The Italian National Drink: Limoncello!

Hi Everyone,

This week, I have started my batches of Limoncello and Arancello.  I thought it might be fun to show you how this works.  It will be in two segments.  First, the prep and the beginning of the process, as the Grain Alcohol begins to absorb the lemon (or orange, as the case may be).  Second will be the finishing off and bottling. 

 

The process takes two weeks for the initial soak of the skins in the Grain Alcohol, and then one more week as the sugar water (called Simple Syrup) is added and the finishing happens before it is bottled.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anyway, here goes:

 

First, it is very important that you use the freshest possible produce.  Here in Rhode Island, I am very confident in the fruit at Confreda Farm, as they are the local Farmer's Market and also have two wonderful farms of their own. Be sure to get fruit with thick peels, as this will help as lot in the process.  You will need about 15 lemons or oranges for each 750 ml of Grain Alcohol.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wash produce, in case there are any residual pesticides on the skins, as this is what you will be using in your Lemoncello or Orangecello.  Drain the fruit in a collander. 

 

 

 

Next, using a potato peeler that has a very sharp blade (be careful!), peel the fruit, being careful to get as little as possible of the "white" of the peel portion as is possible.  A lot of "white" will make your limoncello or orangecello bitter, and you don't want that.  So, what you are looking at is like citrus zest, but in peeled sheets, as in the picture.

 

 

Put the peeled lemon or orange skins into the jar with the 750 ml Grain Alcohol.  Cover tightly and place in a cool dark place for two weeks, so that the lemon or orange will infuse well into the alcohol.

NEXT TIME (IN TWO WEEKS): The second part.

Now before I leave you for this time, let me say a word about the fruit.  As I said above, you only use the skins in the Limoncello or Arancello.  So, what happens to all that lovely fruit???  Well, what I do is borrow my sister's fruit juicer and run the fruit through it, after taking all the "white" off-- see picture.  This will make the most delicious orange juice or the most beautifully pungent lemon juice that you have ever tasted!  So, as with most Italian recipes, nothing is wasted!

 

Back at ya' in two weeks with part 2!
Till then,
Take care and be happy,
Barbara

 

Father's Day

Hi Everyone,
Father's Day was a warm, sunny and enjoyable day for us.  We went to George's in Galilee, RI.
It was great.  They have sushi and sashimi on the menu, which I wasn't sure would happen, but was delighted to see.  My nephew, Shawn works there, but Sunday was just too crazy to have him stop by the table.  But anyway, the meal was great, Shawn!
Here's a photo taken of us on the deck.  And by the way, there is a Narragansett Summer Ale, which is what they are holding in the picture.  Gives a whole new definition to, "Have a 'Gansett!"  Didn't have one myself, but they said it was fantastic.

Happy Father's Day to Roger and all the wonderful Dads out there!
Take care,
Barbara

Rhode Island diocese elects Nicholas Knisely to become 13th bishop

Rhode Island diocese elects Nicholas Knisely to become 13th bishop

Memorial Day and Sumnmer Flowers

Hi Everyone,
Memorial Day is a good time to remember the sacrifices of our men and women in the Armed Forces.  I am grateful that so many in my family have served in one way or another, and I am very proud to be in an extended military family.

The other thing that often happens on Memorial Day weekend, besides the race to get a beach pass to the state beaches, is you get all things together to add floral magic to your home and its surroundings.  This year, we were ready with the deck flowers, herbs and trees, and the new addition is the row of hydranreas (blue, of course!) that now go the length of our yard's edge with our neighbor to the east.

Enjoy, and go outside in the sun and plant something!!

Have a great day,
Barbara

The Cathedral of Saint John, Providence, Rhode Island

Hi Everyone,
Today, I would like to share with you that our wonderful Cathedral of Saint John has suspended its services, as of yesterday, after the 9:30 AM service.  We do not at this time know what is to come for the Cathedral itself.  That will await the next Bishop of Rhode Island.  But for the present, we experienced a very special time yesterday, with our congregation coming together for the last time for worship and fellowship.
I am including in this writing, a beautiful video of highlights of the Holy Eucharist, with a voice-over of the sermon, given by the Rt. Rev. David Joslin, out Acting Dean, as we look at some special moments of the day.  Many thanks to the sensitive nature of the press in its coverage, especially Alisha Pina, who was the journalist for this very fine piece.  And please take a look at this very special video from The Providence Journal.
With a grateful and sad but hopeful heart,
Barbara

The Cathedral of Saint John, Providence, Rhode Island

Hard Work but a Great Fundraiser!

Hi Everyone,

The children of the Cathedral decided some time ago that for the holidays, they would have a fundraiser, and use the proceeds to support the Episcopal Youth Camping Scholarship Program.  This will help young people who do not have the resources, to be able to go to camp.  It was a great idea, and they decided that they wanted to sell "Cookies in a Jar."

All our ingredients

Jars lined up and ingredients for cookies ready to go!

 

The fun part was that we MADE the cookie mix and filled and decorated the jars as well.  With the help of the ladies of Episcopal Church Women, we were able to fill and decorate over 200 quart Mason jars!  The recipes were found almost exclusively on www.AllRecipes.com .  Just search "Cookies in a jar."  And everyone who has made their cookies has told us that they were delicious.

Jars filled, labels with directions to make the cookies and fabric and yarn tops added

It was hard work, but not so daunting as to stop us from achieving our goal.  Because we bought all the ingredients and made them ourselves, the profit margin was a lot bigger than if we contracted with a company that makes these type of jars for fundraising.  We ended up selling the jars at a very reasonable cost ($5), and still made $500 to give the scholarship program, after ingredients were paid for.  The jars were also donated, so that helped a great deal.  If you try this, you will find that there are a lot of Mason jars out there in people's attics and basements, looking for a use.  Don't be afraid to ask people!

Orders ready to be delivered!

Have a great week!
Barbara

Ten Thousand Villages

Hi Everyone,
Today I am writing about a wonderful little shop in Garden City, not far from where I live.  There are many of them all over the globe.  This is a non-profit organization and this is a short quote from their website,  http://www.tenthousandvillages.com/ , about how it began:

The global fair trade movement began with the founding of Ten Thousand Villages more than 60 years ago through the visionary work of Edna Ruth Byler, a pioneering businesswoman. Byler was struck by the overwhelming poverty she witnessed during a trip to Puerto Rico in 1946, where she was moved to take action. The seminal contribution of Byler ignited a global movement to eradicate poverty through market-based solutions.

In this store, you can find a wide variety of artisan works, from jewelry to garden pots, to books to coffee, spicy hot chocolate and tea.  Each purchase supports a woman's business somewhere in a developing nation.  Here are some things that I have purchased there.

Bracelet from India



Necklace from India

Necklace from Guatemala

I also found a very pretty pot for my indoor garden.  It was made in Vietnam.

I found a very lovely tagine here also.  It is a vessel for cooking Morrocan dishes and is originally Berber.  You can make wonderful and tasty dishes in it, as you see from my cookbook.

There are many beverages which are made by businesses supported by Ten Thousand Villages.  All these businesses are engaged in Fair Trade principles.  Some of the beverages include a variety of coffee and tea, as well as one of the best spicy hot chocolates that I have ever tasted.  If you are familliar with the film or book, "Chocolat", you will know exactly what I mean!

Here is their brochure.  Find one near you or go online.  It is worth your time and buying power!

Have a great day,

Barbara