There are many things I expected to be stuck with while the stay at home orders were in effect.

Strawberries were not one of them.

Ramen, yes. Strawberries, no.

Two gallons of them actually.

They were the result of a Costco pandemic buying trip on the way home from the office shutdown.

Anyone else out there try to shop at Costco when this all blew up?

No ground beef.

No pork roast.

No fresh fish.

Not even canned tuna.

I swear the place looked like a swarm of atomic-powered locusts came through.

Gleaming, antiseptic EMPTY shelves were everywhere.

The only thing the entire store had in the way of meat was canned anchovies!

Or so I thought.

Suddenly, turning a corner in the refrigerated section, a mirage appeared.

Cue: Lights! Rainbows! and Angelic Chorus!

In the very last case, surrounded by a few scattered pieces of frozen tilapia, was an entire lamb carcass! And, it was surrounded by people trying to get to it but they could not for the path was blocked.

In front of the case was a little girl holding a balloon and crying…

and singing…

“Baa! Baa! Black sheep have you any wool?”

Those large eyes looked out at the adults in an accusatory manner.

“Yes, sir! Yes, sir! Three bags full.”

The eyes accused us all of agricultural murder. In guilt, a couple of adults joined in.

“One for my Master! One for my dame!”

What the hell? We all joined in.

“One for the little boy lives down the lane.”

The little girl started to smile through her tears.

“Baa! Baa! Black sheep, have you any wool?

Yes, sir! Yes, sir! Three bags full.”

Her mom bought the lamb.

At least I got a lot of strawberries.

NOW LET’S DO IT RIGHT!

Strawberries in a Dysshe of Snowe

Ingredients:

Strawberries, 2 quarts

Sweet Red Wine, 2 cups

Honey, 1/2 Cup

Sugar, 1/2 cup

Eggs, 1/2 dozen

Whipping Cream, 1 pint

Rose Syrup, 3 tbsps.

Saigon Cinnamon, 1 tbsp.

Nutmeg, 1 tbsp.

Secret Ingredient: Fig Newtons

1. Separate the egg whites from the yolks and discard the yolks.
2. Whip eggs until frothy.
3. Mix in the sugar slowly and whip.
4. Mix in the rose syrup and whip.
5. Add the whipping cream evenly and continue to whip until frothy to make the best topping you have ever had in your life. Chill it for at least 2 hours.
6. Clean the strawberries and slice off the stems. If large, slice in half.
7. Mix the wine with the honey and spices.
8. Marinade the strawberries in the wine mixture for at least two hours with overnight best.
9. Line a large serving pan with fig newtons around the edge and pour in the cream until approximately one inch deep.
10. Drain the strawberries and place them point up in the cream.
11. Chill for at least an hour and serve.
12. Serve 10.
13. ENJOY!

Copyright M.J. Hobbs 2020