Sharon's

Here's to the first day of summer. I am paying tribute to favorites today. It's a double tribute; first to one of my favorite friends, Sharon who - come this time of year, has opened up her beach house for the season. I love it, she calls me with at-the-beach reports, which are great, even on those days when I can't get to the ocean. And second, to the best sorbet on the market - also named Sharon.

I created this recipe as an answer to beat the summer heat. Enjoy my refreshing coctail with someone you care about and cheers to celebrating the first day of summer 2010.

Summer Mimosa ala Sharon

makes 2 drinks | recipe by George Hirsch

1 cup lemon soda or 1 cup of Prosecco

1/2 cup orange juice

2 scoops sorbet (lemon, strawberry or mixed berry)

4 Tablespoons cranberry juice

2 sprigs fresh mint

In two champagne or margarita glasses, divide the fruit juice and lemon soda (or Prosecco). Place one scoop of sorbet in each glass. Top with cranberry juice and mint. Serve immediately.

Olives Gone Wild

I love olives in every which way they can be served; marinated with herbs and garlic, chopped into a tapanade, and don't forget sliced topping a bruschetta. 

Then there's art with olives! It’s just amazing how much olives can imitate life!

Every time I walk past a piece of Godard artwork I find myself intrigued how he pulls real life stories out of a personified olive or peice of fruit - with his twist of course. I hope you enjoy his work as much as I have. And if you have not had an opportunity to see one in person, here's a taste below.

Briefly about Godard

Known as the "Rock Star of the Art World" is currently the #1 best selling artist in the U.S. Godard's work is highly collected by private collectors, and people from all walks of life. Godard's imaginative world of art is seen by millions of people each month world wide such as cruise lines, galleries, hotels, television, magazines and countless merchandising kiosks and stores. Godard's world of art is a lighthearted perspective of life that surrounds us, mirroring our lives through martinis with animated olives, drunken grapes, dancing strawberries, and the good life. Godard's unique portrayal of fun is an exciting combination of imagination and often subtle humor which evoke and engage the creative side in "Olive" us. Today Michael Godard is considered one of the most prolific and influential artists of our time.

What's all the spit'n about?

"It’s the bottom of the ninth at Yankee Stadium... the Yankees are ahead by one run with bases loaded - no outs - they bring in relief pitcher, Mariano Rivera to get them out of the jam. The Yankees are on edge, and seem to be spitting-out all there nervous energy." They are spitting out the official sunflower seeds of Major League Baseball, Spitz Sunflower Seeds. The name Spitz - go figure? Would you like a sunflower seed? You know you can't just have one!

Think beyond baseball. Sunflower seeds are commonly eaten as a healthy snack. The seeds can also be used as a garnish or an ingredient in healthy recipes; sunflower seeds are an excellent source of dietary fiber! Seeds are available seeds-in-shell, good especially if you play ball, or de-hulled; perfect as a salad topping, sans the spitting.

TIPS: Try adding sunflower seeds to cereals or breakfast granola. For entrees, simply add finely ground sunflower seeds to breadcrumbs or panko breading mixtures. 

Ginger Beer

I am seeing a resurgence in the popularity of an 18th century beverage, ginger beer. Not to be confused with ginger ale, which is made with ginger extract. The original version of ginger beer was actually an alcoholic beverage originating in England, today really only available by the home brewer.

Today's commercial brands are classified as soft drinks/sodas; containing less than a half percent of alcohol. Fentimans of the UK, is a great example of a company that has been brewing ginger beer since the 1900s. The point of difference in their ginger beer vs. any other, is their original brewing process requiring a few days of fermentation compared to the limited production time of other ginger beers available today on the market.

Fentimans on their ginger beer:

Unlike other Ginger Beers our process starts with fermenting the finest chinese ginger root. This goes a long way to explaining the wonderful Ginger "Burn" that each bottle contains. If you like Ginger, you will love our Ginger Beer!

Fentimans: available in the US

Egg Up!

National Egg Day is June 3rd; though there is conflicting information as to when it originated and by whom. The egg has been an object of celebration for millenniums in every culture and with so much symbolism surrounding it. But, you don't have to jump on the bandwagon because of National Egg Day; how about just because they are so versatile. Whether you enjoy eggs in quiche, eggs with ham & sunny side up, poached into eggs benedict, or hard boiled and deviled - give eggs a break! That's no yoke!

These poached eggs I enjoyed at the Park Hotel Kenmare. Thank you Chef Mark Johnston.

Tips for cooking successful poached eggs:

Use the freshest eggs for poaching.

Add a few drops of white vinegar to the water before poaching.

Spin gently simmering water with a spoon- like a whirlpool, gently add cracked eggs one at a time. Note, water temperature will lower to proper poaching temperature once eggs are added.

Use a slotted spoon to gather poached eggs in water.

image: Hirsch Media