FRIDAY-LAST DAY OF HURRICANE SEASON

The Yellow caution flags are still hanging limp, so it is a mystery. The turquoise water is about perfect, use this a day to get very casual and enjoy the beach and sea. We have a forecast to get some cold north winds by Monday, now is the time to dive in. This is the last official day of hurricane season.


Here is a real easy pasta dish to wow yourself and friends.

Recipe – Penne with Prosciutto and Chili béchamel

Butter – one stick (4 oz)
Flour - 1/3 cup
Whole milk - 1 pint
Chili stuff Chili Mix - wht pepper and salt
New York sharp cheddar 2/3 cup grated
Prosciutto ¼ pound thinly sliced
Penne ½ pound
Asparagus
Olive oil
Dry vermouth


Heat half the butter in a 2 qt sauce pan then add in 1/3 cup of flour all the time stirring with a whisk for about 3 minutes. Gradually pour in the pint of milk while stirring all the time.

After about 10 minutes add in 2 tspns of Chili Mix and remove from the burner and stir in the prosciutto that you have sliced into bite size pieces. Add ½ tspn wht pepper and a little salt.
Now add 2/3 of your grated cheese stir every thing around and keep warm.

While this was cooking you should have heated a gallon pot of water to boiling and added the penne. Cook it for about 5 minutes so it is al dente because it will bake later in the oven. Drain the pasta in a colander and put it back into the pot.

Pour the chili béchamel onto the pasta and mix together.
Pour the whole thing into a baking dish you have coated with some of your butter stick. Sprinkle the remaining 1/3 of the grated cheese on top, and dot with little ¼ inch squares of butter that you have cut from the butter stick you still have . Place in a pre heated 425 degree oven for about 20 minutes

While the pasta is baking lay the asparagus in a big pan
with olive oil. medium heat. Pour in about a ¼ cup of water and cover. When it starts to steam move it around and pour in a ¼ cup of dry vermouth and cover again.

Every thing should be ready at the same time.
Serves 4

WARM WEEK - FLAT OCEAN

Yesterday, Wednesday and today are about the same. The Yellow Caution flag and the Purple Jelly Fish flags are hanging limply, while the ocean is calm with an easy south swell and there are no critters to be seen while swimming. Only very light warm breezes from the south and the skies are clear.
The Canadians must like it because they are filling the sandy beach with a variety of homemade, very skimpy marble sacks. The men must want to make sure that every inch of their gourdian stomachs are seen.


The ocean is a calm retreat from the moanings of local retailers about their lack luster sales.
If they want a reason, maybe they should ckeck the cost of gasoline these days.

Here is a tasty and healthy seafood treat that is quick to fix .

BROCCOLI - & SHRIMP

Shrimp – 1/3 lb of 50/60 count
Broccoli –florets - 1 cup
Cubanella pepper – one, chopped 1” pieces
Tomato – one , chopped 1” pieces
Clam juice – 1 cup
Dry Vermouth – ½ cup
Chili Stuff Chili Mix – 1 tsp

Heat a pan with live oil to Medium or little lower. Add the broccoli. After about a minute add the Cubanella pepper and add the clam juice and cover for about 4 minutes.

Add the tomato and cook for another 2 minutes

Add the shrimp and about 4 ounces of vermouth

Sprinkle with one teaspoon of chili powder mix, stir, cover for about 4 more minutes and serve in a bowl to hold the juice.

SUNSHINE WITH JELLY FISH

The ocean is beautiful today but witht he purple flags flying. On close inspection, the shoreline was filled with the recent arrival of jelly fish so swimming was skipped, but the sun was warm and bright.

So he has just over a year left but he can still sling the insults & faux pas. Today he introduced the heads of Palestine and Israel and butchered their names, then abrubtly left the peace negotiations after stating he would not be involved and had more important matters to deal with. A great job Brownie.

These days you can at least enjoy a good soup.

This is a real easy one for a great soup.

Recipe - Barley– Lentil soup

Onion , medium - diced
Garlic 4 cloves – diced
Olive Oil –
Barley – ¼ lb.
Lentils – ¼ lb.
Carrot one – diced
Chicken stock 3 cups
Green onions, 1 bunch, greens diced.
Parsley , dry 2 tblspn.
Mint leaves, dry 2 tblbspn
Mumbo Gumbo Mix -1 tblspn
Kosher salt – 1 tblspn
Water – 1 cup.

A couple glugs of olive oil in the pot . add the diced onion and garlic and cook at medium heat until translucent. Make sure not to burn the garlic. add the carrot and the barley and lentils. Stir while cooking. Add more olive oil if you need cook for about 30 minutes.

Add the chicken stock and the herbs and spices. Cook at a low temperature, covered, stir occasionally . add the water and diced green onions.. cook for another ten minutes.

GREY SKIES - RED FLAGS

The skies were gray and the flags were red but the temp was in the low 80's andswimming was easy. In otherwise unsettled times this is rewarding.

