tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68777630980813859342024-03-13T01:35:52.663-04:00Time for Good FoodFOOD, CULTURE and GOOD EATIN'Time for Good Foodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13695197996914290089noreply@blogger.comBlogger82125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6877763098081385934.post-54299550397052665322014-09-02T12:15:00.000-04:002014-09-02T12:18:27.372-04:00'Twas a Wild and Crazy Summer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_73h2hdVDJwHKIw2YkCcyRdQy5tAYYou6ss_QWy1XB1A8mngo_8IGQHXcifXGuhAQINK8Nr0tIeoURhZXLGfsHKByvnlI6ZVFYlCGEAeymHqH1PIPxXwSiigix3s7fKmAODtLVNekG8h/s1600/Yellowstonefamilypic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_73h2hdVDJwHKIw2YkCcyRdQy5tAYYou6ss_QWy1XB1A8mngo_8IGQHXcifXGuhAQINK8Nr0tIeoURhZXLGfsHKByvnlI6ZVFYlCGEAeymHqH1PIPxXwSiigix3s7fKmAODtLVNekG8h/s1600/Yellowstonefamilypic.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Oh my poor little blog -- abandoned and untouched for three months. I'm back, at least for a moment. Truth is I've been on the road but finally back and ready to get settled back in on the homefront. Now that kids are back in school and the temperatures will soon be cooling (hopefully), I hope to get back to posting regularly here. For now, I thought I'd share a little bit of my crazy summer with y'all.<br />
<br />
On the last day of May, we took off for Salt Lake City, Utah with our ultimate destination being Yellowstone National Park. Our main motivation for going was to visit my brother who lives in Gardiner, Montana just outside the northern entrance to the park. I also wanted to relive some memories of being there 19 years ago as a summer employee. It was so surreal to be back -- and so wonderful. I even got to meet up with one of my old co-workers. We saw countless bison, a summer snowstorm and even got caught up in a bear jam or two. Once we left Yellowstone, we headed over to Cody, Wyoming to take in a rodeo and then down to Jackson and the Grand Tetons. Along the way, we took in miles and miles of roadway scenery in Wyoming, Montana, Idaho and Utah. It was simply amazing! As gorgeous as the sites were, we still had to beg the kids on several occasions to put down their electronic devices and look at the majestic mountains we were driving past. Sigh, kids today ...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxLULT0K2c9LcbEF9TiAYbfw30EBeAJzkkNqTL6t54_EXy5GrbhjhsjVTA644IcDsXew0l6JpJDcRCE66i4FhSO3BBSSEm9tpBqs6fu2wbIw2S_2iD4SBxNTEwSN4uprzFjsF8zkPFTW2m/s1600/Salt+Lake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxLULT0K2c9LcbEF9TiAYbfw30EBeAJzkkNqTL6t54_EXy5GrbhjhsjVTA644IcDsXew0l6JpJDcRCE66i4FhSO3BBSSEm9tpBqs6fu2wbIw2S_2iD4SBxNTEwSN4uprzFjsF8zkPFTW2m/s1600/Salt+Lake.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of the Salt Lake Temple from behind.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid4b-Xz36r_Nu16YIL1XfO_ZhEfo_gyy-zh3kptrnh2w2m5io78P2uwmCqaQ03kMLzLfYgFyI5_oIkAOTpU42GvG4xS5aNVzxE-yJgS_qHPIrA8sFPjJVEaxLYwE0aWiTHkgq7JoeF7MEz/s1600/bison.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid4b-Xz36r_Nu16YIL1XfO_ZhEfo_gyy-zh3kptrnh2w2m5io78P2uwmCqaQ03kMLzLfYgFyI5_oIkAOTpU42GvG4xS5aNVzxE-yJgS_qHPIrA8sFPjJVEaxLYwE0aWiTHkgq7JoeF7MEz/s1600/bison.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tons and tons of bison in Yellowstone Park.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg44FfHKG5CUNySWj-nY7Yf6dqox-N6XvT40i-ZGXDDJj7rFY84KZrwvojkOEzbTnfLRi2xOT_vHIYzV1sagVQUUe-kRghCYl7P034oJld-AGVEjUhHIJ9VOw4DPjPviu8aOwV0PJKnT3iq/s1600/IMG_0765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg44FfHKG5CUNySWj-nY7Yf6dqox-N6XvT40i-ZGXDDJj7rFY84KZrwvojkOEzbTnfLRi2xOT_vHIYzV1sagVQUUe-kRghCYl7P034oJld-AGVEjUhHIJ9VOw4DPjPviu8aOwV0PJKnT3iq/s1600/IMG_0765.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone - so beautiful it doesn't even look real.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-XdLE7pSuGze3SPnJ8mIdbCBHG6mWsE8qP2Le5cQ73cekuCp97XYjyTkw7AQxV91ft8HUVDUgbbTn9YHpLUDacd1p4n72NURdPMnha5Bga77b0THW2DqqIHvu1bcAyjRHbs8E7Bw9ujmY/s1600/IMG_0994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-XdLE7pSuGze3SPnJ8mIdbCBHG6mWsE8qP2Le5cQ73cekuCp97XYjyTkw7AQxV91ft8HUVDUgbbTn9YHpLUDacd1p4n72NURdPMnha5Bga77b0THW2DqqIHvu1bcAyjRHbs8E7Bw9ujmY/s1600/IMG_0994.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grand Tetons National Park. Put down the iPod, kids.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After 10 days out west, we returned to the Georgia heat both refreshed and exhausted. Then, I took on a big writing/editing assignment for Fodor's Travel guides. For the past several years I have written for their <i><a href="http://www.fodors.com/guidebooks/9780891419495/fodors-the-carolinas--georgia/" target="_blank">The Carolinas and Georgia Guide</a></i>. This year they wanted me to conduct some site visits so we hit Dahlonega, Hiawassee, Rome, Athens, Madison, Columbus, Plains, Americus, Thomasville and more. On most of the trips, I drug the family along. We had so much fun visiting historic sites, trying new restaurants, and strolling down main street in some of Georgia's most scenic towns. We even got to meet President Jimmy Carter! Then, right before school started back (which is painfully early here), we went to Panama City Beach where I proudly purchased my first airbrushed tank top. I'm classy like that.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrk5Te5jmKsU_bTVq9-20WIcnSyN_LPPzONdS-73aFiEy_en6G_Yd-ZA631k029y3AamoWL3dpCFsMZ7D_B-eLuliBuTiJKaii53bsw33fQM3wlWGmy0asuXKri5gChVGQU_bJWQRHj33D/s1600/IMG_1077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrk5Te5jmKsU_bTVq9-20WIcnSyN_LPPzONdS-73aFiEy_en6G_Yd-ZA631k029y3AamoWL3dpCFsMZ7D_B-eLuliBuTiJKaii53bsw33fQM3wlWGmy0asuXKri5gChVGQU_bJWQRHj33D/s1600/IMG_1077.JPG" height="428" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just hanging with Jimmy Carter after church.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And now, here is September and the travels are over. Reality is setting in and I'm kind of in a rut. I just don't feel like recipe blogging much anymore. I can't think of what to cook for supper tonight. I'm even <i>blah</i> in the baking department. I'm thinking of taking this blog in a different direction -- maybe more travel and food story focused rather than recipes and kitchen experiments. What do you think? I also impulsively started a new <a href="http://rantymama.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">blog</a> a few weeks ago where I can muse about education, politics, history and all manner of things non-food related. Who knows what I'll end up doing when I grow up, but thanks for supporting me as I try to figure it out. Stay tuned for more detailed stories about my summer explorations soon ... and maybe even some food stories. I hope you had a memorable summer too!<br />
<br />Time for Good Foodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13695197996914290089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6877763098081385934.post-73333186741513503472014-05-29T16:52:00.001-04:002014-05-29T16:54:18.150-04:00Barbecuing with Bourbon<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7n5TZVVwKHSC2PUKUJzzkYa-Dlh3U_i1fSJ0JvX3ZqdV0CrolTcK9Vz1NLqe1ZJW4in7o2ftF27QO-pyv2Kf8408aBPoI5dlVv0XjZVO2H4Cq2jyH-dfYeTef_hxyYpIzFUJFa0dxy_7t/s1600/grilled+tofu.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7n5TZVVwKHSC2PUKUJzzkYa-Dlh3U_i1fSJ0JvX3ZqdV0CrolTcK9Vz1NLqe1ZJW4in7o2ftF27QO-pyv2Kf8408aBPoI5dlVv0XjZVO2H4Cq2jyH-dfYeTef_hxyYpIzFUJFa0dxy_7t/s1600/grilled+tofu.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grilled tofu for Barbecue Month! #BourbonBBQ</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Things haven’t been going my way lately. Well, nothing terrible
actually – just a string of bad luck I kind of have to laugh at. First of all,
the kids and I got lice. Yes, lice (go ahead and scratch your head). Memorial Day
weekend is supposed to be all about cooking out and spending time with friends
and family, but ours was mostly spent doing laundry, vacuuming and placing
items in plastic bags. I also agreed to foster a couple of kittens this weekend
who turned out to have fleas. Great, more insect fun! And if that wasn’t
enough, we got a flat tire in the family mobile.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Tuesday night was the night to have a peaceful family meal – to finally
grill out and try the Four Roses Bourbon for which I was asked to make a
barbecue marinade. In honor of National Barbecue Month, Four Roses asked select
bloggers to create a barbecue recipe using their bourbon (#BourbonBBQ). I had been plotting my recipe all month and finally had a chance to tackle it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
We had a chance to barbecue after the chaos subsided. We
bought some beautiful bone in pork chops and were set to go. I popped
some sweet potatoes in the oven, whipped up a marinade and get the pork chops
out to baste. I carefully unwrapped the paper and got a whiff of something
funny. OK, this pork chops do not smell right! It’s past 5 o' clock and I’m on a
mission to salvage dinner. The only other meat I had is in the freezer and
there’s no time to thaw. What the heck can I grill with this marinade? After
surveying the fridge, it looks like tofu is my only hope. Meat lovers may
scoff, but I love tofu and my kids do too. Tofu with a bourbon marinade – who would
have thought? Turns out it was pretty tasty. My husband, the grillmaster,
grilled it with some veggies and we ended up having a nice dinner after all –
albeit a little late.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9cNhS89vJJw71dV2Iffaw2-be-01a3Ha8TNS3wiQ_GGYCRzaoqy629Cm0cYCOErllmegEZUYjWtuny2ANmdrpwIZbqd36-EsQ5DWROk4jnM8gQvcnz_vUlDPlrBZp5QudcjjvaNGFjZbK/s1600/four-roses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9cNhS89vJJw71dV2Iffaw2-be-01a3Ha8TNS3wiQ_GGYCRzaoqy629Cm0cYCOErllmegEZUYjWtuny2ANmdrpwIZbqd36-EsQ5DWROk4jnM8gQvcnz_vUlDPlrBZp5QudcjjvaNGFjZbK/s1600/four-roses.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Special thanks to <a href="http://www.fourrosesbourbon.com/" target="_blank">Four Roses Bourbon</a> who allowed me to try out their
Single Barrel brand. It is simply delightful in drinks and marinades this one.
Try out this marinade the next time to barbecue pork, chicken or yes, even tofu. Happy
grilling! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b>Bourbon Barbecue Marinade<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
2 cloves of garlic, crushed</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
3 tablespoons of Four Roses bourbon</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
1 teaspoon soy sauce</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
1 teaspoon sorghum syrup (if you don’t have this molasses will work)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
2 teaspoons brown sugar</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
½ teaspoon celery salt</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Dash of sea salt</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Pepper to taste</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl and whisk until blended.
