Thursday, December 31, 2009

Seventh Day of Christmas Photo Rudisill Family

The Seventh Day of Christmas Photo Rudisill Family
Tina Thobe Share's Two Sons Will Be Jammin For The New Year
Happy New Year Little Boys and Everyone Else Too!
Coming Soon To A Place Near You
2009 2009 2009 2009
Going Fast Out The Door
2010 2010 2010 2010
Coming Quickly In The Door
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The Seventh Day of Chistmas Stocking Stuffer Is
A Sonoma, California Cabernet Sauvignon By
Breaulieu Vinyards Coastal Estates
Thank You Jeanine!

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Sixth Day of Christmas Photo of Share Family At Disney

Sixth Day of Christmas Photo
Tracy Thobe Share and Her Family's Recent Visit To Disneyworld
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Who do you suppose enjoyed the park more? The kids or the parents.
I'm betting my money on the parents.
Kids wear out and then have a little meltdown and hissy fit.
Young parents however, keep on trucking even when worn out.
(Click on photo to see the kids with their Disney characters.)
Sixth Day of Christmas Stocking Stuffer: A Merlot From California's Oak Grove
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On the label it says the rich flavors of blackberries and plum in the wine would go
well with a green peppercorn beef filet. OK, Jack will need to fire up the grill
one evening in Janury. Maybe on his 65'th birthday coming up on January 22'nd.

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

My World Tuesday = Many New Ethnic Restaurants

My World Tuesday = Many New Ethnic Restaurants
Many New Ethnic Restaurants
For Jack and I To Try Near Gainesville and Haymarket, VA
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Shall we try Nora's Taste of Lebanon?
How About the Korea House?
Saigon Crepes = Vietnamese Cooking with French infusions
That sounds good.
Let's give it a try.

This Buddists alter with pineapple fruit offerings greeted us at the door

Nice decor in the restaurant

Art work of rice paddies of Vietnam
Another Buddah with pineapple offering at desk

Vietnamese Specialty Crepes
Jack had Saigon crepes filled with pork and shrimp.
Joann had vegetarian Saigon crepes.
Yum,yum, so refreshing and good!
We shared a bowl of hot sweet rice pudding with white beans.
Very different but very good.
***************
Now that your tummy is virtually full go visit some other My World Tuesday memes by clicking here: http://showyourworld.blogspot.com/

Holiday Deviled Egg and Cheesy Shrimp Bake


Recipe

Holiday Deviled Egg and Cheesy Shrimp Bake


I only make this recipe twice a year because it is so rich and decadent. Christmas Day and Easter Morning are the two days that I serve this recipe.


Deviled eggs with sour cream and spice are given a cheesy bechamel sauce with shrimp for this make a day ahead dish. This dish would be great for News Years Day Brunch or for a Supper Dish for houseguests any time of the year.


1. Hard boil 10 eggs in cold water and salt by bringing saucepan with eggs to a boil. Then shut off stove and let eggs set in hot water for 18 minutes. Drain hot water from cooked eggs and replace with cold water at the tap. Do this several times to stop the cooking process. Then let eggs cool.

2. Remove shells from cooled eggs and cut eggs in half lengthwise and scoop out yolks. Mash egg yolks then mix with the following ingredients:

1 teaspoon salt

dash of Worcestershire sauce

3/4 teaspoon paprika

1/4 teaspoon dry mustard

1/2 cup of sour cream

pinch of salt and white pepper

3. Fill egg halves with this mixture and place filled eggs in a greased baking dish.

4. Make a bechamel sauce roux with 3 tablespoons butter melted on low heat in saucepan and then stir in 3 tablespoons of flour. Let this mixture cook on low for several minutes to get rid of floury taste and to blend flavors.

5. Now heat two cups of milk or light cream to scalding point in another pan. Slowly add milk to roux in other pan. Cook this mixture until smooth and thick.

6. Now add pinch of salt and pepper, 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce, 1 and 1/2 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Let this melt and blend.

