Halloween Caramel Corn, by cookbook author, Gina Meyers

Halloween Caramel Corn



½ cup of dark caro syrup
1 cup of light or dark brown sugar
1 cube of butter
½ teaspoon of baking soda
1 Tablespoon of Torani Flavored Pumpkin Pie Spice
½ teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

2  quarts or 8 cups  of popped popcorn

Optional: nuts and candy corns candies

Directions in a large pot, melt, butter, add salt, brown sugar and caro syrup, pumpkin pie spice (liquid) and stir till it bowls, stir. Turn off heat and add baking soda and vanilla extract, stir again. Next, add popcorn to the large pot and coat the popcorn. Next, have a cookie sheet sprayed with butter flavored spray and add the popcorn to the cookie sheet and press flat. Bake in a 250 degree oven, stirring occasionally, every ten minutes for thirty minutes. Allow to cool, and walla, Halloween Caramel Corn. Enjoy!

Mushroom Ravioli Recipe (EASY) with Papagni Cabernet Sauvignon Wine Pairing

Mushroom Ravioli

10 ounces mushroom ravioli or cheese-filled ravioli
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 ounces shiitake mushrooms, sliced
4 ounces button (table) mushrooms, sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup brandy
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
Salt and pepper
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Directions: Prepare ravioli according to package directions; drain. Next, over medium heat, pour olive oil in a skillet and cook mushrooms until tender. Add garlic and brandy, and cook for 2 minutes. Slowly stir in heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper. When cream has thickened, stir in 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese. Then, stir in cooked ravioli, and gently simmer for 1 to 2 minutes. Serve with parmesan, garlic bread, and salad. Makes 2 servings.
Excerpt from Love at First Bite, The Unofficial Twilight Cookbook, by, Gina Meyers

http://www.ginameyers.com

http://unofficialtwilightcookbook.blogspot.com/

Pairs well with Papagni Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013, buy here: https://papagniwines.com/buy-wine/2013-cabernet-sauvignon/

Our 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon is produced from grapes grown at the idyllic Olive Hill Vineyard in Sonoma. The cool ocean breezes that travel from the northwest through the vineyard combined with the gravelly loam soils creates a wine of amazing elegance and character showcasing lavish flavors of dark berry, sweet spice, cedar and tobacco followed by finely tuned tannins.

This hand crafted wine was bottled unfined & unfiltered after aging for 18 months exclusively in French oak.

750 ML

Valuable Lessons Learned from Les Brown

By, Gina Meyers


I'll never be broke again!

#1 Control over your life!
#2 Options
#3 Live a life of contribution

Accumulate wealth

You must be willing to do the things today that others won't do in order to have the things tomorrow that others won't have.

#1 Discipline
#2 Anything worth doing is worth doing badly until you get it right. You don't have to be great to get started, but you have to get started to be great!

Roaming Through Rome, but not too far from the beaten path, by, Gina Meyers

I'm on my way to Roma for the first time. Even the taxi driver, Jamie was warm to me, giving me a big hug and warning me about my purse, etc. "Be cautious with all of your belongings in Rome." I won't let anyone get too close, I assured him. I appreciated the sage advice and the trip to the SFO Airport. I gave him a $5.00 tip, he was so surprised. "Are you sure?" "Yes", I said. I'm looking at this awesome exhibit called Caticons. It's all about the fascination the world has with cats. Reminds me of how my cat actually sat, well laid in my suitcase as I was packing for Rome. It also reminded me of what my daughter said while I was packing, she was cuddling with our cat Salami. "Are you sure you give the cat enough attention?" "Ummm". Well I couldn't tell her the truth. Cat's don't need us, we need them, it's pretty simple. But of course, I didn't tell her that.

I just read at The Cat Art Exhibit how the Chinese created stories, lore about the cats ruling the world. But it didn't last, because the cats didn't care, much too busy chasing sun beams.