Store any leftover marinade in the refrigerator for up to one week.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjew4P9dFdOBWlYrzUBcmzhbz-qswNru47rbs-r8pUhpvCF07up4hZw-VI0t5PTBqcgk1iXEFbBN2PP8XXQnwH81hkQxzjewD64l4fITY-l44LQqJK3p5a2etGDNfBEKOcg_gGGy1F9mruc/s1600/tofuongrill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjew4P9dFdOBWlYrzUBcmzhbz-qswNru47rbs-r8pUhpvCF07up4hZw-VI0t5PTBqcgk1iXEFbBN2PP8XXQnwH81hkQxzjewD64l4fITY-l44LQqJK3p5a2etGDNfBEKOcg_gGGy1F9mruc/s1600/tofuongrill.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b>Tips on Grilling Tofu</b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Choose firm or extra firm tofu for best results.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Place whole tofu cube on a plate and cover with
another plate. Stack two cans or heavy objects on top and allow tofu to drain
for about 20 minutes. </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Pour off excess water and cut tofu into four
slabs.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Brush on marinade and allow it to sit for a few
minutes while the grill warms up.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Grill on low heat. Allow to cook each side for
about 5-6 minutes. </div>
Time for Good Foodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13695197996914290089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6877763098081385934.post-63490437122318617402014-04-23T11:44:00.000-04:002014-04-23T11:48:55.412-04:00Sangria Time!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxvkASenpjvXPuxSt6DYgQw5I-8jMDPrBaz3ydyu-N4tUtuIKrDSF744n1EydNV1tvCpZdHevHHvkOG13NqeZ18p4EuPGuhwBpDIWlJyAk8th_IGVqPHFEjz8bEyab1mKpopyA9yasbBY/s1600/sangria2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxvkASenpjvXPuxSt6DYgQw5I-8jMDPrBaz3ydyu-N4tUtuIKrDSF744n1EydNV1tvCpZdHevHHvkOG13NqeZ18p4EuPGuhwBpDIWlJyAk8th_IGVqPHFEjz8bEyab1mKpopyA9yasbBY/s1600/sangria2.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Ah, spring is here and it's beautiful! It seems that the flowers and greenery have been more vibrant here in Atlanta. It's the kind of weather that's makes you want to grill out, play outside and sit out an patio and sip icy drinks while basking in the sun (and pollen). A few weeks ago, I was asked along with some fellow <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SouthernFoodBloggers" target="_blank">Southern food bloggers</a> to review a boxed sangria that's new to the market here in Georgia. It's called <a href="http://www.besodelsolsangria.com/" target="_blank">Beso del Sol</a> (which means "kissed by the sun"). Let me tell you, the timing of this little sangria experiment couldn't have been more perfect. Sangria and spring go quite well together. I've had the box for at least four weeks, have carried it to a couple of get-togethers and have sipped it on my front porch. And it's still going!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZ6O6z5GQI_csNr9Er9GQjYNaV_RU8xo2Cguyir1_mPphvLlpS6fjhXCJ5iDO3fo3gwmFeLnFyx3M2uAmTnqwwQdgX8R7ntyXM0iDVocA67llhOWkql4Rnyq3AqUbF6162PtArL6ScIqh/s1600/sangria3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZ6O6z5GQI_csNr9Er9GQjYNaV_RU8xo2Cguyir1_mPphvLlpS6fjhXCJ5iDO3fo3gwmFeLnFyx3M2uAmTnqwwQdgX8R7ntyXM0iDVocA67llhOWkql4Rnyq3AqUbF6162PtArL6ScIqh/s1600/sangria3.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a>Here's what I liked about this particular sangria:<br />
<ul>
<li>It's boxed for easy to transport.</li>
<li>It keeps up to 6 weeks, so no need to guzzle it all (unless you just want to) for fear of it going sour.</li>
<li>It's actually made in Spain with good quality Tempranillo wine.</li>
<li>It's 100 percent natural with no fake flavors or colors.</li>
<li>It's sweet, but not <i>too</i> sweet.</li>
<li>It tastes more like sangria you would make yourself -- not the usual bottled fare.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>Serving Tips</b><br />
Add fresh fruit and serve over ice for an authentic sangria experience. It also pairs really well with Spanish tapas. I had the pleasure of visiting Spain several years ago (before kids, obviously) and almost everywhere you go you find <span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>jamón y queso</i></span></span>. It is true that Spaniards have a national love affair with ham and cheese. Fortunately, it's easier than ever to find imported Spanish cured meats and specialty cheeses here in the United States. Look what I found at two of my favorite stores: Costco and Trader Joe's.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1VrjI3Lz0yj-BzR6e0_7CI75zz_zBI3eLaw7kxbQDMZcdgysrP7hSmw8SYNgO5Os7QZnRuZiOvvUnwpDURmw5PA4e7PPjFsKveGJbhIu3amN3If2XjPT80vYpDU-3d_UKxya4SlyV-Zc/s1600/IMG_0399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1VrjI3Lz0yj-BzR6e0_7CI75zz_zBI3eLaw7kxbQDMZcdgysrP7hSmw8SYNgO5Os7QZnRuZiOvvUnwpDURmw5PA4e7PPjFsKveGJbhIu3amN3If2XjPT80vYpDU-3d_UKxya4SlyV-Zc/s1600/IMG_0399.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spanish cheese selection from Costco; Spanish ham from Trader Joe's.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I recently took these to a neighborhood potluck and they were a huge hit. Throw some cheese, cured ham, olives and <a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/whats-the-deal-with-marcona-al-80856" target="_blank">Marcona almonds</a> on a platter. Combine with Beso del Sol sangria, and you have magic. Happy spring, everyone! What are drinking, cooking or eating? I would love to hear from you.<br />
<br />
<i>Disclaimer: In the interest of full disclosure, Beso del Sol provided me with a sample of their product but did not pay me to review or endorse their product.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>Time for Good Foodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13695197996914290089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6877763098081385934.post-66186096986427477252014-03-28T13:06:00.000-04:002014-03-28T13:06:50.116-04:00Dishing on Greensboro<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtjiYZ86V3wHNvOgh9hT7LTgKop3kusQaKZpQ59G4fArX2B0KMsLFpenEgE5LFqBg5PjUQAUHaVxiXEiejBPQh_S2xWJPd_5o-OcSg-74h9t5m_sr_ZM5LCwsZip_9H2mGd9S0KotjSzX-/s1600/IMG_0306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtjiYZ86V3wHNvOgh9hT7LTgKop3kusQaKZpQ59G4fArX2B0KMsLFpenEgE5LFqBg5PjUQAUHaVxiXEiejBPQh_S2xWJPd_5o-OcSg-74h9t5m_sr_ZM5LCwsZip_9H2mGd9S0KotjSzX-/s1600/IMG_0306.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downtown Greensboro, NC and the International Civil Rights Museum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Here it is the end of March and I'm finally sitting down to write about Valentine's Day. (I'm running a bit behind these days.) On Valentine's Day my husband and I booked it out of town for a weekend getaway to Greensboro, North Carolina. In the days leading up to our trip, it seemed iffy we were going to make it. For one, our main purpose in going to Greensboro was to see the <a href="http://www.thewailinjennys.com/" target="_blank">Wailin' Jennys</a> in concert. (Love them!) The only problem is that the band had to reach North Carolina from Winnipeg and New York. Normally that wouldn't be an issue, but there were snow and ice storms all over the South. Things weren't looking pretty there for a while. However, the travel gods prevailed and all parties were able to reach snowy Greensboro.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This was my first time in Greensboro and I thought I'd share a little bit about our trip with you. It's is a cute little town with a charming downtown area. The concert was held at the Carolina Theatre, an old movie house/Burlesque hall turned modern performance space. It reminded me a little of the Fox Theatre here in Atlanta, just on a smaller scale. The acoustics were fabulous and it was a great show! </div>
<div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZilNuOvBoymMFMWIZGT-zdPSjWicH6YXO2P6HIYzJV0qzgvxkS3AWh6qQ4wWFS98-qvSsy67VnPDwM8YqJT_by_6G-BYIrZTEnXvybrAlWWLaNkuPQw-8ywryw14ifX-J_syPFf-KVAEo/s1600/wailin+jennys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZilNuOvBoymMFMWIZGT-zdPSjWicH6YXO2P6HIYzJV0qzgvxkS3AWh6qQ4wWFS98-qvSsy67VnPDwM8YqJT_by_6G-BYIrZTEnXvybrAlWWLaNkuPQw-8ywryw14ifX-J_syPFf-KVAEo/s1600/wailin+jennys.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carolina Theatre</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On Saturday, we slept sinfully late and spent the morning and early afternoon at the <a href="http://www.sitinmovement.org/" target="_blank">International Civil Rights Museum</a> in downtown Greensboro. The museum is housed in the former Woolworth's Department Store, which like many stores of that era, boasted a large luncheon counter where shoppers could grab a sandwich or slice of pie while they shopped. This particular luncheon counter was made famous by the events of February 1, 1960. Four African American college students set out to change the world by simply sitting down to eat there. Within days, the sit-in movement was launched and college students from all over the country conducted sit-ins of their own. They wouldn't allow pictures, but if I could I would share with you pictures of the actual lunch counter where the "Greensboro Four" sat. I would show you the vintage Coca Cola machine that was 5 cents on the "white side" and 10 cents on the "black side." I would also show you their display of the mugshots of all the Freedom Riders and others arrested for peacefully protesting throughout the Civil Rights Era. It was a very inspiring place!<br />
<br />
Now on to lunch ...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLsy26qewfI0JR3Mw5PAU0BEig4XVFYZYb2lT0P4DEvrUQhHQ8ARkTPzNqfNkULLPjgVWHPYtF6cC6i19V2cGIj5wBMxAnqZWPz1X7Ro1IpTKQv1_fus7QVvpxhPz4hZQpnGBd7nVnUdNy/s1600/crafted+tacos.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLsy26qewfI0JR3Mw5PAU0BEig4XVFYZYb2lT0P4DEvrUQhHQ8ARkTPzNqfNkULLPjgVWHPYtF6cC6i19V2cGIj5wBMxAnqZWPz1X7Ro1IpTKQv1_fus7QVvpxhPz4hZQpnGBd7nVnUdNy/s1600/crafted+tacos.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch at Crafted.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiByidHOe2R0EPZ5bizsqGfklgWUucan0PcfB2E-6m_jduqtf_IMKlJUr5mWzDCKpNh9jyOPiMWij9GdhNOQGD2nPhwPzSwMBimtM6sfg7XLRbs3AG-EYDqix2izRZUxQqfZQW0dXgO2eqx/s1600/cheesecakes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiByidHOe2R0EPZ5bizsqGfklgWUucan0PcfB2E-6m_jduqtf_IMKlJUr5mWzDCKpNh9jyOPiMWij9GdhNOQGD2nPhwPzSwMBimtM6sfg7XLRbs3AG-EYDqix2izRZUxQqfZQW0dXgO2eqx/s1600/cheesecakes.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picking out just one slice at Cheesecakes by Alex is so difficult!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After the museum, we walked down the street to a cute little taco joint called <a href="http://craftedtheartofthetaco.com/" target="_blank">Crafted</a>. We really enjoyed our food and North Carolina brewed beer. Afterward, we had a requisite slice of cheesecake from <a href="http://www.cheesecakesbyalex.com/" target="_blank">Cheesecakes by Alex</a>. Sometimes cheesecake is too rich for me, but the Kahlua Espresso Cheesecake we settled on was light, creamy and delicious.<br />
<br />
Once stuffed, we headed back to the interstate and over to what I call "Dish Mecca." <a href="http://www.replacements.com/" target="_blank">Replacements, Ltd.</a> is located right outside of Greensboro near High Point. If you love china, crystal and silver, then you need to make a pilgrimage. They have a massive warehouse and showroom and likely carry that missing piece of china you need to replace. Even if you're not sure of a pattern's name or vintage, they can help you identify it and likely have other pieces in the same collection. The place is so huge and they offer guided tours! Who would go on a tour of a dish warehouse? I would! Like most cooks, I have a thing for dishes.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhQmmmlAbrobgoNMdfjpgjT0gl1B2M4RKbqDefe4MVD2Oh5mOa9JuX4ddpB35eUBIjbHOjhIlTl-qmr1K-YAoH3vVoeySHstMl-muwjadXfEGJYl0AdJ2PyPHyWOfu5bR7qwfHeRBZocs/s1600/dishes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhQmmmlAbrobgoNMdfjpgjT0gl1B2M4RKbqDefe4MVD2Oh5mOa9JuX4ddpB35eUBIjbHOjhIlTl-qmr1K-YAoH3vVoeySHstMl-muwjadXfEGJYl0AdJ2PyPHyWOfu5bR7qwfHeRBZocs/s1600/dishes.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A display of the most popular patterns at Replacements. Do you see yours?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I enjoyed peeking behind the scenes and seeing how they categorize, process and rehab their wares. The best part? They have a bargain room and overstocks room where you can buy pieces that have been marked down -- some antique but many new. I could have spent hours looking through dishes, but finely landed on a few pieces to add to my food photography prop collection. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfSPjr3heB2_5IRV1vcXdKcHK5SqUgEcMMamxc_EoksWaJhcp12qQqhlsPm_MCBmQlqBUoWWpiicqfNhEameiZMPhzWg4t-xFd0DnC3ypcdxc8JIcEvp7WJd6S7p3b0SQGWURwpMIjr-KP/s1600/replacements.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfSPjr3heB2_5IRV1vcXdKcHK5SqUgEcMMamxc_EoksWaJhcp12qQqhlsPm_MCBmQlqBUoWWpiicqfNhEameiZMPhzWg4t-xFd0DnC3ypcdxc8JIcEvp7WJd6S7p3b0SQGWURwpMIjr-KP/s1600/replacements.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aisles and aisles of dishes behind the scenes at Replacements.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At last, after a busy day, we took it easy the rest of the night. We headed back to Atlanta -- and reality -- the following morning. We had a great trip and I can't wait to get back up there one day with the boys (though not necessarily to the china and crystal showroom because that would kind of be a nightmare). Now that I have some new beautiful dishware, I need to get back to posting some recipes. I just haven't been feeling it lately. I feel like I'm in a food rut. (Frozen pizza, anyone?) But, I promise I'll get back to cooking and baking again soon. Thanks for sticking around with me!<br />
<br /></div>
Time for Good Foodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13695197996914290089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6877763098081385934.post-44410530715275513542014-02-04T10:14:00.000-05:002014-02-04T10:25:29.906-05:00Thoughts on Snowmageddon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin3s6C_Z9w3jeKkKzjicebzIU06Pq_JzTyPUQntbP_qRrbT3y4dgPTORXBRfhPgAoLXKXDDRY09m47ZHt_pCBaHg4fKZ1roEZ4n5f0JBIlJYbv7ulbwMVIsulz1c9al5gHJLS1rYvrGz0E/s1600/atlanta-in-the-walking-dead-versus-snow-fall-of-2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin3s6C_Z9w3jeKkKzjicebzIU06Pq_JzTyPUQntbP_qRrbT3y4dgPTORXBRfhPgAoLXKXDDRY09m47ZHt_pCBaHg4fKZ1roEZ4n5f0JBIlJYbv7ulbwMVIsulz1c9al5gHJLS1rYvrGz0E/s1600/atlanta-in-the-walking-dead-versus-snow-fall-of-2014.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One week ago today snowflakes were just starting to fall in
