WHERE'S THERE'S SMOKEWritten by Arleen M. Kaptur
As sure as May comes after April Showers, barbecue grills across world are heating up and sending out their aromatic smoke signals. Grilling is a fun family activity except when something turns out to be a “burnt offering to gods” of ancient times. There are flavored wood chips and bottled seasonings to take you to far-away places and exotic destinations right there in your own backyard. You can start with simple ideas like hot dogs, and hamburgers, take next step to chicken, steaks and ribs. and when you get really good take on kabobs and a whole roasted pig. Oh, heavenly aroma and endless possibilities. You can have your doggies plain, with cheese, wrapped, and even put on a raft and sent to sail onto your dinner table. Never heard of dogs on a raft, well now - Slit your favorite type of hot dog lengthwise, but not all way through. Grill over hot coals. Taking pieces of foil large enough to hold a sandwich, arrange two pieces of bacon on bottom of your foil. Turn edges up to catch any drippings so your messages to neighbors far and near wait a while. Cook bacon in foil on grill. In your slit hot dog place a strip of pickle (not round), and cheese strips. Place your hot dog on another sheet of foil and grill until cheese melts. Place these dogs on a toasted coney bun but crosswise, not lengthwise. Place two pieces of bacon across top of your hot dogs and viola! you have your dogs setting sail on a raft into gourmet heaven. Serve chilled cantaloupe wedges, fruit punch as a beverage, and your favorite brownies.
| | HAVE TIME FOR COFFEE?Written by Arleen M. Kaptur
Welcome to neighborhood - why don’t you come over for coffee? Sound familiar? You bet! Can you entertain around a terrific cup of coffee - yes, indeed! Of course, your superb coffee must be accompanied by something that might include a wedge of your sinfully rich cheesecake, or a fresh, just from oven cherry pie. Even doughnuts are a great “come together” with coffee. If you really want to get elegant, try demitasse and Petits Four - sure fire elegance in a tiny way. You can serve your coffee any time of day. In morning delight your uests with a French flair such as Cafe-au-lait. Just pass around some freshly baked sweet rolls, croissants, or hot brioche. But what about evening coffee? Cocoa Coffee Brazilian or smooth, flavorful Vanilla Cream are suitable to everyone’s taste buds. You can also try more exotic flavors, such as Hawaiian or Spiced Rum. In hot weather try serving iced coffee or a layered coffee Cooler. If you don’t want to server flavored coffee, try regular coffee with flavored creamers in a variety of flavors for guests to pick and choose. A really elegant touch is serving flavored “spoons.” These special spoons are your ordinary spoons with flavored chocolates on bowl part of spoon. When your guests stir their coffee, they are adding a subtle touch of flavor, such as mint, or caramel. They are easy to make and are a wonderful surprise for your guests. Just melt your favorite chocolate, even white chocolate. Dip your spoons into melted chocolate, cool on waxed paper, and server with your coffee. Now, that entertaining! Here are a few recipes for adding a touch of “different” when you serve coffee. Iced Coffee: Make your usual coffee, but double strength. Pour 3/4 cup of hot, steaming coffee over your ice cubes. Add additional ice cubes if desired. Serve with confectioner’s sugar and whipped cream. Try adding a little maple syrup to your whipped topping. You can dust with cinnamon, if you like. Now this is almost as good as an ice cream sundae. Coffee Cooler: 3/4 cup chocolate syrup, such as Hershey’s
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