A Bunch of Awards, a Bunch of Radishes, and the Italian Flag

People collect different things. For instance, my purple friend Melinda of https://purpleslobinrecovery.wordpress.com collects good feelings – the best sort of collection imaginable! Lately, this humble blog of mine seemed to be collecting awards.

This is a bunch that has accumulated in three months. I am totally overwhelmed, greatly honored, and most sincerely thankful to the following amazing bloggers:

•  https://spoonfulospice.wordpress.com
•  https://gypsybus28.com
• https://daringtojess.wordpress.com
• https://deweyhop.wordpress.com
• https://jirahmerizz.wordpress.com/
• https://neetuskitchen.wordpress.com
• https://inspiresn.wordpress.com
• https://lithuanianintheusa.com
• https://dearkitty1.wordpress.com
• https://cookandenjoyrecipes.wordpress.com
• https://throughmyrosetingedglasses.wordpress.com
• https://jewishthoughtsblog.wordpress.com

Huge credit also goes to the fantastic Okoto Enigma, the creator of Mystery Blogger Award, the inimitable Esme The Recipe Hunter who conceived of the Blog-aholic Award, and the adorable David who came up with the 2016/2017 tag.  To all of you, Beautiful People, who found it in your hearts to honor me, and to almost 1200 of my followers, a million of scarlet roses, delivered by The First Lady of Russian Song (lyrics in English appear when you click on SHOW MORE).

Each of those awards requires displaying an award logo (did that!), answering an endless list of questions or disclosing personal facts, and nominating other bloggers. As neither you, Beautiful People, nor I, have the time and patience for extra-long posts, I am picking and choosing the Q & A part:

1. Would you rather it was always winter, or always summer? On a gloomy December day 35 years ago, I shoveled snow off my car, scraped ice off the windshield, and started driving south. As I progressed, I was peeling layers of warm clothing off, like an onion. When I saw the first palm trees and orange groves, I knew I was doing the right thing. And when I saw the ocean, I realized that I have reached my destination, the place of eternal summer – South Florida.
2. Global event that marked 2016 for you? Presidential election, of course!
3. Do you prefer emails or telephone calls? E-mails for me, please! I am very visual.
4. Three facts about me? I dislike ZOO’s and circus shows with animals in captivity – animals should be free in their natural habitat; I got to swim with dolphins in the bay twice (hoping for more!); I dance flamenco (I might have mentioned this one before – don’t remember).
5. What is your first thought when you wake up in the morning? Thank the A-mighty that I’ve lived to see another day.
6. What is your comfort food? Chocolate!  Need you ask? One more time, for the record:

   My Own Rules of Dessert.

   Rule #1. It’s not dessert if it’s not chocolate.

   Rule #2. The more chocolate, the better.

7. This will be the last one, and I’ll save it until I am done with the nominations. In my own funky way, I suggest that my nominees select the award / awards they like  – there are nine to choose from. I further suggest that they tell three to seven interesting or unusual things about themselves and nominate any number of bloggers they wish. Of course, they should display the award logo (or two, or three, or all nine) on their sites, and it would be nice if they mention me. And certainly, they don’t have to do any of this if they prefer not to participate in awards.

I nominate the following great bloggers:

• https://manthaskitchen.blog/
• https://favoriterecipesblog.wordpress.com/
• https://stefangourmet.com/
• https://preethicuisine.com/
• https://skintcooking.com/
• https://recipereminiscing.wordpress.com/
• https://sizzlesnstrings.wordpress.com/

Most certainly, there are many other terrific bloggers out there whose work I follow and whose posts I enjoy reading, so please consider yourself nominated, and, if you are so inclined, grab yourself an award or two, and start writing!

Returning to Question #7, my most favorite place in the world (besides Jerusalem, of course) is Italy, bella Italia. I am infatuated with everything Italian, from art, architecture, and design, to opera – ah! bel canto! – to food. The Tricolore – Italian flag – represents hope, faith, and charity, the universal values of humanity.

I got this gorgeous bunch of radishes – don’t they look just like a million of scarlet roses? They are red on the outside and white inside, so we have a good beginning. We slice them into very thin circles. Then we have a bunch of scallions, green with white tips, and we dice them. To add some more hope to the world, there is a goodly bunch of fresh fragrant dill, to be chopped and tossed with sliced radishes and diced scallions. Add salt and pepper to taste, and you are ready to serve.

This has always been my favorite summer salad, served with a dollop of sour cream or Tofutti Sour Supreme. The freshness, the smell, the crunch, and the colors will liven up your table and remind you of Italy.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 bunch or radishes (about 12 – 15)
• 1 bunch of scallions (about 6 – 8)
• Large handful of fresh dill
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Sour cream or substitute to garnish

PROCEDURE

• Slice radishes paper thin. Dice scallions. Chop dill. Mix, toss with salt and pepper.
• Serve chilled, garnished with sour cream or substitute.

Enjoy!