Atlanta. Although the possibility of snow had been talked about for days, most
people seemed to tune it out. They made their cursory stops at the grocery
store for bread, milk and eggs but scoffed at all the “extended weather team
coverage” on the local news. The word “snow” always whips them up into a frenzy. This
storm was a weird one too –at first predicted to hit parts of the deep South that hadn't seen snow in a coon’s age.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As the first flakes fell, I watched from the window as
excited as a kid. One of my first <a href="http://timeforgoodfood.blogspot.com/2011/01/snow-daze.html" target="_blank">posts</a> here was about the Southern take on
snow. It’s rare here and as evidenced this week, we do best when we hole up and
STAY OFF THE ROADS! About noon I had the overwhelming urge to go pick up my
kids from school. Fortunately, their school is only a ½ mile away. I ran some
errands before the snow got too out of hand and scooped up the kids about 1:30
p.m. just as the roads were starting to get a little slippery. We cozied up in
front of the TV and watched movies completely unaware of the chaos that loomed
around us. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTw6psP6mCQDZyHbx9u0cacxz2Zt8F-vlPw6tqzbx9BZ2HYFaml1fw6uXtkQAmbLk2UZBYwnrCjnfdF_snrNankmtEdh2P9qeKUvZpcg-wl0Qn69UTHkJaCG8xuj2-TwcNxYhcaL7RD525/s1600/IMG_0197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTw6psP6mCQDZyHbx9u0cacxz2Zt8F-vlPw6tqzbx9BZ2HYFaml1fw6uXtkQAmbLk2UZBYwnrCjnfdF_snrNankmtEdh2P9qeKUvZpcg-wl0Qn69UTHkJaCG8xuj2-TwcNxYhcaL7RD525/s1600/IMG_0197.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing in the snow.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2ueirmZtKsVYtQ8TANNZAz-S-FYN9QJwYA0f9TxVmSPuw3q4-9FGh9N745bSjWhDJz35-s1Nf2GJSyTgeuGxxfPShmOwrnobvWTnYbjJpEph-vp-mEjyF6g25g8dpadCDTNL5wwbN8PB/s1600/snowphoto.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2ueirmZtKsVYtQ8TANNZAz-S-FYN9QJwYA0f9TxVmSPuw3q4-9FGh9N745bSjWhDJz35-s1Nf2GJSyTgeuGxxfPShmOwrnobvWTnYbjJpEph-vp-mEjyF6g25g8dpadCDTNL5wwbN8PB/s1600/snowphoto.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And we sledded on muddy slopes even as it thawed!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You've seen the news reports so there’s no need to reiterate
how bad it was – how people were stuck in their cars or on school buses and how
some abandoned their cars and walked 10 miles in the snow. It was truly insane. No wonder memes comparing "Snowmageddon" to <i>The Walking Dead's</i> zombie apocalypse started popping up all over the internet. My husband’s normal 30 minute commute took two hours – and he’s one of the
lucky ones. Several friends and friends of friends I learned via <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Time-for-Good-Food/217286951624062" target="_blank">Facebook</a> were
among those stuck. While it’s easy to complain about the shallowness of social
media, it may well have saved some lives on Tuesday. A group "SnowedOutAtlanta" emerged on Facebook and friends and family posted their pleas for help. People
rose to the occasion – opening up their homes to strangers delivering food and
blankets to cold motorists stuck on the highways. Stores and restaurants stayed
open and gave people food and shelter for the night. Teachers huddled with
children in school gymnasiums on make shift pallets. There were examples of
abundant hospitality everywhere you turned.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWguzBjgBtNbRahHouSzGthVVx41bOUfUdfSym7biS4j42BlmlInS79775Gn2eyyWxGpuUckQ0221I_EtDIED74IS9VOTJE6STBqv4TP-zVTyCBGa57Y_DdsIhA6Q4FTJpU_MESK0Zwmh2/s1600/mattmiller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWguzBjgBtNbRahHouSzGthVVx41bOUfUdfSym7biS4j42BlmlInS79775Gn2eyyWxGpuUckQ0221I_EtDIED74IS9VOTJE6STBqv4TP-zVTyCBGa57Y_DdsIhA6Q4FTJpU_MESK0Zwmh2/s1600/mattmiller.jpg" height="410" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my neighbors, Matt Miller, handed out sandwiches and supplies on the side of I-75/85. This photo taken by the AJC/AP made the international news!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now that the snow is melted and life is back to normal and
everyone is playing the blame game, I’m trying to hold on to the “warm fuzzies”—the
examples of kindness, generosity and selflessness that emerged from the storm.
As Americans, and particularly Southerners, we have a long tradition of
claiming to be independent and “self-made.” However, episodes like this remind us that we
are all bonded together whether we like it or not. Truly, no man is an island.
The storm reinforced in me the importance of knowing your neighbors, of building
walkable communities, of having viable mass-transit options and importantly –
seeing the best in people and not the worst. It also reinforced my suspicion
that I could never live in the frozen North! So, let the Northerners make fun of
us all they want. We may not be able to drive on ice and snow, but we sure do
know how to take care of each other down here. One thing the storm proved –
Southern hospitality is still alive and well.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Time for Good Foodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13695197996914290089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6877763098081385934.post-24410140064842098452014-01-08T11:23:00.004-05:002014-01-08T11:24:53.891-05:00Boiled Oatmeal Cookies for a Cold Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnEkQG5OOs8-cjPoGBtxC2hNXjllxEIpLy9oJ9DQ7vHrY79Hdn3EqjXxQn4eOVtWzCg2nG0lZAuSrSnQDfbzfbUr9CQvEq_6NZdx7cchvOtSb6rqRTflxo8pvW6c0Ug96VhKHrmD8DrqGf/s1600/oatmeal+cookie2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnEkQG5OOs8-cjPoGBtxC2hNXjllxEIpLy9oJ9DQ7vHrY79Hdn3EqjXxQn4eOVtWzCg2nG0lZAuSrSnQDfbzfbUr9CQvEq_6NZdx7cchvOtSb6rqRTflxo8pvW6c0Ug96VhKHrmD8DrqGf/s1600/oatmeal+cookie2.JPG" height="448" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
December managed to FLY by and now here we are - it's 2014 and the height of New Year's Resolution season. I, like many, went to a tortuous exercise class and feel a little more determination to be healthy in the new year. While stocking up on new exercise clothes (you know, to motivate me), I bought a new digital scale. Well, let me tell you -- that thing is a big fat liar. Right when I was all determined to be better, the Polar Vortex hit. I will blame the storm for keeping me away from yesterday's torturous exercise class and forcing me to make cookies.<br />
<br />
Like much of the country, Atlanta has been hit with crazy cold temperatures. My kids were even out of school yesterday because of the cold. We don't need snow down here to call off school. Temps of 8 degrees Fahrenheit will do just fine. When it's too cold, snowy or icy to leave the house, there's a certain cookie I crave: boiled chocolate oatmeal cookies. These cookies area really confections -- a super easy fudge meets peanut butter and oatmeal. There's not much to look at (in fact, my Granny used to call them cow piles), but they sure are tasty. They remind me of the cold and snowy days of my childhood when Mama would stir up a batch. I forgot that I had already shared the recipe here in one of my first posts about <a href="http://timeforgoodfood.blogspot.com/2011/01/snow-daze.html" target="_blank">"Snowmageddon" </a>back in 2011. Here it is again revamped and with prettier pictures. My photos were really pretty pitiful back then. They're still not pro quality but I'm getting there. I finally got a new camera and am excited to get back into food photography.<br />
<br />
So, put those New Year's Resolutions on hold for just a moment and whip up some of these cookies. They are sure to keep you warm on cold winter day. When it warms up, I will get back to the gym and do my penance. Everything in moderation, my friends!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgExAoZmmshlbFcP-K8KPNn1Gp2wn2VKpZdgdDq6VSsSaqItIVyugAOa_zG-TYC5oXFNOE4nz83E8vh3HWt3hPXvWmAguKuwMHEXK15P3Fhsg6WZGxG6YyGtqFG-yMhB4Gzf5KOjsYc66mN/s1600/oatmeal+cookie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgExAoZmmshlbFcP-K8KPNn1Gp2wn2VKpZdgdDq6VSsSaqItIVyugAOa_zG-TYC5oXFNOE4nz83E8vh3HWt3hPXvWmAguKuwMHEXK15P3Fhsg6WZGxG6YyGtqFG-yMhB4Gzf5KOjsYc66mN/s1600/oatmeal+cookie.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #332c25; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Boiled Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies</b><br />
<b><br style="background-color: white; color: #332c25; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;" /></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #332c25; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">½ cup (1 stick) butter</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #332c25; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">½ cup milk</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #332c25; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">2 cups sugar</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #332c25; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">½ tsp. salt</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #332c25; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">4 heaping tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #332c25; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">2 tsp. vanilla extract</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #332c25; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">½ cup peanut butter (Mama used crunchy, I use creamy because my kids like it)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #332c25; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">3 cups oatmeal (quick cooking or traditional will work)</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #332c25; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #332c25; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Heat the butter and milk in a heavy saucepan, over moderate heat, until the butter is melted. Whisk in the sugar, salt and cocoa until smooth. Bring to a rolling boil and cook for 1 ½ minutes, stirring often to prevent scorching. Remove from heat and whisk in peanut butter and vanilla until smooth. Stir in the oatmeal and drop by tablespoonfuls onto wax paper or aluminum foil. You will need to work quickly as i will start to harden. Allow to cool and become firm. Enjoy!</span><br />
<br />Time for Good Foodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13695197996914290089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6877763098081385934.post-69023681502519052652013-11-25T11:31:00.001-05:002013-11-25T13:59:01.792-05:00The New Forgotten Holiday<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkWd8xUMHBVR-N9KI43EdOnFTFQlZTNUUN7bbHNPqdgseCofNNcF0QCgxcUVcvCGtsvqC4CD34pSItM-a2FvsOuNJB9ASBU44Ia6tS8naYTOp27xt6PSsYtr0ML3ZLETuQu5QzR5nhUNqB/s1600/norman-rockwell-thanksgiving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkWd8xUMHBVR-N9KI43EdOnFTFQlZTNUUN7bbHNPqdgseCofNNcF0QCgxcUVcvCGtsvqC4CD34pSItM-a2FvsOuNJB9ASBU44Ia6tS8naYTOp27xt6PSsYtr0ML3ZLETuQu5QzR5nhUNqB/s640/norman-rockwell-thanksgiving.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Norman Rockwell's iconic Thanksgiving <i>Saturday Evening Post</i> cover.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
I was at the mall just after Halloween and trees were up, Santa’s
throne was assembled and “Jingle Bells” was playing in some of the stores. There’s a holiday we’re skipping over in our rush to buy and sell
things. It’s called Thanksgiving. You know, it’s about being thankful for the
stuff you already have. I know I am turning into that old guy on 60 Minutes,
but I’ve got another rant to get off my chest. Just called me Ranty McRanterson
– but seriously, what happened to that November holiday called Thanksgiving? Has
it been eclipsed by a new holiday called Black Friday? Perhaps it's doomed to suffer the same fate as one of the other forgotten holidays. Arbor Day, anyone? My inbox has been
inundated lately with sales offers about advanced Black Friday deals, special
Thanksgiving hours and all manner of promotions for “the holidays.” It used to
be that Thanksgiving was sacred. The true madness didn’t start until the
morning after – if you’re crazy. Now, retail giants like Wal-mart, Target, Best
Buy, Toys "R" Us and others are open on Thanksgiving so you can scarf your
turkey down and hit the stores. Retail employees must forego any semblance of a
holiday break for the next month as we spend ourselves into oblivion.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
When I think of Thanksgiving I like to think of the Norman Rockwell
painting or a Publix Thanksgiving commercial. I like
to think of family gathered around the table sharing a home cooked meal. I
think of Granny’s cornbread dressing – that I’m going to attempt to make this
year – and a table full of sweets. I like to think of a warm house and lots of
stories – of kids running around, the men gathered around a football game (even
though I hate football) and the women chatting in the kitchen. I like to think of Granny’s bright green
countertops, the aroma of good food, tables set with dishes of every pattern and a little house filled with a lot of
people. Even if you showed up with a store bought pie, there was no shame. I know that’s kind of an idealistic
vision and that not everyone has that or can be with family. However, if you can’t be with
family, you can be with friends or other human beings in some capacity. It’s a time to step
away from the computer and actually carry on a conversation with another real live person.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Thanksgiving is also a time to think about what is important. My
neighborhood is reeling right now from the sudden loss of a beloved chef and restaurateur,
<a href="http://www.frontdoor.com/people/atlanta-chef-and-chopped-contestant-ria-pell-dead" target="_blank">Ria Pell</a>, who passed away suddenly yesterday. It’s particularly jarring to me
because I saw her yesterday at the local farmer’s market. She was right behind
me in line chatting with the bread guy. Then, apparently, a few hours later she
was gone. Ria was only 44 years old. Her passing is yet another reminder that life is fleeting and fragile.