ECONOMIC INSECURITY – Laugh about it, but it is the issue – ignore it and watch what happens. Ignoring Oil in IRAQ is like ignoring lynchings in the South. Ignoring oil as the issue of why we are fighting in the desert is to stick your head in the sand. It has always been the issue, and look what has happened. Greed for oil was always decried as ignorance and always disclaimed as the issue of why we are really there. Look what has happened.

Trent Lott, Republican senator from Mississippi, a fine gentleman, announced today he is resigning early from the U.S. Senate. The truth is that this is not a patriotic move, but rather a way the skirt the new 2 year lobbying moratorium set to become law in January, 08. The new law would hold him back for cash rewards for two years, now he can get the payoff right away. What a southern gent. How shameful that some people would think of these actions as self serving slime.

Here is a hearty recipe from brave men in the heartland.

Miller Loaf – GIFD

Serves 6 – 8 Submitted by
Lt. Ron Miller – Grand Island Fire Dept.

French Bread -1 Loaf (unsliced)
Ground beef – 2 lbs.
Tomato soup – 1 can
Mushrooms – 1 can - sliced stems & pieces
Onion, small - 1
Green pepper, medium, 1
Garlic salt
Black pepper – ground
Italian seasoning – 1 Tblspn
American sliced cheese – 1 pkg. (8 slices)

Slice top ½” off bread loaf. Remove bread from bottom
Part of loaf creating a shell. In a fry pan, place hamburger,
chopped green pepper and onion. Mix and cook until hamburger
is browned. Add can of tomato soup, mushrooms, ground pepper,
garlic salt (to taste) and Italian seasoningStir until mixed
and then add bread that was removed from the loaf mixing
until bread is saturated with moisture in fry pan.
Place mixture in cavity of French bread loaf. Place American cheese
on top of mixture and replace top ½” lid, on loaf. Place on a cookie sheet
and place in oven at 350 degrees only until the cheese melts.
Remove from oven and cut loaf into 2 ½ inch slices.

NOTE: Cream of celery or mushroom soup can be substituted
for the tomato soup for a little variation

SUNDAY WATER FUN

After the gray skies of yesterday, this was a dyno day. The Red flags were flying and the crashing waves were great fun and gave a little bit of work to the swimmers, but nothing tough. The breezes were out of the southeast and warm again, around 80. The folk from up north (Canada way) must be showing up because the people count along the shore was up to what it should be. Now that Easter has gone into the record books, you can hear the comments on the beach, "The marble sacks are back".

Here is an easy one for high energy.

Irish Lamb & Barley Stew

Delicious and simple one-pot supper for 4

Leg of Lamb, Boneless - 1 ¼ lbs. Cut into ¾” chunks
Beef broth – 3 cups
Green cabbage – rough cut – 2 cups.
Carrots – 2 medium – chopped
Onion, 1 large – chopped
Rutabaga, skinned, chopped – about 1 cup
Barley – 1/3 cup
Garlic – 3 cloves – chopped
Dry Vermouth – 4 oz.
Chili Stuff Chili Mix – 2 tspns.
Fresh ground black pepper - ½ tsp
A bay leaf

Preheat a large deep pan to medium, with olive oil,
add lamb pieces to brown for about 4 minutes.

Add the broth and all the other ingredients,
without the vermouth and ½ cup of water.
Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low.
Simmer for about 25 minutes.
After about 15 minutes add the Vermouth.
Serve with fresh crusty bread and salad.

SATURDAY RAINS &CLOUDS

The ocean is warm and smooth today but not many beach goers. The rains come in every once in awhile and make the mid 70's temp feel much cooler. This is only the 2nd day of the official Christmas shopping season and already the retailers are sniveling.

Say how about that Canadian ship that sunk off the coast of Antarctica. Come on , a fist size hole. The captain and crew were extremely derelict. That was a ship with water tight compartments and the hole was a pea hole.

Please,,-- Spare the cover-up.

On this dark day here is a recipe that will send great aromas throughout you house.

CHICKEN WITH 40 GARLIC CLOVES

Whole Chicken – 3 ½ to 4 lbs.
Olive oil – 2/3 cup
Garlic – 40 cloves, unpeeled
Rosemary, dry – 1 tsp.
Sage, dry – 1 tsp.
Thyme, dry – 1 tsp
Chili Stuff Chili mix – 1 tsp.
Kosher salt
Black pepper, freshly ground

Preheat oven to 400, reduce heat to 350 as soon as you put the chicken in. Use a deep baking pan.

Rub the chicken with a coating of olive oil.
Salt and pepper inside and out. Mix the seasonings together and do the same as with the salt & pepper. Dry seasoning holds up much better than fresh for prolonged roasting. Stuff a handful of garlic inside chicken.

Place bird in baking pan. Spread the rest of the garli around pan in the balance of the olive oil.

