“When I get a chance to play golf or go on a boat with good people, take the boat out and put some lobsters on the grill, get the ice-cold beer and the cigars – that’s heaven here on earth.
~ Bernie Mac

This holiday, don’t let a little rain ruin your parties.  Enjoy cooler temperatures and cold beer!

Christmas in July Sangria & Salsa Kitchen Party
Thursday, July 1, 4–6:30 p.m.
Melissa Guerra – Tienda de Cocina
Full Goods Building, Pearl Brewery
200 E. Grayson St., Suite 122
The event benefits Roy Maas Youth Alternatives, a nonprofit that cares for more than 600 children per year.  During the month of July, shoppers who donate at least $25 to RMYA will get a  20-percent discount on personal orders.

Cooking Demonstrations at the Pearl
Pearl Farmers Market
Saturday, July 3, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
200 East Grayson St.
In addition to fresh produce, cooking demonstrations by The Cove’s Drew Morros and musical entertainment are on the agenda.  Demonstrations start at 9:30 a.m.   The market also features a changing chef’s table lunch menu by chef Johnny Hernandez, “representing what is seasonal and regional in our cuisine.” Hernandez serves the meal family-style and discusses each vendor and their seasonal ingredients. For information or reservations, go to www.mesalegre.com.

“Peach Fest”
Saturday, July 3, noon–2 p.m. Free
Whole Foods Market – Quarry
255 E. Basse Road
The store will be offering samples of peach smoothies and grilled peaches with balsamic reduction and blue cheese.

Chili Cook-off
Sunday, July 4, noon. $5
Becker Vineyards
464 Becker Farms Road
Stonewall, Texas 78671
Contestants will be breaking out their best chili recipe for this event that benefits Greater Fredericksburg’s Habitat for Humanity.

All-night Happy Hour
Sunday, July 4, 4 p.m.-close
Wildfish Seafood Grille, 1834 N. Loop 1604 W.
Roaring Fork, 1806 N. Loop 1604 W.
Both restaurants are offering happy hour specials all night.  With one entrée purchase, a second of equal or lesser value is free.  The specials are available in the bar and dining room.

“A Taste of Provence” Tasting Menu
Through July 31, $48 plus tax and gratuity, $12 additional for wine pairings
Fig Tree Restaurant
515 Villita
This French-inspired meal starts with your choice of Zucchini Blossom Beignets or Terrine de Légumes.  Next, select either Blue Prawns Provençal or Grilled Mediterranean Sea Bass.  The main course options are Pan-seared Herb Marinated Lamb Tenderloing or Grilled Lamb Chops with Roasted Garlic Créme.  Dessert choices are Hill Country Peach Croustade or Poached Fruit of the Day a la mode.  The optional wine pairing includes Chateau Routas, Rosé Var 2008; Mas de la Dame, Rose du Mas 2009; and Mas de la Dame, Rouge 2006.  For reservations, call 210-224-1976.

Get out the wine, the fresh fruit, the spiced rum or brandy. Stir it together, add soda. Then, pour it over ice and sit back to enjoy one of Spain’s most flavorful gifts to the world of beverages — sangria.

Festive enough for Father’s Day or July 4^th, it is summery, cool and refreshing. The colorful punch is also versatile and can be made with many variations. Any of them are reliable for helping us chill out on days and evenings when the temperatures are in the 90s, if not higher.

We’re offering this Basic Spanish Sangria recipe as a starting point. But, consider making sangria with white wine as well as red wine. (We’ve had the white wine style in Spain, but it is not nearly as popular as red wine sangria.)

Moving down to the sugar — this is also up to you. You know your guests’ tastes and your own; add sugar accordingly. Also, note the word “dry” describing the wine. That means not sweet. But if you have only have a sweeter wine, then leave out the sugar altogether.

One good reason to keep a big, clear glass pitcher in the cupboard is for presenting sangria: the rounds of sliced lime, lemon and orange, red strawberries or yellow pineapple, look beautiful and tempting showing through the glass.

Put fruit in as you like, but be sure it is fresh, because this is what sangria is about. That shot of rum or brandy? It is optional, depending on how alcoholic you want your drink to be. Remember, anyone can add a little more to their own glass if they wish.

Some like a sangria that’s spicy with nutmeg or cinnamon. We’ve had white sangria that had green grapes in it and white flowers floating on top. So, give your creativity a stretch and feel free to experiment. Just be sure you make enough for everyone and have plenty of ice on hand.

Basic Spanish Sangria

3 1/4 cups dry red wine
1-2 tablespoons sugar
Juice of 1 large orange
Juice of 1 large lemon
1 large orange, sliced thin crosswise
1 large lemon, sliced thin crosswise
1 lime, sliced thin crosswise
2 medium peaches, peeled, pitted and cut into chunks (or use chunks of fresh pineapple or wedges of fresh strawberries)
1 shot brandy or spiced rum, optional
1 cup club soda or ginger ale (the ginger ale version will be sweeter)

Combine the wine, sugar, orange juice, lemon juice, orange slices, lemon slices, lime slices and chunks of peaches (or pineapple or strawberries) and brandy or spiced rum, if using. Mix together well in a large punch bowl or glass serving pitcher. Refrigerate overnight. Immediately before serving mix in the club soda or ginger ale for added fizz. Ladle into cups or glasses with ice cubes.

Makes 4-6 servings

Adapted from www.spain-recipes.com

Sandy Oaks Olive Orchard, near Elmendorf, will observe Father’s Day on Saturday, offering tours and treats featuring this healthful, delicious fruit with an ancient history. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., come down to the ranch to see thousands of olive trees and learn about the varieties that grow well in Texas. Tours are at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., and Sandy Oaks nursery offers 20 varieties of olive trees for sale, for those who want to grow their own.

Dad can have a glass of sangria, kids can have pizza snacks and everyone can sample olive leaf tea. Taste olive oil and specially made treats made with olive oil, such as olive oil brownies. Check out the shop for everything from extra virgin olive oil, fig balsamic vinegar and to Sandy Oaks’ made-on-site lotions, healing salves, salt scrub and aromatic oil.

From now through Saturday, anyone who purchases more than $40 worth of merchandise in the gift shop will receive a gift of either truffles or olive oil brownies.

Sandy Oaks Olive Orchard (www.sandyoaks.com), owned by Saundra C. Winokur, is located at 25195 Mathis Road, off U.S. Highway 37 about 20 minutes south of San Antonio. Take the Hardy Road Exit and turn east (left, if coming from San Antonio.) Go to Mathis Road, turn left, and Sandy Oaks Olive Orchard is on your left about a third of a mile up Mathis Road. Look for the big iron gate.