Crisp

Just tried this recipe tonight and fell in love so I thought I'd share.*

Celery and Grapefruit Salad with Parmesan
serves two

6 stalks celery, chilled
1 grapefruit, chilled
Pinch sugar
Extra-virgin olive oil, of finishing quality
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Parmesan cheese

Slice the celery thinly at an angle using a sharp knife or a mandoline. Cut the ends of the grapefruit then stand it on one flat end to carefully slice away the peel. Cut into slices or segments, (See pictorial instructions here for peeling and segmenting the grapefruit.) Toss the sliced grapefruit and celery thoroughly in a bowl. Season with a pinch of sugar, olive oil, salt and pepper. Shave a little bit of Parmesan with a vegetable peeler or with the mandoline. Toss with the salad.

Heap the salad on two plates, and garnish with a few more substantial shavings of Parmesan. Eat immediately, or chill until serving.

*Picture was not taken by yours truly. I took it from thekitchn.com!

Budget Martha (I)

So I threw my good friend Jen a graduation party a few weeks ago and was on a very tight budget. Overall I spent less than three hundred dollars to accomodate about twenty people. I decided that this frugal Franny should share with the world some sure-to-please party ideas.

#1. The Drink

I figured that buying several types of beers, wines, spirits, etc would set me back a little so I decided to stick with one staple for the night and make a lovely summer sangria.

Summer Sangria How-To (serves about 8)

What you'll need:

-A big bowl
-Wooden spoon
-Three oranges
-Some sugar
-A little bit of brandy
-Wine (1 bottle; very dry, red & chilled)
-Two lemons
-A few pineapple rings
-Some club soda
-Ice
-About $25-35 depending on how fancy of brandy and wine you chose. I used the generics because the fruits are really the stars in this and will outshine the alcoholic ingredients.


Step one. Slice two oranges into halves and juice 'em.

Step two. Scoop up about 1/2 a cup of sugar and pour (along with the juice and 1/4 a cup of brandy) into your big bowl.

Step three. Mix and stir with your wooden spoon until sugar has dissolved all the way.

Step four. Add wine.

Step five. Slice lemons & orange very, very thinly. Watch those pretty fingers!

Step six. Add lemon and orange slices along with pineapple rings into your big bowl.

Last step. Let your potent potion marinate for six to twelve hours and chill. Before serving, add 2 cups of club soda and ice. Voila!



Okay, stay tuned for recipes for budget party eats.