It’s a reminder that we should value time with those we love and, as Ria would
appreciate, take time to gather around the table and share a meal.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Tomorrow I will head into the kitchen to get a head start on all the cooking.
With the passing of my grandparents this past year, we’ll be embarking on some
new traditions. However, as I make Granny’s dressing and Papa’s favorite
<a href="http://timeforgoodfood.blogspot.com/2011/01/of-blogs-and-pies.html" target="_blank">custard pie</a>, I’ll think of them and we’ll be together. So I will wrap up this diatribe with a plea: <b>let’s not forget
Thanksgiving</b>. The best way to fight the insanity is to stay out of the stores! And now, I leave you with a Thanksgiving
recipe from years past: pecan pie (just click on the picture). If I manage to master Granny’s dressing, I’ll be sure
to share it with you next. It’s also the main attraction at Christmas too. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Happy Thanksgiving, y'all!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://timeforgoodfood.blogspot.com/2011/12/its-pie-time-again.html" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh07Bbk-qITCQZ-Kd81LNQfdnzJexC0gDo67pVKZszk3RDftc2c6sIonYDDzLNgGD1uEFr8E1jYZ6D674qKta5pM80BlHieZI4LevQqEsejxdOaOOUElU9WOc_-PEIj7pdZLhrBJEeOKIsL/s640/pecan+pie.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Classic Pecan Pie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
Time for Good Foodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13695197996914290089noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6877763098081385934.post-13057171258193958962013-11-13T13:00:00.000-05:002013-11-14T13:26:52.497-05:00Home of the Braves?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZUFiHUEUec6R_EVkFubD2-wnSvGJAREl-jXTcZaM88xYn-DSS4FyFgqjyMnXTkgJOXgBcXccL4HZLbGHClHfmz3cctV6ACJbGpe9aQCgL4bOb7A3HS0lG9I5kb_8A5hXkSnp6VP0dP1Pw/s1600/Turner+Field+beer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZUFiHUEUec6R_EVkFubD2-wnSvGJAREl-jXTcZaM88xYn-DSS4FyFgqjyMnXTkgJOXgBcXccL4HZLbGHClHfmz3cctV6ACJbGpe9aQCgL4bOb7A3HS0lG9I5kb_8A5hXkSnp6VP0dP1Pw/s640/Turner+Field+beer.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here we go. Yet another post NOT about food – unless I can
somehow tie in stadium hot dogs, Cracker Jacks and beer. Ever since Monday’s
shocking announcement that the Braves are looking to leave Turner Field for
greener pastures north of town, I’ve been obsessed. I’ve read every article
under the sun, I’ve participated in angry rants on Facebook and I’ve certainly felt the five steps of grief (in a short span of 3 days). Here’s a
look inside my brain through each of the steps:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>1. Denial</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>What??? Surely this can’t be true. I bet it’s a bargaining
chip. They’re just trying to get the city of Atlanta to pony up more money.
They’re going to stay at Turner Field.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>2. Anger</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Those greedy bastards! Stupid Liberty Media (the owner of
the Braves) – they don’t care about this city, all they care about is money. How could the mayor just let the Braves go? I
guess there weren’t any kickbacks for him and his cronies. Why has Atlanta been
so stupid historically with development? What about the history? How can a not even
20-year-old multi-million dollar stadium already be obsolete – disposable? This
is an outrage!</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>3. Bargaining</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>What can we do to save Turner Field and keep the Braves
here? If only the city had fulfilled its promises to redevelop the space
around the stadium! If only they hadn’t given kickbacks to corrupt neighborhood
“leaders” who squandered the money and kept large pockets of the stadium
neighborhoods in poverty. Perhaps we can convince them to stay and invest here?
Maybe it’s not too late!</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>4. Depression</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Oh, it’s all hopeless. The Braves will move away and a
perfectly good stadium will sit empty and covered in kudzu. All the progress
the stadium neighborhoods have made over the years will vanish. It will be a
crime-ridden wasteland. Miles and miles of asphalt in a “bad part of town” –
yeah, that’s a developer’s dream. Kasim Reed is lying through his teeth. Our
property values are going to plummet. All hope is lost! Asheville looks nice.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>5. Acceptance</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>OK, Braves – if that’s how you want it to be, fine. Go ahead
and see if your preferred northern suburban fans turn out for you. Good luck
figuring out how to lessen the traffic on I-285 on game day. Have fun with
that! Maybe our neighborhoods will be better off without you.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Throughout my stages of grief, I’m continually asking myself:
why do I care so much? It’s just a baseball team. The world will not end if the
Atlanta Braves never play another game here or in Cobb County. I guess I care
because the team was/is part of my community – and hence my identity. For 12
years, I lived just a few blocks from the stadium (now we live just a tiny bit further
down the road). I could hear all the cheers, we walked to games, experienced the
excitement of opening day and felt the crushing blow of their post-season
defeats. I learned how to navigate game day traffic. The boom of Friday night
fireworks never caught me off guard. As I became a mother and my boys embraced
the sport of baseball, the Braves became even more a part of my life. My
8-year-old couldn’t be a bigger fan and he is devastated. With sweeping arm
motions, the poor child said yesterday, “If they blow up Turner Field, it’s
like all those memories will just go KABOOM!” And he’s right.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZrdbMcFRxEqXPn7fGhEimg4JqOBxk5LgqpLVZxzp8FnkA_o6lHke2MOsMVEV_db8SFZeITpvsRY-Ni8sQX-AXln7L4umfeS8W_W3om50MYjVSRAqvZk-0Sl55gyo1haWYQxr4MqwkvO46/s1600/Turner+Field+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZrdbMcFRxEqXPn7fGhEimg4JqOBxk5LgqpLVZxzp8FnkA_o6lHke2MOsMVEV_db8SFZeITpvsRY-Ni8sQX-AXln7L4umfeS8W_W3om50MYjVSRAqvZk-0Sl55gyo1haWYQxr4MqwkvO46/s640/Turner+Field+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In spite of the traffic, the congestion, the crime that
inevitably comes around when 40,000 people are gathered together, the Braves
are a part of the fabric of these intown neighborhoods. And yes, the stadium
neighborhoods have been screwed over in big ways going back to 1965 when under
the pretense of “urban renewal” the city built the Braves’ first home –
Atlanta Fulton County Stadium. But, they’ve also benefited in some ways and
could benefit even more if the city would actually DO something to renovate the
vacant properties they own, kick out slumlords and invest in the area’s future.
Just a few blocks from Turner Field are gorgeous mid-century storefronts –
boarded up and empty. The Braves want themed development around the stadium?
There is so much potential sitting right there. Want someone to blame? Look at
City Hall, look at corrupt neighborhood leaders who would prefer to keep people
in poverty so they retain their power, look at the Braves who say that their
perfectly fine modern stadium needs $150 million in improvements, look at
greedy businessmen and politicians who pledge tax dollars without even asking their
constituents. There is plenty of blame to go around.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hopefully by writing this I can make my peace and move on.
Hopefully I can stop obsessing and getting my feelings hurt when people call my
neighborhood crime-ridden, dirty and unsafe. I just know that I will never feel
the same way about the Braves. When I sit in the stands for the next <strike>two</strike> three seasons (and yes, I will still go because I have a true Braves fan for a son),
I’ll feel a little empty as I look out over the skyline and think about what
could have been. Even if the city is able to broker a deal for the Braves to
stay, I’ll still feel a little empty. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWxAf_6kM2_Z1hfaFFyOct9vmPizyk0jfLhGGwzCSVIs5WDRLu-zQ0nf-KbUJnQyXx6n6tXdg9IrXY2YwniexZPUJnI9-yQ8h8DQxOgqK7B1doUpmYXkZ1kXOE4Kh1tM1q7TxeNdpb219W/s1600/Turner+Field+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWxAf_6kM2_Z1hfaFFyOct9vmPizyk0jfLhGGwzCSVIs5WDRLu-zQ0nf-KbUJnQyXx6n6tXdg9IrXY2YwniexZPUJnI9-yQ8h8DQxOgqK7B1doUpmYXkZ1kXOE4Kh1tM1q7TxeNdpb219W/s400/Turner+Field+1.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My feelings are hurt. We do our best to attend several games
a year. We sit in the cheap seats and don’t spend a lot of money on food and “fan
experiences.” We’re there to watch the baseball. My son doesn’t even want to
get out of his seat and go to the bathroom for fear he’ll miss something. Isn’t
that why we’re all crammed into a giant stadium in the blazing sun or under the
blaring lights: to watch men play baseball?
With their heat map of ticket buyers and all their metrics on who spends money
and how much, the Braves are basically saying they don’t care about fans like
us. We’re from the Southside and we’re not rich. They’d prefer a smaller
stadium where they can charge more for seats and tack on restaurants and themed
experiences to suck more money out of people. Going to a game will be an elite
experience. What happened to the love of the game?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So for now, I’m trudging through the “acceptance” phase.
What will be will be. Maybe by opening day I’ll get over my melancholy. Or maybe
I just need to find a college or minor league team to embrace. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>How do you feel? If
you could care less, need to vent, need a virtual hug, or think a new
stadium is just what the Braves need, feel free to comment here. And I promise
one of these days, I’ll get back to food!<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
Time for Good Foodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13695197996914290089noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6877763098081385934.post-71624823614390004402013-11-06T10:41:00.000-05:002013-11-06T10:49:43.321-05:00For All the Saints<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmZZK9iyuuO7ns5SdQsDOsKY4rNidGEcxQZxp8IsCc44mpBwV3wYinRRBYap2vNIfkYskMZDhBVZokLTWzIuqPoaHMJnL0u7-yK9NQ1SLY2tzC00vXa7MzLt12qajBJomz8vCUqgUR-OS/s1600/IMG_1470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmZZK9iyuuO7ns5SdQsDOsKY4rNidGEcxQZxp8IsCc44mpBwV3wYinRRBYap2vNIfkYskMZDhBVZokLTWzIuqPoaHMJnL0u7-yK9NQ1SLY2tzC00vXa7MzLt12qajBJomz8vCUqgUR-OS/s640/IMG_1470.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mom and my oldest wearing the Baptism outfit she made for him.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Since Sunday, I have been constantly singing a song in my head. We
sing it every year for All Saints Sunday. It starts out, “For all the saints,
who from their labors rest ...” As with all hymns, it goes on for at least four
– 45 verses. When we got to this one, my voice cracked with emotion:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i>O blest communion, fellowship
divine! <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i>We feebly struggle, they in glory
shine; <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i>yet all are one in thee, for all
are thine. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i>Alleluia, Alleluia!<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
I thought of my mama, my <a href="http://timeforgoodfood.blogspot.com/2013/09/what-i-learned-from-granny.html" target="_blank">Granny Kate</a>, <a href="http://timeforgoodfood.blogspot.com/2013/04/in-sweet-by-and-by.html" target="_blank">Papa Pierce</a>, Grandmama Ovice and
Papa George – their faces a glow, their bodies healed, their minds clear, their
hearts full of love and goodness. As you know from my last <a href="http://timeforgoodfood.blogspot.com/2013/10/halloween-baggage-southern-girls.html" target="_blank">post</a>, I have some
religious baggage. Sometimes I’m not sure what I believe. It took many years for me to even be
comfortable sitting in a church again. After many internal battles – and some
that continue to rage on – I had to arrive at a place where I admitted, “I don’t
know, but I believe.” After all, isn’t that the purpose of faith? It’s about
believing in things you can’t see, trusting that your life matters and is part
of a bigger plan – a higher purpose. As I was singing this hymn, it hit me.
They are why I’m here. It’s “For All the Saints” – the saints in my life – that
I am drawn to church in the first place. Christianity was important to them.
It’s how they were raised and defined who they were. I may have my issues, my
doubts and my concerns – especially when others use the Bible and the Christian
faith to justify their intolerance and flat out hatefulness toward others. There
are some doctrines and dogma that I don’t feel comfortable with – but there is a
lot I <i>do</i> feel comfortable with. Those are the messages of love, acceptance,
humility, generosity and caring for the community.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-Rwu_iuO_proTyVZUbn14qgCRaMqYIRM2tJ1mrIm3zV1_3xfV76h7zc9OrvBwE7WFBczb3vQqMV7NPoywh6gBty858kHHGotLchhJa19TFKWUEspnue9JVJa9HYIjzxDgXHS5B31Xf00/s1600/sIMG_1016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-Rwu_iuO_proTyVZUbn14qgCRaMqYIRM2tJ1mrIm3zV1_3xfV76h7zc9OrvBwE7WFBczb3vQqMV7NPoywh6gBty858kHHGotLchhJa19TFKWUEspnue9JVJa9HYIjzxDgXHS5B31Xf00/s640/sIMG_1016.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Granny, Papa and Mama.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
As my throat choked with tears, I tried to imagine us all together
again. I imagined myself in Granny and Papa’s living room. They were in their
respective recliners. Mama was there too. Everything decorated exactly as it
has been since I was a little girl. Then I imagined Papa and Grandmama’s house
before it looked like a convalescent home. The little propane heater humming.
