Looking for a Sophisticated S'Mores Surprise?

Looking for an Exotic S'Mores Treat?

Try Green Tea & Dark Chocolate

By Cal Orey

“If you are cold, tea will warm you; if you are too heated, it will cool you; if you are depressed, it will cheer you; if you are excited, it will calm you.”
--William Gladstone, British Prime Minister

It's the day after Fourth of July and I'm feeling a bit under the weather... I'm sure it's due to the invasion of the Dark Seekers aka "tourists" and the potential of a double dip recession-depression. But it won't be like a second scoop of ice cream and make me feel happy. I now get it. I think the Depression was called just that because it's depressing to lose your stuff.
But hey, life goes on. Last night I heard the fireworks display at Lake Tahoe as I sat sandwiched in between Simon and Seth, my two Brittanys, and we watched a marathon of Nurse Jackie, a new edgy program. (It's tradition to stay with my dogs on this hectic holiday. I act like the loud bangs are normal and the pooches act like it's normal.) Speaking of double dip and happy times, I did try a cool S'Mores treat. Since it was warm indoors, it seemed silly to go for the Classic recipe by warming up hot chocolate and marshmallows on graham crackers. Instead, I used cold green tea ice cream. Chocolatiers create amazing concoctions with dark chocolate and teas. It's awesome.
Here's the healthy concoction. Try it. It may make you forget that yeah, the world is still in the red.

Green Tea & Dark Chocolate S'Mores

1 or 2 graham crackers, low-fat, whole grain

1/2 cup green tea ice cream

dark chocolate chips, 60%-70% cacoa (Ghirardelli)

Forget microwaving the chocolate chips. The crunch is a good stress-buster. Break the cracker in half. Spoon ice cream on one half. Sprinkle dark chocolate chips over it. Top with the other half of the graham cracker. This is a healthier version of the fun kid's summertime treat. Plus, enjoy a large cup of iced chamomile tea (spiked with apple cider vinegar which can calm your nerves or green tea for a boost of feel-good energy--it contains caffeine). If possible, get all of these foods and teas at your health food store or section at the supermarket.

Meanwhile, I've been getting some reports via personal emails and on my Web site http://www.earthquakeepi-center.com/ -- regarding how some cats and dogs are going bonkers. It's post-Fourth of July pet jitters--and the loud bangs go on. Simon is barking. Countless critters, like my Brittany and me, don't enjoy loud sounds--it's a novelty we'd likely pass on. If they're feeling stressed out, give 'em their fave premium treat. And you? Savor a green tea and S'mores treat with a taste of sophistication.

Strawberry Shortcake Surprise: Vinegar 'n' Chocolate

Strawberry Shortcake: Balsamic Vinegar & Chocolate

by Cal Orey

One must ask children and birds how cherries and strawberries taste.

--Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

It's Monday afternoon and while I'm at the computer working hard for the money, I'm in the mood for something sweet, something fun, something healthy... I've had Strawberry Shortcake on my mind for a while. So, yesterday, I decided against making homemade biscuits like mom used to bake (yes, the writer is busy writing) but that didn't stop me from getting the other right ingredients to make up one of my fave and kind of healthful dishes. And this time it's got an European twist to it with a gourmet touch.

This dessert reminds me of several years ago. I traveled to British Columbia with a boyfriend and ordered this at a restaurant. I was smitten by the old-fashioned treat (more my compatible match than my gentleman friend). Once back in the SF Bay Area, again, I lived on Strawberry Shortcake--it was a phase... I also recall visiting an awesome fish aquarium in Canada. It was the highlight of the trip (for me). The Shortcake came in second.

Off topic, sort of and sort of not. Yesterday, at Lake Tahoe I switched swimming spots (no, not the Lake) due to the coming invasion of the tourists. Read: See I Am Legend. The visitors remind me of the spooky Dark Seekers. But to keep sane, rather than going against the flow of strangers, I'm trying to learn how to go easy with it all. Speaking of swimming, my poor fish (yep, another noname one passed and went to fish heaven). So, I cleaned the aquarium, got new fish plants (and fish) and I am sensing all is good. My boys (I'm assuming) are swimming and lovin' it.

And if you swim regularly like I love to do, yes, yes you can savor a surprise dish, like this one (even with the pound cake and whipped cream) on occasion, without packing on unwanted pounds.

Strawberry Shortcake Surprise

2 cups organic strawberries

1/2 cup balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon real maple syrup

all butter pound cake

real all-natural French vanilla ice cream and/or real whipped cream

dark chocolate shavings

Wash, slice berries. Put aside. Warm up balsamic vinegar (saute or microwave). Cool and add syrup. Wait till it cools. Cut a few thin slices of pound cake. Top with plenty of vitamin C rich, anti-stress strawberries. Drizzle sweet balsamic mixture on berries. Top with a scoop of ice cream and/or a dollop of whipped cream. Garnish with dark chocolate shavings.

