Caramelised Beef Lettuce Cups

Ingredients

• 4 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tbsp warm water
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 3 tbsp oil
• 400g sirloin steak cut into thin strips
• 1-2 tbsp grated ginger (approx 25g)
• 3 garlic cloves
• 4 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 stem of lemongrass (tough outer leaves removed)

• For the lettuce cups:

• Baby Gem lettuce
• Mint leaves
• Lime wedges
• Coriander
• 1 spring onion, julienned
• 1 red chilli, chopped

Method

1. To make the caramel add the brown sugar and water and lime juice together and heat in a pan until it turns into a syrup consistency.
2. Take off the heat and put to one side.
3. Next, in a pan or wok, heat the oil and fry the beef off in batches until golden brown and a little bit crispy.
4. Add the garlic, ginger and lemongrass, and mix well.
5. Then, add the fish sauce and caramel, reduce the heat to low.
6. Add the freshly chopped coriander, chopped red chilli and spring onion and stir well.
7. Lay the baby gem out on a plate, top with a few mint leaves followed by the cooked meat and sprinkle with spring onion, chilli and coriander.
izvor/ http://www.foodnetworktv.com

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Vietnamese Crab Omelette

Ingredients

• For the filling:

• 100g mixed crabmeat, brown and white
• 1 spring onion, finely chopped
• 8 stems of chives, finely chopped
• 1 garlic clove, chopped
• 1 or 2 birds eye chillies, finely chopped
• Handful perilla leaves, finely chopped
• Handful sweet basil leaves, finely chopped
• Handful saw tooth coriander or normal coriander, finely chopped

• For the omelette:

• 5 eggs
• 1 tsp grated palm sugar
• 1 tbsp fish sauce
• ¼ tsp shrimp paste
• ½ tsp toasted sesame oil plus extra for drizzling
• 1/2 baguette, cut into two pieces
• Vegetable oil for frying
• 25g melted butter or a little oil for griddling

Method

1. Combine together all the ingredients for the filling into a mixing bowl and set aside.
2. In a separate bowl, break the eggs, add the grated palm sugar, fish sauce, shrimp paste and sesame oil. Beat well and set aside.
3. Cut each baguette lengthways. Brush with a little melted butter or oil and lightly griddle until the griddle markings appear on the bread. Remove and set aside.
4. Heat the oil in a frying pan on a medium heat. Add half the egg mix and cook for 2 minutes. Add half the filling to the centre of each omelette. Fold the sides to make a parcel, turn over and continue to cook for a further 2 minutes until the filling has warmed through.
5. Remove from the heat and cut diagonally and place onto one of the baguettes. Drizzle with a little sesame oil.
6. Repeat the above for the second omelette.

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Slow-Cooked Tomatoes with Crème Fraîche on Toast

Ingredients

• 25g butter
• 4 plum tomatoes
• 120g crème fraiche
• A few basil leaves
• 2 slices of toasted sourdough bread
• Salt and pepper

Method

1. Take a pan, add the butter, season the cut tomatoes and cook very slowly on one side for around 10-15 minutes.
2. Spoon in the crème fraiche and bring to a simmer. Taste and season.
3. Chuck in the basil leaves and pour over the toast and serve.
izvor/ http://www.foodnetworktv.com

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Monkfish Curry

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons vegetable or groundnut oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1 red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 inch square ginger, grated
• ½ red pepper, deseeded and diced
• ½ yellow pepper, deseeded and diced
• 2 tablespoons Madras curry paste
• 400ml coconut milk
• 1 tablespoon mango chutney
• 1 lime
• 1kg monkfish fillet, skinned and trimmed and cut into large chunks
• 1 tablespoon fresh coriander, finely chopped plus a little extra for garnish
• Salt and black pepper taste

Method

1. Heat the oil over a medium heat. Place the onion, peppers and garlic into the oil and cook until soft. Add the ginger, chilli and curry paste and cook out for few minutes, continually stirring being careful not to burn the paste.
2. Pour in the coconut milk, stir well and bring to boiling point. Simmer for five minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Meanwhile, chop the fish into large chunks (they will shrink whilst cooking) season with salt and black pepper and then squeeze the juice of a lime over the fish pieces. Stir in the mango chutney and the fresh coriander into the sauce. Check for seasoning.
4. Carefully drop in the fish chunks and simmer for five minutes.
5. Serve over steamed Basmati or Thai fragrant rice. Garnish with finely chopped coriander and serve.
izvor/ http://www.foodnetworktv.com

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Gambas Pil Pil

Ingredients

• 50ml olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 1 red chilli, finely sliced
• ¼ tsp dried chilli flakes
• 1 ½ tsp smoked paprika
• 100ml dry sherry
• 50g salted butter
• 240g raw king prawns
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
• Juice of ½ a lemon
• Crusty bread to serve

Method

1. Heat a frying pan, and add the olive oil. Add the garlic, chilli, chilli flakes and smoked paprika and cook for less than a minute till the garlic starts to brown.
2. Add the sherry and bring to a boil reduce the heat and cook until reduced by half. Add the butter and melt.
3. Add the prawns and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until just cooked and pink. Add the lemon juice and parsley and season.
4. Serve with crusty bread to mop up all the delicious juices!
izvor/ http://www.foodnetworktv.com

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Baked Elderflower Custard with Blackberry Sauce

Ingredients

• For the Baked Elderflower Custard:

• 6 yolks
• 40g caster sugar
• 60ml milk
• 750ml cream
• 1 vanilla pod
• 150 – 200ml elderflower cordial

• For the Blackberry Sauce:

• 300g blackberries
• 30g icing sugar

Method

1. For the baked elderflower custard, place milk and cream into a pan and bring to the simmer. Add 150ml of the elderflower cordial into the hot cream. Cordials vary in strength, so the rest can be added to taste.
2. Cream the yolks and sugar with a hand whisk until they form a ribbon. Gently add the hot milk and cream. Skim off any bubbles. Pour into moulds and using a blowtorch knock out any last bubbles. Bake in the oven at 95 degrees for 30 – 45 minutes. (It should have a slight wobble in the centre).
3. For the blackberry sauce, place the blackberries and icing sugar in a food processor. Turn on until a smooth puree. Pass through a fine mesh sieve to remove any pips. To serve, sprinkle caster sugar over the baked custard and caramelise with a blowtorch. Serve with blackberry sauce.
izvor/ foodnetworktv.com

