Happy 4th of July to all. Our American Independence Day is commemorated today to recall the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on this date in 1776 (though the Continental Congress had actually voted on it two days before).
Cher French SSO members: Merci beaucoup for your enlightened ideas, Lafayette and all that helpful dough sent by the king (who really only wanted to cause trouble for the Brits). We might not exist without you.
Beloved British & Canadian SSO members: Sorry for reminding all of us of our little dustups over the centuries, but thanks for the beauty and clarity of the English language and the legal traditions you passed on to us--even though we don't always like to admit it, our application of those ideas respecting the individual, minorities, and the ingenuity we cherish does have roots with you. Though there are days when I've despaired or facetiously think we should ask the queen and commonwealth for forgiveness, it is a happy holiday in our country, despite all our flaws and problems. I hope that the coming two hundred and thirty-third year of America's existence is one we can be proud of by next July 4th.
Though very bright men, the Continental Congress members could not have known how the words of the preamble to the Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson, would resonate throughout the world to this day. If only we can strive to fulfill a fraction of their eloquently expressed ideals in our everyday lives...
Of course, I choose to see the use of the word "men" above in the generic sense, to encompass all women, and men of every race and creed as well. I hope that each of you who'd like will share what you're doing today to celebrate. I'm doing laundry, (always an adventure), gardening, cleaning and cooking the recipe below for a few people tonight, before enjoying the fireworks from a nearby golf course. For decades, I always wound up working today. Thank goodness, not this holiday.We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
Shrimp with pan-roasted sweet red peppers, salsa, potatoes and fresh basil:
Ingredients:
1lb. peeled, deveined shrimp
1 whole sweet red pepper, julienned and seeded
1/4 c. of salsa (hotness is your choice)
1/2 lb. red potatoes, sliced and gently par-boiled
julienned fresh basil
s & p to taste
squeeze of lemon juice
dry white wine (optional, to taste)
enough olive oil to cover bottom of heavy duty stainless steel sauté pan
Method:
Heat olive oil in bottom of stainless steel sauté pan on medium heat.
Add sliced potatoes and heat till they begin to crisp up, gently turning with spatula.
Add peppers and sauté until soft, add salsa and after all is heated through, carefully remove from pan leaving most of olive oil in pan.
Place veggies from pan into a bowl and cover to keep hot on the side.
Immediately add shrimp to hot pan, scraping bottom of pan to remove any tasty veg particles left, squeeze lemon juice over all and add wine as sautéing, gently moving shrimp around until pink. Add fresh basil, s & p to taste, and serve atop vegetable mixture immediately. Enjoy.