Cook the bird breast side down or tail in the air. Reason: The juices are in the back and tail and gravity will drain these through the breast and the white meat will be much moister. This also works for Turkeys, but not Ducks.

When you serve the chicken just pile the garlic next to it. Serve with chunks of fresh crusty bread.

You can squeeze the cloves and the sweet soft juicy garlic will smash across your chunk of bread.

d

FRIDAY SHOPPERS - EMPTY BEACH

Today the ocean is just about perfect. Hard to believe the beach is almost empty. Lots of people must be shopping and swimming in red ink rather than turquoise water. Despite the early sales at stores this will not be a banner year. This is not a surprise when adding up how many people are looking for work. Gee, it's good to know the oil companies are all doing well and there is plenty of money for more bullets and bombs.

Too bad there isn't some left for health, education and roads.

After a few days of heavy eating here is a good change of pace to give you stomach a healthy break.

DOMINGO’S VEGETARIAN BLACK BEAN CHILI

black beans - one can 15 oz.
diced tomatoes - one can 15oz.
Dry textured soy protein – one cup
Vegetable bouillon - 15 oz can
Sweet corn – whole kernel – 11 oz can
Olive oil
Chili Stuff Chili Mix – 1 TBL (big)

Rehydrate the vegetable protein with 1 cup of bouillon.

Cook the beans and tomatoes together in 2 TBL of olive oil. Add the sweet corn.
When the soy protein is ready add it to the pot.

Now add a rounded table spoon of Chili Stuff Mix and stir everything. Add the balance of your bouillon. stir again, cover and cook at low temp for about ten minutes. That’s it.


This is a quick and tasty recipe, but all recipes can be improved by using organic ingredients.


Flavanoid antioxidants: A 3.5 ounce serving of black beans has about ten times more antioxidants than the same amount of oranges.

THANKSGIVING DAY BRIGHT SKIES

Everyday the beach is sunny is Thanksgiving Day. This one is particulary nice with an air temp in the low 80's and easy easterly breezes.

When the day time outside activities come to a close and after dinner is served, here is an easy soup to put together, probably for Friday or Saturday.

MEDITERRANEAN TURKEY SOUP

Turkey thighs – 2 - Sautéed or roasted and chopped into small pieces
Onion - 2 medium , chopped ( about a cup
Celery – 3 stalks – chopped
Garlic – 3 cloves – minced
Orange Bell Pepper – chopped
Fennel bulb – chopped (about ½ plus some of the leaves)
Chicken broth – 6 cups
Tomatoes – 28 oz can – drained and diced
Great Northern or Cannellini beans – 15 oz can – drained
Basil, dry, 1 TBL
Red pepper – dry & crushed – ½ tsp
Olive oil
Kosher salt
Freshly cracked black pepper
Parmigiano Cheese – freshly grated.


Sautee thurkey thighs in a little olive oil with salt & pepper. When they are fully c ooked let them cool and cut the meat into bite sized pieces and set aside. Save Drippings

Heat a large deep pan, about a 1 gallon size, to medium. Add the bell pepper, onion, celery, fennel & Garlic. Keep everything moving around while you sautee in olive oil until everything gets shiny or translucent. Add the drippings from the Turkey pan and the crushed red pepper
Now add the tomatoes, basil, & chicken broth. Stir and cover the pan and simmer for about ten minutes or so.

Now add the turkey, white beans and cook at low heat for several minutes, covered. Stir occasionally. Let soup rest for awhile without heat.

Serve in bowls with grated parmigiano cheese on top and crusty fresh bread on the side.

WEDNESDAY - NO SWIMMING

Even though the warm Caribbean breezes are now coming up out of the south east, today the red and purple flags say no swimming. Too bad we don’t get red flag warnings from Washington DC.

Today the U.S. dollar has sunk to an all time low. If you want to pay 1.45 you can purchase 1 Euro. In the meantime oil is now at $100.00 per barrel. Hey, you are doing a great job Brownie.

Not long ago I was in a London restaurant and overheard two businessmen talking.
1st man: Why do they call Bush, the Ostrich?
2nd man: I don’t know.
1st man: Because that is the only animal with an eyeball bigger than its brain.

Maybe, the 9/11 attacks were not an inside job, but then this administration has lied about everything else.

The government overthrow, in the 50’s, in Iran to install the Shaw was set up by the US CIA. The Gulf of Tonkin incident that propelled us into Vietnam was a fabricated U.S. set-up. The Contra war was U.S. guns in, and cocaine out.

Now Scott MacClellan, never an agreeable person, has finally ratted that our President and the Vice President stating they told him to lie about Valerie Plame Wilson’s disclosure as a CIA undercover/covert agent, and at the same time blowing the cover of hundreds of other CIA agents.

So they have lied about Iraq, They have written down ridiculous costs as off-budget emergency expenses for 6 years, while breaking our country’s financial back. They have lied about reasons why we are there. They have lied about oil. They are self-serving liars.

