Creativity

"Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun." - Mary Lou Cook

Rose Petal Mesclun Salad
with Chocolate Balsamic Vinaigrette

I was at Surfas this weekend with my herbal buddy, Gail Herndon. We had a culinary adventure in each and every aisle there. We ate at their cute cafe and I had a Winter Salad with Chocolate Balsamic Vinaigrette. Oh my. In my garden, my mesclun lettuces are getting huge and they are screaming to me, "Try me!!". So I have to give Surfas the credit for this recipe. It also helped to be making Chocolate Brownies before you make the Vinaigrette.

For Dessert: Chocolate Brownies made with oil, water and eggs. Mix.

For Chocolate Vinaigrette: Before you add the eggs to the brownie mix, take a couple tablespoons and mix a splash of Balsamic Vinegar for the best tasting vinaigrette.

California Chicken-Rice-Ortega Soup
with Chardonnay

On a cold and rainy New Year's Eve in 2005 in Southern California, I made this soup. It turned out fabulous!!

2 qt. hot water
8 chicken bouillon cubes
1 c. Kendall Jackson Chardonnay
4 garlic cloves
3 grilled chicken breasts, minced
1 c. Green Ortega chilis drained
2 c. white rice, cooked

In a medium soup pot, add water and chicken cubes. Add chardonnay and chicken. Boil for a little while. Add garlic. Reduce to simmer. Add the green chilis and rice. Drink and get warm.

Makes 1 1/2 c. Dry tea:

1/2 c. Lavender blossoms
Y2 c. Rose Hips
1/2 c. Twinings Earl Grey Tea

Mix together and pour into a jar and label.

To make a qt tea:

Add 4 t. creativity tea to 1 qt French coffee press. 
Add I qt. Boiling hot water. 
Let steep 6-9 mins. Serve hot. @Armitage 2002