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Red Velvet Swirl Brownies

 

Ingredients

 

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, for pan

For the red velvet brownie layer:

• 1 stick unsalted butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• Pinch salt
• 1 tablespoon red food colouring
• 1 teaspoon vinegar
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 cup plain flour
• 1/4 cup chopped toasted walnuts

For the cream cheese layer:

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract

 

Method

 

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C.
2. Butter an 8 by 8-inch baking pan, and set aside.
3. Brownie layer: In a saucepan on medium heat melt the butter. Remove the butter to a large bowl and add the sugar, vanilla, cocoa powder, salt, food colouring, and vinegar, in that order, mixing between additions. Whisk the eggs in a small bowl and stir it into the cocoa mix. Fold in the flour until lightly combined. Stir in the walnuts and pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, saving 1/4 cup of the batter for the top.
4. Cream cheese layer: Blend together the cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla in a medium bowl. Gently spread the cream cheese layer on top of the brownie batter in the pan. Dollop the remaining brownie batter over the cream cheese layer. Using a skewer or the tip of a knife, drag the tip through the cream cheese mixture to create a swirl pattern. Bake the brownies for 30 minutes. Remove to a cooling rack and allow them to cool completely before cutting.
 http://www.foodnetworktv.com

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Chocolate Raspberry Biscuit Cake

 

 

Ingredients

 

• 250g pack digestive biscuits
• 25g icing sugar, sifted
• 150g dark chocolate, broken into pieces
• 100g unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing
• 75g pack Cooks' Homebaking Honeycomb Pieces
• 150g milk chocolate, broken into pieces
• 200g raspberries

 

Method

 

1. Place the biscuits in a large plastic food bag and roll with a rolling pin to crush finely. Mix with the icing sugar in a large bowl. Melt the dark chocolate with the butter over a gentle heat then add to the biscuits with 50g of the honeycomb pieces and mix thoroughly. Press firmly into a buttered 20 x 26cm swiss roll tin lined with baking parchment. Chill for 15 minutes until set.


2. Melt the milk chocolate in a basin set over a pan of simmering water (don't let the basin touch the water). Spread over the biscuit base and arrange the raspberries over the top, pressing them lightly into the chocolate. Scatter with the remaining honeycomb pieces. Chill until the chocolate has set then cut into squares. This cake improves with keeping for a day as the flavours develop.
http://www.foodnetworktv.com

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M'hencha Celebration Cake

Ingredients

• 350g whole blanched almonds
• 50g pistachios, chopped
• 380g icing sugar
• 400g unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large free range eggs
• 100 grams dried sour cherries, chopped
• Zest of one lemon
• Zest of one orange
• 1 tbsp rosewater
• 1 tbsp orange blossom water
• Pinch ground cloves
• 12 sheets filo pastry
• Extra butter, melted, for brushing

• For the Garnish:

• 2 tbsp extra pistachios, chopped
• Fresh roses/rose petals
• Pared zest of an orange and a lemon
• Icing sugar to dust

 

Method

 

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C. Take a handful of the almonds (about 50 grams) and toast them in a dry frying pan, until lightly golden, then add these along with the remaining almonds to a food processor and blend until they resemble breadcrumbs (but not quite as fine as packet ground almond – you want a little bit of texture)
.
2. In a large bowl mix together the butter and icing sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs and then stir in the remaining ingredients.

3. Cut the filo sheets in half lengthways so that you now have 24 rectangular sheets. Take two sheets, brush with butter and place one on top of the other.

4. Take the next two sheets, brush with butter and add to the short side of the first to sheets overlapping by about two inches.

5. Depending on how long your counter is you can keep going to make a long strip of pastry, otherwise you can make smaller ones and arrange them in the tin.

6. Starting about two inches in from the short edge and about half an inch in from the bottom of the long edge dollop or pipe the filling mixture all the way along the length of the pastry strip. Leave a two in gap at the end.

7. Carefully lift over the bottom edge and roll into a long cigar. Tuck the unfilled end underneath and then carefully roll it into a long coil. This goes into the oven for 35-40 minutes. Cool completely before stacking and garnishing
izvor/ http://www.foodnetworktv.com

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Steamed Vietnamese Mussels in Chicken Stock and Vietnamese Spices

Ingredients

 

• 4kg mussels
• 4 tbsp vegetable oil
• 4 bashed lemongrass stalks
• 12 lime leaves
• 3 large red chillies
• 15 Thai shallots, roughly chopped
• 4-6 tbsp fish sauce
• 2 pints chicken stock
• 4 spring onions, finely diced on a diagonal
• 3 tbsp palm sugar
• 50g galangal, julienned
• Vietnamese coriander
• Hot mint
• Saw tooth coriander
• Sweet basil

 

Method

 

1. Heat oil in a wok and add shallots and lemongrass to release their.
2. Next add the lime leaves and galangal, plus the palm sugar for a caramel sweetness.
3. Then add some stock and simply bring the stock to the boil and add the mussels.
4. Give it a good stir so the flavours are dispersed.
5. Allow the mussels to cook for about 3 to 5 minutes until they open. Don’t use the ones that don’t open.
6. Then finely chop some sweet basil and Vietnamese coriander and scatter and stir gently into the mussels and sprinkle with spring onions and crusty bread.
izvor/ http://www.foodnetworktv.com

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Lychee and Coconut Milk Panna Cotta

 

Ingredients

 

• 1 tin lychees
• 400ml coconut milk
• 2 stems lemongrass
• 250ml whipping or double cream
• 2 tbsp caster sugar
• 5 gelatine leaves
• Oil for greasing

• For the Lychee and Coconut Granita:

• 1 tin coconut milk
• Juice of a 565g tin of lychees
• Zest and juice of 2 limes

Method

1. Using a blender blitz the lychees along with the juice and put into a saucepan.
2. Add the coconut milk to the lychees. Bash the lemongrass to release their flavour and add to the coconut milk mixture. Bring to a gentle simmer then cover the saucepan and switch off the heat. Allow the lemongrass to infuse for half an hour or so.