I also learned that in 1871 was the first cat show in London, England wow!

My gate A1 to Paris, Charles de Galle Airport is next to the Cathay Pacific Airline to Hong Kong. It amazes me how many non-Asians, I mean Caucasians are going to Hong Kong.

On the airplane

The boy in front of me has curly, wavy, hair, exactly like my son Lucas. They treat people so well on Air France, already a "moist toliette/real washcloth, face mask, pillow, blanket." I figured out how to watch the nose camera and see us take off from San Francisco, totally awesome, what made it even more special is this is the pilots' last day, he is retiring. Everyone was so complimentary, the flight attendants announcing in French and in English what a stellar career and pilot he is.

I'm a firm believer that you need to make time for yourself. If the people in your life discourage or don't allow this personal self-exploration, you need a "new person" (new term made popular by the TV Show, The Bachelorette), that's what happened to me about six years ago. I had to get a few new people on the team.

The applause for the retiring pilot was awesome. I had a cold chocolate fudgecicle on the airplane, good food on Air France. The boy in front of me looked like Lucas from the back, his hair all wavy and messy. I feel très  fatigue.


There is Guitar music player at The Charles De Galle Airport, and next to the young man playing is a child in a portable body pillow, it inflates into a bed, totally awesome, I took a picture.

Raining hard in Italy, at the FCO airport, on the Leonardo Express Train, debating how difficult it would be to get out my umbrella.

Spring Allegro playing at The Piazza del Papilo. Man dressed as a roman soldier said to me, "Shakira, are you ready?" He puts his hand out and he's wearing a red roman soldier outfit. I read about these guys in the Rick Steves Guidebook on Italy that my daughter gave me for my birthday this year. They charge a lot of euros to take photos with them, beware.

Lake Bolsera Vertova. Magarita Pizza for lunch, coconut pistachio gelato for desserts. Wonderful cheeses, bacon, olive oil, deli meats, pigs ass and two wines, San Giovese with 17% merlot, Arthea Franklin died today. Yes, Edwardo our Air B N B Experience at the Italian Deli showed us a picture of the pig's ass and had no shame in saying "Pig's Ass", after the white Italian glass of wine, I was repeating his tome and giggling.

Roaming in Rome, but not too far from the beaten path, with me, myself, and I. That’s plenty of people given I’m a gemini, LOL.

Colosseum
Framinia/Fracassini
2 toward Flaminio
Flaminio Stop Line A
M MEA towards Anagnina

Termini
MEB towards Laurentina
Colosseo

The street sellers sell water when it’s hot, when, it’s raining, they sell umbrellas and rain slickers, it’s as if at 3pm everyday, God cues in the rain!

Thoughts written on my Hotel Villa Glori four star hotel business card.

If you don’t like yourself, and you don’t like people, what’s the point?

Another random thought:
I loved the water spouts in Rome, no need to buy bottled water, simply I took my one bottle of water and replenished it whenever I needed more water, some days I just put a little water on the back of my neck, when it was getting a little warm, before God cued in the rain.

Cookbook Author Gina Meyers

Sicilian Style Sautéed Spinach

1 bag of whole leaf spinach, washed and dried
1 lime (juice of one lime)
1/16th of a cup of chopped pistachios
1 Tablespoon of olive oil
1/4 cup of chopped red onion
salt and pepper to taste

Directions: In a sauté pan, drizzle about 1 Tablespoon of  Olive Oil and place chopped red onion and cook for a few minutes while the onion sweat about three minutes on medium-low heat. Next, toss in   washed spinach leaves on top of the onions  and then drizzle a little bit more of the Olive Oil and squeeze the juice of one lime into mixture. With your spoon, continue to saute the spinach until the leaves wilt and add a dash of salt and pepper to taste. Finish the dish off with chopped pistachio or almonds.

For more recipes: http://www.ginameyers.com

Dream

Some people dream about how they want to live.
And some people live the dream. 