Comfort Food: Pasta, EVOO, Ice Cream & Balsamic Vinegar

Comfort Food: Pasta, EVOO, Ice Cream with Berries & Balsamic Vinegar

Today is Memorial Day but it doesn't seem like a holiday. It came too soon this year. Instead of the usual crowd of tourists and heat at Lake Tahoe, it is quiet. It is calm. It is like a quiet Monday. As usual, I hit the resort swimming pool and swam laps...the hot tub was hot and comforting, too.

The wildflowers and aspen trees, another comforter, are blooming everywhere I look. But the birds, my favorite Blue jays are scarce as are the nocturnal raccoons and I don't know why. New potted plants--basil, parsley, thyme, sage, mint--Boston ferns surround me and make me smile. And the Lake is not plentiful with boats and people--that is comforting, too.

The sky is gray. A thunderstorm and showers is forecasted. It's cool outside. Indoors I'm craving comfort food--wholesome fare with a Mediterranean flair. I whipped up hot pasta--the recipe is in my book The Healing Powers of Olive Oil--(page 229) Angel Hair Pasta with Diced Tomatoes, Edamame Beans, Basil, and Virgin Olive Oil, created by Chef Michel Stroot. (It was fun to use my own basil.) And yes, berries are still on my brain. Later, a scoop of all-natural French vanilla ice cream , topped with fresh and sweet blueberries and strawberries (like the memorable sounds of the Beatles' song Strawberry Fields Forever) is going to soothe my spirit and soul.

And last but not least, I'm finally going to make that fire (and cuddle up with the warm and loving Brittany duo) because it's chilly outside. Recap: A crackling fire, a bowl of berries with ice cream drizzled with a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar and garnished with a sprig of fresh mint (ah, the genuine comfort of having your own herbs outdoors) will comfort me (or you) along with a comfort movie or two.

Simple Salmon

Ah, seafood. Fish contains the omega-3 fatty acids (which are found in salmon), potassium, and only a small amount of sodium. And it's these ingredients that help keep your blood pressure in check during the ups and downs in life.

What's more, when you include heart-healthy vinegar, garlic, onions, and olive oil with fish, as in this fish recipe, you'll be on track to keeping a healthy heart.

I love this recipe because it's easy to make. It's simple as that. It's keeping it real. And these are the ingredients that help keep me petite--size 4 and 122 pounds--and healthy. Vinegar Bon Appetit!

P.S. Enjoying a 3 1/2 ounce serving of Simple Salmon with vegetables is the right road to allowing ample room to savor a plain but scrumptious dallop of French vanilla ice cream drizzled with balsamic vinegar. Remember, fine food is like a fine friend.

Simple Salmon

Marinate and Bake the Salmon in the Same Pan

6 filets, 6 ounces each 2 ounces olive oil
1 tomato, peeled, seeded, and diced 2 ounces red wine vinegar
4 ounces yellow onion, sliced 2 ounces dry red wine
2 ounces carrots, sliced 2 bay leaves
1 lemon, sliced into rounds 3 fresh thyme sprigs
2 cloves garlic, sliced 4 fresh tarragon leaves
8 ounces vegetable broth salt and pepper to taste

Place the 6 salmon filets in an oven-proof glass pan. Add all the other ingredients. Marinate for 1 hour in the refrigerator. In the ssame glass pan, cover salmon loosely with a piece of foil and bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees. When salmon is done, remove to a service plate. Strain liquid from baking pan and reduce to less than a cup using a whisk. Adjust seasoning and pour over salmon. Serves 6.
Recipe by Chef Salvatore J. Campagna

(from The Healing Powers of Vinegar, by Cal Orey)

Balsamic Vinegar with a Cool French Twist

Italian Balsamic Vinegar with a Cool French Twist

Balsamic vinegar as a treasured gift? Absolutely. Chef Sal Campagna, who is of Italian descent turned me on to an unforgettable anecdote. His parents were born in Sicily. And for their seventy-fifth wedding anniversary, Sal turned to Italian balsamic vinegar. It's true. A bottle from Modena (priced at $120 for 8 ounces) was part of the anniversary dinner package. At his restaurant, the former Salvatore's in the San Francisco Bay Area, which specialized in Continental cuisine, he provided an extravagant celebration dinner. For dessert, the creative chef drizzled the rich vinegar over French vanilla ice cream for forty people.

What's more, when he told me this story, I agreed to give the Italian treat a try. After my dinner at Salvatore's (salad with red wine vinegar and olive oil, French bread dipped in EVOO, grilled salmon with onion and garlic, and steamed veggies), I indulged in the balsamic vinegar decadent delight. And to my surprise, while it wasn't chocolate the Italian dessert was magnifico!

One more thing. To this day, I will treat myself to a scoop of gourmet French vanilla ice cream and team it with the balsamic vinegar gift that gets better with age--like charming homes, companion animals, men, and yes, women.