3. Soak the gelatine leaves in a little water for five minutes until softened.
4. Strain the coconut milk and return the mixture back on a low to medium heat. Make sure you do not boil the mixture.

5. Add the caster sugar, cream and gelatine leaves to the warm coconut milk. Squeeze the gelatine leaves of excess water and before you add them. Continue to stir until all the gelatine leaves dissolves.
6. Remove from heat. Using kitchen paper, or a pastry brush very lightly oil the ramekin.
7. Pour the coconut milk mixture into the moulds.
8. Allow to cool before putting into the refrigerator. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or until set.
For the Lychee and Coconut Granita

1. Combine all the ingredients into a suitable container for the freezer. Freeze overnight. Once ready to serve, use a fork to break up the crystals and serve with the lychees and panna cotta.
 foodnetworktv.com

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Chocolate Pots

 

Ingredients

• 300ml Armagnac
• 250ml orange syrup
• Zest of ½ orange
• 300g prunes, pitted
• 450g 70% dark chocolate
• 2 earl grey tea bags
• 225ml milk
• 700ml double cream
• 4 egg yolks
• 100g icing sugar

Method

1. Start by mixing the Armagnac with the orange syrup and orange zest. Bring to the simmer and add the prunes. Leave to soak overnight until the prunes are fully plumped up.
2. To make the chocolate pot, melt the chocolate in a glass bowl over a pan of simmering water. Take care that the water doesn’t touch the bowl. Infuse the tea bags in the milk over a gentle heat until the flavour has been released, then take it off the heat and let it cool.
3. Bring the cream to the boil amd pour over the chocolate.
4. Beat the yolks and icing sugar together, pour over the infused milk, omitting the tea bags then mix with the melted chocolate and cream.
5. Take the pots or tea cups and place a few of the soaked prunes in the bottom. Pour in the chocolate mix and chill until set.
6. Serve with a prune or two more on top or some cream.
 http://www.foodnetworktv.com/

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Cheeseball Goblin - Southern Bite

Stacey

 

Here’s a fun little recipe that can easily be made into something ghoulish for your Halloween gathering.  Using the standard Ranch Chicken Cheese Ball recipe, we just added some plastic eyes, some fresh chives for hair and a green olive nose.  This yummy recipe has been a hit in my family for years.  Every time we take it somewhere, folks beg for the recipe.  It’s really delicious and great at any family gathering or party.  Happy Halloween Y’all!

Ingredients

• 2 – 8oz cream cheese
• 10 oz can white meat chicken
• 1 envelope ranch salad dressing mix
• 1/2 cup mayo
• 1/2 cup finely shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup chopped pecans

 
Directions

1. Allow all ingredients to come to room temperature and combine the first 5 ingredients in a large bowl until thoroughly mixed.
2. Mold into ball shape and coat outside with chopped pecans.

Cheeseball Goblin

Total time

2 hours 15 mins

Ingredients

• 2 – 8oz cream cheese
• 10 oz can white meat chicken
• 1 envelope ranch salad dressing mix
• ½ cup mayo
• ½ cup finely shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup chopped pecans

Instructions

1. Allow all ingredients to come to room temperature and combine the first 5 ingredients in a large bowl until thoroughly mixed. Chill for at least two hours.
2. Remove mixture from refrigerator and mold into ball shape. Coat outside with chopped pecans.                                                         http://southernbite.com

Cheeseball Goblin

 

- See more at: http://southernbite.com/2010/10/29/cheeseball-goblin-or-ranch-chicken-cheese-ball/#sthash.4ZIecNIY.dpuf

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Secret Ingredient Fruit Salad

Secret Ingredient Fruit Salad

Ingredients

• 1 pint blueberries (about 2 cups)
• 1 lb strawberries
• 1 lb seedless green grapes (about 3 cups)
• 1 (21-ounce) can peach pie filling

Instructions

1. Wash the fruit well and place it on paper towels to dry completely. Hull and slice the strawberries. Combine the fruit in a large bowl and pour the peach pie filling over. Stir gently to combine. Refrigerate for about an hour and serve chilled.                                             http://southernbite.com

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Nutter Butter Mummies - Southern Bite

Ingredients

• 1 (1-pound) package Nutter Butter Cookies
• 1 (24-ounce) package white chocolate almond bark candy coating
• 1 package Wilton Candy Eyeballs (or mini chocolate chips)

Instructions

 

1. In a small bowl, melt ¾ of the almond bark according to the package instructions.
2. Dip each Nutter Butter in the bark to coat it and then shake off any excess. Place the coated cookies on wax paper. Repeat until all the cookies are coated.
3. Add the eyes (or chocolate chips) to each mummy.
4. Add the remaining bark to the bowl and melt it according to the package instructions. Transfer the melted bark to a disposable piping bag or zip top bag. Snip the very tip or corner off of the bag and drizzle the melted bark over the cookies to look like the mummy's wrapping. Allow the bark to harden completely before removing the cookies from the wax paper and removing the excess bark from the sides.

Notes

 at: http://southernbite.com

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Slow Cooker Chicken Stew - Southern Bite

Slow Cooker Chicken Stew

Ingredients

• 2½ cups shredded cooked chicken OR 2 (10 ounce) cans cooked chicken, drained
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can chicken broth
• 2 (11 ounce) cans of shoepeg corn, drained
• 2 (15 ounce) can Northern beans
• 2 (10 ounce) cans tomatoes with green chiles (like Rotel)
• 1 (10.25 ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 (16 ounce) package Velveeta cheese, cut into cubes

Instructions

1. Combine ingredients in a 4 quart slow cooker. Cook on high until cheese melts, then place on low until serving.

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Hollywood studios targeted in EU anti-trust probe

The European Union's anti-trust regulator has filed complaints against six major Hollywood studios and Britain's Sky TV pay channel for allegedly using movie licenses to block access to their content in the bloc's 28 nations.