Photos by, KP Phagnasay, http://madproductionsentertainment.com/

Lemon Cookies

My daughter put this together and it is delicious. Just the right amount of lemony goodness!

Lauren's Lemon Cookies
2 eggs
1/2 cup butter
2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup of granulated sugar
pinch of salt
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
juice of one lemon
2 cups of flour

Directions: In a mixing bowl, blend all ingredients, with the exception of the flour. Once creamy, add the flour one cup at a time. If the batter is too sticky, add 1 tablespoon of flour at a time. With an ice cream scoop, scoop out lemon batter and form into balls at least 2 inches apart on a greased cookie sheet. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 10-12 minutes. Makes 2 dozen cookies.

Cookbook Author Gina Meyers

Stop the Madness: Signatures Needed ASAP, Keep Columbus Day as Italian Heritage Day, not Indigenous People's Day

If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area, please sign the petition to amend City Council's secret vote to rename Columbus Day to Indigenous People's Day.

Contact:

Today C.I.A.O. – the Coalition of Italian American Organizations held a press conference in Washington Square announcing the referendum campaign to reverse the Board of Supervisors’ ordinance which replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day.  C.I.A.O. Bay Area believes that one culture should not be chosen over another culture when there are ample days in a year to celebrate all cultures. 

We propose naming the second Monday in October Italian American Heritage Day which would restore the day commemorating the many contributions of the San Francisco Italian Community. 

The referendum campaign will seek nearly 20,000 signatures of San Francisco residents.  Deadline is March 9, 2018.

ASSISTANCE NEEDED:  Please help us gather signatures.  Pick up or request a signature packet from the SFIAC at415.781.0166 or 1630 Stockton Street, San Francisco, CA.  

Easy Chocolate Raspberry Mocha Cheesecake with Papagni Muscat & Papagni Alicante Bouschet

Easy Chocolate Raspberry Mocha Cheesecake

2 teaspoons of espresso powder
1 package of cream cheese, softened
2/3 cup of sugar
3 Tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
1 container of whipping cream
1 graham cracker pie or chocolate pie crust
1 pint of fresh raspberries, washed.


Directions: With an electric mixer, beat cream cheese, espresso powder, sugar, cocoa powder and vanilla extract, mix until smooth. Fold in the whipping cream, mix well. Spoon mixture into prepared chocolate pie crust. Refrigerate for three hours. Dust with cocoa powder or powdered sugar.

Pair your raspberry dessert with a 2011 Muscat from Papagni Vineyards. If you are in the mood for a red dessert wine, try Papagni 2003 Alicante Bouschet Dessert Wine.

2011 MUSCAT
WHITE WINE
"Our Muscat is pale straw in color with fresh floral aromas and just picked grapefruit. The palate is rounded, rich and sweet. The honey and apricot fruit flavors are balanced with a delicate acidity that keeps it fresh through to the lively finish. A lovely wine to pair with spicy Asian cuisine or serve after dinner with fresh fruit and angel food cake." ~ Demetrio Papagni 750 ML  ALC 12% BY VOL

2003 ALICANTE BOUSCHET (PORT STYLE)
DESSERT WINE
Our 2003 Alicante Bouschet is a sumptuous dessert wine. Rich and flavorful with a nose dominated by sweet, toasty black fruits and white pepper that carry through to rich, mouth -filling flavors with soft tannins and a very silky finish. Aged for 9 years in our cellars, this Alicante Bouschet is ready to drink now. Only 95 cases of this exquisite wine were produced. 750 ML  ALC 18.5% BY VOL

Congratulation to Papagni Wines for winning gold and silver at The San Francisco Wine Chronicle Competition: Visit Papagni Winery Today!
2016 Muscat of Alexandria  Silver

2015 Nero d'Avola             Bronze

2015 Cabernet Sauvignon   Gold

2015 Alicante Bouschet     Silver

2015 Pinot Grigio             Silver

Spice-Rubbed Salmon with Cucumber Relish & Capers & Pairs well with Papagni Petite Syrah Wine

Demetrio Papagni, proprietor of Papagni Wines

Spice-Rubbed Salmon with Cucumber Relish & Capers

The bold spice rub works well with rich-flavored salmon and would also be tasty on pork. Serve with an angel hair pasta, mashed potatoes or even a spinach salad.

