A great idea is to make your own homemade combined pickles. It’s not very hard and with little effort, you will be able to surprise your Thanksgiving guests with something special.
The pickles are great with grilled steaks, sausages, meat balls, in winter salads and with potatoes.
What you need:
* 3 cauliflowers;Â 2 lb red cabbage; 1 and 1/2 lb mini gherkins; 1 and 1/2 lb red bell peppers; 1 lb carrots; 1/2 lb mini onions;Â 1/4 lb horse radish;Â 1 lb celery
* 16 oz vinegar; 1 cup sugar; 6 tablespoons salt; 10 bay leaves; 5 teaspoons blend pepper;Â 3 teaspoons coriander seed;Â 2 teaspoons mustard seeds
* 2-3 hot peppers
The vegetables have to be washed. Cut the cauliflower in little bouquets, the carrots and celery in medium pieces and the red cabbage in quarters. The mini gherkins and bell peppers remain as they are. Peel the mini onions.
Put all the vegetables together in a big jar or in several medium jars. Fill the jar(s) with water (in this way you will know how much water will be needed). Then, pour the water from jar in a big pot. Add the vinegar, salt, sugar, pepper, coriander, bay leaves, mustard seeds and hot peppers.
 Bring to boil stirring occasionally. Pour the boiled water and ingredients above the vegetables in the jar. On the top put some celery and two wood sticks in order that the pickles to stay in the spicy juice.
Seal the jar and store it in a cool, dark place. Leave it like this for 30 days. After this period of time, the pickles are ready to garnish your favourites dishes.
Enjoy it! The pickles are great treats.
We all know that wine has great qualities and can stimulate the health, with the condition to be consumed moderately. The therapeutic and tonic effects of wine are known as early as Antiquity.
The benefic proprieties of wine may be even more effective by adding different herbs.
Wines with herbs are very appreciated and can be used as aperitifs or digestive drinks. Plus, they have an invigorating effect.
What you need:
*Â 1 bottle red or white wine
* 1 thyme twig
* 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
* 1/4 teaspoon fresh ginger
* 1 cinnamon stick
* 8 big raisins
Open the bottle of wine and pour a little amount in a glass. Add the thyme twig, nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon stick and raisins. Seal the bottle with a cork and leave it like this for two weeks. After this period of time, filter the content and pour the wine back in the bottle. For invigoration, drink half a glass of herb wine or mix it with water.
Enjoy it!
Since the autumnal equinox, we all prepare for colder days. Being inspired by the season and the freshness of pumpkins, it came into my mind a great beverage recipe that may be enjoyed on every autumn day and evening.
Ingredients:
* 1/2 cup canned pure pumpkin
* 1/2 cup milk
* 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
* 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
* 2 teaspoons brown sugar or honney
* 1 teaspoon cocoa or semi-sweet chocolate powder
Mix cocoa (or chocolate powder) with sugar (or honney) in a bowl. Add the pumpkin, milk, cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir untill the ingredients are mixed together. Pour the beverage into a medium saucepan and bring to boil, stirring occasionally. Transfer the beverage into a milk bowl and garnish with a pinch of cinnamon.
Enjoy it with cookies, fruits and nuts aside. It will make a great treat for your guests.