Tuesday, December 24, 2013

BBQ Sauce from scratch

This is Todd English's recipe:

1 T Canola Oil
1 cup of diced onion
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 1/2 c ketchup
1/4 c soy sauce
1 T sesame oil
1 T honey
1 T Apple Cider Vinegar
1 T Hoisin sauce
1 1/2 tsp fresh ginger, minced
black pepper

Heat oil in sauce pan over medium heat.  Add onion and garlic and cook for five minutes.

Add 1/4 c water and the rest of the ingredients.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat and cook uncovered for 10 minutes.  Stir.  Cool for 10 minutes, and then use immersion blender until sauce is smooth.

EAT!

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Merry Christmas

It is no secret that I celebrate Rosh Hashana, Passover, Purim and Hanukkah.  I am tired of people trying to "secularize" Christmas.  It is CHRISTMAS!  It is a CHRISTMAS TREE!  People hang Christmas lights!  Santa doesn't visit our house, and we are okay with that.

Recently I went to American Girl to buy my niece a gift card for Hanukkah, and the sales person asked "Is this a holiday gift?"

I replied "It is a Hanukkah gift."

She hands me a gift card that says "Merry Holidays."

I politely returned the gift card and said I would take a plain one with no holiday greeting.  The saleswoman said that this happened alot.  I said that no one wishes anyone a Merry Hanukkah or a Merry New Year, and that Merry belongs with Christmas.  I am fine with getting the generic gift card.  But don't try to stick me in the Merry box.

Last year and this year we sent "Happy Holiday" cards because I can't order half Hanukkah and half Christmas photo cards.  To me, Happy Holidays is secular.  We make sure we don't get trees, reindeer or Santa on the cards.  Usually a generic winter theme covers it for me.

People ask me if I am offended by receiving a Christmas card. . . . nope.  Of course, I appreciate the Happy Hanukkah cards my friends send (and I know for many of them I know that I am one of the few Hanukkah cards).  However, I appreciate the card. . . . I love receiving mail and I love seeing my friend's families on the cards.  I hang the Christmas cards right next to the Hanukkah cards. 

Please don't wish me a Merry Hanukkah.  :) Please pass the latkes and apple sauce.   And for dessert I will have a Christmas Jo Jo from Trader Joe's.