Where is the outrage? These are corrupt lying gangsters who are doing more damage to our country from within than any outside bogey man could possibly imagine.

The economy is heading south so you might want to think of a delicious soup made from left-overs.

TURKEY SOUP

Turkey wings and thighs
Lentil beans – big handle full
Rice - ½ cup
Chicken broth – 14 oz
Water – 1 cup
Dry vermouth ½ cup
Chili Stuff Chili Mix – 1 TBL
Garlic – dry ground – 1 TBL
Ginger, ground - 1 TBL
Kosher salt-
Red & black pepper
Celery – 3 stalks – chopped
Okra – 5 oz chopped
Olive oil

Use a big pot. Heat water & chicken broth with the lentils and rice. (medium heat for a long time)
Toss in the turkey pieces – (later when they cook down you strip the meat and discard the bones)

During the cooking you toss in all the seasonings and some olive oil stir this around and make sure the temp is low. Put on a lid.

Add the celery and okra.
Cook for another good period and you will arrive at bionic soup.

SUNNY DAY AGAIN

After yesterday this was a treat. The sun was back and even though the red and purple flags were hoisted the ocean was eccellent. The waves were friendly and there was no sign of any sea creatures that could ruin your day.

How about this news? Our US government demands the return of all signing bonuses by any soldiers who have been wounded. So I guess that really shows what they think of a Purple Heart.

What a great bunch of draft dodging chickens we now have in control. There is not a fire hot enough or a place deep enough in Hell for these lying bastards.

Another good piece of news: Home Builders confidence is in the toilet. Okay, when our national ecomomy is based on 90% consumer consumption and now a cross section doesn't have income, Guess what?

Clear your mind , especially when the French are now our friends again.

You can easily make a tasty treat as good as a French Chef.

CHICKEN LIVERS – SAUTÉED

From Paul Kirk – Chez Paul’s
Olowalu, Maui, Hawaii

Serves two

Chicken Livers – 12 oz
Fresh Mushrooms – 8, sliced
Medium onion, - ½ thinly sliced
Harvey Bristol Cream – 6 oz
Flour – ½ cup
Butter – ¼ lb
Kosher salt
Fresh ground black pepper

Lightly flour livers, add a small amount of salt & pepper.
Sauté in butter until crisp. Add mushrooms and onions for 5 minutes on low flame. Remove pan and add sherry. Cook at very low heat uncovered for a couple of minutes

GRAY SKIES - NO RAIN

Where did our sun go? At least there is no wind and the temp is in the 70's. With a little luck the skies will be clear this afternoon or by tomorrow.
Today the ocean will be warmer than air.

Here is a handy recipe to keep around for this week's leftovers.

WHITE TURKEY CHILI

Turkey – 1 lb. – shredded
Cannellini or white kidney beans – 15 oz. can – drained
Tomatoes, diced – 15oz can – drained
Chicken broth – 15 oz.
Couscous, dry – ¼ cup
Cilantro – big handful – chopped
Chili Stuff Chili Mix – 1 TBL
Sour cream
Olive oil.


Brown the turkey in a pot with olive oil.
Season with kosher salt and black pepper as if you were making it alone.
Add the chicken broth. You want to slow-cook the turkey until it breaks apart.

Add the cannelloni beans and the Chili Stuff Chili Mix.
Add the tomatoes. This will give the chili a light pink color.
Add the ¼ cup of couscous and the cilantro
This only takes about 5 minutes to cook.

If you want it really white forget the tomatoes and add a tspn. of cumin, and one of sage, or just wait for the tomatoes to cook and mix in a big clump of sour cream into each bowl, just before you serve it.

SUNDAY WARM AGAIN

Yesterday's dark clouds passed and with the breezes shifting to the east, it was a guarantee today would be beautiful. Finally warm again, not hot, just very comfortable. The ocean was perfect for easy swimming. Don't know why the purple flags were flying from the lifeguard towers because i never saw even one jelly fish. The clean warm costal conditions were very friendly for even the smallest visitors.

Here is a simple chili recipe for all tastes.

DOMINGO’S VEGETARIAN BLACK BEAN CHILI

black beans - one can 15 oz.
diced tomatoes - one can 15oz.
Dry textured soy protein – one cup
Vegetable bouillon - 15 oz can
Sweet corn – whole kernel – 11 oz can
Olive oil
Chili Stuff Chili Mix – 1 TBL (big)

Rehydrate the vegetable protein with 1 cup of bouillon.

Cook the beans and tomatoes together in 2 TBL of olive oil. Add the sweet corn.
When the soy protein is ready add it to the pot.

Now add a rounded table spoon of Chili Stuff Mix and stir everything. Add the balance of your bouillon. stir again, cover and cook at low temp for about ten minutes. That’s it.


This is a quick and tasty recipe, but all recipes can be improved by using organic ingredients.