1 Tablespoon of brown sugar
1 teaspoon of garlic powder
1 teaspoon of dried oregano
1 teaspoon of ground cumin
1 teaspoon of chili powder
1 teaspoon of paprika
½ teaspoon of salt, divided
¼ teaspoon of dried thyme
4 (6-ounce) salmon fillets, skinned
Extra virgin olive oil or Olive Oil Cooking Spray
2 cups of chopped cucumber
½ cup of chopped red bell pepper
¼ cup of chopped onion (red preferred or white onion)
2 Tablespoons of chopped fresh mint
1 Tablespoon of capers
1 Tablespoon of cider vinegar.

Directions: Preheat the broiler. Combine first six ingredients, ¼ teaspoon of salt, and dried thyme; rub evenly over fish. Place fish on a jelly-roll pan coated with cooking spray. Broil eight minutes or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork. Combine ¼ teaspoon of salt, cucumber, and remaining ingredients; serve with fish. Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 1 fish fillet and about ½ cup of the cucumber relish)

Pairs well with Papagni Petite Syrah

2011 PETITE SIRAH
RED WINE
This generously proportioned rich and jammy wine has an exotic bouquet of black cherries accented with tobacco, black pepper, cocoa and anise. A touch of smoky oak rounds out the long and lush palate. Not a wine for the faint of heart! Pair it with roasted and grilled meats of all kinds, as well as pastas with bold red sauces. 750 ML ALC 14.5% BY VOL

Purchase Wine Here at Papagni Website

Make Kit is on a Mission, Mission Possible, Meat-Free Meals even Sir Paul McCartney is on a Meat Free Monday Campaign, For Immediate Release

For Immediate Release

Contact: Lauren Meyers

Lauren@makekitfood.com

Make Kit is Making a Difference

Young People on a Mission

A Mission for better health!

The power of young people on a mission, a food revolution really!

MAKE KIT’S MISSION IS TO MAKE EATING MEAT-FREE MEALS SUPER EASY AND TASTY.
WHY? THERE ARE ENORMOUS HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS
TO EATING MEAT-FREE AND PLANT-BASED, HOME-COOKED MEALS.

Even Sir Paul McCartney is on board: Paul McCartney Releases
New Short Film for 'Meat Free Monday' Campaign, Featuring Unreleased Song:
Listen here:Paul McCartney Meat Free Mondays Campaign

Make Kit grew off the back of NHS research that identified recipe kits as a solution to overcoming the barriers to a healthy diet; the perceived high cost of healthy food, lack of time to cook from scratch and lack of knowledge of healthy dishes. Our recipes are designed to overcome these barriers with:

• 100% good-for-you ingredients (at least 2 of your 5 a day, low in salt, sugar and saturated fats, and no additives or artificial ingredients).
• New, inspiring & delicious recipes you can easily create (or recreate) yourself by following a simple step-by-step recipe that helps build new skills in the kitchen.
• Our kits start at £4.20 per portion, that's everything you need to make a healthy, home-cooked meal in around 30 minutes without the planning, shopping or prep! Yes, please! 
• Up to 15% savings for office deliveries, by dropping your meals at work, just before you head home, we pass on savings in packaging and delivery to you. Get in touch with Justine's email to set this up.
• Our profits fund healthy eating programmes for families in need, making healthy eating accessible to all. 

Power To The Plants, book us on radio, TV, your next community event.
We would be happy to share a kit or two with you!
Find us on Facebook at:Make Kits Facebook Page

Renaming Columbus Day to Indigenous People's Day

Happy to report that our beloved Italian celebration has been renamed Italian Heritage Day and will be the second Sunday in October for our 150th year!

