Try Something New Like Rhubarb!

Catherine here,

Growing up in Michigan I became familiar with rhubarb as it grew in abundance near our farmhouse. My mom would make rhubarb pudding and rhubarb cake. The cake I loved but the pudding not so much. You have to add a lot of sugar to this vegetable unless you absolutely love grapefruit tartness.

Rhubarb looks a little bit like celery but it can range in color from deep red to light pink, and even pale green. One stalk only contains 11 calories. You can also freeze rhubarb for use after summertime. Remember only the stalks are edible; the leaves are toxic.

My sister Judy served a wonderful rhubarb welcome drink (yes with alcohol) at her 50th wedding anniversary party. It was a huge hit with many coming back for thirds and fourths!

Here is the recipe for those of you that love fun new tasty recipes:

Making a Great Rhubarb Gin Fizz

First You Need Rhubarb Syrup: 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water, 1 1⁄4 cups chopped rhubarb, 1⁄4 teaspoon vanilla extract.

Combine sugar, water and rhubarb in a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Simmer until rhubarb is tender. Cool completely and then stir in vanilla extract. Pour syrup through strainer, squishing the rhubarb a bit so some of the solids go through. Makes about 2 1⁄4 cups and lasts in fridge for about a week. Now to assemble the drink:

8 ounces gin

9 ounces rhubarb syrup

1⁄2 cup fresh lemon juice

12 ounces chilled champagne

Thinly sliced lemon rounds for garnishing

Combine gin, syrup and lemon juice in a pitcher and stir to combine. Divide among 6 ice filled glasses and top each with 2 ounces of champagne. Stir gently and garnish with lemon rounds. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Remember the drinks are not low calorie so enjoy until you need to eat and drink wisely again.

Click here for the Cabbage Soup Diet -and you will see the links to the soup recipe, directions and 7 Day Plan. You will fill up on veggies, fruit, and soup and be satisfied!

Remember if you’d like to flavor up your soup , click here to checkout my two seasoning packs. Two great flavors, Regular and Spicy Tomato Basil, to pick from!!

Cheers, Catherine