Papa sitting in his chair with his spit cup (snuff: it’s a Southern thing).
Grandmama sitting in her rocker sharing the family news or talking about something
that Preacher Moore said. How I wished I could go back in time and have
everything be safe, warm and familiar for just a moment.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
But, I can’t. And that’s why All Saints Day, All Hallow’s Day, All
Soul’s Day or whatever you call it is important. It’s important to remember.
Even if it makes us sad to reflect, those who come before us are a part of who we are. For that, I am thankful. They instilled in me
a desire to be a better person, a good mama, a caring friend, to love my neighbors,
and importantly for this blog, to be a good cook. I do it for myself, but I
also do it for them – <i>for all the saints.</i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQydjCvSytpa9Gd0mhdJw7qGz3F8hEFnY8IOtCENgTTVHoabgJ_KrA_vmLd0Eh9xxc1oAQKtP9fkrpNl7Yeiu6I2QGfh0_24RxkiCoQAwmNsitmxgYFZSC3rC6tlXOgOIxIE-3ItDnJPC_/s1600/IMG_0976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQydjCvSytpa9Gd0mhdJw7qGz3F8hEFnY8IOtCENgTTVHoabgJ_KrA_vmLd0Eh9xxc1oAQKtP9fkrpNl7Yeiu6I2QGfh0_24RxkiCoQAwmNsitmxgYFZSC3rC6tlXOgOIxIE-3ItDnJPC_/s640/IMG_0976.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandmama and Papa.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><i>For All the Cooks</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
If you're new to the blog or missed these posts in the past, here are my favorite recipe posts related to my family. I truly believe that cooking and eating is another way we can all be together again as well!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="http://timeforgoodfood.blogspot.com/2011/05/banana-pudding-please.html" target="_blank">Mama's Banana Pudding</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="http://timeforgoodfood.blogspot.com/2011/01/kinship-in-kitchen.html" target="_blank">Mama's Tea Cakes</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="http://timeforgoodfood.blogspot.com/2012/12/m-m-cookies-made-with-love.html" target="_blank">Grandmama's M&M Cookies</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="http://timeforgoodfood.blogspot.com/2012/02/biscuit-chronicles.html" target="_blank">Granny's Biscuits</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
I hope to be back with some more favorite family recipes and remembrances real soon!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
Time for Good Foodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13695197996914290089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6877763098081385934.post-26119993775043363172013-10-30T13:42:00.000-04:002013-10-30T14:56:21.651-04:00Halloween Baggage: A Southern Girl's Confession<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivcugawhpdu93f3xJeN1pL05h8XSDDsX-3nyJjRJs17ohN9HZE5-WaMlp84b9lLQlu8OKAAsNGC6r03J-W6zJ2GLzMuGaDyYfBab6s_KhJ1Mld1mowshxECB76SHGWYv1RzkW0M1SAHXyy/s1600/halloween13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivcugawhpdu93f3xJeN1pL05h8XSDDsX-3nyJjRJs17ohN9HZE5-WaMlp84b9lLQlu8OKAAsNGC6r03J-W6zJ2GLzMuGaDyYfBab6s_KhJ1Mld1mowshxECB76SHGWYv1RzkW0M1SAHXyy/s640/halloween13.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I must admit: I have a messed up relationship with Halloween.
You all know I love my mama, but I attribute my Halloween dysfunction to her
and my conservative Southern Baptist upbringing. Well, I can’t really blame
Mama too much. It was the 1980s – the height of the Moral Majority, Focus on
the Family and “burn your devil worshipping rock music tapes” movements. She
was just trying to do what she felt was the right thing. The right thing back
then was to hand out tracks about the evils of Halloween and hold Halloween
alternatives at church.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I distinctly remember
our Halloween Parade in kindergarten. I wanted to dress up as a witch because
some of the other little girls were doing so. Mama said no and that I could be
an angel instead. She fashioned a costume for me with feathered wings pinned to
a white dress. I think I had a golden pipe cleaner halo. I reluctantly wore my
angel costume and walked alongside my witch friends. I remember one little boy
saying to me, “What are you, a chicken?” I seem to remember being pretty upset about being mistaken for a chicken. I told my teacher that my
mama wouldn’t let me be a witch because it was an “abomination to the Lord.” My
teacher called my mother to discuss. She said her daddy was a Baptist preacher
and she didn’t see a problem with children dressing up as witches, devils and
other “abominations.” Mama stood her ground. I was never allowed to dress up as
a witch or anything scary. Instead, we donned the homemade non-PC costumes of
the 80s – gypsies, hobos and ladies of the night. (Yes, little girls dressed up
like hookers back then!)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Might I add, not all churches had a problem with Halloween.
In fact, some of the Baptist churches in the country embraced it by offering
their own haunted houses. Tons of churches had them. They usually involved an
old chicken house, Freddy Krueger, Jason from<i> Friday the 13<sup>th</sup></i> and somebody’s daddy running around
with a chainsaw. At the end there was a crashed car and somebody dying
and seeing the Devil because they hadn’t been saved. Mama did not approve of
the haunted houses but I think I finally convinced her to let me to go to one
with some friends when I was 11 or 12. That’s what I saw.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Flash forward 25 years, and I’m still conflicted about
Halloween. I don’t think it is Satan’s holiday (as with most Western
holidays it’s a mix of Christian and pagan traditions). However, I do have a
problem with super scary, gory or sadistic costumes as evidenced when my
8-year-old chose a bloody Scream face costume this year. I did relent, but convinced him to tone down on the bloody part. I know what Mama
taught me. However, I know she later regretted being so legalistic. She did let us
go trick-or-treating but we never decorated for Halloween. It just wasn’t a big deal holiday. Now
Halloween is the second most commercially successful holiday in the U.S. In my
neighborhood people go all out decorating their houses, throwing parties and "boo'ing" each other (a new trend: see Pinterest). I’ve
had several friends admit that they enjoy it more than Christmas. There’s not
the added pressure of gift-buying and skirting around religious differences. It’s
just about fun. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy Halloween. Of course, I love all the sweets and wish I had a recipe
for you. However, my camera is broken and all the cute things I want to bake
haven’t happened yet. Yet, in spite of it all -- in spite of being a grown woman with children of my own -- as I was applying my gross zombie makeup on Saturday for our neighborhood Halloween Parade, I still had a little nagging feeling. You can't help how you were raised. I'm not quite sure how to be. I still struggle with how to
balance the fun without glorifying murder, gruesomeness or the occult. I guess it’s my inner angel battling my inner
witch. Or, maybe I’m just a chicken.<br />
<br />Time for Good Foodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13695197996914290089noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6877763098081385934.post-53293722220169603022013-09-04T21:50:00.000-04:002013-09-04T21:50:57.230-04:00What I Learned From Granny<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiASnsjBC_H35LS9aKYGHHvzdlrg9IJ6pBT0ZN1CEHzchWq-PYjKVFBaL6ZQHSAO4DDiGt3dfWfLAM_yc-13C1YfbAdtoS_erNRJ-Nq_-39CU3wpSjWP3SrKdEIvMQrBe0IkOgdIPZudvw5/s1600/sIMG_1016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiASnsjBC_H35LS9aKYGHHvzdlrg9IJ6pBT0ZN1CEHzchWq-PYjKVFBaL6ZQHSAO4DDiGt3dfWfLAM_yc-13C1YfbAdtoS_erNRJ-Nq_-39CU3wpSjWP3SrKdEIvMQrBe0IkOgdIPZudvw5/s640/sIMG_1016.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Granny and Papa holding meeting their first grandbaby, my oldest. My mama is in the background.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
It’s been a sad time lately. My Granny Kate passed away last week –
just four months after <a href="http://timeforgoodfood.blogspot.com/2013/04/in-sweet-by-and-by.html" target="_blank">Papa</a>, her husband of 67 years. She was 84. I’ve written about Granny and her <a href="http://timeforgoodfood.blogspot.com/2012/02/biscuit-chronicles.html" target="_blank">biscuits</a> here before, and
truly she was one of my favorite people in the world. When I was a little girl
and even on into adulthood, I was always happy to go to Granny’s house. You
never had to call ahead, knock or ring the doorbell. You just walked right in
because the door was always unlocked if they were home. Granny and Papa would usually
be sitting in their recliners in the living room or sitting in their rocking
chairs out in the sunroom overlooking the pasture. Sometimes they would be
sitting at the kitchen table eating dinner – which is really lunch. Granny
would immediately get up and fuss to get you something to eat. It didn’t matter
what time of day.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Of course, as kids, we knew where the candy stash was. She always kept
a full candy jar with peppermints and hard candies. One time my brother got a
butterscotch candy stuck in his throat – probably from shoveling too many into
his mouth. We knew where the “hidden candy” was too. It was in the kitchen
cabinet by the door. We would climb up on her bright green Formica counters and
pull down a pack of Wrigley’s Doublemint gum, orange slice candies, coconut
patties and sometimes old-fashioned chocolate drops. If she knew we were coming, there might be a cake or some <a href="http://timeforgoodfood.blogspot.com/2011/01/time-for-tea-cakes.html" target="_blank">tea cakes</a> on the counter. When I was very little, I called
her “Granny Cake” because I was pretty certain that was her name. Later in
life, she kept an even bigger candy stash that the great grandkids enjoyed. My
boys knew to go directly to the top drawer in the buffet for Reese’s cups and
mini-Snickers. And, still -- there would sometimes be cake on the counter.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Aside from a love for all things sweet, here are a few other things I
learned from Granny:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhARhMIu2-CKxQnQbOK7utCPwFs5lXO5OU94H3fTCPJQ1k_OFRqdcNrOrAcgM7g81QMuh5GXH8kh-PTn6J02WbPjwvD324sgMaRsLGRbYoszNzUQ7JwkvmToM1NxZYaq8_gjzU5RTxgSTK7/s1600/Granny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhARhMIu2-CKxQnQbOK7utCPwFs5lXO5OU94H3fTCPJQ1k_OFRqdcNrOrAcgM7g81QMuh5GXH8kh-PTn6J02WbPjwvD324sgMaRsLGRbYoszNzUQ7JwkvmToM1NxZYaq8_gjzU5RTxgSTK7/s640/Granny.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Granny on her 83rd birthday, I believe.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i> </i><i>Take care of others.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Granny was always the last one to sit down at the table and the first
one to get up. My grandparents were definitely of the generation that housework
was woman’s work – which used to aggravate me and my feminist sensibilities. However,
I really do think it’s just how Granny loved. She was a doer. She loved taking
care of Papa, her children and grandchildren. You never heard her complain or
talk about being “unfulfilled” – she worked hard keeping the house and helping
out on the farm. The moments she did take for herself were spent reading a good
book. That’s another thing I learned from her.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i>Don’t be afraid to laugh at
yourself.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Granny had no pretense about her whatsoever. If she ever did anything
silly or stupid, she laughed. She was also not too dignified to enjoy a fart
joke. I think I played with my first whoopee cushion at her house. (In truth,
our whole family enjoys our potty humor.) She also used to take her dentures out
and make faces for us when we were kids. She was just plain funny.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRnp1mvCYa7vsvrKqX3cNMpsOIHM8n7LpYVVPBbn4QpPyOGZg9m4xpy9-FvfBpJnUxmVFy7XXryCrsniwQttloP7_feMfqg_idfxGBmzouKnAvbPxq3Amz9H1Q3ayi_n1Z7vNIfqQBDVvp/s1600/Granny+early+teen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRnp1mvCYa7vsvrKqX3cNMpsOIHM8n7LpYVVPBbn4QpPyOGZg9m4xpy9-FvfBpJnUxmVFy7XXryCrsniwQttloP7_feMfqg_idfxGBmzouKnAvbPxq3Amz9H1Q3ayi_n1Z7vNIfqQBDVvp/s400/Granny+early+teen.jpg" width="325" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Granny as a girl.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i>Girls can play sports.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
In my short-lived softball career with the Coal Mountain Cuties, Granny
would get out and play catch with me. She would play ball with all of us
grandchildren. Had I any athletic prowess, I’m sure she would have supported me
all the way. She loved watching the Atlanta Braves and NASCAR. When she was
young, she was quite a hit playing stickball in the pastures. She also played
basketball in high school when she and Papa first starting “sparking,” as they
called it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBNOI2WRLREwTzWJH36kC86MXZ0Z00g2C1tANNgfcMq9d4SUu-LfxkxAe0sXD9T-pyIqfH_W2wlCFSR5sC07HY1ZvN0q-tcYpL18xQX0grc6mIaB6oX2Sim7tzew-gBzRacY-qnjjEz3DR/s1600/Granny&Papa2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBNOI2WRLREwTzWJH36kC86MXZ0Z00g2C1tANNgfcMq9d4SUu-LfxkxAe0sXD9T-pyIqfH_W2wlCFSR5sC07HY1ZvN0q-tcYpL18xQX0grc6mIaB6oX2Sim7tzew-gBzRacY-qnjjEz3DR/s400/Granny&Papa2.jpg" width="258" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Granny and Papa, circa 1945.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i>Southern words and sayings work in most
conversational settings.</i> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
“Lord” or any variation thereof (Lord-a- mercy, Lordy, Lord God) is an exclamation that works for most any occasion. Other favorites I learned from Granny:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
fixin' to= about to</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
ain’t no count = not any good</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
branch=creek</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
poke=bag</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
yonder=over there</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
chawed out =embarrassed</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
plumb=entirely, as in “She was plumb chawed out!” or “I’m plumb worn
out!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
And of course …</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Bless your heart, bless his/her heart, bless their hearts=meaning
varies depending on the situation</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i>Music is good for the soul.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Granny grew up singing gospel hymns in the Baptist church. She knew
them all and instilled a love of sacred music in her children and
grandchildren. Her girls took piano lessons and knew the hymnal by heart. I’m a
piano failure, but I do know how to sing the hymnal thanks to my family’s love
of music. Music was also important in Papa’s family as his daddy, Jim Corn,
taught Sacred Heart or shaped-note singing. Granny was always humming and loved
to rock and sing to babies. When it came to church or family singing, Granny
belted out the alto part with gusto. Probably the last time I sang with Granny
was with when my mama was very sick seven years ago. Granny sat by her bedside
humming. I brought a hymnal in and we sang together. It’s all we knew to do.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-oGZ3EHbT4wCSt4mg2hJOrUugOlfzlI-vZwBAJGLaxYzHUVOl10sGkI2KsZfIOpj9mWuVb3XN9ZU_ftjOrNysY9_GGazM_qVOU2YTE1mp4OgpQ202dVKIWrLQu-MPJpskZIktaAFtSMmN/s1600/sIMG_1021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-oGZ3EHbT4wCSt4mg2hJOrUugOlfzlI-vZwBAJGLaxYzHUVOl10sGkI2KsZfIOpj9mWuVb3XN9ZU_ftjOrNysY9_GGazM_qVOU2YTE1mp4OgpQ202dVKIWrLQu-MPJpskZIktaAFtSMmN/s640/sIMG_1021.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Granny rocking my baby - and I'm pretty sure she was talking baby talk.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b>A New Era<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
As were cleaning up dishes after the funeral my cousin lamented about
Granny’s candy jar being empty. “It’s the end of an era, girls,” my aunt said
wistfully. And truly it is. Now all of my grandparents are gone and my heart
aches for the way things used to be. However, I had an epiphany in that moment: it’s also a new era. It’s my turn to be a
mama and hopefully one day, a granny. Because my mother was taken too soon, in
my own little family, I’m the matriarch now. It’s my turn to organize the
family get-togethers, to bake the cakes and fill the candy dishes. It’s my turn
to pass on life skills and the time-honored traditions of family and faith on to
my boys. I just hope that I can do as half as good of a job as my Granny and
Mama did with me. This little blog is one of the ways I’m trying to do my part.