You may have heard the news. Two weeks ago, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted 10-1 to rename Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day. There was virtually NO public notice or opportunity for public discussion prior to the vote.

In my opinion, this is an attack on the Italian American Community. Everyone knows that Columbus Day is a day of Cultural Heritage and Celebration. Besides being 1/2 Italian, I am also 1/4 Sicilian and also 5% Sioux Indian. To rename a cultural holiday is ridiculous! I'm not going to argue about Columbus and how good or bad a person he was, History books are for that, but two wrongs don't make one right, I remember learning this from my parents. I'm 100% American and we may not be able to change the current wave of "righting wrongs", but we can stand up to discrimination!

What's next? Renaming St. Patrick's Day? Outlawing Saint Valentine's Day? Americans have the right to celebrate their heritage and everyone in their right mind knows that Columbus Day isn't about Columbus per se, it's about Heritage, celebrating for a day that "everybody can be Italian".

A couple of years ago, a private company renamed a National Landmark, the famous Awahnee Hotel. They changed it to:  The Great Majestic Hotel. There is nothing great about renaming landmarks or Federal Holidays in my book. Especially when it is done behind closed doors and without public acknowledgement.

If you are Italian or not, you should be upset over this. Politicians deciding without public input what to do. Turning an Italian Holiday into an American Indian Holiday without so much as a peep. What can we do to make a change for the better.
#1 Everyone should stand up to discrimination in whatever form it takes and call it what it is.
THIS IS DISCRIMINATION!

I would suggest calling your local representatives and telling them that you don't appreciate them making decisions about National/Federal Holidays behind closed doors.

The SF Italian Athletic Club is doing an excellent job of leading the charge in the efforts of the SF Italian American Community to make sure our local traditions and history are preserved.  

Valentine's Day Treat, Dessert and Papagni Wine Pairing, Easy Chocolate Raspberry Mocha Cheesecake

Easy Chocolate Raspberry Mocha Cheesecake

2 teaspoons of espresso powder
1 package of cream cheese, softened
2/3 cup of sugar
3 Tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
1 container of whipping cream
1 graham cracker pie or chocolate pie crust
1 pint of fresh raspberries, washed.


Directions: With an electric mixer, beat cream cheese, espresso powder, sugar, cocoa powder
and vanilla extract, mix until smooth. Fold in the whipping cream, mix well.
Spoon mixture into prepared chocolate pie crust. Refrigerate for three hours.
Dust with cocoa powder or powdered sugar.

Pair your raspberry dessert with a 2011 Muscat from Papagni Vineyards.
If you are in the mood for a red dessert wine, try Papagni 2003 Alicante Bouschet Dessert Wine.

2011 MUSCAT
WHITE WINE
"Our Muscat is pale straw in color with fresh floral aromas and just picked grapefruit.
The palate is rounded, rich and sweet. The honey and apricot fruit flavors are balanced
with a delicate acidity that keeps it fresh through to the lively finish.
A lovely wine to pair with spicy Asian cuisine or serve after dinner
with fresh fruit and angel food cake." ~ Demetrio Papagni 750 ML  ALC 12% BY VOL

2003 ALICANTE BOUSCHET (PORT STYLE)
DESSERT WINE
Our 2003 Alicante Bouschet is a sumptuous dessert wine. Rich and flavorful with a nose dominated by sweet, toasty black fruits and white pepper that carry through to rich, mouth -filling flavors with soft tannins and a very silky finish. Aged for 9 years in our cellars, this Alicante Bouschet is ready to drink now. Only 95 cases of this exquisite wine were produced. 750 ML  ALC 18.5% BY VOL

To purchase Italian Biscotti Cookies: Noni Julie's Biscotti Cookies
To order Papagni Wine: Papagni Wine For Sale