Flavanoid antioxidants: A 3.5 ounce serving of black beans has about ten times more antioxidants than the same amount of oranges.

DARK SATURDAY

At least the North wind of yesterday turned around and is coming from the east. No rain but real dark clouds covering everything. It is cool enough for sweat shirts, and nobody has to worry about sunburn today. Swimming is good but it is pretty chilly when you come out. The ocean looks tough but it is very user-friendly

It is a good day for a hearty chowder.

NEW ENGLAND CHOWDER –

Submitted by Russell Anderson, Chief
Rockport FD, Rockport MA

¼ lb. Fat pork (or bacon) chopped
1 Large Onion – diced.
2 cups – potatoes – diced.
1 can – evaporated milk
1 stick (1/4 lb/ - butter
1 qt. – whole milk
Kosher salt & black pepper
1 large can – (51 oz.) – Clams, minced or chopped

Simmer fat pork until clear
Drain excess fat leaving about a TBL.
Add onion & butter. Simmer until translucent ( DO NOT BURN)
Add clams with juice and potatoes. Simmer until potatoes are done.
Let cool down by adding milk to the mixture. Let rest for several hours
Heat again and add salt & pepper to taste.

Also a 14 oz. can of corn (drained) added makes a nice change.

THURSDAY FLAT - FRIDAY BREEZES

Wednesday morning it rained, but that passed quickly and the ocean turned flat and no wind was happening. It made for a great swimming day. Thursday the skies were bright and clear all day but the wind, right out of the north, was chilly for here. At least the ocean was still warm and the waves made for a quick smooth swim to the south toward Miami. It is supposed to be cool for the next few days but with no rain, so it will be good motorcycle weather if you bring a long sleeve shirt.

Here is an easy treat to put together for holiday get togethers.

BUFFALO WINGS – Authentic from Buffalo , NY

Chicken wings – about 50 pieces
Peanut oil for frying – a couple of cups
Tabasco sauce – 2 TBL
White wine vinegar – 1 TBL
Butter – ¼ pound
Chili Stuff Chili Powder – 2 TBL
Black pepper – fresh ground
Kosher Salt

Take each full wing and cut away and discard the tips. Then cut each wing into 2 pieces at the joint.
Start with a large deep pan. Heat the oil to hot, around 400 degrees. Put in about 1/3 to ½ of the wings and cook, while stirring until golden brown evenly. Grind on some black pepper and sprinkle some kosher salt while chicken is cooking. When the wings are done remove them to a warm pot. Repeat this step until all the wings are done.

Reduce the pan temp to Medium and melt in the butter. Add in the wings, chili powder, Tabasco sauce and vinegar. Stir and shake the wings around so they all get nicely coated. When you pour out the wings into a bowl, pour over the leftover sauce on top.

Serve with blue cheese (ranch) dressing and celery sticks.

WARM SUN RETURNS

Yesterday,Tueday, was pretty cool and dark most of the day but now the sun has returned with light easterly breezes crossing the beach.

It is the time of year when people from the north are showing up and warming up. The ocean here cools down to equal Hawaiian water in the summertime, about 78. It isn't there yet but getting closer.

Sounds like a report from Washington about the Middle East. "not there yet, but getting close"

That is kind of like when someone anounces the good news that people aren't jumping from the 11th floor any more. -- just from the 8th.

As we approach Thanksgiving here is an excellent Holiday Stuffing and it is very simple.

Recipe – Holiday Stuffing

Sweet Italian sausage, 4 into ¼” pieces
Mushrooms – 6 oz. Sliced

Walnuts, chopped - 1/2 cup
Onion – 1 medium chopped.
Celery – 2 stalks chopped
Apple – 1 chopped
Parsley - 2 Tblspns , chopped
Dry bread, ½” cubes. 1 cup
Raisons - 2 oz.
Butter 1 Tblspn
Chili Stuff Chili Mix – 1 Tblspn
White Pepper – ground 1 tspn
Olive oil
Chicken Broth 4 oz

In a big deep pan at medium heat. Pour in a couple glugs of olive oil. Squeeze the sausage from their skins into the pan and break into ¼ inch [pieces. Add the onion and celery. Stir everything around and add the butter.

After a couple of minutes add the parsley and mushrooms and chili powder and stir again.

Remove from heat and add the chopped walnuts, apple and dried bread cubes.

Mix everything and season with the white pepper.

If you are filling a bird do so now. If you are cooking on stove-top add your chicken broth and cook covered until the apples soften. Stir every once in a while so nothing sticks to the pan.

TUESDAY BREEZES

It started out kind of overcast this morning, but that is all gone now and there are just some northerly breezes to cool the water down. It isn't bad and you can just feel the wind when you come back out wet and onto the beach.

The fiscal conservatives are really showing their stuff today. G.W. Bush just approved an additional 50 BILLION for Iraq (off the books) and then vetoed any additional monies for Health and Education or Farm Subsidies.

