“We don’t accomplish anything in this world alone… and whatever happens is the result of the whole tapestry of one’s life and all the weavings of individual threads form one to another that creates something.” — Sandra Day O’Connor
and
Life is beautiful because of friends & family we hold dear, and enhanced by the people we meet and the things we see & do along the way.
You cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails!
As I leave France and continue my adventures in Italy, I thought ÔÇÿlet’s post that Caesar dressing recipe’ invented by Italian, Caesar Cardini, when he lived in Mexico. One of the many reasons I write this blog is to have a one-stop shop for some of my favorite recipes. Yes, it’s very self-serving — LOL! Sure, I do have lots of recipes printed out, but the ones on here are the repeat ones I use over and over, that I hate searching for in my jumble of papers. It’s also helpful when someone asks for a recipe I’ve made. Eventually I’ll have them bound into a recipe book for my kids and grandkids to have (assuming they even want them—LOL!) Well, this is my favorite Caesar salad dressing recipe, so I never have to search again.
Dressing
2 garlic cloves (I use TJ’s frozen)
1 tsp. Anchovy paste
2 TBS freshly squeezed lemon (I use bottled if I don’t have lemons)
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 cup mayo (I like the TJ’s brand)
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
salt and pepper to taste
This makes quite a bit, so if I’m just making it for 4-6 people as a side salad I will halve this recipe.
Just throw all the ingredients into a mason jar, shake it vigorously and that’s it. I’m not a fan of over-dressed salads that can get mushy, so I drizzle it over, toss and add more bit by bit until it’s perfect. Toss with the following —
1 bag cut up romaine
1 bag Fresh Gourmet deli-style croutons (these are the best in my opinion, but I’ve also used Cardini (the inventor of the Caesar salad) gourmet cut. Basically not the one in the box that tastes artificially seasoned)
shredded or shaved Parmesan (or some of the Parmesan/reggiano you have from the dressing)
You cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails!
“Don’t be scared of dying,
be more frightened that you haven’t finished living” — Dick Van Dyke
You cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails!
As I leave my home away from home, and continue on my adventures to Paris and Italy, I share with you this lovely Irish blessing.
Photo credit/Jan Hart
May there always be work for your hands to do.
May your purse always hold a coin or two.
May the sun always shine on your window pane.
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you,
And God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.
You cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails!
This is NOT a low calorie appetizer, but it is quite the crowd pleaser!
As we are approaching Fall and you know the holidays will creep up on us in no time, I thought I’d share one of my favorite, easy appetizers.
I always keep some puffed pastry in my freezer for a quick appetizer of any kind, but this one is really simple, so delish and there are never any leftovers! So — here you go!
1 roll of puffed pastry — thawed (takes about 30-45 minutes at room temp)
12 to 16 oz Gruyère cheese, cubed
2-3 cloves of garlic, grated (again, I use the frozen cubes, thawed out, from TJ’s)
1 tsp finely chopped fresh rosemary
honey for drizzling
1 egg, beaten
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a cookie sheet or oven safe dish with parchment paper (I used a ceramic baking dish so I could just serve it right in there). Roll the pastry dough out and place on the parchment paper. Pile the Gruy├¿re in the middle and top with garlic and rosemary. Drizzle lightly with honey. Fold the pastry up over the cheese and pinch the edges to seal (as you can see I didn’t pinch very well). Brush the pastry with the egg wash. Place in the oven for about 25-30 minutes until the pastry is a very rich brown color and the cheese is bubbly. If your pastry has stayed intact, just open it up a bit. Serve it with crackers or sliced baguette — and of course, as the “bowl” gets empty rip off a piece of that puffed pastry and eat it all together. Enjoy!
You cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails!
I know I’ve mentioned the Mel Robbins podcast earlier in the summer, but I just re-listened to a great recent episode about just saying, “hi”, and the surprising science of how it relates to happiness. It really struck a chord with me the first time I heard it and re-listening reminded me that I need to continue doing it — and you should too! It’s about taking those random opportunities that come your way to make connections with people, to just say ÔÇÿhi’ and the long term impact those connections can make in your life. I’ve put it into practice in the past on my solo trips, but it also reminded me of the first time I listened to this episode when I was on my daily walk and how a serendipitous “Hi” led to a new friendship — and how putting it into practice on my current trip in Ireland also turned out to be really fun.
