A Spoonful of Melody Monday Link Up

I have always been drawn to songs that reflected any given point in my life, dreaming and imagining, even manifesting through music.  My girlfriends and I danced to Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive after break ups and the story of my romance with my husband is Kelly Clarkson’s My Life Would Suck Without You.  In this same way, music has a statement to make about the food we create and meals we eat.

I believe that music triggers passion in people and tells stories.  There are songs that are soundtracks to our lives.  Growing up, my home was always full of music at any given time that quiet wasn’t necessary.  I use to dance around and sing to the extent that my parents thought I was “nuts”.  I think in recent years, I have lost that kind of passion and life’s many duties have taken over my time for music appreciation.  There has been a bit of staleness and it’s time to ensure that music brings back zeal in my life.

That is why A Spoonful of Melody Monday will play a significant part in my life this year.  With life being as hectic as it is and the focus to be healthy in this New Year, I wouldn’t want to find myself burned out and neglectful of gourmet, indulgent provisions.  Once a month I will give myself and you a little treat by nourishing the sense with a fine meal and musical accompaniment.  After working hard and playing hard all month long, on the last Monday of each month join me for a meal and its perfect musical pairing to bliss.  Each month either the song or the meal will be the inspiration for the other.  You will be able to prepare a lovely meal with recipes I provide for the food that compliments the song of the month.  Ambiance and repast will go hand in hand for perfection.

With that said….

I thought it would be fun to open this up to a recipe and music link up and have a blog party. Each month when I share music and recipes with you, I want to give you the chance to share your favorite song or recipe. This blog party will happen the last Monday of every month, so I hope you continue to join me.

Link Up

Please link a post on your blog about a favorite song, recipe or both if you like using the inlinkz tools bellow. Your link will be shared on this post and each month I will feature a recipe, song, or song/recipe pairing from the previous month’s blog party. So keep coming to link up and you have a chance to be featured every month.

The Rules To Our Party:

It’s pretty simple…

1. Link up an original post from your blog with photos you own only – post subject should be music, recipe or pairings of both.
2. Share about the link up by grabbing our badge and including it on the bottom of your post.
3. Follow Love.Food.Life.Alchemy and leave a thoughtful comment on this post.
4. Visit as many blogs as possible and spread the love & follow back.

Welcome to our first Spoonful of Melody Monday Link Up!

Here’s is my first Spoonful of Melody Monday post….

Californian Winter & Thai Basil Sangria

It’s beautiful winter weather out here and I was inspired by this Indie Pop song called Californian Winter. It is a very fresh sound with a cool slide guitar. The lyrics are just the epitome of what we are experiencing this winter and led me to dwell upon a winter picnic. We need a perfect drink to mellow out with on the beach, and I’m not thinking lemonade.

Although my song choice is all about California, we here in California are famous for our fusion food and a Thai Basil Sangria is as eclectic and fusion as it gets. Thai Basil is ingenious to Thailand and Sangria itself is actually a Spanish drink, which draws its name from the blood-red color of its traditional red wine base. In compliment to the song, Californian Winter, this is a much lighter and stripped-down version of sangria with a rich golden hue and zingy flavors from white wine, fresh-squeezed orange juice and a kick of brandy to keep you warm from the subtle sea breeze during a California winter.

Californian Winter

Listen Here!

 

Thai Basil Sangria

Ingredients

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup water

8 Thai basil sprigs

Zest of 1 lemon, peeled in 3-inch strips

Zest of 1 orange, peeled in 3-inch strips

2 bottles chilled Pinot Grigio

3/4 cup brandy

1/2 cup fresh orange juice, strained

Ice

Chilled club soda

Basil for garnish

Method

1. In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and water and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add the basil sprigs and lemon and orange zests. Let the syrup stand, stirring often, until cooled to room temperature, about 20 minutes. Discard the basil sprigs and zest strips.
2. In a large pitcher, combine the basil syrup with the wine, brandy and orange juice. Pour the sangria into ice-filled glasses, top with club soda and garnish each drink with basil. If you are going on a picnic, make this drink in Masson jars rather than glasses.

Now it’s your turn!

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