“We believe that this may be in breach of EU competition rules,” EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said in a statement on Thursday.


The EU body has sent statement of objections (SO) to Disney, NBCUniversal, Paramount Pictures, Sony, Twentieth Century Fox and Warner Bros, all based in the US, as well as to Sky pay TV networks in Britain and Ireland.

“European consumers want to watch the pay-TV channels of their choice regardless of where they live or travel in the EU. Our EU economy Internet antitrust investigation shows that they cannot do this today,” said the statement.

The European Commission, the EU’s executive body, has vowed to break the current restrictions which deprive citizens across the European bloc of using the services of the digital media beyond national lines.
The EU statement said the US companies and the Sky UK “have bilaterally agreed to put in place contractual restrictions that prevent Sky UK from allowing EU consumers located elsewhere to access pay-TV services available in the UK and Ireland.”

Within the current framework, subscribers to the Sky TV effectively become deprived of accessing the channel’s offerings of films and TV series if they move outside Britain and Ireland.

The regulator said investigations are also underway about other major TV channels across Europe, including Canal Plus of France, Italy’s Sky Italia, Germany’s Sky Deutschland and DTS of Spain.
Sending SOs to the US companies means an escalation in the EU probe which began in 2011 after a top European court ruled that English Premier League’s geographic restrictions on viewers’ access to soccer matches was in violation of the EU’s competition law.
 presstv.com

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Seven tortured bodies found in Mexico’s Guerrero NEW IMAGE

Officials in Mexico say seven bodies with signs of torture have been discovered in the country’s violence-plagued southern state of Guerrero.

A statement from Guerrero's prosecutor's office said Thursday that the bodies, including a decapitated one, were all male and were discovered in the Zitlala township.
 

The corpses had "visible signs of torture," the statement said, adding that forensic experts were sent to the region to examine the bodies.

According to local police, some of the bodies had bullet wounds as well as injuries caused by a sharp weapon.

The corpses wer
 discovered on Wednesday, but the investigation was delayed until Thursday due to bad weather.
The prosecutor's office said that one of the dead men was a member of a local Guerrero drug cartel.
Guerrero is one of Mexico's poorest and most violent states, with high homicide and drug-related crime rates.

In June, four bodies were discovered in a pick-up truck in the state. Another 10 bodies were also found in clandestine graves on the outskirts of the city of Acapulco in a separate incident.
Back in September 2014, some 43 students also went missing after the gang-linked police attacked their buses and handed them over to members of a drug gang.

Mexico officials say the members of the Guerreros Unidos drug cartel have confessed to killing the young men and burning their remains after receiving them from corrupt police officers.
The case has sparked protests against President Enrique Pena Nieto's administration.

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Easy No-Churn Oreo Ice Cream

Ingredients

• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 20 Oreo cookies, coarsely crushed

Instructions

1. In a stand mixer (or in a large bowl with a hand mixer) beat the cream until stiff peaks form. While continuing to beat, slowly add in the vanilla and sweetened condensed milk. Mix until combined. Gently fold in the cookies with a spatula. Transfer the mixture to a freezer safe container with a lid and freeze for at least 4 hours. Scoop and enjoy!

Easy No-Churn Oreo Ice Cream

Easy No-Churn Oreo Ice Cream

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Illinois anti-BDS bill usurps the power of other people’s money: International lawyer

International lawyer and political commentator Barry Grossman says a new Illinois bill to ban pension fund investments in enterprises which support the boycott of Israel is an absurd attempt by legislators to usurp control of other people’s money in order to advance a political agenda on behalf of the Zionist regime.

 
Grossman, who is based on the Indonesian island of Bali, made the remarks in a phone interview with Press TV on Friday, after Republican Governor Bruce Rauner of Illinois signed a controversial bill on Thursday prohibiting state pension funds from investing in companies that boycott Israel.
The legislation requires state pension systems to terminate direct investment in companies that participate in the boycott movement targeting Israel.

The bill defines the boycott Israel campaign as “engaging in actions that are politically motivated and are intended to penalize, inflict economic harm on, or otherwise limit commercial relations with…Israel or companies based in… Israel or in territories controlled by…Israel.”
“We need to stand up to anti-Semitism whenever and wherever we see it,” Governor Rauner said, after he signed the bill into law.

Commenting to Press TV, Grossman said, “What we are talking about here is a lifetime merchant banker with an estimated net worth in the hundreds of millions of dollars joining with two Jewish American Democrats to ram through legislation which violates the basic principles of prudential fund management without any mandate or legitimate basis to interfere in this way, all to silence critics of another nation’s brutal polices which are almost universally recognized to violate basic principles of international law.”

“What they are doing is usurping control of other peoples’ money on a comprehensive scale to advance a political agenda on behalf of foreign special interests,” he added.  

“While at the same time, [they are] running roughshod over the legal and constitutional rights of Americans to hold, express, and lawfully act on their own political views, and simultaneously violating the right of millions of beneficiaries whose pension fund contributions are controlled under clear regulatory guidelines to be guaranteed that accepted standards of prudential fund management are adhered to,” the commentator stated.
“To be clear, on the face of it, this legislation does not merely target pension fund administrators who, by choosing to invest pension funds in enterprises which boycott or otherwise support divestment from Israel, are violating their own prudential obligations to pension fund beneficiaries,” he noted.
“Rather, this absurd legislation at once aims to compel pension fund administrators not to invest the funds they manage in what  they consider to be the best investments for their stake holders, while without color of right  simultaneously compelling  the public at large to do the  very same thing to American businesses en masse,  which this triumvirate of supposedly progressive tyrants complain about  individuals doing to Israeli businesses by exercising their individual right to support  the boycott and divestment movement,” Grossman continued.

The boycott movement seeks to end the Israeli occupation and colonization of Palestinian lands and respect the right of return of Palestinian refugees.
The BDS campaign against Israel began in July 2005 by 171 Palestinian organizations, which calls for "various forms of boycott against Israel until it meets its obligations under international law.”
Grossman said that “while personally I wholeheartedly support the Boycott and Divestment movement, I do not support BDS or the way it has commandeered both the boycott movement and the voice of all Palestinians, in order to advance a somewhat clandestine but clearly articulated agenda which is in fact contrary to the views held by a great many Palestinians – that is,  recognition of Israel’s right to exist within boundaries set by the 1967 Green Line.  But that is another matter altogether.”

“What is clear is that there is nothing clever about this thinly veiled legislative attempt to usurp the power of the other peoples’ money and their freedom of political choice.  Both Governor Rauner – a career merchant banker who became fabulously wealthy managing pension funds – and Representative Silverstein – who is a long standing practicing attorney – really ought to know better,” he pointed out.

“When we consider this triumvirate’s obvious loyalties to foreign special interests, their actions in advancing this Bill become only that much more outrageous. If this legislation is not declared unconstitutional, then America for all intents and purposes no longer has a constitution,” the international lawyer concluded.

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Cutter Buttermilk Biscuits

No-Cutter Buttermilk Biscuits

Ingredients

• 2 cups White Lily Self-Rising Flour
• ¼ cup shortening
• 1 cup buttermilk

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F and lightly spray a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Measure the flour into a large bowl and cut the shortening into the flour with a pastry blender or two forks. The crumbs should be about pea-size.
3. Slowly incorporate the buttermilk until everything is just combined. Don't overwork the mixture. The dough will be wet and sticky. Working with well-floured hands scoop up about ⅓ to ¼ cup of the dough and form the dough into a ball with no visible cracks. You may have to dust some additional flour over the ball to make it easier to roll. Gently flatten the dough until it is about ¾ inch thick and place it one the baking sheet. Continue with the remaining dough.
4. Bake for 10 to 12 minute or until golden brown.                                                                                 izvor/southernbite.com

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Canada must stop discrimination against indigenous people: UN

The United Nations Human Rights Committee says Canada must support the rights of indigenous people and stop discriminatory measures against them.

The Geneva-based body, in a report released on Thursday, stated that Canada still has a lot of work to do for its aboriginals, demanding that the Canadian government swiftly stop discrimination against indigenous women and children.
 
It also pointed to the disappearances and killings of indigenous women, noting that the Canadian government needs to address the abuse of aboriginals in prison, and offer essential health care services to them.
Many natives in Canada live in poor conditions with unsafe drinking water, inadequate housing, addiction, and high suicide rates. Canada's 1.4 million indigenous people constitute 4.3 percent of the country’s total population.

Meanwhile, the UN Human Rights Committee has expressed concern over Canada’s new anti-terrorism act, which was passed by the parliament last month.
It argued that the legislation grants the Canadian government sweeping powers but stops short of providing legal safeguards to protect political and civil rights of people.

The UN Human Rights Committee also urged Canadian officials to consider rewriting the law to ensure it does not run afoul of international human rights standards.
This is while a spokesman for Public Safety Minister Stephen Blaney has said Canada stands by the legislation.

"These are reasonable measures similar to those used by our close allies to protect their own citizens," Jeremy Laurin commented.

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Turkish warplanes carry out airstrikes in Syria

The Turkish government has confirmed that its warplanes have launched attacks on targets inside neighboring Syria said to be the positions of ISIL Takfiri terrorists.
On Friday, a government statement said that three F-16 fighter jets had departed from the Diyarbakir Airbase, located in southeastern Turkey.

The statement also said that the army had used smart bombs to target three positions across the Turkish border province of Kilis, after one of its soldiers was killed in an attack from an area inside Syria.
The decision to launch the aerial attacks was made at a meeting of security officials in Ankara late Thursday chaired by Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.
"In this context.... an operation was carried out against targets belonging to Daesh (ISIL) inside the Syrian border," the statement said.

"Three of our F-16s hit... three targets belonging to Daesh," it said, adding that "the government of the Turkish Republic is determined to take the necessary measures to protect national security."
The targets, according to an official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, were two command centers and a gathering point of ISIL supporters.

The official claimed that the Turkish jets had not violated Syria's airspace.

US given Turkish bases for Syria strikes
Meanwhile, Turkey has agreed to allow the United States to use a base in the country’s eastern region to launch airstrikes on Syrian territories.
On Thursday, an unnamed American official said Ankara had granted Washington permission to target ISIL militant positions in neighboring Syria.
"Access to Turkish bases such as Incirlik Airbase will increase the coalition's operational efficiency for such counter-ISIL efforts," said a US defense official speaking on the condition of anonymity.

This September 1, 2013, file photo shows a US Air Force plane taking off from the Incirlik Airbase, in southern Turkey. (AP photo)

Turkish National Council Spokesman Alistair Baskey also said his country and the US had decided to deepen cooperation in the fight against ISIL, after holding “consultations about ways we can further our joint counter-ISIL efforts.”
However, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said he was not allowed to reveal details on the agreement over “specific operations security concerns.”
Turkish media are now referring to the issue as the first direct clashes between Ankara and the Takfiri militants.
On July 22, US President Barack Obama and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced their agreement to work together in an attempt to secure the Turkish border with Syria and to control the movement of ISIL militants in the region.
The move came after the killing of 32 people in a bomb blast, reportedly claimed by ISIL, which targeted activists planning to help in the reconstruction of the Kurdish Syrian town of Kobani, in the Turkish town of Suruc, on July 20.

People carry coffins of victims Duygu Tuna, Ismet Seker and Cemil Yildiz on July 22, 2015 in the Gazi district of Istanbul during their funeral, after a bomb attack killed at least 32 in the southern Turkish town of Suruc. (AFP photo)

Turkey, along with some other regional countries, has been widely accused of supporting the Takfiri militants in Syria as part of a broader Western plot for the overthrow of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad since March 2011.
  izvor/presstv.com

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IMF warns Japan faces staggering debt

The International Monetary Fund has warned that Japan’s debt could rise three times the size of its economy by 2030.
In its annual assessment of the world’s third largest economy, IMF said Japan risks stagflation and turmoil in financial markets, urging the government to cut spending and limit extra budgets.
Japan’s public debts are expected to hit 250% of gross domestic product in the next five years, IMF economists warned.

