BLUE MONDAY Cocktail

Sept 4, 2017 is Labor Day, and on this day many will be getting together to enjoy food, drink and the waning days of summer.  A celebration of the America worker, Labor Day was first celebrated in 1882 in New York City. By 1885, municipal ordinances were passed declaring the day an official celebration. By 1887, Oregon had become the first state to pass legislation declaring Labor Day a holiday.  In 1894, the U.S. Congress made it official.  

Like most national holidays in America, the driving force behind the celebration is food.  Say goodbye to summer with the season's bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables. That means sun-kissed tomatoes, sweet corn and juicy berries, as well as other warm-weather favorites like lobster, steaks, ribs and anything else you can throw on the grill, of course purchased from your local neighborhood Harter House Supermarket.   Kebabs are a great way to combine your favorite meats and veggies in a cool, colorful package. Served with a few simple sides like orzo salad and cucumber salad, they're easy to prepare and to clean up. 

Dessert could be a messy but delicious make-your-own-sundae bar, a fresh fruit cobbler or a berry crisp. 


Blue Monday (serves 1)
* 1 oz vodka
* 1/2 oz Triple Sec
* 1/2 oz Blue Curacao
Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker. Add ice. Shake, then strain into a cocktail glass. 



In the spirit of Labor Day, encourage your guests to really relax by filling your outdoor area with hammocks, comfortable lounge chairs, lawn blankets and lots of pillows.  Like 4th of July, patriotic decorations dominate for Labor Day, but in addition to the stars and stripes, the slight chill in the air means you can also decorate in warm, earth tones and rich oranges, golds and yellows.   Tiki torches, twinkle lights and candles in hurricane lamps keep things bright if your party lasts into evening. And don't forget the citronella candles to keep any flying critters away.

Imene's Homemade Quiche Recipe

 Welcome to Susa, Italy.

View from the Patio of Gigi and Imene's home.

My high school girlfriend, Cathy, and I visited her relatives in Susa, Italy.  It is in the Italian Alps, just a stone's throw from France.  We were being hosted by Gigi (Pier Luigi Tournour) and his wife Imene, (pronounced Eman)  Imene is from Tunisia, Africa, and married Cathy's Cousin Gigi seven years ago.  She is a great cook, and treated us to delicious meals in their home.

Michele and Gigi,  Imene and Cathy
headed out to dinner this evening.

Home of Gigi and Imene

Cathy's son Brad, and his friend Mat enjoy a game of Chess on the patio.

A feast is prepared for guests
in the Dining Room 

They have a truly lovely home, which was their family home.  Cathy's grandfather was born just up the hill in the town of Gravere.  

Actually, The Weather Channel App says we are in Gravere, and Susa is the town at the bottom of the hill.

 Appetizers
Caprese Salad, Olives and Tuna Stuffed Peppers,
Tomato and Onion Relish, Bread & Biscuits and wine of course!

Imene prepared this traditional Spicy Couscous recipe from Africa, with local fish, prawns, scallops,
 potatoes, carrots and zucchini.  I'm not used to fish heads, but the meal  was delicious.

Imene Yakoubi

Wall art at the train station.

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Quiche is one of my favorites and Imene gave me her recipe.

Imene Prepared Quiche for us.

Imene's Quiche Recipe

Crust
Flour - 300 grams = about 2 and 2/3 cups
Butter - 150 Grams = about 2/3 cup or 3/4 stick
Salt
Fresh Thymian (Thyme - her secret ingredient)

Mix all together, add water as needed.  Roll out flat and refrigerate 30 minutes


Bacon - Prepare, diced and cooked.  Remove bacon from grease and set aside.
Onion and zucchini - cook diced onion and zucchini in bacon grease.  Set aside.
Three Cheese - Parmesan, Mozzarella, and one other varietal such as Cheddar, Gouda (a dutch yellow cheese with a little nutty flavor), Emmental (swiss), Gruyere (another smoothe melting swiss)
                         Cheese is grated or thin slices.  ( a cup of each?)
5 eggs - beaten and then mixed with cheeses, bacon, zucchini, and onion.

Put crust in a pie dish with the egg and cheese mixture, and bake approx 180 degrees Celsius (Centigrade) for 40 minutes, which would be about 350 Fahrenheit.

Purchase everything you need at Harter House Supermarkets.

 

Michele's Quiche
 I used one zucchini and one onion,
 5 oz container of shredded Parmesan,
 8 oz Mozzarella ball
6 oz. mild Gruyere
 5 slices of Harter House Dbl Smoked Bacon

I also used 3/4 cup water for my crust.  I needed to add a little flour to the the waxed paper when I rolled out the dough, because when I removed the crust from the fridge, it was still pretty sticky.  Maybe I needed a little less water to start with.
 But it turned out great!  I was SO happy.  It was delicious!

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Another family member living in Susa is Gigi's sister, Anita (Anita Tournour Viron), and her husband Luca Gontero.  Luca manages a Rock Climbing company and their son, Leonardo Gontero, will represent Italy in the next Olympics in the newly added sport of Rock Climbing.  And I can say, I know his mother!

Gigi, with Anita and husband Luca

Leonardo Gontero will represent Italy at the next Olympics.
We didn't meet Leonardo this trip, he is training and teaching his sport in Colorado!

Brad and Mat were invited to climb the wall at the factory where they make rock climbing accessories.

They enjoyed themselves!

Future Rock Climbers. 
Check out the wall behind them of finger grips made at this factory.
We are told that Leonardo, at the top of his sport, must be able to lift his body weight with just ONE FINGER TIP!

BEAUTIFUL !