Sangria

I love cooking with wine...

...sometimes I even put it in the food!

Many years ago I got elected to create cocktails for a fancy-schmancy party (I also cooked the entire meal, now that I think about it). The birthday girl's favourite drink in those days was red wine sangria, so naturally this was part of the menu. I looked online and found a couple of recipes but none of them spoke to me. So I decided to create my own and boy am I glad. I am still making them this way and not a drop gets wasted. Here goes.

Pictures by ime ©

Ingredients

1 bottle red wine
2 shot glasses white rum (can sub with vodka)
1 shot glass lemon juice
1 cup sugar
3 cups fruit, diced small (apples, pears, oranges, grapefruits, strawberries; depending on the season)
Club soda

Method

Combine all ingredients (except the soda) and chill for at least 6 hours
Serve topped with club soda, garnish with fruit.
Serves 4

Salud Amigos!

Bell Pepper & Feta Salad

Sometimes I like to cook when I don't need to, if you know what I mean. I get home from work and just feel like pottering about in the kitchen. The last time I felt like doing this, here is what I made.

Pictures by ime ©

Ingredients

Garlic paste

Bell peppers

Feta cheese

Spinach (optional)

Olive oil

Mixed herbs

Pepper (freshly ground)

Method

Heat the garlic & olive oil in an thick bottom pan. Once you can smell the garlic cooking, add the bell peppers and toss them to coat well. Continue stirring / tossing them so that they cook but don't go too soft. The fragrance should tell you when they are heated through. 

Plate them on a bed of roughly torn spinach (if using), crumble the feta on top and season with herbs & pepper

& there you have it. A quick and light lunch, or a nice salad to accompany your dinner. Works both ways.