Publisher's Desk...
Now is the perfect time to start planning for Valentine’s Day. It happens to be one of my favorite holidays, maybe because I am a romantic at heart, lol. There will be special offerings in the next few issues to help you take care of your Valentine’s Day plans. Our monthly theme of “Recipes for Romance” will be posted in time for your special cooking needs. If you haven’t done so already, please make sure you get your favorites in before the deadline. You will also find some items that would make perfect gifts for that special someone. Today we look into what that wonderful man, your sweetheart, would enjoy. Our recipes have been hand-picked and sure-to-please for him. We have some other stuff today that will be of interest and/or make him and you laugh.
On the home front, a few of you have emailed me about our television situation. Actually, it is a lack of television situation, lol. It doesn??™t seem like a major malfunction to most (and it really isn??™t to me; it??™s more of an ???inconvenience???, actually). I was emailing (back and forth) with Jessica in Corfu, Greece about it. Jessica is a gem; she is bright, talented, and an American who moved to Greece to retire, and shares many of my views on responsible parenting. She related how her own grandchildren were stymied during their visits as television broadcasts in Greece are, after all, in GREEK. She found wonderful alternative ways for them to fill the void. I couldn??™t agree with you more, Jessica. But, (and you knew there would be one, didn??™t you, lol) as I told Jessica, my kids
have never been in the practice of watching regular televised programming. EVER. Most regular TV could be in Greek and work for us. When my youngest daughter, Angela, was six, she received some Flintstones tennis shoes for her birthday. She did NOT know "who" the Flintstones were! Now, if they'd been "Barney" or Lamb Chop, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, etc. (I had those on tape already and/or allowed them to watch the PBS channel only) she may have been truly excited. The television is used ONLY for movies I have taped for them, used rentals I buy, games, etc. No television means none of the above. We do not have cable...we don't even have an antennae for televised reception, by George! Quite a different scenario now, huh? Yes, I am a bit of a stickler when it comes to what my
children "consume". And they are better for it. This is a very trying time for us. Perhaps no one appreciates it unless they know our value system here. But, this too shall pass, lol.
Please remember:
A to Z Recipes is an Honor System publication. Your necessary participation keeps the monthly minimum contribution set low and this publication possible.
Enjoy!
Ramblings...
Fear and Loathing on Valentine's Day
By T.W. Winslow, MomScape
Valentine's Day is just around the corner and, for many of us men, this is one holiday we could do without. Not because we're against romance necessarily, we just aren't very good at it. Of course there are exceptions to this rule, but for most of us men Valentine's Day is like a car wreck - something which we'd rather avoid. But like our annual tax bill, Valentine's Day comes once a year whether we like it or not.
Don't get me wrong, if we men were more capable in matters of the heart, I'm sure this would be a day we'd look forward to. But sadly, this usually isn't the case. Think of it this way; a man giving a Valentine's Day gift is much like him trying to hammer a nail blindfolded. Occasionally he'll hit the mark, but most often it will result in an unpleasant experience.
Each year we men struggle to come up with what we believe to be the perfect Valentine's Day gift. And more often than not, each year these offerings of love are met with less than wild enthusiasm from our partners. How were we to know such things as a new iron, blender, toaster, vacuum or dishwasher were not the ideal Valentine's Day gift? Or giving such things as a treadmill, aerobics video, or jogging outfit would not be interpreted as our saying "I love you" but rather, "Honey, your thighs look like cottage cheese." Maybe the women in our lives, rather than getting irritated and upset by our feeble attempts at romance, should simply take pity on us.
Perhaps we men have some strange genetic defect that hasn't yet been recognized by medical science. Or it might be Cupid's fault. Perhaps when he shoots his arrows of love at a couple he hits the woman's heart, but inflicts some sort of massive head trauma to the male involved. There must be some rational explanation for our lack of romantic flair. Why else would we men think the only purpose for candles is emergency lighting during power outages? That ambiance is some kind of bottled water? Or that loves notes are what we leave for our partners to let them know we are out of beer?
Men deserve sympathy, compassion, mercy and understanding, for when it comes to the fine art of romance, we men are sitting in our boxer shorts finger painting with our toes. So this year when you receive oven-mitts adorned with little red hearts or lingerie even a street walker wouldn't wear, don't get mad at the man in your life. Understand that he did the best he could... all things considered.
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Did You Know?...