They said the country’s fragile economic recovery is facing risks from the stalling of structural reforms. IMF also cast doubt on Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s reform plan, contending that it was failing to revive the economy.
Abe’s aggressive bid to water down Japan’s pacifist policies has pulled down his popularity, with many analysts believing he lacks power to push through more structural reforms.
His Abenomics reforms have been credited with lending some vigor to the flagging economy but he has to go to greater lengths yet to face off enormous long-term challenges which the country's graying population poses.

IMF says PM Shinzo Abe's Abenomics reforms are failing to revive Japan's economy.

IMF warned that Japan’s much favored policy of depreciation of the yen could ultimately lead to a sharp rise in inflation and subsequent stagflation as a result of weak domestic demand.
“Abenomics needs to be reloaded so that policy shortcomings do not become a drag on growth and inflation,” the economists wrote.
Prime Minister Abe’s policy to restore fiscal health is focused on stimulating growth instead of curbing budget spending.  
According to Fitch, Japan’s increasing reliance on economic growth to cut its debt burden exposes the nation to greater risks. In April, the agency cut its rating on the country to the same level as Malta.
The IMF urged Japan to launch a new round of reforms to lift labor supply and open up its heavily protected agricultural and service sectors.

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For the Honey Cinnamon Cream Cheese

Y’all this recipe just screams fall to me!  And while these easy apple fritters are good just dusted with a little powdered sugar, the Honey Cinnamon Cream Cheese is really what makes them special!  Y’all enjoy!

Apple Fritters with Honey Cinnamon Cream Cheese

Serves: About 2 dozen fritters

Ingredients

• 2 cups self-rising flour
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon all spice
• ½ cup brown sugar, firmly packed
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Red Velvet Cake and the Kindness of a Stranger

Well, today is Valentine’s Day 2012!  I’m fortunate to have a few Valentines this year.  You see, in my world your Valentines don’t have to be people you’re romantically involved with.  Nope, I think your Valentine can be anyone who you love and care about.  My wife, my little boy, my Mom, my best friend… all these people are my Valentines.  But I’ve got another one, a new one, this year too.  But the truth is, I don’t really know her.  Well, I feel like I know her, but I’ve never seen her face or heard her voice.  She’s a sweet lady in Texas named Peggi.  I met Ms. Peggi last July went she sent me a sweet email about her situation and how a few of my recipes had gotten her back in the kitchen after her husband passed away.  Since that time, we’ve traded quite  a few emails.  At Christmas, she sent my family a huge tin of gourmet popcorn.  Last Friday night, I got home to find a voicemail from our local florist.  She had left several messages throughout the day telling us that she had a delivery for us.  Well, it was after 5 but we called her back and she showed up at our door a little while later with the most enormous gift basket I’d ever seen filled with Valentine’s goodies.  It had with fruit, cheese, crackers, chocolates, cookies, even some Matchbox cars for my little guy.  The florist was telling me that she had gone and hand picked everything for us and as I reached for the card, she said, “Oh, it’s from Ms. Peggi…  from Texas.  She told me all about you and your website and how you saved her life.  She say’s you’re a pretty special person.”  I felt tears well up in my eyes. I couldn’t imagine why someone who has never met me would go to all that trouble.  Even now, several days later, I’m still amazed at the kindness of this person I’ve never met.  It’s remarkable how something like a blog can connect two people in ways others can’t imagine.  So, today I’m saying Happy Valentine’s Day to Ms. Peggi and all of you who follow Southern Bite.  You’ve all become such an important part of my extended family!
This Red Velvet Cake recipe is the one my mother has used since the time I was a kid.  It’s one of my all-time favorite cakes.  It’s always a special treat to have one of these.  You know, I typicall like easy, simple recipes.  But sometimes, special occasions deserve a little more.  I hope you’ll enjoy this cake as much as my family does!
Ingredients
Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Instructions

1. In a large bowl, mix together the cake flour, salt, and hot chocolate mix.  (A note on cake flour: Cake flour is much finer than regular flour and produces a much different textured cake. –  Also, I didn’t have a packet of hot chocolate mix, so I used 3 tablespoons out of a canister of mix.) 
2. With a mixer, cream sugar and butter together.  Mix in whole eggs, food coloring, and vanilla.  (Mix slowly when adding the food coloring or you and your entire kitchen will end up splattered with red!)
3. Mix buttermilk, vinegar, and baking soda together.
4. Alternately add flour mixtures and buttermilk mixture to creamed ingredients until all of each mixture has been added.
5. Divide batter into two  greased and floured 8 inch cake pans.  Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.  
6. Cool completely and ice with Cream Cheese Frosting (see below recipe for an icing tutorial).

Red Velvet Cake

Ingredients

• 2½ cups cake flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 packet hot chocolate mix (about 3 tablespoons)
• ½ cup butter (1 stick)
• 2 eggs
• 1½ cups sugar
• 2 – 1 oz bottles red food coloring
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, mix together the cake flour, salt, and hot chocolate mix. (A note on cake flour: Cake flour is much finer than regular flour and produces a much different textured cake.)
2. With a mixer, cream sugar and butter together. Mix in whole eggs, food coloring, and vanilla. (Mix slowly when adding the food coloring or you and your entire kitchen will end up splattered with red!)
3. Mix buttermilk, vinegar, and baking soda together.
4. Alternately add flour mixtures and buttermilk mixture to creamed ingredients until all of each mixture has been added.
5. Divide batter into two greased and floured 8 inch cake pans. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.
6. Cool completely and ice with Cream Cheese Frosting.

