Up 20

"Up 20" is Hamburg, Germany's most exclusive bar.  Numerous locals mentioned we should try this place for the best views of the Harbor. It is located at the Lundenbuchen stop on the S or the U train or make your way there by ferry. It is located on the top of the 22nd floor of the Empire Riverside Hotel.  It opens at 6 pm nightly, arrive early as there is always a line waiting to get in. It guarantees the most spectacular floor to ceiling views of the Elbe River and the Hamburg Harbor. The drinks are pricey but the view is worth it.  Although Hamburg is a very industrial city and the daytime views are such, at night the view becomes mesmerizing.

Chocolate Covered Pretzles

For my fall hostess gifts this year, I made chocolate covered pretzels.  I  melted good quality chocolate in a double boiler and then drizzled it on to the pretzels. I added a sugar leaf to the center to make them more fall- like, using chocolate as the glue.  Then I put them in a cellophane bags, added a tag (from Celebrations at Home's blog) and tied them with large bows in orange, lime green  with polka dots and yellow with white stripped ribbon.  I put them in baskets filled with raffia.


MY TIP:  Make sure you have the approximate number of pretzels for your gifts. I used Snyder's large Sourdough pretzels.  Although there are a pound of pretzels in each bag, I found that there were only 5 or 6 whole pretzels that could be used in each bag.  Since I made 6 of these up it took me 6 bags!

Kale Chips not to be confused with Real Chips!

So lately, my husband has been on a" health kick"--definitely an oxymoron but very good for him!  I have always prided myself in our family as the "healthy eater".  I never drink pop, (okay,  maybe once or even twice a year I will have half a glass); I rarely eat fast food (unless stranded on a highway being famished!); I rarely eat sweets (except for the right before Halloween (for some strange  reason I crave a candy bar) and I love, did I mention  LOVE veggies.  But as I mentioned my husband is on  some crazy "diet" that he frequently tells me is not a "diet" but a "lifestyle change".  Apparently he read an article on Bill Clinton (please note, he is a staunch, did I mention a staunch Republican who is agreeing with a Democrat, perhaps there is hope for our government!) diet change since his heart attack.  So I have been eating tons of quinoa, buckwheat, barley, hummus and lentils. Are you saying a collective YUM????  (And please do not stop looking at this blog!) So I decide to enter this field of cooking... as the good, supportive, loving  wife that I am...and I discovered a recipe that had great reviews----Kale Chips.  Now if you have read my blog before, you know that I don't like Kale, in fact my Kale salad recipe even omitted Kale!!.  But I believed the reviews.  They told me THESE  kale chips taste like potato chips.  I was in.....


 I read  200 reviews on how to make these with everyone's suggestions for the perfect chip.  So onward....

A very simple recipe  (YEAH!)

Kale well rinsed and well dried
A scarce bit of olive oil
Roasted on a baking sheet for 12 minute at 340 degrees.

Ahh, perhaps I have been eating too healthy lately and forgot how real chips tasted or perhaps 200 people were wrong and real chips taste crunchy, salty and oily in a good way. Sorry, but I will continue to eat real chips in a moderate. yet unhealthy way!

Grilled Pork Chops

Grilled pork chops are perfect for backyard bar-be-ques because they take so little time to cook, which means you have more time to spend with your guests!

Pork Chops (3/4 inch thick)
1/4 cup Olive Oil
Basil to taste
Rosemary to taste

Marinade the pork chops over night in the oil and seasonings.  Grill on direct medium heat for 3-4 minutes each side.

MY TIP:  I use a timer.  It is extremely important to not overcook the pork, even just 1 or 2 extra minutes will make these tough.

Kale Salad minus the Kale

I know the following will sound like a really weird food combination, but for some strange reason these flavors work together.  There are no specific amounts of ingredients for this salad.  Just  throw together lima beans, yes I said lima beans, carrots, grape tomatoes sliced in half, blueberries, sunflower seeds and peanuts.  Then toss lightly with raspberry vinaigrette.  You can also add fresh kale, hence the name "Kale Salad", but I am not a fan of kale, the texture is too tough for me. I instead laid the salad on top of some lettuce, that my husband grew.  I did this for purely looks as I love salads and vegetables, just not lettuce.  I think you will find this to be, fresh and crunchy and definitely a different take on salad!

MY TIP:  You can find lima beans in the frozen food section.
MY OTHER TIP:  You can freeze the sunflower seeds for up to 6 months.

I love to entertain!  But I do agonize over the theme and type of food--there are so many choices!  I spend hours perusing cookbooks to find the perfect recipe, whether it's going to the library for cookbooks, or going though the too many books I own or stalking the internet for great reviewed recipes!  But my favorite part of entertaining  is setting the table.  I don't know why that is --perhaps, it the final part of my vision or just the excitement  that the event is final here.  For me I love putting the final touches on an event!  I want my guests to feel special.  It doesn't matter if it is for 300 guests or just four, the same consideration goes into both!

MY TIP:  I always set the table the night before, that way if I am not happy, I have a few hours before the event to make any necessary changes.