OUTLAW BROCCOLI SALAD

OUTLAW BROCCOLI SALAD

Outlaw Broccoli Salad

My mother-in-law, Muriel, was a classy lady who belonged to about 30 ‘clubs.’ She was a gourmet cook and always enjoyed cooking for her family and many others. The ‘others’ often included my own family. Whenever she would entertain any of us, or any of her other children’s inlaws, she would call the party an “outlaw’ dinner party. I always thought it was clever and now I follow suit with my own ‘outlaw’ entertaining and recipes. This particular recipe comes from my daughter’s mother in law, Jeanie. That would make her my outlaw. She is by no means dangerous but she is a good cook and when I asked her for her broccoli salad recipe, she gladly sent it to me.

Recipe:

6 cups fresh broccoli florets

1/3 cup red onion diced

2 cups seedless red grapes, halved

1 cup mayonnaise

1/3 cup sugar

1 Tbs. Apple cider vinegar

8 slices of bacon

1/2 cup sliced almonds

Mix crispy bacon pieces, broccoli, red onion and grapes. Whisk mayo, sugar and vinegar. Pour dressing over broccoli and mix. Mix in sliced almonds.

It is easy to prepare and doesn’t take much time at all. I cut the recipe in half and still had a very large amount. It is crunchy and has that tang of sweet and sour to it which makes it so luscious. Summer is coming..give it a try. I think you will love it. I might even add some fresh strawberries to it next time too. Thank you Jeanie!

CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE AND WINE TOTE

CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE AND WINE TOTE

Finished Recycled Wine Bag

From the time I was a child, I believed in recycling. All the kids in my neighborhood used to take our ‘pop’ bottles back for a refund ( I think we got 2 cents!) There was a shop that took our aluminum foil for refund and of course milk bottles from our milkman etc. I try to remember now to take my own bags to the grocery store instead of using their plastic. Having just returned from Morocco, I was pleased to hear that plastic has been outlawed in the entire country.

I was tired of looking and stumbling over the huge stack of wine bags I had accumulated from my weekly trips to the grocery store. I racked my brain trying to think of some unique way to use them but finally decided to load them all in my car and take back to the store in hopes they would recycle them in some way. I was told that it was not their policy to accept wine bags back. So..they sat for a long time more and kept accumulating (I love my wine) until FINALLY I came up with a solution!

Stack of Bags That Accumulated

Selection of Bags Now Available for Chocolate Truffles, Wine, Bagettes, Vegetables Etc.

I cut a section from the middle of each bag and then added a copy of one of my paintings or sculptures to each bag along with one of the stories I write for each one. Viola! Now my customers will have a padded, insulated, sturdy waterproof and colorful tote in which to place their chocolate. The totes accomodated 6 bottles of wine and now will hold 4 plus the truffles, baguettes, and all sorts of other shopping needs. I am offering them this week at the market (while supply lasts) complimentary with the purchase of 3 boxes of my delicious chocolate truffles. Each box is only $6.00.

Inside Recycled Tote-Holds A Tremendous Amount of 'Stuff'

Hope to see anyone on my reader list one day at the Farmer’s Market in Roanoke, Va. I am usually there Saturdays and sometimes Fridays and Sundays-depending on weather. Booth 18. Please stop by for a sample of my dark chocolate truffles which include: Bailey’s Irish Cream and Salted Caramel, My homemade Kalua, Mayan, Dark Chocolate with Grand Marnier and Orange extract from Morocco, to name a few…

Thanks for reading my blog posts. I appreciate you!

Cheryl-The Chocolate Queen

DOORWAYS, ARCHES AND GATES OF MOROCCO

This is The Relics of the Royal Stables, Originally Built To House 12,000 Royal Horses

It would be impossible to show and tell about all the exciting views and places my grandson, Zack and I saw while in Morocco. I am trying to give highlights but get carried away when I go to my pictures and remember the stories that went along with them. I want to tell you everything but you surely would be very bored having not been there. Many of my viewers are artists like myself and hopefully you will appreciate seeing the doors, arches and entryways all over the country. Here I have just touched on the gates to the old Medinas or old part of the cities, oppulent arches and doorways as well as humble abodes. Please feel free to repost or use any of the pictures as you would like. I believe Morocco should be shared. I wonder what treasures I would find If I opened any of these doors. Next post I will be showing the wonderful Moroccan people we met along the way. Please click once on any picture to enlarge.

Another View of Same Stable Arches

Opulence Inside of Mosque in Casablanca

Zack and I outside of Mosque in Casablanca-largest mosque in Morocco

Another Picture Inside The Mosque