7. Lastly add a 1 pound bag of frozen shrimps that have been thawed in colander at sink.

8. Pour sauce with shrimp over deviled eggs in buttered casserole.

9. Cover and refrigerate over night.

10. Next heat oven to 350 degrees and bake casserole for 25 minutes or till hot and bubbly.

11. Then serve with French croissants and orange mimosa drinks.
Fifth Day of Christmas
Photo of Tammy Thobe Celeste, My Niece and Godchild, With Her Hubby Guy Celeste and Their Daughter Kristina
The Entire Family Spends A Great Deal of Time At Guy's Italian Eatery, Pacentros, in
Monaca, PA. If In Pittsburgh Area, Do Visit This Relaxed Italian Eatery.
Guy Will Treat You Like Family.
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Fifth Day of Christmas Stocking Stuffer From Our Daughter Jeanine Is
A Belgian Beer Called Delerium Ale
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Jeanine hit this stocking stuffer right out of the ball park because
1. Mom likes all things French including Belgium.
2. Mom likes beer.
3. Jack likes beer too.
4. Jack collects elephants and their is a photo of a Santa Elephant on the bottle
Home Run
The End

Monday, December 28, 2009

Very Important News Flash

Very Important News Flash: Come quick and click on the Fish Report to see the very Catholic and very French town in Ohio that I grew up near---namely Russia, Ohio. The Russia Local High School photo featured in today's Fish Report was my older brother Paul Gariety's senior class. I wished they had shown the senior class of 1962----my class.

Click here right now, this very minute: http://www.fishreportonline.com/Rick's%20.Bensman.htm

Our Most Unusual Christmas Gift

Our Most Unusual Christmas Gift
Second Daughter Jeanine gave us our most unusual Christmas gift this year. She did a wild and crazy take on Mom's old habit of giving each daughter a "Stocking Stuffer" for each of the Twelve Days of Christmas (plus one=bakers dozen=13).
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I loved doing this. What may have not been thought of as great gift on Christmas Day was downright wonderful on Day 3 when no one else was still opening presents and by Day 10 it was totally awesome when kids were heading back to class and my girls were still finding something in their Christmas stockings.

First Day of Christmas
So First Day We Found A Bottle of Penfolds From Australia.
We Shared This With Jeanine and Bryan.

Second Day of Christmas
German Beer
Side Note: First, Jeanine insisted that we open each numbered present on the correct Day of Christmas. Which had me just a little confused and worried. Worry: Jack and I couldn't possibly drink this much alcohol in two months let alone in 13 days. Confusion: Does Jeanine think we have a rather big time drinking problem? Like we must be the ultimate Big Bad Boozers who are some very notorious AA Dropouts
????????????????
Jeanine clarified her intentions. She wants us to open each gift on the designated numbered day but we can save the alcohol to drink later: " Just see what is in your unusual 'stocking' for each of the twelve days." So I am following Jeanine's instructions to the letter.
??????????????
First Day of Christmas We Got Penfolds Shiraz Wine From Australia
Second Day of Christmas We Got German Beer aka Hofbrauhaus (More about that later.)
Third Day of Christmas We Got A Barefoot Merlot (one of Jack's favorite varietals of wine)
Fourth Day of Christmas----?????????????
Excuse Me While I Jump Up and Go Open With Jack's Help A Twelve Days of Christmas Stocking Stuffer.
Ahhhhhh!
Fourth Day of Christmas We Got a Coastline Paso Robles 2007 Merlot from Santa Rosa California. Interesting.
Jeanine has each stocking stuffer in a brown paper bag that's decorated with a homemade number tag and a little pom pom or braided rope. This truly is a work of love. Check out the photos below.




Jeanine,
You Are The Cat's Meow!
Love,
Mom and Dad
The End
###
Epilogue
Do you folks know that the Hofbrauhaus am Platzl (Hofbrauhaus Label) is a symbol of Munich, Germany's hospitality, convitality and socialableness. That Hofbrau is brewed and bottled by Staaatliches Hofbrauhaus in Munchen, Germany from water, barley malt and hops according to the the famous Reinheitsgebot (Purity Law) of 1516. So that's what makes it soooooo good. The old world brewing methods of 1516.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Fourth Day of Christmas The Thobes

Fourth Day of Christmas The Thobes of Tipp City, Ohio
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This Is A Photo Of My Only Sister, Mary Ellen Gariety Thobe,
and Her Hubby, Jerry Thobe, On Their Big Trip This Year.
Where Did They Go?
To The Big Apple For Four Days Of Sightseeing
It Was Their Very First Trip To New York City.

Third Day of Christmas Photo Dr. Channing Lowe's Family

These Are The First cousins of the Reagan Family Children.
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Dr. Channing Lowe Is A Teaching Pediatrician At The University of Arizona Medical Center in Tucson, Arizona. (Baby #4 Is Due is 2010 and Will be Another Little Girl. Dr. Lowe Lives In A Female Household. LOL!

Shipley Christmas Adventures Wrapup

Our Advent Wreath Went High Tech With Push Buttons Candles
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But Little Jack Aidan Still Likes To Pretend He Is Blowing Out The Candles
Even Though He Knows How To Push The Buttons Of The Candles.

