Food for Thought

I recently came across some interesting quotes fitting for this holiday weekend.

Erma Bombeck:
You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4th, not with a parade of guns, tanks and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten , but it's patriotism.
Author Unknown:
It is easy to take liberty for granted, when you have never had it taken from you.
William Clinton:
There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America.
Franklin D. Roosevelt:
In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed, it must be achieved.
Swedish Proverb:
Fear less, hope more, eat less, breathe more, talk less, say more, love more, and all good things will be yours.

Enjoy your weekend with family and friends
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Cherry Barbecue Sauce

this fruity, not so sweet barbecue sauce is terrific on any grilled poultry, pork or even salmon. It can be made a day ahead
Ingredients:

• 1 cup canned chicken broth(low salt)
  
• 1/3 cup cherry preserves
• 1/3 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp. lemon peel
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 cup dried cherries
  

• 1/2 cup red wine like a Merlot or Cabernet
• 3 tsp. cornstarch
• 1/4 cup orange marmalade
• 1 TB. ketchup

Directions:

• Combine chicken broth, cherry preserves, orange juice, lemon juice, lemon peel,cinnamon, dried cherries in medium saucepan. Boil over heat till mixture is reduced to 1 1/2 cups for about 6 minutes
• Mix cornstarch and wine, add orange marmalade and ketchup
  
• Whisk to blend
• Add to reduced broth mixture whisking constantly about 5 minutes till thickened
• optional: season sauce with salt, pepper, cayenne

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Three-Bean Casserole

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. pork sausage, cooked, drained and crumbled
• 2 cups of chopped celery
• 1 medium onion chopped
• 2 cans of baked beans
• 1 can lima beans drained
• 1 can kidney beans drained
• 1 cup of ketchup
• 1 can of chunky tomatoes
• 1 tsp dry mustard
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• several slices of bacon cooked and crumbled

Directions:

• Mix all ingredients except bacon and place in a slow cooker for a few hours or in oven @ 300 for an hour and half-stir occasionally
  
• Place crumbled bacon on top

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