Sending Flowers to a Man
Women love flowers. Personally, the times I have received them have been most memorable. At work, the looks from co-workers is priceless. But, guess what? I work around primarily men and they love receiving flowers, too!
Are there any rules for sending flowers to a man?
Well, not necessarily rules but a few things to keep in mind:
First of all remember that men love flowers. A survey conducted by the Society of American Florists showed that over 60% of men surveyed would like to receive flowers on Valentine's Day. Similar research has turned up the same information, so don't be shy.
Men are stimulated by color and are visually oriented. Research shows that men prefer vivid colors such as yellow, orange and red.
Most men prefer a linear style of design rather than a "fluffy" one. Tell your florist that you want to order flowers for a man and ask for specific suggestions. If the recipient has a hobby, perhaps you could incorporate that into the arrangement. For example, if the recipient is a golfer, tuck in a box of golf balls. If he is into cars, add an auto magazine or two.
Won't a man be embarrassed if I send flowers to him?
Men love to get flowers for the same reason they send them - to be recognized. Everyone likes to feel special. Be sensitive, though. Avoid sending traditionally "feminine" or pastel designs. If you are unsure what his reaction to the flowers will be, test the waters with a potted plant or dish garden.
Do men really like flowers?
Sometimes women are surprised to find out that men love flowers too, but florists have known this for years! Men have been sending floral gifts for decades. Turn about is fair play. Many men buy flowers not only as a gift but for their own homes and offices. It is not uncommon to see a bunch of lilies or tulips on a man's desk or in the foyer of his home.
What colors are good for a man?
Men respond to bright, vivid colors such as orange, red, purple, bright yellow and gold.
Are there styles that are more appropriate for a guy?
Flower arrangements that are contemporary, linear or natural styles are best. Other favorites include green or flowering plants. Your florist can offer creative suggestions for flowers that are sure to please.
Source: Society of American Florists
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Discussion Forum
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Subscribe button when you get there.
NOTE:
Maybe once you get to the site using the above link, you could add it to favorites. Links that are easy to find are more likely to be used again.
Next Monthly Theme...
Recipes For Romance
With Valentine's Day just around the corner, share with us those recipes you consider when preparing that special meal for your sweetheart. Is there a special beef or seafood dish he/she enjoys? How about that aphrodisiac to all...chocolate? Share your favorite recipes for romance with us, won't you? Now, here is the NEW set of rules:
A to Z Recipes continues with its popular Theme Issues. We will share theme recipes and post them on the first Sunday of each month. Send your recipes no later than the last Friday of each month to have them posted in the next monthly theme issue. You may send in TWO of your favorite theme recipes in ONE email. If the number of recipes exceeds those needed in the issue, the publisher will post as many from every submitter as possible and save the remaining recipes for the following Sundays of that month. The rules for recipe submissions for the monthly theme issues are the same as ALL recipes submitted for posting.
The rules are as follows:
As a service to your fellow readers, please send only recipes that are in a form that others could easily copy and save for their own use. Recipes that would require a lot of editing or cleaning up or use non-standard measurements should not be submitted. Recipes without a name and location of sender may NOT be posted or posted without any credit given. There will be NO recipes posted that are from other recipe-zines. A to Z Recipes protects the privacy of its readers and does NOT publish email addresses. There will be no exceptions.
The deadline for February's theme issue is Friday, January 30th.
Theme recipes must have subject: "Recipes for Romance" and will be posted on Sunday, February 1st.
As usual, only recipes are to be sent to: A to Z Recipes Inbox
Click here to submit an item for posting in this section.
Crazy Corner...
101 Least Loved Conversation Hearts
HARD UP
TOO TINY
NYET = NYET
SHOO
U SMELL
ART DORK
DIE ALONE
NO PUBES
KISS OFF
AMSCRAY
ICKY BOD
CALL 911
KILL PREZ
IT'S OVER
1000x NO
SHOVE IT
RUG BURNS
DUMB ASS
R-U NUTS
BITE MOI
CAMEL TOES
YOU OAF
NO BALLS
ELECT ME
BIG BORE
HELL BOY
BROKE HIP
URA ZERO
BUTT OUT
LIKE HELL
TESH TOY
GOT FLAN
I'LL MACE
GET REAL
I H8 LOOP
EAT LEAD
F U
PISS OFF
OVER DOSE
SUU EEEE
DS9 BUFF
R U DONE
SHAVE BACK
FAL ICK
JAIL BAIT
NO BLOOD!
