Pocono Mountains

passing by a frozen lake 

it snowed



and snowed some more




we finally  experienced some winter
scene from our window



gotta bring in some red sunshine to counter this cold predicament

tuna and tomatoes got involved

Mussels for free or so I thought

We use to do this easily when he was a toddler, but he is growing too heavy and too tall,  too fast.

While strolling and playing  down the shore with my little one, I stumbled upon a bunch of mussels rolling to and fro the beach with the waves. I inspected it and soon realized, the mussels were very much alive. I was so sure the shells will steam up nicely with my leftover white wine, ginger, garlic and onion. I picked the bunch up and headed towards the lifeguard chair where my son decided to climb on to. I stared at the bunch and contemplated the possibility of a free lunch care of Mother nature. I washed the bunch and fed them some cornmeal, thinking they'd spit out the sand they've acquired from all the rolling they've done on the beach. I thought they're smaller than the usual mussels you can get at market. Smaller means sweeter. I decided we'll have them for dinner instead so I could give them more time to relax in their spa of a cornmeal bath. Finally cooked them, and ooh....the aroma of ginger sweating in the white wine almost made me cry. If this dish were a success, I would be so proud of myself for foraging a meal. The moment of truth came. I tasted one mussel and yes, it was plump, sweet, and OHHH so delicious. The broth spiked with white was equally sumptuous. Unfortunately, I guess, these mussels have rolled too long from the ocean floor to the shore that it is impossible to  totally get rid of the fine sand from it's folds, nooks and crannies.


 



The cluster of mussels that did a lot of rolling on the sand



                                        



Washed and cleaned



Corn grits spa



Cooked in  white wine, fish sauce,  ginger, garlic and onion





So I picked some herbs and chili leaves and...

...made chicken tinola  for dinner instead



Mussels were a disappointment, but we had fun!

Granitas

Ahhh...granitas. Eating this in winter gets me excited for the coming spring, and then summer. I relish every crystal bite and let it melt in my mouth. How wonderful to eat a simple form of "icecream" and not feel guilty about gaining pounds. Any fruit that graces our fruit basket gets a chance to become a granita.

                                                               Avocado granita

                               Blueberry  granita

                              Peach-pear granita

               Blueberry granita