Thank you for following my journey!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
Time for Good Foodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13695197996914290089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6877763098081385934.post-27000706803038686672013-07-24T14:55:00.000-04:002013-07-24T14:55:14.072-04:00A Visit to the North Carolina Mountains<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQY-MfX6uMzCq8mrF-LHyruRpWNp8BxqKOMxfl6BVJmriWyaIBoRKqyJHB4UIj63gElB30xqYZyD0RW7bzy0k8hdp7I_LKnUHBDh29y0JaYGYK8YxUJefzHbSYi_PGQwfgw7jY3nEJ5bb/s1600/IMG_7350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQY-MfX6uMzCq8mrF-LHyruRpWNp8BxqKOMxfl6BVJmriWyaIBoRKqyJHB4UIj63gElB30xqYZyD0RW7bzy0k8hdp7I_LKnUHBDh29y0JaYGYK8YxUJefzHbSYi_PGQwfgw7jY3nEJ5bb/s640/IMG_7350.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
It's been a strange summer in Atlanta. It's scarcely gotten over 85 degrees, it's rained like Seattle and now it's almost over -- at least for the kids. I can't believe that my kids go back to school in less than two weeks! We are trying to squeeze every bit of remaining summer fun in between day camps, doctor's appointments, back to school shopping and afternoon thunderstorms. There are pools to frequent, amusement parks to visit, cooking projects and so much that we just haven't gotten to yet. But, we did get to travel a good bit this summer. We just got back from the beach in Florida, but in late June, we had the unexpected treat of going to the <a href="http://exploreboonearea.com/" target="_blank">Boone</a> and Blowing Rock area of North Carolina. I'm writing a story for <a href="http://atlantaparent.com/" target="_blank">Atlanta Parent</a>, so look for that in September. But, for now, I want to share a few photos and highlights of our trip.<br />
<br />
First of all, North Carolina is just a stunningly beautiful state. The mountain views of the high country near the border of Virginia, are just phenomenal. While my husband worked, my boys and I set off to Dahlonega to pick up my dad. Just before we got to his house, my youngest puked in the car. What's a road trip without a little drama? After a bit of a rough start, we got back on the road and drove the North Georgia Mountains and through Franklin heading toward Asheville. We made it to Boone in about 5 hours and met up with the travel writers that I would be tagging along with. On the agenda: family fun.<br />
<br />
My oldest got to go ziplining with me the first day and had the time of his life. Remember that I zip lined for the first time last year in<a href="http://timeforgoodfood.blogspot.com/2012/07/zipping-and-eating-in-hilton-head.html" target="_blank"> Hilton Head</a>? Well, I feel like an old pro now (sniff, sniff). <a href="http://hawksnestzipline.com/" target="_blank">Hawksnest Zipline</a> offers a scenic journey through what used to be a ski resort. The lines go through hardwood forests, over woodland creeks and offer amazing views throughout. A couple of the lines were over 1500 feet long and I pretty much screamed myself silly. I was proud of my cautious, level headed boy for taking on the challenge.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj24lzTzKN1SSsZOV4NMyRet32OJxkkgTFj0TX5WqMs-e5LjREfuv-KTU3qlkEjepwYgBy7pfDT02yVfDB7IC3dN1PjH8pth3-EifvDlLBPEtJWcAhAhHuZ24tTWqJnf-pdgVDs-cMJSAEl/s1600/Samzipbridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj24lzTzKN1SSsZOV4NMyRet32OJxkkgTFj0TX5WqMs-e5LjREfuv-KTU3qlkEjepwYgBy7pfDT02yVfDB7IC3dN1PjH8pth3-EifvDlLBPEtJWcAhAhHuZ24tTWqJnf-pdgVDs-cMJSAEl/s640/Samzipbridge.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zipping and crossing swinging bridges through the trees.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0u0SE19Aus6dw0ESK1iErUo5XRItMphXKATTeYQk3IpcH7kFIfELC4qZTFTVewEa-pnraZv6UIXk0qK75lWhZgDFHWyK3A9BAjNUf6dsSowMCEtnOn6NqvkBrCEhZrCoVpUqRzXERevZ/s1600/Hawksnest+Zipline+020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0u0SE19Aus6dw0ESK1iErUo5XRItMphXKATTeYQk3IpcH7kFIfELC4qZTFTVewEa-pnraZv6UIXk0qK75lWhZgDFHWyK3A9BAjNUf6dsSowMCEtnOn6NqvkBrCEhZrCoVpUqRzXERevZ/s640/Hawksnest+Zipline+020.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proof I did it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Another highlight was visiting <a href="http://www.grandfather.com/" target="_blank">Grandfather Mountain</a>. It's so incredibly breathtaking -- and the best part -- you can drive almost to the top. No sherpa required! There is a swinging bridge that joins two of the peaks. The boys had fun climbing over the rocks along the cliff and scaring me to death. My dad, the ultimate mountain-lover, remembers going there as a kid. It was nice to get to see him reconnect with the beauty of the mountain views and experience it with his grandboys.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZBSjG83I9uruuNUbz0UrGtMmu3oD6pKGh4SqurqLqn4kO0bc2XJwNM54-auW2vOcWwcXfQq8snEXtRIbrnYYCNjZW9sIHWGNUvX_YR7-IwB80-KFVPGFRROoVdwBMgbA0UhzddRGpDCdz/s1600/IMG_1209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZBSjG83I9uruuNUbz0UrGtMmu3oD6pKGh4SqurqLqn4kO0bc2XJwNM54-auW2vOcWwcXfQq8snEXtRIbrnYYCNjZW9sIHWGNUvX_YR7-IwB80-KFVPGFRROoVdwBMgbA0UhzddRGpDCdz/s400/IMG_1209.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandfather and grandsons on top of Grandfather Mountain.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmZ9U69l4hzHLLkHwJH5wcL_jMGX60_BUtTRjgp-TWm7g7vY4lMS3fU0TGQBRbVmKGyMFG8veqRG6fr1RIluyhJv0B78WkGgsEgK8p1YTyfwKIDED4N6kIUutWggybaHx3dc1a7k8NiMNY/s1600/IMG_1181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmZ9U69l4hzHLLkHwJH5wcL_jMGX60_BUtTRjgp-TWm7g7vY4lMS3fU0TGQBRbVmKGyMFG8veqRG6fr1RIluyhJv0B78WkGgsEgK8p1YTyfwKIDED4N6kIUutWggybaHx3dc1a7k8NiMNY/s640/IMG_1181.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Please don't fall off the mountain, boys!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVRNHe106uJ5F20WPcsBa1OKvHtl6gYCrK-HUu_FTRuMnXH24NxORDVfE51ft3n-E2crL44CiSGFaz9hIAx4bvvvHOEuRjP4mNC_CEVWr9thSgqc23FFtefRATLpcwwnUq5Nw79WZJ-HDa/s1600/IMG_1184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVRNHe106uJ5F20WPcsBa1OKvHtl6gYCrK-HUu_FTRuMnXH24NxORDVfE51ft3n-E2crL44CiSGFaz9hIAx4bvvvHOEuRjP4mNC_CEVWr9thSgqc23FFtefRATLpcwwnUq5Nw79WZJ-HDa/s640/IMG_1184.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simply unbelievable walking between two mountain tops.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
There is much more to tell you about, but I'll have to save that for the story. Finally, since this is technically a food blog, I would be remiss not to mention our meal at the <a href="http://www.danlbooneinn.com/" target="_blank">Dan'l Boone Inn</a>. It's an old-fashioned family-style (meaning they bring heaping bowls of food to the table to share) restaurant that has served the Boone area for over 50 years. It's been covered in <i>Southern Living</i> and on all the "best of" lists. I particularly enjoyed the country ham and biscuits and fried chicken. The country ham was locally cured and the biscuits were definitely from scratch - buttery and delicious.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRR24IvVtfoD5bhlUhvbFYJgskt3LFFhRfGcOUrSYDBTdnubR6-7FwwPgwanvlE6pPC-doBOPbS9GBBrQNeUkyAieCI0m0nmisLAOerisvn9C1TixO0SKiStPG6JUSLIQ7G0mtAXVvMZgW/s1600/IMG_7296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRR24IvVtfoD5bhlUhvbFYJgskt3LFFhRfGcOUrSYDBTdnubR6-7FwwPgwanvlE6pPC-doBOPbS9GBBrQNeUkyAieCI0m0nmisLAOerisvn9C1TixO0SKiStPG6JUSLIQ7G0mtAXVvMZgW/s640/IMG_7296.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Country ham and biscuits at the Dan'l Boone Inn.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I hope you are having a wonderful summer. I'll be back soon with beach adventures and, of course, good food.<br />
<br />
<br />Time for Good Foodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13695197996914290089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6877763098081385934.post-17064961957097155202013-04-19T13:12:00.001-04:002013-04-19T17:53:16.915-04:00The Sweet By and BySorry I've been away for a while. In light of everything that is happening on the news, I feel distracted and useless today. It's been a tough week for this country. And it's been a tough week for me. My grandfather, my mom's dad, passed away on Sunday night. He was 85 years old and lived a long and rich life. I think somewhere deep down I must have known that his time with us was not long. The timing is just incredible. With our move, renting our old house, kids' ballgames and the hectic pace of life, I had not seen him since Christmas. I had been feeling guilty for months and wanting to see Granny and Papa. I am so glad that we made time for a quick visit on Sunday on our way home from camping trip (more on that later).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOE1hI7HYAkdSGK_5FDdaqftLN1DY343D3AeJGFbQ2tBiX1efknHZQQUBdwMq020mtOg_XTqEJqi9BF8xpJOn9ahUaOfXcMsoYoB8nZY8EInDeBDe7rxlr6Mt_JkXMI6FA9dVogN6GzGQy/s1600/scan0014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOE1hI7HYAkdSGK_5FDdaqftLN1DY343D3AeJGFbQ2tBiX1efknHZQQUBdwMq020mtOg_XTqEJqi9BF8xpJOn9ahUaOfXcMsoYoB8nZY8EInDeBDe7rxlr6Mt_JkXMI6FA9dVogN6GzGQy/s640/scan0014.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Corn family, circa 1985. I'm the older girl. My mom is wearing pink in the back. Papa, of course is beaming left center.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The change in both him and my grandmother since Christmas was dramatic. He could barely talk but when we walked in he asked how things were going in Atlanta. Granny tried to make small talk but made little sense - the effects of Alzheimer's and a recent stroke. However, both seemed to know that we were theirs and they made us welcome. When we left, I hugged each of them. My youngest gave them each a hug and a kiss. Granny said to Nicholas, "You're a sweet boy!" Papa grabbed my hand and looked me in the eyes. "You come see us again soon," he said. I promised I would. Later that night I got the call that he had passed on. He died peacefully in his sleep. Amazingly, he and my Granny have been able to live at home. The same little house they built more than 60 years ago.<br />
