 12 oz bags whole cranberries
1/2 cup toasted walnuts, optional


Heat the vegetable oil over low heat and add the onion, pears, apples, and garlic. Cook gently for approximately 10 minutes or until the onion has softened. Add all the spices, water, sugar and vinegar and bring to a boil. Add cranberries, bring to a second boil and then turn down the heat. Simmer until cranberries have burst, stirring occasionally for approximately 20 minutes. Take off heat and stir in toasted walnuts. Serve at room temperature or refrigerate and serve chilled. Adjust the spices to your liking. Remove cinnamon sticks before serving.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Lovingly,
The Writing Nag

11/20/2007

10/09/2007

9/29/2007

Soups, Wonderful Soups

It's that time of year, falling leaves, pumpkins, cool evenings and soup, soup, soup!


More to follow. I post daily at my writing site. Visit me at Writing Nag.