Jeanine Surprised Mom and Dad With The Twelve Days of Christmas
Booze Collection
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(Another Blog Post Will Be Devoted To This Unusual Gift.)


On The Eve Of Christmas Eve We Went To Our Favorite Nearby Indoor Mall To Talk To The Animals
Every Animal Has A Story
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For Example: Panda, Panda Why Must You Leave The National Zoo in D.C.

and Head Back To Mainland China?
Has It Something To Do With Our World Debt Imbalance?

On Christmas Eve Day Jack and I Had a Nostalgic Moment With
Our 32 Year Old Kitchen Aid Mixer
##################
Ahhhhh, The Strange Food Stories This Old Mixer Could Tell

Of Baking Breads, Cakes, Cookies and Mashing Sour Cream/Cream Cheese
Mashed Potatoes.
(Jeanine is the New Owner of the Old Kitchen Aid Mixer While We Are Enjoying
Our New Black Kitchen Aid Mixer)

Jeanine, This Old Mixer Can Whip Up Cookies For A Slew Of Kids.
(Hint, Hint)
Can It Get Any Better Than This---
Riding Home From Christmas Eve Church Services
With Little Jack In The Back Seat With His Halo.

Around Eight O'clock On Christmas Eve
Jack and I Exchanged Presents
I'm About To Fall Asleep But
I'm Determined To Open Each And Every Present
Before The Doorbell Rings
And I Must Feed The Starving Christmas Houseguests
(Jeanine and Bryan)
Stuffed Shells and Italian Meatballs.

###########
Then Its Time For Bed So Santa Can Come Down The
Chimney of Our Gas Fireplace.
I Purposely Didn't Light A Fire In The Fireplace.
I Didn't Want to Singe Santa's Suit.

Christmas Morning At The Shipleys
Jack Makes A Mean Cup of Joe
(Lookout Starbucks---You Have Competition)

Joann Makes A Mean Holiday Breakfast Casserole
Called Shrimp Curried Eggs That She Always Serves With Fresh Croissants
(Recipe For Dish With Follow Later This Week.)

Jeanine At The Shipley Coffee Bar

Who Won The Contest For The Best Gift For Little Jack?
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No, It Wasn't Grandma's Sweater That Jennifer Mary Is Holding.
And No, It Wasn't That Cool Flashlight In Little Jack's Hands
Though It Did Come In Third Place.
The Big Box Next To Jack And Terry Came In Second Place
A Bicycle Wie Game For Little Jack.
Now Drumroll Please.
***************
The Winner Of This Year's Best Present For Little Jack Goes To
Aunt Gigi aka Aunt Jeanine
Look Below.

The 9 Battery Operated Tonka Truck That Goes Forwards, Backwards
and Does Cartwheels!
Except Little Jack Quickly Learned That It Could Not Do Anything When
He Drove It Under A Couch.
Ooooooooops!
Jeanine Marie Is Still Putting Her Diamond Ring In Every Photo
###########
This Wegmans Ultimate White Cake Was A Practice Cake Cutting Adventure
For Jeanine and Bryan.
How Will You Cut The Cake in November of 2010?
Will There Be Decorum or Chaos?
Look Below For Ideas.
I Think Bryan Might Attack That Cake Like An Virginia Guardsman Locating An IED in Iraq
While Sarge (Jeanine) Smiles For The Visiting Press
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The End

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Second Day of Christmas Reagan Photo

The Second Day of Christmas Photo
December 26, 2009
The Reagans
Jeremy, Norma, Wade and Chyanne
This is Jack's brother's daughter's family who live in Niangua, Missouri. They had a recent addition to the family: little Chyanne. Big brother Wade is smiling while Chyanne is asleep in her red and green Christmas dress. This formal portrait was taken by the wife of Jack's nephew, Glen Dale Colliver. The Collivers live in Camdenton, Missouri near the famous Lake of the Ozarks.



First Day of Christmas Shipley Photo

First Day of Christmas
December 25, 2009
Shipley Photo
There are 12 days to celebrate Christmas---The 12 Days of Christmas. This year for each of the 12 Days of Christmas I will feature an interesting photo received from friends or relatives. Naturally for the First Day of Christmas we must, we simply must feature our grandson Little Jack with the halo he received at church on Christmas Eve. This proves that my little boy is
an angel!

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Silent Night

Holy Trinity Church
Gainesville, Virginia
December 2008
A Beautiful Setting For Christmas Service
The Little Ones Are Enchanted With The Nativity Scene At The Front Alter
Merry Christmas Everyone!
Have A Blessed Celebration With Family and Friends.
Jack Aidan: Santa Claus is coming to town.
Grandma: Did you write a letter to Santa Claus?
Jack Aidan: Yes, Grandpa helped me write it on the computer in word perfect.
Grandpa: Did you tell Santa Claus the truth?
Jack Aidan: Yes, I said I was a little naughty and a whole lot of nice and always cute.
Grandma has the last word: I know Santa Claus will bring you something since you are truthful and a whole lot of nice plus always cute. And I also know who is getting that lump of coal in their stocking. Santa Claus told me at the mall.
Dumm de Dumm Dumm
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

My Annual Christmas Cookie Exchange Party

My Annual Christmas Cookie Exchange Party
December 20, 2009
12:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M.
This Year's Party Theme: Greek Food
My Hero, Jackie Lee, had the drive and sidewalks cleared of snow.
Even that little bit you see in the first photo.
Then the sun emerged and shown on the new fallen snow and made everything sparkle
against the white snow and blue skies.

The Wreath On The Front Door Was Even Sporting A Snowy Look

The Christmas Wreath On The Opposite Side Of The Door
Held My Oldest Little Raggedy Ann and Andy Dolls. The Two Smallest Dolls Were On
The Bassinet When We Brought Jennifer Home From The Hospital in 1976. The One In The Middle Jeanine Gave To Me One Year For Christmas
With Message: "Mom, You Need A Doll."

The Green Scarf Attached To The Wreath Neighbor Dickie Made For Me.
Thank You, Dickie.
My Collection Of Christmas Stockings Were On The Stairs
As Dickie Played Head House Butler And Ran Coats and Scarves Up The Stairs.
(I Created A Boot Depot In My Laundry Room For Drying All The Boots.)

Here Joan and Daughter Plus Bev and Haelie Are Sitting
And Sampling the Appetizers: Eggplant Caponata, Hummus on Belgian Endive And
Assorted Cheeses.

These Two Are Hanging Out By My Little German Christmas Tree.
Note the stocking feet--the dress code for the day plus ski wear.

Would You Like To Sample The Fruited Stilton Cheeses Along With The Irish Cheddar and
French Brie?

Greek Stuffed Grape Leave, Carrot and Celery Salad, Red Beet Salad
And Seven Layer Salad To Go With The Two Main Dishes:
Greek Moussaka and The Baked Mediterranean Frittata.

Finally The Big Moment Arrived:
The Cookie Exchange Romp Around My Dining Room Table.
Ready Your Cookie Bag Ladies And One, Two, Three, Takeoff!

Stop A Moment.
Say Cheese.
I'm Taking Your Picture While You Do The Cookie Romp.

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Below Are My Recipes For My Greek Moussaka, Eggplant Caponata Dip,
The Baked Mediterranean Frittata and Easy Marinated Orange Dessert.