He and Brownie are doing a great job.

Recipe – Buffalo Chili - Livingston, Montana

Buffalo Steak 1 ½ lbs. chopped (bite size)
or ground course

Diced tomatoes 1 - 14oz can

Sweet corn canned or frozen(thawed) 2 cups

Beef broth 2 cups

Chili Stuff Chili Mix

Olive oil


Garnish with grated sharp cheddar
sour cream
scallions finely chopped


In a big deep pan add olive oil and brown the buffalo meat at medium heat.

Add 1 Tblspn of Chili Stuff.

Cook for about 2 minutes while stirring.

Add the tomatoes (drained) and corn and cook for about ten minutes while stirring.

Add 1 more Tblspn.of Chili Stuff and 2 cups of beef broth.

Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for about one hour.

VETERANS DAY

Today and yesterday are about the same beach- wise, with more people showing up who need to be careful of the sun's rays while enjoying the good clean warm water of these latitudes. This is a good tide day and an easy swim.

It is a Veterans Day weekend. We honor all those who have served through the years and those who are now in harms way. Each day we are creating more combat vetrans, many with terrible wounds, because of the personal greed and hubris of those who swore an oath to uphold the precepts that made America different. They never mention about the oil deals, or the fact that o0ther people actually like their own country (good or bad), and don't need buttinskis from foreign lands telling them how to live.

Novemebr 11 was first designated to honor Armistice Day of 1918. This was to ackowledge the treaty of Versailles that ended World War I. Then we kept getting into more wars, so in 1954 President Eisenhower said the day should pay honor to all vetrans of all wars. It was then renamed Veterans Day.

SATURDAY SUN-SAND-SWIM-SAUCE

Saturday is another fine day at the beach . A few more people have showed up, but very few use the ocean and it is particularly nice right now.

With all the lies coming out of Washington DC the beach is about the last refuge. We have lied about our reasons for being in Iraq from the get go. It has always been about OIL and never about our national security. It was always a lie.

We are now building in Bahgdad the largest embassy in the world with a planned 1000 US State Department workers. We are building huge permanent US military facilities. Our oil companies have shoved a contract down the throats of the current Iraq leaders that says we own 85% of all their oil. We have a military presence there that is guaranteed for at least the next 50 years.

Please, why do we wonder why people around the globe don't trust us, at all. We have just ruined the lives of several million people while we have stolen their electric power, water, and sewage facilities for the last 6 years. We have been playing big shots while destroying our own infrastructure and economic treasure. Yeah you are doing a good job Brownie, but your nose is getting longer by the day.

At least here is a simple and easy sauce that is good for fish or fowl.

Honey Mustard sauce

Mustard Deli Style - 1 Tbl
Olive oil – 2 Tbls
Chili Stuff - 1 Tbls
Honey 3 Tbls

Use wire whisk to blend – store in refer or on the shelf covered. This will last for a long long time

SUNSHINE IS BACK - SEA IS FLAT

Clear blue skies and brilliant sun are back. The ocean still has a light northerly swell that makes a southern swim easy. Hardly anyone in the water, probably because the yellow caution flags are flying along the flat sea shore. As usual the breezes start about the same time the sun makes its apex and heads west in this autumn sky.

Could be bad news for another republican office holder as Florida state rep. from Brevard county, up by Cape Canaveral named Bob Allen gets ready for his trial for soliciting oral sex to an undercover police officer in a public bathroom.

Of course he says he loves his wife. Please, what is with this guy anyway.? Does it mean that G.O.P. stands for Gay Old Perverts? It is a bad mess so think about tasty salmon instead.

It is easy and gives you a clear mind.

– Sautee Salmon with French cut string beans

Lime Juice – 2 limes

Olive oil – couple of glugs or so

Flour- 1/4 cup or enough to dust the salmon fillet skin
side

Vermouth ½ cup

Dill - 1 table spoon

Clam Juice - 6 0z.

Chili Powder 1 table spoon


1. Dill the meat side and flour the skin
2. Heat pan to medium place salmon skin side down
3. Move salmon around while the skin is crisping then cover. A couple minutes.
4. As soon as you flip the salmon pour in some vermouth to deglaze. Move salmon around and any pieces that break off become part of the sauce.
5. Dill the salmon again and add the chili powder and pour in the clam juice.
6. Keep scraping the pan as you move the salmon around
7. Add more vermouth and lime juice.
8. In the meantime you should have been steaming the
Beans and they will be tender and bright green at the same time the fish is ready.
9. Place the salmon on your heated plate and the beans
as well. Squeeze some lime juice on the beans and pour the pan sauce every everything.

GRAY THURSDAY - FLAT SEA

The clouds moved in but the ocean stayed flat with an easy northly push in the water. The calm conditions made swimming easy in the warm turquoise water. It won't be long until it dips into the 70's. Afterward, a long sleeve shirt was a help as the northly breezes picked up around 1 pm. They didn't bring rain but encouraged moving inside to enjoy an easy salmon lunch.