3.3.3077

So, Here’s how I icing my cakes and give them what I can the “Duncan Hines” look…

1. I usually slice off the tip tops of my cakes so they’ll stack better.
2. I start with a dollop of icing in the middle of my platter or cake plate to hold the bottom layer in place.
3. Top with the bottom layer and put a generous amount of icing right in the middle. 
4. Starting from the middle, spread the icing to the edges using an off-set spatula. 
5. Top with the top layer, and repeat.
6. Now, spread icing on the sides.  Remember, the goal here is to have pretty icing that doesn’t have pieces of cake in it.  So start with lots of icing, you can always work it around to other areas and even off.
7. Now go back and add icing to the top edge.
8. I also like to swirl my spatula around on the sides and top to give it a luxurious look.  http://southernbite.com

Red Velvet Cake

 

- See more at: http://southernbite.com/2012/02/15/red-velvet-cake-and-the-kindness-of-a-stranger/#sthash.KwMp5nbO.dpuf

Red Velvet Cake

 

- See more at: http://southernbite.com/2012/02/15/red-velvet-cake-and-the-kindness-of-a-stranger/#sthash.KwMp5nbO.dpuf

Red Velvet Cake

- See more at: http://southernbite.com/2012/02/15/red-velvet-cake-and-the-kindness-of-a-stranger/#sthash.KwMp5nbO.dpuf

Red Velvet Cake

- See more at: http://southernbite.com/2012/02/15/red-velvet-cake-and-the-kindness-of-a-stranger/#sthash.KwMp5nbO.dpuf

Well, today is Valentine’s Day 2012!  I’m fortunate to have a few Valentines this year.  You see, in my world your Valentines don’t have to be people you’re romantically involved with.  Nope, I think your Valentine can be anyone who you love and care about.  My wife, my little boy, my Mom, my best friend… all these people are my Valentines.  But I’ve got another one, a new one, this year too.  But the truth is, I don’t really know her.  Well, I feel like I know her, but I’ve never seen her face or heard her voice.  She’s a sweet lady in Texas named Peggi.  I met Ms. Peggi last July went she sent me a sweet email about her situation and how a few of my recipes had gotten her back in the kitchen after her husband passed away.  Since that time, we’ve traded quite  a few emails.  At Christmas, she sent my family a huge tin of gourmet popcorn.  Last Friday night, I got home to find a voicemail from our local florist.  She had left several messages throughout the day telling us that she had a delivery for us.  Well, it was after 5 but we called her back and she showed up at our door a little while later with the most enormous gift basket I’d ever seen filled with Valentine’s goodies.  It had with fruit, cheese, crackers, chocolates, cookies, even some Matchbox cars for my little guy.  The florist was telling me that she had gone and hand picked everything for us and as I reached for the card, she said, “Oh, it’s from Ms. Peggi…  from Texas.  She told me all about you and your website and how you saved her life.  She say’s you’re a pretty special person.”  I felt tears well up in my eyes. I couldn’t imagine why someone who has never met me would go to all that trouble.  Even now, several days later, I’m still amazed at the kindness of this person I’ve never met.  It’s remarkable how something like a blog can connect two people in ways others can’t imagine.  So, today I’m saying Happy Valentine’s Day to Ms. Peggi and all of you who follow Southern Bite.  You’ve all become such an important part of my extended family!
This Red Velvet Cake recipe is the one my mother has used since the time I was a kid.  It’s one of my all-time favorite cakes.  It’s always a special treat to have one of these.  You know, I typicall like easy, simple recipes.  But sometimes, special occasions deserve a little more.  I hope you’ll enjoy this cake as much as my family does!
- See more at: http://southernbite.com/2012/02/15/red-velvet-cake-and-the-kindness-of-a-stranger/#sthash.KwMp5nbO.dpuf

Well, today is Valentine’s Day 2012!  I’m fortunate to have a few Valentines this year.  You see, in my world your Valentines don’t have to be people you’re romantically involved with.  Nope, I think your Valentine can be anyone who you love and care about.  My wife, my little boy, my Mom, my best friend… all these people are my Valentines.  But I’ve got another one, a new one, this year too.  But the truth is, I don’t really know her.  Well, I feel like I know her, but I’ve never seen her face or heard her voice.  She’s a sweet lady in Texas named Peggi.  I met Ms. Peggi last July went she sent me a sweet email about her situation and how a few of my recipes had gotten her back in the kitchen after her husband passed away.  Since that time, we’ve traded quite  a few emails.  At Christmas, she sent my family a huge tin of gourmet popcorn.  Last Friday night, I got home to find a voicemail from our local florist.  She had left several messages throughout the day telling us that she had a delivery for us.  Well, it was after 5 but we called her back and she showed up at our door a little while later with the most enormous gift basket I’d ever seen filled with Valentine’s goodies.  It had with fruit, cheese, crackers, chocolates, cookies, even some Matchbox cars for my little guy.  The florist was telling me that she had gone and hand picked everything for us and as I reached for the card, she said, “Oh, it’s from Ms. Peggi…  from Texas.  She told me all about you and your website and how you saved her life.  She say’s you’re a pretty special person.”  I felt tears well up in my eyes. I couldn’t imagine why someone who has never met me would go to all that trouble.  Even now, several days later, I’m still amazed at the kindness of this person I’ve never met.  It’s remarkable how something like a blog can connect two people in ways others can’t imagine.  So, today I’m saying Happy Valentine’s Day to Ms. Peggi and all of you who follow Southern Bite.  You’ve all become such an important part of my extended family!
This Red Velvet Cake recipe is the one my mother has used since the time I was a kid.  It’s one of my all-time favorite cakes.  It’s always a special treat to have one of these.  You know, I typicall like easy, simple recipes.  But sometimes, special occasions deserve a little more.  I hope you’ll enjoy this cake as much as my family does!
- See more at: http://southernbite.com/2012/02/15/red-velvet-cake-and-the-kindness-of-a-stranger/#sthash.KwMp5nbO.dpuf

