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Sonia Rumzi

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Pleasures

January is Apple and Apricot Month

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January is Apple and Apricot Month

Here is one my yummy recipes!



Just for fun today, I am giving you one of my delicious recipes from an upcoming book that includes Apples and Apricots. This recipe serves 6 people, 4 generously.

1 green apple, cored, cut up in bite size pieces.
1/2 c apricots, dried, Turkish Apricots, cut to bite size pieces.
1/2 c dates, dried, cut to bite size pieces.
1 c Walnut pieces.
1/2 c Almond slices
1/2 c orange juice
3 Tbsp honey, more or less depending on how sweet you like things
2 tsp Rose Water
Dash of black pepper or cayenne pepper

Dissolve the honey in the orange juice then pour over all the fruit and nut mixture. Toss, every few minutes for the next half hour. This will help absorb and coat the mixture, with the juice.

This is a very healthy, filling food. It contains protein from the walnuts and healthy delicious vitamins in the form of fruit.

Please do not feel that you have to stick to the plan. You can change any amounts to what you want. You can add more apple or less apricot, etc. If you do not have Rose Water, do not sweat it, just don’t use it. It still tastes great.

This is a favorite Middle Eastern food. It is refreshing and satisfying.

Enjoy!

Jan 19, National Popcorn Day

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Today is National Popcorn Day.



Americans consume some 16 billion quarts of this whole grain, excellent snack. That amounts to 52 quarts for every person.

Popcorn is low in calories. Without oil, air popper, popcorn has only 31 calories per cup. Oil-popped it is only 55 per cup.

Popcorn is a whole grain. It is made up of three components: the germ, endosperm, and pericarp (also know as the hull).

The introduction of popcorn in movie theaters came with talking movies.

Theatre owners did not sell popcorn in their theaters, they felt it was messy. Smart sellers set up popcorn poppers or rented storefront space next to theaters. They sold popcorn to movie goers, on their way into the theatre. Eventually, theatre owners realized the income potential and started installing popcorn poppers inside their theaters. The ones who refused to sell popcorn, went out of business.

One of the few luxuries during the depression, was the 5 and 10 cent bags of popcorn. Popcorn sales increased throughout the Depression since it was so affordable. An important reason for this increase, was the introduction of popcorn into movie theatres.

Stove-Top Popping
To pop popcorn on a range-top, assemble the following:
• Large 3 to 4 quart pan, lid cannot be tight, that allows steam to escape
• Popcorn kernels to cover the bottom of the pan, one layer deep
• 1/3 cup of oil for every cup of kernels
Important hint: Don’t use butter!
Heat the oil to 400 – 460 degrees Fahrenheit (if the oil smokes, it is too hot).
Test the oil on a couple of kernels.
If they pop, add the rest, cover the pan.
Shake to evenly spread the oil.
When the popping begins to slow, remove the pan from the stove-top.
The heated oil will still pop the remaining kernels.

Salting
Pre-salting kernels toughens popcorn.
Salt popped popcorn — OR eat as is.
General Measure Rule
1 ounce kernels = 1 quart popped.

If you want to see recipes on this site of popcorn or other things, let me know. There are many popcorn recipes on the Net but we will be happy to share some of our favorites with you.

Happy Popping! Enjoy!

My Ten Guilty Pleasures

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When asked what my ten guilty pleasures were, I admit, I was flummoxed. I am not sure that I have, ten, guilty pleasures. Let’s see, now.

Carbs: Love, love to eat carbs, with all their nasty effects, making me sleepy and groggy, love them. Full plate of rice or pasta, any day. Pita chips, french fires, galore.

Movies: Never, ever tiring of movies, I could watch hour after hour, without a break. When one movie ends, I put another one in. Over and over, all day. Shoot me!

The licorice bears at CVS Pharmacy: Now who would’ve thunk it. I love that amazing .99 cent bag of, sugar covered, bears. Gimme it!

A 32 oz well done steak: any day. Yep, you heard me. 32 ounces of pure marbled beef. Love it. I get mine, at Cattleman’s in Santa Rosa, the way I want it done. No one argues with me about ruining a piece of meat or anything. They just do it the way I ask. Love those people.

People watching: yes, yes; not very nice. Most of the time I am commenting on how they are horribly dressed or how silly they are, sorry. Love doing it.

Belly dancing: do I have to explain? It is sexy and sensual. Love to do it. Even wrote about it in my book, Simple Conversation.

Farmtown: Hey, I love to farm on Facebook. I just love that crap, love it. Friggin’ waste of time, but I do it anyway. I can spend hours, I even went without sleep one night, just to play Farm Town. Racking up the points and the levels.

Garter belts or stay up stockings: Yep, I like to feel all sexy on the inside and under my clothes. Like to know that I am sexy underneath my clothes. Like a secret.

Shoes: I AM woman, will shop for shoes! “But you have black pumps honey!” exclaims my poor husband. I stare, ferociously, at him, “Which ones? Never mind, they do not match, this dress.” End of story. New shoes.

Rum Raisin by Haagen Daz: I can eat the whole thing, all by my lonesome, and growl, if anyone attempted, to share. Share this, with my fist.