The Answer to Old Age

Many, many years ago while in Georgian Russia I was fortunate to be a small village called Tqvarch'eli just east of the Black Sea. I spent a month there working for Uncle Sam (another story) when I noticed that there was an extremely large population of seniors walking the streets. I was always under the impression that this harsh area was rough on the body. My interest peaked until one evening around a fire and much vodka later with some of the locals, I was enlighten to the village people's long life. I will share this with you so you will be able to try it for yourself. One proviso, you must like or at least tolerate garlic. If you don't like garlic I will send my little friend over to destroy your computer...just a little humor.

I have the recipe for all to try..

* 50-75 cloves of peeled garlic

* 1 cup of Extra virgin olive oil

* 1/2 cup Fresh lemon juice or Balsamic vinegar

* 1/2 teaspoon of Salt

* 1 teaspoon of Freshly ground or cracked black pepper

* 1 tablespoon of Herbs (oregano is nice or create your own mixture) I use an Italian Herb mixture

Start by peeling all that garlic. Now bring a saucepan of water to boil. Once the water is boiling, turn off the heat and drop garlic cloves into the hot water. Let sit in water for 3 to 5 minutes. ( use the shorter time if you like a sharper raw garlic flavor; the longer the time results in a much milder garlic flavor.) Remove garlic and plunge into (or rinse thoroughly with) cold water to stop the cloves from "cooking" any further.

Dissolve the salt into the lemon or balsamic vinegar. Now make a "vinaigrette" with the olive oil, vinegar or lemon juice, salt, pepper and herbs. Place garlic into jars and pour oil mixture to the top of the cloves. Refrigerate for a minimum of 1 week.

After 1 week, eat straight (or, for the faint of heart, slice up garlic and mix with you salad greens). Be sure to keep refrigerated. I don't know how long this will last in the refrigerator because I eat it up too fast.

Some of my Cape Estes residents have tried this and seem to enjoy with a favorite beverage. Until next time enjoy..

Etcetera, etcetera.....

Inital Posting

I have decided to begin my first blog with an informative wine selection for those who love wine the way Pat and I do. Rosenblum Cellars of Alameda, CA, 510-865-7007, www.rosenblumcellars.com has sent us three wonderful bottles of wine to enjoy.

They are as follows:

* 2006 Lyons Reserve Zinfandel, Napa Valley - Say hello to the new love of your life. This wine, as always, is an elegantly beautiful creation. Look for the elements of cracked black pepper, blackberry, and teriyaki beef jerky, along with depth and fortitude. This wine is a little pricey at retail of $45.00/750 ml bottle. (Club price of $32.00)

* 2006 Aparicio Zinfadel, Amador County - If pepper is your thing hold out you glass for this one. Black pepper, freshly cracked, mixes with dried black cherries, fig and vanilla. This wine retails for $25.00/750 ml bottle. (Club price is $16.00)

* 2006 England Shaw Syrah, Solano County - These beautiful vineyards sit on a hilltop 20 miles east of Napa Valley and are planted to a mystery clone of Syrah. Intense fruit that is wrapped in a satin blanket of lavender, smoked bacon, peppery spice, dark chocolate and soasted herbs. Retail price is $35.00//750 ml bottle. (Club price is $24.00)

If you are interested in becoming a member of the club you may contact Rosenblum Cellars directly and enjoy the different wines they have to offer. This is one winery that can ship to Texas without a problem straight to your door.

I sincerely hope you have enjoyed my first attempt at a blog.