Well, today is Valentine’s Day 2012!  I’m fortunate to have a few Valentines this year.  You see, in my world your Valentines don’t have to be people you’re romantically involved with.  Nope, I think your Valentine can be anyone who you love and care about.  My wife, my little boy, my Mom, my best friend… all these people are my Valentines.  But I’ve got another one, a new one, this year too.  But the truth is, I don’t really know her.  Well, I feel like I know her, but I’ve never seen her face or heard her voice.  She’s a sweet lady in Texas named Peggi.  I met Ms. Peggi last July went she sent me a sweet email about her situation and how a few of my recipes had gotten her back in the kitchen after her husband passed away.  Since that time, we’ve traded quite  a few emails.  At Christmas, she sent my family a huge tin of gourmet popcorn.  Last Friday night, I got home to find a voicemail from our local florist.  She had left several messages throughout the day telling us that she had a delivery for us.  Well, it was after 5 but we called her back and she showed up at our door a little while later with the most enormous gift basket I’d ever seen filled with Valentine’s goodies.  It had with fruit, cheese, crackers, chocolates, cookies, even some Matchbox cars for my little guy.  The florist was telling me that she had gone and hand picked everything for us and as I reached for the card, she said, “Oh, it’s from Ms. Peggi…  from Texas.  She told me all about you and your website and how you saved her life.  She say’s you’re a pretty special person.”  I felt tears well up in my eyes. I couldn’t imagine why someone who has never met me would go to all that trouble.  Even now, several days later, I’m still amazed at the kindness of this person I’ve never met.  It’s remarkable how something like a blog can connect two people in ways others can’t imagine.  So, today I’m saying Happy Valentine’s Day to Ms. Peggi and all of you who follow Southern Bite.  You’ve all become such an important part of my extended family!
This Red Velvet Cake recipe is the one my mother has used since the time I was a kid.  It’s one of my all-time favorite cakes.  It’s always a special treat to have one of these.  You know, I typicall like easy, simple recipes.  But sometimes, special occasions deserve a little more.  I hope you’ll enjoy this cake as much as my family does!
- See more at: http://southernbite.com/2012/02/15/red-velvet-cake-and-the-kindness-of-a-stranger/#sthash.KwMp5nbO.dpuf

Well, today is Valentine’s Day 2012!  I’m fortunate to have a few Valentines this year.  You see, in my world your Valentines don’t have to be people you’re romantically involved with.  Nope, I think your Valentine can be anyone who you love and care about.  My wife, my little boy, my Mom, my best friend… all these people are my Valentines.  But I’ve got another one, a new one, this year too.  But the truth is, I don’t really know her.  Well, I feel like I know her, but I’ve never seen her face or heard her voice.  She’s a sweet lady in Texas named Peggi.  I met Ms. Peggi last July went she sent me a sweet email about her situation and how a few of my recipes had gotten her back in the kitchen after her husband passed away.  Since that time, we’ve traded quite  a few emails.  At Christmas, she sent my family a huge tin of gourmet popcorn.  Last Friday night, I got home to find a voicemail from our local florist.  She had left several messages throughout the day telling us that she had a delivery for us.  Well, it was after 5 but we called her back and she showed up at our door a little while later with the most enormous gift basket I’d ever seen filled with Valentine’s goodies.  It had with fruit, cheese, crackers, chocolates, cookies, even some Matchbox cars for my little guy.  The florist was telling me that she had gone and hand picked everything for us and as I reached for the card, she said, “Oh, it’s from Ms. Peggi…  from Texas.  She told me all about you and your website and how you saved her life.  She say’s you’re a pretty special person.”  I felt tears well up in my eyes. I couldn’t imagine why someone who has never met me would go to all that trouble.  Even now, several days later, I’m still amazed at the kindness of this person I’ve never met.  It’s remarkable how something like a blog can connect two people in ways others can’t imagine.  So, today I’m saying Happy Valentine’s Day to Ms. Peggi and all of you who follow Southern Bite.  You’ve all become such an important part of my extended family!
This Red Velvet Cake recipe is the one my mother has used since the time I was a kid.  It’s one of my all-time favorite cakes.  It’s always a special treat to have one of these.  You know, I typicall like easy, simple recipes.  But sometimes, special occasions deserve a little more.  I hope you’ll enjoy this cake as much as my family does!
- See more at: http://southernbite.com/2012/02/15/red-velvet-cake-and-the-kindness-of-a-stranger/#sthash.KwMp5nbO.dpuf

Well, today is Valentine’s Day 2012!  I’m fortunate to have a few Valentines this year.  You see, in my world your Valentines don’t have to be people you’re romantically involved with.  Nope, I think your Valentine can be anyone who you love and care about.  My wife, my little boy, my Mom, my best friend… all these people are my Valentines.  But I’ve got another one, a new one, this year too.  But the truth is, I don’t really know her.  Well, I feel like I know her, but I’ve never seen her face or heard her voice.  She’s a sweet lady in Texas named Peggi.  I met Ms. Peggi last July went she sent me a sweet email about her situation and how a few of my recipes had gotten her back in the kitchen after her husband passed away.  Since that time, we’ve traded quite  a few emails.  At Christmas, she sent my family a huge tin of gourmet popcorn.  Last Friday night, I got home to find a voicemail from our local florist.  She had left several messages throughout the day telling us that she had a delivery for us.  Well, it was after 5 but we called her back and she showed up at our door a little while later with the most enormous gift basket I’d ever seen filled with Valentine’s goodies.  It had with fruit, cheese, crackers, chocolates, cookies, even some Matchbox cars for my little guy.  The florist was telling me that she had gone and hand picked everything for us and as I reached for the card, she said, “Oh, it’s from Ms. Peggi…  from Texas.  She told me all about you and your website and how you saved her life.  She say’s you’re a pretty special person.”  I felt tears well up in my eyes. I couldn’t imagine why someone who has never met me would go to all that trouble.  Even now, several days later, I’m still amazed at the kindness of this person I’ve never met.  It’s remarkable how something like a blog can connect two people in ways others can’t imagine.  So, today I’m saying Happy Valentine’s Day to Ms. Peggi and all of you who follow Southern Bite.  You’ve all become such an important part of my extended family!
This Red Velvet Cake recipe is the one my mother has used since the time I was a kid.  It’s one of my all-time favorite cakes.  It’s always a special treat to have one of these.  You know, I typicall like easy, simple recipes.  But sometimes, special occasions deserve a little more.  I hope you’ll enjoy this cake as much as my family does!
- See more at: http://southernbite.com/2012/02/15/red-velvet-cake-and-the-kindness-of-a-stranger/#sthash.KwMp5nbO.dpuf

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