NERTS!
A+ LAMO
NO HOPE
I I I I
GO AWAY
DON'T TUCH
TOO SHORT
U-R SICK
WANT FRIES?
I'M GAY
FEAR ME
GET OUT
PEACH FUZZ
KEWL
YODA MAN
NO BUTT
I'LL HURL
GOT CRABS
NOT NOW
NOT EVER
DISCO
IT'S OFF
NO NECK
GET A PIMP
WRONG
U-R DEAD
SCAT
IN-BRED
CUT ONE
GET REAL
EAT LEAD
PISS OFF
WAKE UP
HO HUM
TOO FAT
PIZZA FACE
FIX TEETH
TRY SOAP
DRY UP
NICE LISP
WASH OUT
I'LL DUMP U
GET OFF ME
STEP OFF
BAD HAIR
FISH
I'LL YELL
TWAT ROT
FOR SALE
ZIP FLY
I QUIT
KILL ME
DEVO FAN
GO NOW
AS IF
David Letterman's 1995 Top Ten Signs
No One Wants To Be Your Valentine
10. Phone sex operators keep hanging up on you
9. FOX is starting a new show about you: "America's Least Wanted"
8. You get a heart-shaped box filled with angry hornets
7. The babes just don't seem to go for your home-made Star Trek uniform
6. You're taking private tutorials with Jocelyn Elders
5. You have one of them handsome Ito beards--and you're a woman!
4. The last time you got laid was during the Eisenhower administration
3. You spend your vacation chasin' lizards
2. The Pope asks you for tips on celibacy
1. You ain't a Gingrich, but your nickname's "Newt"
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Amazon.com Valentine's Day e-Cards!
Special Valentine's Day cards for him and for her, and for anything in between; and left to it; and right. Amazon.com not only lets you send these cards for free, you can also attach a gift certificate for your Valentine.
FREE Valentine's Day Cards
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Your Favorites...
PEANUT BUTTER CHOCOLATE CHIP BUNDT CAKE
~Sent in by Ann, FL
soft butter
1/2 cup finely chopped peanuts
1 box (2 layer size) yellow cake mix
1 package instant vanilla pudding mix (3 3/4 ounces)
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 1/4 cups water
4 eggs
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup coconut, optional
Generously butter a 10-cup bundt cake pan with the soft butter. Sprinkle the finely chopped peanuts in pan; shake to coat entire buttered surface.
In a mixing bowl beat cake mix and pudding mix, oil, water, and eggs until well blended, about 4 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer. Beat in the peanut butter. Pour about 1/3 of the batter into the pan; sprinkle with a layer of half of the chocolate chips and coconut. Repeat. Pour remaining batter into the pan and bake at 350° for about 55 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.
Cool cake in pan for 10 minutes then turn out onto rack and cool thoroughly.
LAURIE'S DUTCH BURGERS
~Sent in by Shirley, WA State
These are very juicy and taste great but very different than the run of the mill kind.
2 lbs of good ground beef
1 med onion diced fine
1 med white potato, grated
2 eggs
4 T. oat meal
salt and pepper
2 T. brown sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
Mix together well and shape in med. thick burgers. Fry or barbeque. Serve in buns with lettuce, and Tomatoes.
CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE
~Sent in by Linda, CA
Crust:
1/3 cup butter, melted
1 1/4 cups chocolate wafer crumbs
Filling:
3 packages (8 oz. each) cream cheese, softened
1 can sweetened condensed milk (Eagle Brand)
8 squares semi-sweet chocolate, melted
4 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
Directions
Crust:
Combine butter and chocolate wafer crumbs. Press into the bottom of a 9" spring form pan.
Filling:
In a large mixer bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Add sweetened condensed milk and beat until smooth.
Add chocolate, eggs and vanilla and mix well. Pour over crust.
Bake for 1 hour 5 minutes at 300 degrees F. Cool to room temperature and then chill until serving.
RED BEAN CHILI
Serves 4-6
~Sent in by Elaine, MO
2-16 oz. cans red beans
1 lb. ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1-2 Tbs. chili powder (or more)
1-16 oz. can tomatoes
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. vinegar
1 cup water
In a large saucepan, cook beef until it loses red color; but does not brown. Add onion, garlic, chili powder and cook stirring occasionally 5-10 minutes. Add tomatoes which have been mashed, red beans, salt, sugar, vinegar, and water. Simmer 30 minutes or longer. This can be a quick meal, but flavor improves if there is time to cook the chili slowly for an hour or so.
