Tuesday, January 7, Cleveland broke an one hundred and thirty year old record with its temperature plunging to eleven degrees below zero.
Our casinos closed as well as many businesses giving friends and loved one some unexpected time off.
Some were happy. Some were not. Most were cold.
But an odd thing happened. It's been one hundred and thirty years since it's been this cold. It became a novelty. People ran out with boiling water, throwing it in the air, watching it turn to steam.
Bubbles were blown and froze immediately while floating in the air.
The news crew was out experimenting with how quickly things can freeze. Calls were made to Alaska as they laughed at how novel this all was to us.
It's a cold snap that hit all over the United States. And, all over things that one normally doesn't see or do, they were doing. My thoughts went to the Polar Plungers, a group that jumps into the frozen shores of Lake Erie every January for charity. I'm sure they were happy that their plunge into the lake was before this arctic air hit.
What else would someone not normally do this time of year? Make gazpacho!
Isn't gazpacho a summer soup? It's comfort food but is it comfort food for winter? Why gazpacho?
Was I crazy? Well, I wasn't crazy enough to jump in the lake. I didn't have any bubbles to blow and watch them crystallize. I didn't even feel the need to run about documenting an iced lake through Instagram.
I did stay in and I did make soup. The soup wasn't hot but it was spicy.
It was a perfect January soup, actually. It was light enough not to weigh me down. It would be perfect after a work out (resolutions). It was refreshing and filling too. Add a few crispy croutons for a crunch, yum.
One could change it quickly to a veggie smoothie on the go with a few tablespoons of plain yogurt, yum.
And then again, for a brunch one could add a bit of vodka...a Gazpacho Mary? tequila...a Gazpacho Maria?
double yum
Keep the Siracha nearby for an added kick no matter how you decide to serve it.
It turned out to be very warming and refreshing all at the same time.
A summer soup in winter? Crazy winters require crazy solutions and this solution could travel (without the alcohol of course.)
Stay safe, stay warm....and do something a little out of the ordinary. ;)
More unusual winter fun to watch for...
Sundogs...little spots of light that glow in a halo that forms around the sun that's caused by ice crystals in the air. They look like mini suns.
Northern Lights...Because of a sun flare hitting the earth at just the right time, the northern lights are supposed to dip pretty far south tonight. If the skies are clear, look up!
Our casinos closed as well as many businesses giving friends and loved one some unexpected time off.
Some were happy. Some were not. Most were cold.
But an odd thing happened. It's been one hundred and thirty years since it's been this cold. It became a novelty. People ran out with boiling water, throwing it in the air, watching it turn to steam.
Bubbles were blown and froze immediately while floating in the air.
The news crew was out experimenting with how quickly things can freeze. Calls were made to Alaska as they laughed at how novel this all was to us.
It's a cold snap that hit all over the United States. And, all over things that one normally doesn't see or do, they were doing. My thoughts went to the Polar Plungers, a group that jumps into the frozen shores of Lake Erie every January for charity. I'm sure they were happy that their plunge into the lake was before this arctic air hit.
What else would someone not normally do this time of year? Make gazpacho!
Isn't gazpacho a summer soup? It's comfort food but is it comfort food for winter? Why gazpacho?
Was I crazy? Well, I wasn't crazy enough to jump in the lake. I didn't have any bubbles to blow and watch them crystallize. I didn't even feel the need to run about documenting an iced lake through Instagram.
I did stay in and I did make soup. The soup wasn't hot but it was spicy.
It was a perfect January soup, actually. It was light enough not to weigh me down. It would be perfect after a work out (resolutions). It was refreshing and filling too. Add a few crispy croutons for a crunch, yum.
One could change it quickly to a veggie smoothie on the go with a few tablespoons of plain yogurt, yum.
And then again, for a brunch one could add a bit of vodka...a Gazpacho Mary? tequila...a Gazpacho Maria?
double yum
Keep the Siracha nearby for an added kick no matter how you decide to serve it.
It turned out to be very warming and refreshing all at the same time.
A summer soup in winter? Crazy winters require crazy solutions and this solution could travel (without the alcohol of course.)
Stay safe, stay warm....and do something a little out of the ordinary. ;)
More unusual winter fun to watch for...
Sundogs...little spots of light that glow in a halo that forms around the sun that's caused by ice crystals in the air. They look like mini suns.
Northern Lights...Because of a sun flare hitting the earth at just the right time, the northern lights are supposed to dip pretty far south tonight. If the skies are clear, look up!
2 Heirloom Tomatoes, seeded
1/2 Red Pepper, seeded
1/2 Seedless Cucumber, peeled
1 Jalapeno, seeded
The Juice of an Orange
A tablespoon or so of fresh Mint
2 Tbsp. Olive Oil
1/4 tsp Kosher Salt
1 tsp Honey
Hot Chili Sauce such as Siracha
Prepare your veggies.
Place veggies and juice in your blender.
Pulse until mostly liquified. :)
Add Olive Oil and a dash of salt.
Add honey a teaspoon at a time (to taste).
Serve as a soup dish.
Add a bit of Siracha.
It's also a refreshing veggie drink, especially after a workout.
Or, if you're feeling the need for some "anti-freeze", dress it up with a little Vodka or Tequila.
Would that be a Gazpacho Mary?
a Gazpacho Maria?
However you decide to enjoy this, it's a guiltless and refreshing way to start off the new year.
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