Love and a Certain Loveable Groundhog Are in the Air

Here we are in mid-January and much hoopla is already being made
over Valentine’s Day, while a preceding holiday is receiving short
shrift.
Here we are in mid-January and much hoopla is already being made over Valentine’s Day, while a preceding holiday is receiving short shrift.

I am referring, of course, to Groundhog Day, observed on Feb. 2.

Just because an event has not been commercialized beyond all recognition, filling shops with souvenirs, candy, greeting cards and other gifts is no reason to ignore it.

In fact, its very non-commercial nature means we should celebrate it in the spirit of true silliness which has characterized it for over a hundred years.

While Valentine’s Day has its chocolates, its romantic candle-lit dinners and its festive champagne, the only reference to food or drink found on the “groundhog.org” Web site was to the magic potion that the groundhog drinks every summer that has allowed him, the one and only Punxsutawney Phil, to survive all these years and thrive as a predictor of winter weather.

I believe this gives me carte blanche to make up my own magic potion plus an entire Groundhog Day menu.

Please note that in consuming any of the magic potions described below, that they only create extreme longevity for groundhogs.

We humans will continue to play the hand we are dealt.

Magic Potion

(otherwise known as “Seminole Punch,” from the Gasparilla Cookbook)

3 lemons

1  quart water

1 pound sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon almond extract

1 cup strong black tea

fruit juices to taste

2 quarts ginger ale

Step 1: Squeeze lemons and reserve juice. Combine lemon rinds, water and sugar. Boil 5 minutes and strain.

Step 2: Add vanilla, almond extract, lemon juice and strong tea.

Step 3: When cool add 1 pint cold water. This is the base.

Step 4: For punch add assorted fruit juices to taste. Just before serving add chilled ginger ale for snap.

Love Potion No. 9

(otherwise known as “Watermelon Daiquiri” from Nigella Bites; serves 2)

1/3 cup (or to taste) light rum

juice of 1 good-sized lime

1 heaping tblsp. confectioners’ sugar

approx. 10 -12 cubes of previously frozen watermelon

(Note: Cut a small watermelon into chunks or buy prepared chunks; put them in a zipper bag and freeze for 4 hours or more.

Put all ingredients in a blender and blend. Pour into margarita glasses. Drink with caution.

Punxsutawney Phil is wrested from his burrow to wait for sunrise and possibly observing his shadow starting at 7:30am Pennsylvania time.

That’s 4:30am California time. So if we are planning to be up and participate in the tradition in real time, we will need something hearty yet gentle to warm and fill us at that unusually early hour. I propose:

Breakfast Sundae

(1 serving; from Epicurious.com)

1 serving hot cooked oatmeal

3/4 cup chopped fresh fruit

1 scoop vanilla ice cream

Step 1: Place oatmeal in a serving bowl. (Note: Steelcut oatmeal is best for a hearty, chewy texture, but takes more time to make. If pressed for time, instant oatmeal works as well.)

Step 2: Top oatmeal with fresh fruit. (Strawberries, bananas, blueberries, nectarines, mangoes, and raspberries all work well singly or combined together.)

Step 3: Place 1 small scoop of ice cream on top of the fruit. Enjoy a most decadent breakfast.

After Phil has made his prediction, he and the other Pennsylvanians stay around to sign autographs. However, most sensible Californians will go back to bed, waking again to view the replays on the morning news. At that time, a normal light breakfast would be in order:

Breakfast Sandwich

(Serves 1; from Everyday Food)

1 whole-wheat English muffin   

1 teaspoon butter

1 teaspoon dijon mustard   

2 slices Canadian bacon   

1 or 2 slices Swiss cheese (or try provolone or Cheddar)

1 slice tomato

Coarse salt and ground pepper

Step 1: Preheat oven (or toaster oven) to 400 F. Split English muffin; toast directly on oven rack.

Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet (or toaster-oven tray). Spread muffin halves with butter.

Step 2: Layer bottom half with Canadian bacon, Swiss cheese, and tomato; sprinkle with coarse salt and ground pepper.

Return to oven; bake until cheese has melted, about 5 minutes. Top with other muffin half.

Chicken Roll-Ups With Goat Cheese And Arugula

(Serves 4; from Everyday Food)

8 chicken breast cutlets (about 1 1/2 pounds)

Coarse salt and ground pepper

1 large bunch arugula (about 4 ounces), stems trimmed   

3 ounces soft goat cheese, broken into small pieces   

2  teaspoon olive oil

Step 1: Preheat oven to 425 F. Season chicken with salt and pepper. On a clean work surface, lay cutlets flat (smooth sides down). Fill and roll (right): Layer each cutlet with arugula; crumble goat cheese in the center. Starting with the narrow end, roll up chicken tightly; seal with a toothpick.

Step 2: In a large nonstick ovenproof skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat; swirl to coat bottom of pan. Cook, seam side down, until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Turn chicken.

Step 3: Transfer skillet to oven. Cook until chicken is opaque throughout, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove toothpicks, and slice chicken crosswise before serving, if desired.

Elizabeth Gage is a writer who lives in Hollister. She can be reached at ee******@***oo.com.