BAKED SMOKED CHEDDAR CHEESE DIP
~Sent in by Treva, in the beautiful mountains of NC
1 (10-inch) round loaf of Italian or sourdough bread, hollowed out
1 can artichokes, chopped
1 cup or more smoked cheddar, grated
1 & 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 cup light mayonnaise
1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
1 small onion, grated, chopped or shredded
1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Tear soft bread into pieces and save lid.
Mix all remaining ingredients and place mixture into bread bowl. Replace the lid
and bake about 1 hour and 15 minutes at 350 degrees, or until bubbly.
Serve dip with bread pieces.
Note:
Cover bread with foil tent to avoid burning.
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Heart Healthy...
SKILLET STEAK IN WILD MUSHROOM
AND ROASTED GARLIC SAUCE
6 servings
16 cloves garlic, unpeeled
4 teaspoons olive oil
coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 pounds top sirloin steaks, boneless, trimmed of fat
1/2 pound wild mushroom, (chanterelles, cremini)
2 tablespoons Scotch whiskey
1 cup defatted beef stock
2 teaspoons potato starch, or arrowroot, mixed with a little stock
2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Place garlic cloves on a large piece of aluminum foil, drizzle with 2 teaspoon olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Fold edges of foil over garlic and crimp to enclose completely. Place the foil packet in the center of the oven and roast for 30 minutes. Open the foil and roast for an additional 10 minutes, or until lightly brown and tender. Remove from the oven and let cool. Carefully peel garlic, keeping the cloves whole, and set aside. Dry steaks thoroughly on paper towels and set aside. In a large skillet, heat 1 teaspoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and saute quickly until lightly browned. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a side dish and reserve. Add 1 more teaspoon olive oil to the skillet and when almost smoking, add the
steaks without crowding the pan. Sear steaks quickly on each side until nicely browned. Season with salt and pepper, reduce heat and continue to cook, covered, for 3 1/2 minutes per side for medium rare. Remove steaks to a side dish and keep warm. Discard all fat from skillet, add Scotch and reduce to a glaze. Add stock, bring to a boil and reduce by a third. Whisk in just enough potato starch mixture to coat a spoon. Add the mushrooms, garlic and thyme and just heat through. Taste and correct the seasoning, adding a generous grinding of black pepper. Slice each steak crosswise into thin slices and place on 6 individual warm serving plates in a decorative overlapping pattern. Spoon sauce onto plate beside the steak and serve at once.
Nutrition Facts
Amount Per Serving: Calories 222 - Calories from Fat 89
Percent Total Calories From: Fat 40%, Protein 50%, Carbohydrate 10%
Totals and Percent Daily Values (2000 calories): Fat 10g, Saturated Fat 3g, Cholesterol 76mg, Sodium 190mg, Total Carbohydrate 5g, Dietary Fiber 0g, Sugars 0g, Protein 28g, Vitamin A 2 units, Vitamin C 4 units, Calcium 0 units, Iron 4 units
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For Two...
CHICKEN WITH POTATOES AND ARTICHOKES
1 serving
Preparation Time: 15 Minutes
Cooking Time: 40 Minutes
~Sent in by Jean, Syracuse, NY
3 small red or white potatoes
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 red onion
4 frozen artichoke hearts, thawed
1 large clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
4 pitted oil cured black olives, each cut in half
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon chopped flat leaf parsley
2 boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 2 inch pieces, about 1/3 pound
Parboil potatoes in salted water until tender; set aside. When cool, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces. (You may want to double the potatoes for use in another recipe.) Sprinkle chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in sa saute pan over high heat. Add chicken pieces and brown well on all sides. Remove chicken from pan and set aside. To remaining oil in the pan, add onion and saute over medium heat for 5 minutes. Return chicken to onions in pan, add artichoke hearts, garlic, and stock. Bring to a simmer, cover pan and cook over low heat until chicken and artichokes are tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Add potatoes and loves and heat through. Season with salt, pepper and lemon juice to taste. Sprinkle with chopped parsley.
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PLEASURES ESTEE LAUDER MEN 1.7 oz COLOGNE SPR
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