Salmon fillets baked in foil

Salmon fillets – ½ lb. each – 4 pieces
Olive oil
Tomatoes, fresh 3 / 4 – chopped
Onion – chopped
Garlic – 3 cloves – diced
Zucchini - chopped asymmetrical
Lemon Juice – enough for a couple of TBL
Oregano
Thyme
Chili Stuff Bonanza Fish Mix
Kosher salt
White pepper

Mix together the onion, garlic, tomato, zucchini with some olive oil lemon juice, oregano, thyme, fix mix, salt & pepper

On separate sheets of foil lay each salmon fillet after you brush it with olive oil

Spoon your vegetable mix over each fillet and fold up the foil of each fillet to make a nice tight little tent. Place these packets on as baking sheet.

Place the baking sheet into a preheated oven at 350 for about 25 minutes

Serve immediately with good fresh crusty bread and a chilled white wine.

SALAD DAYS AT THE SHORE

Don’t know how it is in the northern states right now, but this is just a beautiful day with clear cobalt skies. The ocean could be renamed Lake Hollywood. The flags are flying a yellow caution which must mean sunshine because the sea is flat calm and they probably lost all the green ones.. Hard to believe how few people are taking advantage of this perfect weather and water conditions. ( time to call in sick) When property taxes are so high you almost can’t go home and gas costs too much to go out, you owe it to yourself to enjoy a mellow day at the beach
Then you can enjoy a light full-flavor salad of fresh spinach leaves, pecans and pears to keep your day in harmony.

Salad - spinach, pear & pecans ( serves two)

Young Spinach – couple of big handfuls
Romaine – one big handful
Gorgonzola crumble – 2 tbl spn
Pecans broken - 2 tbl spn
Fresh Bosc pear - 1
Chili Stuff chili mix – ½ tspn



Tear spinach and romaine into one inch pieces
Pear - include skin cut into ½ inch irregular pieces - Toss together
Sprinkle Chili Stuff chili powder on pecans
add pecans and gorgonzola crumble toss again
separate evenly into two bowl and drizzle on dressing.


Dressing (sweet and spicy)

honey - 2 tbblspns
olive oil – 2 tbl spns
fresh lemon or lime juice – 2 tblspn
ground white pepper – 1 tsp.

Perfect November Days

Monday and today are a mixed bag of fluffy clouds and blue skies. The sun keeps everything comfortable even though there is a cooler than normal north breeze. The ocean is still warm and makes for an easy southerly swim, but it is cool enough not to feed any possible hurricanes, There are now more Quebec license plates on the road and in the parking lots, and condos are beginning to roll up their storm shutters and filling with seasonal residents. This morning there are reports of the first snow falls up north in Wisconsin, so here is a hearty recipe submitted by the Madison Fire Dept.

Mikey’s Skillet Silage – Madison FD

Submitted by Mike Fuss
Old Station #8 Madison Fire Dept.
Madison, WI

1 pound Ground beef
3 medium unpeeled potatoes, coarsely chopped
1 large green pepper, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
8 oz kielbasa, cut into bite sized pieces
1 10 oz. pack of frozen corn, defrosted
¼ tsp – salt
¼ tsp – black pepper
1 ¼ cups of shredded cheddar cheese

In a 12” skillet brown the ground beef, drain of fat.
Stir in the potatoes, green pepper, onion, kielbasa, corn, salt & pepper.
Cook mixture over medium heat, covered, for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Stir in 1 cup of cheese, top with remaining cheese

Makes 6 servings.

BEAUTIFUL SOUTH FLORIDA SUNDAY

Today is a Chamber of Commerce day. The temp will get into the low 80's with light breezes and no humidity. The ocean has a very light north swell. So why do they have the Red hazard flags flying when it is almost glassy and certainly even smoother than yesterday when they were showing yellow caution flags. This is the kind of day Floridians dream about. The flags try to scare everyone away, but it is easy swimming. It is a salad day for sure.

Caesar Salad with White Beans

Romaine – 1 head torn into bite sized pieces
White Beans – great northern or cannelini beans – 1 15oz. can drained
Tomatoes – diced – 1 cup
Sweet Onion – medium – Maui or Vidalia. Sliced into thin rounds
Garlic – 3 cloves – minced
Worcestershire sauce – 1 TBL
Mayonnaise – 2 TBL
Olive oil – 2 TBL
Kosher salt
Black pepper, fresh ground
Croutons – a good handful
Parmigiano cheese – fresh grated
Lemon Juice – 1 lemon

Toss together – romaine beans, tomatoes & onion

Make the dressing – combine the mayonnaise, olive oil minced garlic, lemon juice , Worcestershire sauce. Whisk together
Toss the salad with the dressing
Lay the croutons on the salad servings. Season with salt & pepper.
Sprinkle about a TBL of grated cheese on each serving.

