Sangria Saturday. And Sunday.

We had a little BBQ yesterday, on one of the few super-hot days we've had all summer. I've vowed to not complain about the stifling heat, since we've been cheated out of a real summer this year (more whining about that here) - so instead, I made Sangria. Problem solved.

I adapted this recipe from one I found on Epicurious, because unfortunately my gathering didn't require a 2-gallon barrel of party punch. I couldn't help but toss in some seasonal fruits, too.

Sangria

3 liters red wine (I bought two 1.5 liter Costco-sized bottles of Shiraz)
3/4 cup brandy (I used Apple Jack)
1 quarts orange juice
1 cups lemon juice
1/2 cup superfine sugar
1 quart chilled club soda
2 oranges
1 lemons
2 limes
2 plums
1 pint blackberries (Hey, why not?)

Pour the wine and brandy into a large punch bowl, or a couple of large pitchers. I used two big glass containers with lids. Stir orange and lemon juice with the sugar until sugar has dissolved. Then add to bowl/pitchers and stir to blend. Add soda, thinly sliced oranges, lemons, limes, plums and blackberries. I let the mixture sit in the fridge for a couple hours, then ladled it out and served it over ice.

Bye summer. Thanks for stopping by. Briefly.

XOXO PDX

Sometimes work and pleasure overlap, and when they do, it gets posted on the blog. Those are the rules. I made them.

I recently did an interview with Liz Crain, who wrote a little book called the Food Lover's Guide to Portland. Besides making me wish that I'd been clever enough to think of the idea myself, she's a real peach, and was really fun to chat with. Stroll over to Powells.com to read our conversation.

Kitchen Mini-Makeover

I don't know about you, but every couple of months I go through a phase where I loathe all of my material possessions. I despise my wardrobe, glare at my furniture and sometimes make drastic, regrettable hairstyle decisions. Since it's not in my best interests to trade in all my stuff every time I get into one of these tizzies, I throw myself a small bone. Today it was a some kitchen pick-me-ups: some summery pot holders, pretty dish towels and wooden utensils. All of it for under $10, courtesy of those clever Swedes.