The basic gist is that by making a little effort, by stepping out of your comfort zone a bit, and putting yourself out there, you can have a positive effect on your life, and maybe someone else’s, just by saying “Hi” to a stranger.
So, I was on my daily walk around Balboa Island and on my way home I saw a woman at the end of my block sitting on her porch having her coffee and wearing a green “Dublin” sweatshirt. As I walked by I just said, “Hi, have you ever been to Dublin?” That simple question started a conversation and serendipitous friendship that continued even after she left the island and returned to her home. After talking for a couple of minutes, she invited me to sit on her porch and I ended up chatting with her for over half an hour and invited her over to my place for an afternoon later in the week. We had many things in common, not the least of which was our love for Ireland — the beauty of the landscape, but more importantly the wonderful, warm people. In chatting for a bit we realized we both love writing (she went on a writer’s retreat in Ireland, has written a children’s book & a book of poetry, and a blog too), she loves Paris and she has rented the same home down the street from me for a month every year for the past 8 summers.
Mel said “Some of your most favorite people are people you haven’t met yet!” I keep that idea with me all the time, especially when I’m traveling solo. Do you realize that so many people you love in your life were once strangers? God, life is fun if you open yourself up to the possibilities and new connections you may make today.
On my current trip (I’m writing this from Clare Island in County Mayo, Ireland) I traveled for two weeks with my friend Jan. We stayed at Belleek Castle for a couple of nights and met a charming couple while sitting having a glass of wine in the fireside lounge. I can talk to anyone about traveling and we just started comparing notes on random places in Europe that we’d all visited or had plans to visit. The Clancys are very well traveled and they split their time between Lake Como in Italy and Boston. They were so interesting to talk to and by the end of our lengthy conversation I had a couple of restaurant recommendations for my imminent trip to Rome in a few weeks and insight into their two-continent lifestyle. We left to go to dinner in the castle restaurant, which was delish by the way, and we stopped back into the lounge on our way out and they were still there. We chatted a few more minutes, hugged goodbye and I said, “I hope to see you again someday.” and Margie said, ÔÇÿNo, we will definitely meet again someday.’” Love that! If you’re planning a trip to Italy, check out their business, The Gastro Nomad, bespoke gastronomy and wine tours.
Okay, last one and it was so quick and simple. I was walking into a store and there was a guy in front of me who stopped, opened the door and stepped back to let me go in first. I said, “Thank you.” and he said, ÔÇÿLook, I got a beautiful smile for the day.’” C’mon how nice is that — made my day! So it doesn’t have to be along conversation. Just a simple hi may make someone’s day. So often we go about our lives on auto-pilot and the feeling like we have to get things done, stick to a routine or get from A to B. What if maybe this weekend, or on your next trip, why not just say, “Hi” to someone and see how it makes you feel. I like this quote from Oscar Wilde on Barb’s blog —
“For one moment our lives met, our souls touched.”
You cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails!
The bad news is nothing lasts forever.
The good news is nothing lasts forever.
You cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails!
So, I’m sure you’ve seen the smashed burger & taco craze online. They look so good, and great to make for a crowd, but when you’re cooking for one it’s just a lot of meat. I thought, ÔÇÿthat’s ridiculous Jeanine’ figure out a way to make it for yourself. I did & I’m hooked!
I used ground turkey and those small “street taco” tortillas.
First thing I did was semi-freeze the turkey to harden it a bit and then cut it into 6 pieces. I used one square for two street tacos. I mashed the square and added garlic salt, pepper, cumin and a little chili powder. I then spread them very thin onto one side of the tacos to cover it (sorry, forgot to take a pic of that!)
I put a little olive oil in a pan and put the tortillas in, turkey side down, on medium high heat. It doesn’t take that long to cook ÔÇÿcause the turkey is spread so thin. Flip them over and brown the other side. Take them off the heat, fold in half and add your toppings. Easy peasy — and SO much flavor! Table for one please!!
Next time I wanted to make them (which was the next day) I just put out a square of turkey and let it sit while I did a couple of things around the house and it was ready pretty quickly to make them again!
You cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails!
“Maybe the journey isn’t about becoming anything.
Maybe it’s about unbecoming everything that isn’t really you, so that you can be who you were meant to be in the first place.” — Paulo Coelho
You cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails!
“It is the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesing.” … Paulo Coelho from The Alchemist
You cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails!