As if I do not have enough to do this week, I decided Sunday was the opportune moment to cook dinner for my girlfriends. Given my monstrous to do list, I wanted to keep it small and simple, so I prepared a menu of dishes I’ve committed to memory. My favorite way to eat in the summer is from a table full of cold salads, so that is what I made.
For the last month, I’ve been experimenting with a white ginger sangria. And it was Fail and Fail both times. But, like the title says, this was no fail.
For the record, no, I am not turning into a food blog, but given my Very Limited Time in the next week or eight, I am just putting it in one place for the reference of my Secret Cooking Club.
I started by making a ginger syrup, which I will now be making all the time and using on/in everything. Let the syrup cool with the ginger still in it for about an hour before straining. Next, fruit. I found nectarines, fresh apricots and the most exquisite white plums at the market and chopped these up with fresh grated ginger and a hearty splash of Cointreau. Chill the syrup and the soaking fruit for a good few hours before serving.
For the sangria, I used a cheap bottle of Korean Riesling. Most Korean wine tastes like Capri Sun, but Majuang just tastes like cheap wine and for this, it was perfect.
Assembly:
1 bottle of wine
1/4 cup ginger syrup
1/2 cup fruit juice (I used fresh Kiwi juice which was nice and tart)
3/4 cup tonic water
The Fruit Soaking in Awesome
Another fat splash of Cointreau, to taste
I will warn you that I am an eyeballer, so adjust each of these to your liking. The sangria was perfect, but not quite as gingery as I hoped. I would add a bit more fresh ginger to the fruit or a pinch of ground ginger added to the ginger syrup or more ginger syrup or eat crystallized ginger while you are drinking it. I don’t know. But it’s a start.
hmmm. i wonder how we could get the internet to pour this straight into my mouth? also, how can i get more ginger in it?
ok, this is going to be my next sangria recipe to try for sure. ginger syrup? yum!
i’m going to try this!
also how can we get the internet to transport me into your photos.
It’s called an airplane, Leah.
I hope you try it ladies. It was delish. If someone figures out the ginger secret, I am all ears. I expect a full report.
i cannot wait until the weekend.
blt’s for breakfast, delicious sandwiches with onion relish for lunch, and sangria for dinner.
with pizza.
best club ever.
I’ve been drinking sangria all summer long.
this sounds fantastic!