Front paddock this morning For those of you of another generation, today's post moniker isn't just a statement for today, but the title from a song by the Young Rascals circa 1968 - ok I think no one in my Pastry Class was born in 1968, or 1978, or maybe even 1988 for that matter. OMG what does that say? (I was already in the 8th grade) - but alas, too bad, they missed so much great music!!!!!!!! I digress. Anyway, the lyrics begin - … [Read more...]
Wanderlust and the Food World
Venice - circa July 2011 I wonder about the range of people's perception of the words exotic and intriguing. I spend a considerable amount of time dreaming about the foods of what I consider to be exotic and intriguing places. Having lived all of my years in one state and traveled a little, not a lot, you might say I have built this tremendous pent up demand for visiting lots of other food-centric places. My bucket list includes, as … [Read more...]
May, May Go Away! Did I Really Say That?
Ok, so, May is usually one of my favorite months of the year - full of promise and heady anticipation, and usually presenting a multitude of lovely, buoyant days. I even wrote a poem about this month for goodness sake! This year though, pretty much gets an "F" in the weather department - so going in search of something positive to say before we transit into June, well, it has to be the garden. While a few of my plants are in need of a little … [Read more...]
The Locavore Dilemma
First beauties!!!!!! I am very much supportive of the eat local movement. This makes a whole lot of sense to me and I want to support all the local farmers I can. However, I am basically an impatient person, and, living in the northeast, (or is it mid-atlantic? - I never get this) the growing season is very limited. I can't live to eat in the confines of a May-October growing season. I have many foods which inspire me on a daily … [Read more...]
Desperate Days Call for Desperate Measures
Ok, so you know how I feel about the weather, no need to drone on yet again. But, today I had a serious "attack" which caused me to do something uncharacteristically "naughty". I made myself blueberry pancakes for lunch. Ugh! What is happening to me? I had sworn off carbs both yesterday morning and today - especially after all of those scone trials over the weekend! Yesterday, I made it to after dinner, and seriously, I ate some Oreos. OMG. … [Read more...]
Variations on A Theme – Caprese Salad
Those are Sunday's Mixed Berry Scones! I used what is currently my favorite scone recipe - the same base as the Orange-Apricot Scones, added 1 cup mixed berries, 1/4 tsp freshly ground nutmeg and zest of one orange and used buttermilk instead of heavy cream. Yesterday, I discussed one of my favorite variations on a theme - Caprese Salad made with peaches in lieu of tomatoes - or together with tomatoes - alternating the slices of peaches (if I … [Read more...]
Composed Salad – A Metaphor
Emerging Strawberries!!!!! I have often wondered about the term, Composed Salad. It seems a little strange and awkward to me - like it doesn't belong in the food genre, but is better applied to somewhere else...... and maybe is a good metaphor for life. If you google "composed salad" you will find the following definition: a French-inspired term referring to a salad in which an assortment of ingredients are arranged aestethetically on … [Read more...]
Best Berries
Here is my "go to" simple berry dessert. There are so many ways to use berries in pies, cakes, scones, muffins, etc. But, this simply stands on its own and, maybe is my favorite: BERRIES WITH FRESH MASCARPONE CREAM: 1/2 pint each fresh raspberries, blueberries, blackberries 1 pint fresh strawberries, peak ripeness, sliced Mix berries in a medium bowl. Make mascarpone cream. Mascarpone Cream: 12 oz. … [Read more...]
Unclear and Indecipherable?
I was just reading the two newspapers we have delivered to our home each morning - The Star Ledger and the New York Times. On Wednesdays I always turn to the food "sections" first. As I was perusing through a few thoughts came in to my mind, not original by any means, but, and I hate to use this overused phraseology - food for thought. On the one hand I wondered why the Star Ledger has all but abandoned its coverage of the food world. Is this … [Read more...]
Necessity is The Mother of Substitution
This morning made me think of the children's book, "Make Way for Ducklings". That said..... Well, having just celebrated Mother's Day, early this morning I found myself recalling a couple of sayings my Mom used to repeat over and over. Sometimes it is scary to find yourself saying the things your Mother said, especially when you get to my age. You begin to wonder, am I turning into her? Not that that is a bad thing in my case.....my mother … [Read more...]