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Moussaka
(Baked Meat and Eggplant in Bechamel Sauce)
Recipes Courtesy of Anne Theoharous's Cookbook: Cooking and Baking The Greek Way
and Recipe From St. Sophias Greek Orthodox Church Cookbook With
My Adaptations
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Yield: 12 servings
Time: First day: 3 hours
Second day: 50 minutes
Third day: 2 hours
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First day, Frying The 3 Medium Eggplants
1. Wash unpeeled Eggplants and slice into 1/4 inch thick slices.
2. Sprinkle slices with kosher salt and put in colanders to drain with a plate on top that is weighted down with something heavy. Set aside for 2 hours.
3. Rinse eggplant slices under cool water and dry with dish towels.
4. Heat good olive oil and butter in large skillet. I start with 3 T. olive oil and 3 T. butter for a skillet full of eggplant slices. Repeat these amount for each additional batch of eggplant slices to brown. Place fried eggplant slices in a 13 x 11 baking dish and cover and place in fridge overnight.
5. Place 6-8 slices of bread on cookie sheet to dry out over night.
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Second day, Preparing the Meat Mixture
(It can be all ground lamb or all ground beef or a combination of both.)
1. Chop up three sweet Vidalia style onions and 10 stalks of flat Italian parsley and one clove of garlic.
2. Heat a stick of butter in large skillet and saute the chopped veggies.
3. Saute 2 1/2 pounds of meat in separate skillet till brown. Drain off the fat by removing meat and adding it to veggie saute skillet.
4. Add one can of well drained chopped tomatoes plus 3 tablespoons of tomato paste.
5. Add seasonings: 1 cup dry red wine
1/2 tablespoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon powdered ginger
6. Allow meat to simmer uncovered until all liquid is absorbed (about 30 minutes).
7. Make bread crumbs with the 6-8 slices of bread that have dried out over night. Use food processor to turn bread into bread crumbs.
8. Remove meat mixture from heat and allow to cool down a bit. Then stir in 1 cup of bread crumbs.
9. Then add 1 cup of grated Kefalotyri or Parmesan cheese to meat mixture.
10. Then add 4 slightly beaten egg whites which will thicken meat mixture when baking. Save egg yolks for tomorrow Bechamel Sauce.
11. Lastly place meat mixture over the eggplant slices in baking dish. Cover dish and refrigerate.
Relax, tomorrow it will be easy to make topping and bake dish.
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Third day: Making Bechamel Sauce and Baking Dish
1. Scald 3 cups milk in saucepan and remove from heat.
2. Melt 6 tablespoons butter over low heat and then slowly stir in 6 tablespoons flour. Blend.
Keep stirring to about 2 - 3 minutes to allow roux to bubble gently. Then remove from heat
and add the 3 cups of scalded milk.
3. Return saucepan to stove to cook over medium heat to thicken the sauce. Then add 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon.
4. Cool sauce a bit. Beat egg yolks and add a little sauce to beaten yolks. Then slowly add yolk mixture to the sauce.
5. Lastly add 1/2 cup grated Kefalottyri or Parmesan cheese to Bechamel Sauce.
6. Pour Bechamel Sauce over meat/eggplant mixture in baking dish.
7. Can refrigerate moussaka now or bake it
now in a 350 degree oven for about 1 hour or until top is golden brown and crusty.
8. Remove Moussaka from oven and allow to sit undisturbed for 15 minutes before cutting into squares. This wait is very important. It allows the mixture to coalesce.
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Homemade Eggplant Caponata Dip For Pita Bread
1. Place 1 eggplant with skin cut in half in roasting pan with 1 red onion, 1 red pepper, 1/2 a head of mild elephant garlic. Drizzle 1/4 cup olive oil over veggies and roast for about 30 minutes at 350 degrees or until veggies are done.
2. Meantime chop into a bowl 10 sprigs of Italian parsley, 1/2 cup of stuffed olives, 1/2 cup of fresh chives and 1/2 cup of chopped basil leaves..
3. When roasted veggies are done, let cool a bit and then chop up the roasted veggies and add to other chopped veggies in bowl.
4. Add 1 can of drained diced tomatoes.
5. Add 1/2 can of tomato paste.
6. Stir thoroughly this mixture and then add 1 slight pinch of sugar to balance flavors.
7. Lastly add 1 cup of dry red wine and stir to blend.
8. Place dip in covered glass container and chill in fridge. Serve with assorted breads and chips.
This even makes a great spread for bagels.
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****************
Baked Mediterranean Frittata
1. Saute 2 sweet vidalia onions in about 3 tablespoons of good olive oil. Remove from stove.
2. Add 1 can of drained diced tomatoes to onions.
3. Add 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh Italian parsley and 1/2 cup of chopped fresh basil leaves to onion mixture.
4. Tear up some Italian bread to make 4 cups of bread pieces. Add to mixture.
5. Season to taste with salt, pepper---about 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper.
6. Lastly take 6 eggs and beat them with a fork. Add 1/2 cup of half and half to egg mixture and add all of this to the veggies in mixing bowl.
7. Butter a 13" x 11" baking dish and pour frittata mixture into pan. refrigerate over night for flavors to meld. Next day bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes or until done.
8. Frittata can be served hot, at room temperature or cold. To serve, cut into wedges.
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Marinated Orange Slices ala Marcella Hazan ala Joann Shipley
(This Simple But Delicious Dessert Is Great Now That Folks Are Selling Oranges By
The Box For The Holidays.)
1. Four oranges. Use one orange to create fresh orange zest by zesting the skin. Set aside zest for garnish. Use this orange to create orange juice.
2. Take other three oranges and peel them. Then slice off both ends to pitch. Then slice each orange into four nice slices. Place slices in a quiche style dish.
3. Create a simple sugar syrup by heating 1/4 cup sugar with 1/4 cup water in saucepan. Heat to boil and boil one minute. Remove from heat to add 2 tablespoons of Grand Marnier into sugar syrup. Add fresh squeezed orange juice from first orange. Return pan to heat to boil off alcohol. About 1 minute.
4. Pour this sugar syrup over the orange slices and garnish with the orange zest.
5. Refrigerate over night covered to allow flavors to meld.
This is a very simple but great dessert to serve with rich food because it is so refreshing.