MARNIE'S CUBAN ROAST

Wow, the temp dropped over night into the low 60's. It was a big surprise when i stepped outside this morning to walk the dogs. At least the temp is now in the 80's witrh very low humidity. Glad the water temperature doesn't change like that.



The ocean is about perfect right now, smooth and calm with an easy north east swell.
It is so welcome after a few days of churning junk waves. Can’t believe more people are not using. The beach is almost empty. After a long swim (½ mile) I had time for a cold one and an Italian wrap sandwich at Ocean Alley.

This is a laid back day with plenty of uninterrupted time to listen to the wild hot guitar tapping sounds of Marnie Stern while perusing her recipe for Cuban style pork roast.

CUBAN STYLE ROAST PORK
6 servings
1/2 cup Florida orange juice1
1/4 cup Florida lime juice
2 Tbls Florida garlic,diced

2 Tbls dried oregano

2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper
2 pounds Florida pork loin roast, boneless

Step one: Combine first six ingredients for marinade and pour over roast. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Step two: Place roast in pan, reserving marinade. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Roast the meat about 15 minutes. Lower the heat to 350 degrees and roast another 40 minutes, or until juices run clear when the roast is pierced with a sharp knife. A meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat should read about 155–160 degrees.

Step three: Bring reserved marinade to a boil. Let roast sit for 10 minutes, carve into slices and chunks, pour reserved marinade over roast and serve.

Calories: 270, Calories from Fat: 65

Serve this with fried Plantains & black beans with cumin and rice

STORM PASSED - BRIGHT SKIES AGAIN

The threats of storm "Noel" have passed and the skies are bright again. Now the black clouds are headed for Washington, D.C. The approaching darkness is more the hurricane clouds because condoning torture is as bad as the Nazis condoning genocide. It is the same mind set.

We say we don’t really torture but just vigorously interrogating people who are already guilty of at least something. What happened to morality and the rule of law; the tenants that made America the land of the free and the home of the brave? Is this the badge of Nu Amerika ,“Cause Pain & Hatred”, wherever we can?

We laughed with great hubris as we rolled into Iraq. Oh what a twisted web we weave, when at first we start to deceive.. Now we laugh at torture just like the ememy we fought in World War II, just like the SS. We have decided we are right and what we do is okay because our god is better than their god.

Tear down that wall Mr. Bush!

Here is something better to think about from sunny Lahaina, Hawaii.

Shrimp Longhi

From Bob Longhi. Lahaina. Maui, Hawaii

7 Shrimp per person…35 to 45 count
Flour
Butter
Lemon juice
White dry wine or vermouth
Fresh tomatoes, chopped
Fresh basil leaves – big chop
Garlic toast


Peel and devein shrimp. Drag shrimp through flour for a light covering. Sautee in butter at medium heat until golden brown. (very fast)

Remove shrimp from pan and raise the heat.

Whisk the sauce ( lemon, chopped tomatoes, & basil} in a pan at medium heat with white
White wine or vermouth. Return shrimps to pan for about 10 seconds and serve immediately,
after a shake with the basil leaves, with garlic toast

WAITING FOR THE TROPICAL STORM

The weather has taken a downward spiral since yesterday. At least we don’t have to water the plants, or water anything else. Maybe the Administration can stop Water Boarding anyone they choose to, and then lie about it.
So how can Michael Mukasey testify to the U.S. Senate that he doesn’t know if Water Boarding is actually torture? Since the practice has only been thought of as torture since the Spanish Inquisition he is, at the least, dodging the truth if not outright lying. This sure is a fine choice for the wanta-be head of the Justice Department. You might think back to Marc Anthony’s funeral oration in Julius Caesar, “The evil men do lives after them”

So it looks like the storm “Noel” will keep deviling the islands south and east of Florida.
The winds, with blowing sands and squalls still keep the beaches clear around here. Meanwhile the Cuban Sandwich is a delicious gift from down south.

CUBAN SANDWICH

Roast pork – thin sliced. 3 oz.
Ham – thin sliced, 3 oz
Swiss cheese, thin sliced, ¼ poind
Deli mustard
Butter
Pickles, thin sliced ( sandwich style)
Cuban bread – 1 small loaf. (Italian or French can be substituted)

Method without a sandwich press

Slice the bread lengthwise. It should be about 10 inches in length\
Spread both halves with butter and mustard.
On one piece make layers with the pork, ham, and cheese, and a layer of pickles
Cover with the other half piece of bread.. Wrao the sandwich in foil or parchment paper.

Without a sandwich press, use an oven heated to 400 degrees. Place the sandwich into a large warmed cast iron skillet. Nest another large cast iron skillet on top and place the whole thing into the pre heated oven. Bake for about 15 minute. The bread should be crispy and the cheese melted.

As soon as you remove the sandwich slice it on the diagonal and serve while hot.