GARDEN DELIGHTSWritten by Arleen M. Kaptur
When weather is warm we try and spend a lot more of our leisure time outdoors. A good idea is to decorate your garden area with all comforts of home - just outside of home. A few touches will give your outdoor space a feeling of welcome and a beauty all its own. Color is certainly one aspect of great outdoors that lends itself to limitless ideas and possibilities. You can pick one of most intense colors or bring into play lighter less prominent hues. A white fence or gate will give eye appeal to bright, vibrant blooms and it doesn’t even have to lead to anything in particular. Just a piece of white picket fencing in a plush wildflower garden will have that added punch of visual appeal and a certain nostalgic feeling as well. If you have a screened in porch or area, use beautiful hand-made quilts or throw pillows with bright, lively colors that match or even contrast your flower colors. Texture is also fun to play with. Smooth surfaces should be highlighted with baskets. A glass-top patio table lends itself to a basket of fruit, or flowers. Rough fieldstone steps or walking areas show off their special features with smooth, bright shiny accents. A porch swing, whether part of porch itself or just by itself in a fragrant array of flowers, is a joy to sit on and to take in aromas and eye-delights of this season. Colorful pads and side-tables add to appeal, as well as hold those pitchers of ice-cold home-made lemonade. A wooden gazebo adds so much to a garden without being too showy or prominent. Potted plants that be used as accessories, as well as ornaments or metal colors such as bronze or gold. It is a special hideaway while you wile away hours being captivated by blossoming beauty just surrounding this special place.
| | SMOOTH VELVETY CANTALOUPEWritten by Arleen M. Kaptur
Mother Nature provides us with such taste delights that with just a little imagination and skill, you have delectable, creative, and extremely tasty dishes for family and friends. The smooth velvety texture of cantaloupe is one of those very versatile fruits that gives us color appeal as well as a sweet, divinely appealing taste. Most people use cantaloupe in fruit salads to add color to other fruits. But cantaloupe can stand on its own and very well, indeed. Try some of these next time you’re in mood for a special fruity dish with endless variations and good taste as well. CANTALOUPE BUTTER 1 cup chopped cantaloupe with rind removed 1 tsp. water 1/2 cup butter, room temperature 2 tbs. lime juice 1 tsp. finely grated lime zest In a small pan, simmer fruit with 1 tsp. water until very tender. Cool to room temperature. Place all ingredients in a blender. Process until smooth. Use with grilled chicken or fish - Also create tropical pancakes with this fruity butter **************** CANTALOUPE SHERBET 1 very ripe cantaloupe 1 quart milk 2 envelopes unflavored gelatin 3/4 cup light corn syrup 1/2 cup sugar 3/4 tsp. salt 3 drops yellow food color 1 drop red food color Cut cantaloupe in half; discard seeds and peel. Cut cantaloupe into bite-size pieces. In a blender, blend cantaloupe and 1 cup milk at medium speed until smooth; set aside. In 3-quart pan, sprinkle gelatin over 1 cup milk. Cook, stirring constantly, over medium- low heat until gelatin is completely dissolved. Remove from heat, stir in cantaloupe mixture, all remaining milk, and all remaining ingredients. The mixture will look curdled. Pour mixture into a 13x9” baking pan. Cover and freeze until partially frozen, about 3 hrs., stirring mixture occasionally. Spoon cantaloupe mixture into a chilled mixer bowl. With mixer at medium speed, beat until smooth but still frozen; return to pan. Cover; freeze until firm, preferably overnight.
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