November has begun, the leaves are falling and the crisp chill of Autumn is in the air.  Thoughts of the holidays are on our minds and plans are being made.  I’ll be writing about all sorts of events and fun activities that are happening in Coastal Georgia over the next several weeks.  To kick it all off I’m featuring the Santa Express train rides that will be offered in St. Mary’s on three consecutive Saturdays:  November 23, 30 and December 7.

This is an event people wait for as the Christmas Season approaches.  Santa is arriving on a train this year and he’s coming early!  You’ll want to call for reservations quickly because tickets are selling out.

With four excursions each day on three Saturdays—November 23, 30 and December 7, the Santa Express will host more than 2,000 guests with an experience that is designed to get everyone into the holiday spirit.

Entertainment will begin at the train station (Theatre by the Trax), and continue throughout the scenic ride through woodlands and marshlands. At the midway point which is being transformed into a Christmas Village, Santa himself awaits and will climb aboard with a gift for every little girl and boy.

Passengers will witness the “Battle of the Meanies”—a verbal competition between The Grinch and Mr. Ebenezer Scrooge. Characters from yesteryear will spread goodwill throughout the train, and carolers will lead a good old-fashioned sing along during the return trip.

According to event organizers, the St. Marys Express expanded their schedule from two to three Saturdays after having sold out tickets to the Great Pumpkin Express so quickly.

Tickets to all excursions must be purchased online at www.stmaryrailroad.com or by calling 912-200-5235. All train ride experiences last approximately one and one-half hours with trains departing at 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., and 4 p.m.

Melissa | Out&About | 11 4th, 2013 | No Comments »

I have been meditating for many years now.  The peace and serenity it provides for me is like nothing else.  Meditation is a form of prayer for me.  It is a time to go within and touch that silent chord that resides there in the center of my being.  It gives me connection with God, or whatever you choose to refer to as the Creator of all things beautiful…..all things good.  I found this recording on YouTube that I’m sharing with you today in hopes that you too will take the time to be still and quiet this morning, if only for a moment.  Breathe deeply and take in the peace you’ll find within.  Have a perfectly blissful Sunday!

Melissa | Simple Sundays | 11 3rd, 2013 | No Comments »

We love good comfort food.  As November begins you’ll find me pulling out my various three ring binders that I have put together over the years and making menus from tried and true recipes my family loves.  Mr. T”s most favorite is spaghetti & meatballs.  This recipe was lovingly shared with me by my dearest friend, Chris Paleschic.  Her mother, who we fondly refer to as Mima, happened to be one the most outstanding cooks I have ever been honored to know.  If Mima made it, you knew you were in for a treat.  In October of 2009 Mima lost her battle with cancer, but her legacy lives on through the enormous book of recipes she made to give to each of her three daughters.  This recipe is actually called “Gravy Meatball and Sausage Sauce”.  I always freeze half of the sauce, no meat, to use for stuffed shells, lasagna or chicken parmesan later.  When I begin cooking the meatballs, then saute the onions it fills our home with a heavenly aroma and I always feel close to Chris’ mom.  I hope you’ll try this and enjoy it as much as we do.  It’s pure and simple, just like everything Mima so lovingly prepared.

Mima’s Gravy Meatball and Sausage Sauce

Chopped Green Salad with Gorgonzola Vinaigrette

Garlic Bread

Fresh Berries with Zabaliogne

Grenache

Mima’s Gravy Meatball and Sausage Sauce

I make my meatballs by mixing ground meatloaf mix and ground sweet Italian sausage.  In the original recipe, Mima made her meatballs out of just ground meat, with Italian sausages cut in half and pieces of round steak that were all browned in the olive oil.  Either way, it’s delicious!

Meatballs:

1 pound meatloaf mix

1 pound ground sweet Italian sausage

4 eggs

1 teaspoon parsley leaves

2 tablespoons grated Romano cheese

sea salt and ground pepper to taste

¼ teaspoon garlic powder

¾ cup plain bread crumbs

1/3 cup vegetable oil

Mix ingredients except for the oil and form 1 inch meatballs.  Brown the meatballs in the oil which you have placed in a large skillet over medium heat.  Drain the meatballs on paper towels and set aside.  Do not clean the skillet yet, you’ll want the drippings to use for the following sauce.

Gravy:

1 large chopped onion

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 six ounce cans of tomato paste, with equal amounts of water

1 28 ounce can of good Italian plum tomatoes with puree with an equal amount of water sea salt and ground pepper to taste

1 teaspoon basil

1 teaspoon oregano

1-2 cloves of garlic

1 tablespoon sugar

½ cup parmesan or romano cheese

Lightly brown onion in the drippings leftover from the meatballs.  When the onions are just transparent add the garlic and sauté for 2-3 minutes.  Put the tomato products and water into a large pot along with the seasonings, not the cheese yet.  Stir this mixture well and bring to a boil.  Add the meatballs and simmer for one hour, stirring occasionally.  Add the cheese and stir to mix.  Serve over your choice of pasta.

Chopped Green Salad with Gorgonzola Vinaigrette

1 head radicchio

1 head romaine

1 head escarole

1 head red leaf lettuce

Vinaigrette:

1/4 cup good quality olive oil

2 tablespoons white wine vinegar

1 clove garlic, finely chopped

1/4 cup gorgonzola cheese, crumbled

sea salt and pepper to taste

I usually tear the salad greens instead of chopping them.  Everyone has their own way of doing things and it all works!  To make the dressing simply whisk the olive oil and vinegar together then add the remaining ingredients and mix well.  You can also add some bits of crisp croutons if you wish as well as chopped black olives if you desire.

Garlic Bread

1 loaf Italian bread

1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened

2 cloves of garlic, finely minced

1/2 cup chopped flat leaf parsley

Cut the loaf of bread in half, lengthwise.  Mix the butter and garlic together and spread on top of both sides of the bread.  Place under a hot broiler for a couple of minutes, until the bread is just beginning to brown.  Remove and cut into 1 inch slices and top with chopped parsley.

Fresh Berries with Zabaliogne

I love Zabaliogne sauce.  If I’m making a French meal I whisk champagne into the sauce, but if it’s Italian, it’s got to be Marsala wine.  So nutty and delicious over a mixture of fresh berries!

1 box organic strawberries, stems removed and berries quartered

1 box organic blueberries

1 box organic raspberries

1 box organic blackberries

Zabaliogne Sauce:

5 egg yolks
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup dry or sweet Marsala wine
1 cup heavy cream, whipped until stiff

Heat water in the bottom of a double boiler, about two inches worth.  You do not want the bottom of the top pot to be touched by the water or the eggs will scramble.  When you have a nice low simmer, whisk the egg yolks and sugar together in the top potand place it over the base.  Slowly whisk the Marsala into the egg and sugar mixture.  Continue whisking for about 10 minutes or until the mixture triples in volume.  Be sure the temperature of the water does not exceed 140 degrees.

Place the berries in a bowl and toss to mix.  In individual serving bowls or glasses spoon the berries and top with the sauce.  You can serve this with a bit of crisp biscotti if you wish.  Simple and so delicious!

 

Melissa | Finally Friday!, food & entertaining | 11 1st, 2013 | 3 Comments »