With all of us self-isolating our thoughts, or at least mine, are concentrating on food and drink….I need to understand the obsession/hoarding of beans…..

Need some recipes (check the archives for past posts), okay, but I need you to share yours with me as well or no deal!!!!  Here are a of couple thoughts…..

NENA’s BLOODY MARY

In a tall glass pour as much Cucumber Vodka, or regular vodka, as you like…let’s not get carried away here…but….fill glass with Original V-8, 6-7 dashes Tabasco, and a squeeze of Mike’s Hot Honey (I told you I’d share how I use it!!!!! Here is use #1), stir.  Drink and enjoy.  Note…I’m not including ice, it dilutes the drink too much in my opinion.  Garnishes only if you want to.  I’m enjoying one while I write this.

DADDY’S BORSCHT 

I don’t think I have shared this before primarily because it is very special to me….but these are unusual times so why not.  Beware, there aren’t measurements here, I do a lot of recipes by taste, sorry Tommy, but here are the basics….adjust as you like.  Understand, most borscht recipes are family recipes. Serve with a banquette and a lightly dressed salad, if you wish.

Serves 1-2

2 cans Original V-8 (seems to be my go to…)

1 can shoestring beets or beet chunks with juices

6-8 beef meatballs homemade or frozen (if frozen bake first, I use frozen) do not do either raw must be throughly cooked and drain off fat before putting into soup

A few dashes of Angostura bitters

Maybe a “bit” of red wine…up to the cook (since I’m the cook what do you think!!!!!) .

Combine, heat to almost boiling….serve hot with a dollop or more of sour cream and fresh dill.

Taste and adjust accordingly.  If you want the exact taste you will have to come to Chez Ivon for dinner….

Double or triple….freezes well. Most  of all, enjoy.

WINE

My everyday wine of choice is Ménage A Trois, the red blend in particular and the white blend as well…but I’m a red girl, my new favorite white in a Sancerre, love it!!! Please no Chardonnay for me!  Almost out of wine and I’m uncomfortable with having delivery in cardboard am I becoming paranoid?  You know I do love my wine, am I whining…yes, yes I am.

We are in this together…so start sharing!