<br />
Gathering with family and old family friends is always the best part of the funeral process. (Good food is usually involved too!) It was so nice to be with those that I love and who love me. It was nice to make jokes and remember the essence of who Papa was. He was a farmer and a church-going man. He married his high school sweetheart and loved her faithfully for 66 years. He wanted all his kids to have a college education - something that he never had. He was immensely proud of his family and his heritage. He loved genealogy and figuring out how he was kin to everyone in the county. He was firm with his four children, but doted on his grandkids and great-grandkids. At family gatherings, there was often a baby in Papa's lap. Though certainly not perfect, he was a very good man.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOlwG_7xPbUn6eTX0f_V4_eEq6vQ5jZOYFKKS4tYgWPspSihU31RY3P3FCRFpryzTOr4-GvzEZWpn9lMXK777h7l47NRp3ylNU4UL97M4cvI64gFJvSBOpncjjod2nciRBLjYJuQpcnN_Y/s1600/364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOlwG_7xPbUn6eTX0f_V4_eEq6vQ5jZOYFKKS4tYgWPspSihU31RY3P3FCRFpryzTOr4-GvzEZWpn9lMXK777h7l47NRp3ylNU4UL97M4cvI64gFJvSBOpncjjod2nciRBLjYJuQpcnN_Y/s640/364.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A picture I found from last year.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I was surprised at how much his funeral and burial brought to the surface so much sadness that I still feel about losing my mama. This was her daddy and I so felt her presence among her people. I felt almost as if she were there the whole time but conveniently missing if I were to look around for her. I especially felt her next to me as my cousins, her sister and brother sang the hymn, "In the Sweet By and By." The chorus,<i> "We shall meet on that beautiful shore,"</i> is still ringing in my ears. I do know in my heart that we will meet again, but life here on earth is never going to be same. I want her here with me and I always will.<br />
<br />
I've heard a lot of talk about heaven this week and it's challenged me to think more about it. I guess I don't think of heaven as a big party where loved ones, religious figures, angels and celebrities from all the ages are hanging out in golden palaces. I think it is so different and so holy that we cannot even begin to understand it. I think of it as the ultimate comfort, the ultimate safely and wholeness. Although I often struggle with my faith, I do believe, deep down, that God is good. I do believe there is life beyond the sorrows of this world. In the midst of darkness, there is hope.<br />
<br />
Thanks for reading this "therapy post." I will be back soon with happier stories and recipes. Take care, and my thoughts and prayers are with the people of Boston and all those who suffer on this day.<br />
<br />
<br />Time for Good Foodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13695197996914290089noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6877763098081385934.post-21173494830705795102013-03-29T12:35:00.001-04:002013-03-29T14:10:42.666-04:00Easter Breakfast with Rebecca Lang<div class="MsoNormal">
Here I am, the prodigal daughter – almost back. I can’t say
that I’m really back because I’m still stranded in a sea of boxes. Anyway, I’m
here now and I have missed you. The past two months have been a blur of
packing, renovating and looking for stuff. And I’m still in the "looking for
stuff" phase. I will certainly be writing a post about moving and my beautiful
new kitchen (that I still can’t believe is mine) soon!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For now, we have pressing matters. Sunday is Easter and I
have not even thought about what we are going to eat. I feel like it would be a
travesty if we did not have ham. Why is it ham and Easter go hand in
hand? Seriously, I have no idea what we will be eating for lunch or dinner as I
still cannot find some of my pots and pans, but I do have some ideas for
breakfast thanks to Rebecca Lang. I had the pleasure of meeting her last week
and watching her demo some Easter breakfast/brunch fare at the <a href="http://www.cookswarehouse.com/" target="_blank">Cook’s Warehouse</a> in Atlanta (Midtown). I had never taken a class at Cook’s Warehouse before – and what a
treat! That store is heaven for anyone who likes cooking and baking tools and
gadgets.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixN9aRtLd7B0PQsg6iFw-ixjA5shzwGisCz2sxr_538D1ZZ-7Kqd-skvv6bdOS6m8WW3dyiwpbjgYeG9-VGZr1uw9xgBcjiAeB_wGVWBx-z461uvz0enEy2j_oDWF0R3QLokshpGSVl1_/s1600/IMG_6885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixN9aRtLd7B0PQsg6iFw-ixjA5shzwGisCz2sxr_538D1ZZ-7Kqd-skvv6bdOS6m8WW3dyiwpbjgYeG9-VGZr1uw9xgBcjiAeB_wGVWBx-z461uvz0enEy2j_oDWF0R3QLokshpGSVl1_/s640/IMG_6885.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://rebeccalangcooks.com/" target="_blank">Rebecca Lang</a> is a chef, food writer and contributing editor
for <i>Southern Living </i>and the author of several cookbooks. Her most recent is <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Around-Southern-Table-comforting-treasured/dp/0848736532/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1347379949&sr=8-2&keywords=around+a+southern+table" target="_blank">Southern Living’s Around the Southern Table</a></i>.
Rebecca was kind enough to provide me a copy and I have to say, I love this book. The intro begins, “I was a girl fascinated by biscuits, fried chicken and pound cake.”
(Hey, me too -- and I still am!) I love how she writes about cooking with her grandmothers, her
cherished family heirloom dining room table and the gift of Southern
hospitality.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTwUtqr3SloSM3IKg4U_QrERJQmIZBsxvCYo29XzO6Ud_IVDejnwbH5ujQWxzxfJz3Gr1LioQoDfkTBw_mnNU8J_6YqRCBzQQ7glYE0vQieDhMGC7Xx9GKRNWT062xbh8tckr0n3O9prd0/s1600/aroundsotable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTwUtqr3SloSM3IKg4U_QrERJQmIZBsxvCYo29XzO6Ud_IVDejnwbH5ujQWxzxfJz3Gr1LioQoDfkTBw_mnNU8J_6YqRCBzQQ7glYE0vQieDhMGC7Xx9GKRNWT062xbh8tckr0n3O9prd0/s320/aroundsotable.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rebecca has a very warm and engaging manner and her recipes
are as down to earth as she is. She showed us how to make her cathead biscuits
– made with bacon grease, whole buttermilk and White Lily flour, of course. She
ingeniously used the biscuit crumbs in a skillet casserole that was so yummy. (The recipe is in her book.) She spoke of her grandmothers making biscuits and the big influence they had on
her life. I really did feel we were kindred spirits –and afterward when we
spoke, we discovered that her husband is from my hometown and I know his
people. I love how the South is such as a small world!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Definitely check out Rebecca’s book and <a href="http://rebeccalangcooks.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blog</a>. I will
definitely keep you posted on any of her recipes I try. (Country Ham Jam and
Tomato Gravy are recipes that definitely must be investigated!) For now, I
leave you with the Sausage and Cheese Soufflé recipe she shared with our class.
It is a make ahead breakfast casserole and in my current chaotic state, I think
I can handle it. I can put it together tomorrow night and pop it in the oven
Easter morning while the kids gorge themselves on candy. I hope you all have a
wonderful Easter and/or simply a glorious spring weekend – and I will be
back soon.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXkLFWJwIeOUdbxTAA70eStbeFUTWh5fx1fL7xCbM-exzYwL43YpIa09aao6vBW6uXrYIcAxFiUGpfO26FOIsNhiJzraREC_02tZYGOhX4fhIFFiD9hoL8SYBRijCmN84bSHVtojo6xqg7/s1600/IMG_6891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXkLFWJwIeOUdbxTAA70eStbeFUTWh5fx1fL7xCbM-exzYwL43YpIa09aao6vBW6uXrYIcAxFiUGpfO26FOIsNhiJzraREC_02tZYGOhX4fhIFFiD9hoL8SYBRijCmN84bSHVtojo6xqg7/s640/IMG_6891.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Sausage and Cheese Soufflé</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 pound ground pork sausage</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4 ounces extra-sharp Cheddar cheese</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
8 large eggs</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2 cups milk</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
¾ teaspoon salt</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
½ teaspoon dried oregano</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
½ teaspoon Dijon mustard</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper (Cayenne)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 pound croissants (about 20 medium) cut into one-inch cubes</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Garnish: minced fresh chives</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1. Brown sausage in a large skillet over medium heat,
stirring often, 10 to 13 minutes or until meat crumbles and is no longer pink.
Drain and pat dry with paper towels.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2. Grate cheese on the large holes of a box grater.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3. Whisk together eggs and next six ingredients in a large
bowl. Stir in croissant cubes. Add sausage and cheese; stir well. Pour into a
lightly greased 13-x9-inch baking dish. Cover and chill 8 to 24 hours.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Remove dish from
refrigerator, and let dish stand at room temperature while the oven preheats.
Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 55 minutes or until set. Garnish, if
desired. Serve immediately.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Makes: 8 servings</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hands-on Time: 20 minutes. Total Time: 9 hours, 15 minutes</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Recipe courtesy Rebecca Lang, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Around-Southern-Table-comforting-treasured/dp/0848736532/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1347379949&sr=8-2&keywords=around+a+southern+table" target="_blank"><i>Around the Southern Table</i> </a>(Oxmoor House, 2012). Special thanks to <a href="http://www.ghpr.net/" target="_blank">Gretchen Howard Public Relations</a> for inviting me to attend Chef Lang's demo.<br />
<br /></div>
Time for Good Foodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13695197996914290089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6877763098081385934.post-10025497849178037482013-02-12T17:26:00.001-05:002013-02-12T18:30:41.981-05:00A Lesson in King Cake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ap0sHEZqOCI/URp_mKUhe_I/AAAAAAAABBg/jFYfmYaAU70/s1600/IMG_6825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ap0sHEZqOCI/URp_mKUhe_I/AAAAAAAABBg/jFYfmYaAU70/s640/IMG_6825.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
It's Fat Tuesday and I'm in a rush. You need king cake, and you need it now! So, pardon me if this post seems thrown together, it's just that time is of the essence. Last week, I had the pleasure of hanging out with the<a href="http://www.cakehag.com/" target="_blank"> "Cake Hags," </a>who you may remember from this <a href="http://timeforgoodfood.blogspot.com/2012/04/life-is-like-layer-cake.html" target="_blank">post</a>. Maggie and Kate are some amazingly talented bakers here in Atlanta and they happen to bake out of our church's kitchen. Last week, they donated some king cakes (which they also allowed me and my boys to help bake) for the church kids to decorate. The kids had a blast. I mean, who wouldn't when colored sprinkles are involved. Let me show some pictures of the whole process. If you're really just after the recipe, skip to the bottom and get your yeast mixture going stat! While the cake (really, a pastry) is not difficult, it does have several steps that involve waiting. It's best to start it in the morning and work on it in little spurts throughout the day. Or, you could just call Cake Hag or a local bakery and have them do all the work. When I was in Louisiana last fall, I had the pleasure of meeting the bakers at a local grocery store that is famous for it's king cakes. Read more about my adventures <a href="http://timeforgoodfood.blogspot.com/2012/11/living-it-up-in-southwest-louisiana.html" target="_blank">here</a> -- and learn more about why a king cake is essential eating for Louisianans this time of year.<br />
<br />
So, here we go. King Cake starts out as a yucky looking yeast mixture. It is then transformed into a dough that needs plenty of kneading, then some rest, then some more kneading, then some rolling, then some filling, then some shaping, then some cutting, then some buttering, then some more rest -- and THEN some baking, icing and decorating. Whew!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bLrHPK4xcpg/URqB99NyVZI/AAAAAAAABCo/16IB-Zx0rCo/s1600/IMG_6747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bLrHPK4xcpg/URqB99NyVZI/AAAAAAAABCo/16IB-Zx0rCo/s640/IMG_6747.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeasty goodness.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s-ndrvyzOdg/URqByrgDXGI/AAAAAAAABCg/DvbB4xQIh-Q/s1600/IMG_6764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s-ndrvyzOdg/URqByrgDXGI/AAAAAAAABCg/DvbB4xQIh-Q/s640/IMG_6764.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rough dough mixture that needs some kneading.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DBvwi8-SkpQ/URqBfOJU4DI/AAAAAAAABCQ/m5lsgX8a9cw/s1600/IMG_6770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DBvwi8-SkpQ/URqBfOJU4DI/AAAAAAAABCQ/m5lsgX8a9cw/s640/IMG_6770.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I even got in on the action. Kneading is so therapeutic!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-den4K5peztU/URqDEMcTdkI/AAAAAAAABDI/NA0oU750pzc/s1600/IMG_6799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-den4K5peztU/URqDEMcTdkI/AAAAAAAABDI/NA0oU750pzc/s640/IMG_6799.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After its first rest, it's time to roll.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9D9jxlAJH_4/URqBNulbVlI/AAAAAAAABCI/9LWHgp9rsnw/s1600/IMG_6781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9D9jxlAJH_4/URqBNulbVlI/AAAAAAAABCI/9LWHgp9rsnw/s640/IMG_6781.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maggie adds the delicious brown sugar /cinnamon filling.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YkmaPqbDEOs/URp_EbLOUzI/AAAAAAAABBY/IMUL6OlpM68/s1600/IMG_6787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YkmaPqbDEOs/URp_EbLOUzI/AAAAAAAABBY/IMUL6OlpM68/s640/IMG_6787.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maggie shapes it into a ring and gives it some snips.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-skOCO413ViY/URqAmlalNwI/AAAAAAAABCA/2XsJV7G7p4c/s1600/IMG_6807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-skOCO413ViY/URqAmlalNwI/AAAAAAAABCA/2XsJV7G7p4c/s640/IMG_6807.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little egg wash magic ...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L_Ih-RAYXRE/URp_-ckwfTI/AAAAAAAABBo/6YjyLzK9GiY/s1600/IMG_6822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L_Ih-RAYXRE/URp_-ckwfTI/AAAAAAAABBo/6YjyLzK9GiY/s640/IMG_6822.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally, the kids are let loose with bags of icing and sprinkles.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The end result was worth all the effort. Needless to say, the kids loved it -- and so did the adults. Now, technically this cake needs to be eaten during the Mardi Gras season which culminates today with Fat Tuesday or Shrove Tuesday. The partying is supposed to be over until Easter, but if you want to make this cake during Lent, I won't tell anyone!<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>King's Cake</b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Recipe
courtesy of <a href="http://www.cakehag.com/" target="_blank">Cake Hag</a> (Maggie and Kate Sweeney)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
1
cup buttermilk warmed to 100-120 degrees F<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
2/3
cup warm water<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
2/3
cup granulated sugar<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
1
teaspoon good vanilla<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
5
cups all purpose, unbleached flour plus flour for kneading<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
1
teaspoon kosher or sea salt<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
½
teaspoon Ceylon cinnamon<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
2
packets fast or quick-acting yeast (Most often sold as an attached 3-pack, this
calls for 2 of the attached packs. Save the third pack for future use.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
¼
cup butter <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
3
eggs at room temp (reserve one for egg wash)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i>Filling:</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">1
cup brown sugar <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">½
cup melted butter at room temp<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">1
½ tablespoon ground cinnamon <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">¾
cup chopped pecans <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">1/3
cup all-purpose flour <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">½
cup raisins <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><i>Icing/Glaze:</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">2
cups sifted confectioners’ 10x sugar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">2-5
tablespoons water<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">¼
tablespoons very soft butter<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">¼
teaspoon salt<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">½
teaspoon good vanilla extract<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Safe
food colors in green, purple, gold/yellow (optional)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Sprinkles
in green, gold/yellow and purple<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i>Preparing
the Dough:</i> </div>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Warm
buttermilk and stir in 1/4 cup of butter.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Add
yeast and 2 tablespoons of the sugar (reserving the rest) to the warm water. Give
it a quarter of an hour for the yeast to activate and mixture to grow and
bubble</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Add
the buttermilk and melted butter mixture to the yeast mixture. Whisk in the
eggs, the reserved white sugar, vanilla and salt.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Sift
the flour while adding it to the buttermilk mix 1 cup at a time.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Knead
until smooth - about 10 minutes.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Butter
or shortening the interior of a large bowl and add the kneaded dough. Rub
butter or shortening over the exposed surface of the dough, then cover and keep
in a warm place for about two to three hours. It should increase or rise to
about twice its original size. When it has risen, divide it in half and roll it
out to two sections – each about the size of a half sheet, or 18” x 12.”</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Preheat
oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Line
two cookie sheet pans with parchment paper. (Half sheet pans would be best.)</span></li>
</ol>
<div>
<!--[if !supportLists]--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><i style="font-size: 12pt;">Adding
the Filling:</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Combine
the brown sugar, ground cinnamon, chopped pecans, 1/3 cup flour, 1/2 cup
raisins and add the 1/2 cup melted butter over the cinnamon mixture and mix
until crumbly. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Roll
dough halves out into large rectangles about 12” x 16”</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Spread
the filling over the dough. Roll up each half tightly like a jelly roll,
beginning at the wide side. Bring the ends of each roll together to form 2
rounded shaped rings. Place each ring on the parchment-prepared cookie
sheet. With scissors make cuts 1/3 of the way through the rings at 1 inch
intervals. Let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 30
minutes.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Mix
egg with 2 tablespoons water and lightly brush over top of dough. If you
are adding colored sugar that would bake with the cake, this would be the
time to do it.</span></li>
</ol>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><i>Baking
and Decorating:</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<ol start="5" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Bake
in preheated oven for 30 minutes. Frost while warm with the confectioners'
sugar-based glaze/icing.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Add
the doll into the cakes from the bottom once the cakes have cooled well.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Decorate
with colored icing and sprinkles as desired.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 38px;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Laissez les bons temps rouler!</b></span></i></span></div>
Time for Good Foodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13695197996914290089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6877763098081385934.post-11207803908638424922013-01-28T11:55:00.000-05:002013-01-28T12:47:33.291-05:00And Now for Something Healthy (Rice Bran Oil)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZYZKF_Ny2r-2OHDVxrAxS-cSv5q2L5IJUiPonInILjPqwh6UEt4CjfcEh2KbOCZh-vmrb2IBtceX2MFVyjPzJCp5nK0TMmK7XcGtGIrZpBHqWGdycFfmqzlossr3_n6W-NrKb_bZcsfx/s1600/Salad.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZYZKF_Ny2r-2OHDVxrAxS-cSv5q2L5IJUiPonInILjPqwh6UEt4CjfcEh2KbOCZh-vmrb2IBtceX2MFVyjPzJCp5nK0TMmK7XcGtGIrZpBHqWGdycFfmqzlossr3_n6W-NrKb_bZcsfx/s640/Salad.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
I thought it fitting to follow up my last fatteningly delicious recipe post with something healthy. This is the time that New Year's resolutions start waning, but let me encourage you for a moment. It was about this time last year that my husband decided that he needed to start eating better and taking better care of himself. He started to watch his portions and eat smaller meals throughout the day instead of three large meals. He started exercising - walking at first and then doing some running and biking. When I would pull some sort of sinful sweet out of the oven, he would just take a bite or eat half a cookie instead of two or three. His discipline and resolve was unwavering and now, one year later, he is down 75 pounds. He went from a size 42 to a size 34 and is skinnier now than he was in high school. Sometimes I feel like I don't know this person! I am so incredibly proud of him and wish I could pick up a little of his resolve sometimes.<br />
<br />
So, Mr. Time for Good Food has become the salad man. He has found that salads are a way to eat a larger portion of something and feel satisfied. I have to say, a salad with lots of fresh veggies, nuts and a touch of cheese is pretty darn tasty. It's even more tasty when you make your own salad dressing! I whipped up a quick dressing for this salad using rice bran oil, a good quality balsamic vinegar, fresh squeezed lemon juice, salt and pepper. No recipe needed -- just mix it and taste along the way until it seems right!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgxFCmOgl_poGprRrR5vgzBBeafnM8tWTv36WzMq_wcC92RbbSTV0oehR1om5emCKl-rvcSHyZnp_3ZwcHqpn6-h9AI57E1yZkbaXoNAHY1eZR-wXXzmLuU0KShU6a4U1dmNw8AAlxzDDG/s1600/Rice+Oil+Bottle+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgxFCmOgl_poGprRrR5vgzBBeafnM8tWTv36WzMq_wcC92RbbSTV0oehR1om5emCKl-rvcSHyZnp_3ZwcHqpn6-h9AI57E1yZkbaXoNAHY1eZR-wXXzmLuU0KShU6a4U1dmNw8AAlxzDDG/s400/Rice+Oil+Bottle+(1).jpg" width="100" /></a></div>
A couple of months ago, <a href="http://www.californiariceoil.com/" target="_blank">California Rice Bran Oil</a> was kind enough to send me a sample of their product. I have been using it in everything -- from stir fries to <a href="http://timeforgoodfood.blogspot.com/2012/08/banana-muffins-and-theyre-vegan.html" target="_blank">banana muffins</a> to salad dressing. It has a nice nutty flavor and is a great substitute for vegetable oil. <span style="font-family: inherit;">I had never even heard of rice bran oil, but apparentl<span style="line-height: 18px;">y it is "the world's healthiest edible oil" and is a favored cooking oil in Asia. It is loaded with Essential Fatty Acids (the good kind of fat), antioxidants and micronutrients. It also contains phytosterols which can help lower your </span></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">cholesterol</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">. While I don't buy everything Dr. Oz says</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;">, I do think this </span><a href="http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/miracle-fat-get-skinny-rice-bran-oil" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;" target="_blank">video segmen</a><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;">t where he asks some of his viewers to try out rice bran oil in their recipes is quite helpful. It may give you some inspiration to give it a try. While olive oil is also a very healthy oil, it has a low smoke point and is not suitable for deep-frying. Rice bran oil, however, has a very high smoke point making it an ideal frying oil. Not that we should be deep-frying all that often, but rice bran oil is a much better choice for fried chicken than peanut oil, for example. I found that it worked really well in stir fries and for my pan-fried okra. It also has a very mild taste which makes it easy to hide in baked goods. California Rice Bran Oil's website has several <a href="http://www.californiariceoil.com/recipes.htm" target="_blank">recipe</a> ideas and you can also simply substitute it for other oils in your favorite recipes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;">You can find rice bran oil at health food stores and natural groceries like Whole Foods. On average, it retails for about $8-10 a bottle. Look for a non-GMO (genetically modified organism) brand like California Rice Bran Oil. All traditional (except for organic) canola, corn and vegetable oils are made from genetically modified crops, which is starting to freak me out the more I read about it. Another reason why rice bran oil is a great choice!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;">I hope this year is off to a good start for you and I'll be back soon (with something probably not so healthy)!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;"><i>Disclaimer: <a href="http://www.californiariceoil.com/index.html" target="_blank">California Rice Bran Oil</a> sent me a product to try but did not pay me for a review or any sort of endorsement. My views are my own.</i></span><br />
<br />Time for Good Foodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13695197996914290089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6877763098081385934.post-2277200909934180272013-01-09T12:42:00.002-05:002013-01-09T12:49:44.888-05:00Time for Good Brownies! (The Heath Bar Kind)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBDwICwVBlHqDHWnmeYi2b_7DcCRtBNZZtTNobqmKNmvZwWr8wrY5ANcRanuE4Jrsu4dGmLuafZm3N4vJuqof6YYFN3vEnBGcmC2xUrn98rVqtpciPq1kPY_9kSabzfsqfB7yyT58WNxV0/s1600/brownies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBDwICwVBlHqDHWnmeYi2b_7DcCRtBNZZtTNobqmKNmvZwWr8wrY5ANcRanuE4Jrsu4dGmLuafZm3N4vJuqof6YYFN3vEnBGcmC2xUrn98rVqtpciPq1kPY_9kSabzfsqfB7yyT58WNxV0/s640/brownies.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Happy New Year! I know that I am <i>supposed </i>to be blogging about healthy eating, how I'm exercising and all that. But, I am slowly coming out of party mode. December was a blur of delicious food, too many drinks, too many sweets, staying up late, sleeping late and all around general gluttony and slothfulness. Yet, I'm simply not done yet! The main reason? It's my blogiversary! <i><b>Time for Good Food</b></i> is two years old --and I think we all need a brownie to celebrate.<br />
<br />
Honestly, when I started the blog two years ago, I wasn't sure I would stick with it. It has been a challenge, especially when I compare myself to other food bloggers that I very much admire. It still blows my mind that some writers are able to post more than once a week. I have struggled to post more than once a month sometimes! However, I'm proud that I am still here -- and that you are still here. And if you are new here, welcome! There are so many stories and recipes in my brain, and I hope to extract all of those in 2013. January is the month of grand plans and ambitions, and I certainly have them.<br />
<br />
One ambition is to become a better photographer. It is a skill that I have been working on since I started this endeavor. You would not believe how excited I was when I found out that my last <a href="http://timeforgoodfood.blogspot.com/2012/12/m-m-cookies-made-with-love.html" target="_blank">post</a> was excepted by <a href="http://foodgawker.com/" target="_blank">Foodgawker </a>and <a href="http://www.tastespotting.com/" target="_blank">Tastespotting</a>. (These sites will have you drooling in about 2.3 seconds!) As you can see, taking good photographs is quite a challenge when you have a chocolate-obsessed "helper" not-so-patiently waiting while I take 65 pictures of the last three brownies!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmkh_Jp3vcFXbBnfIm4hhQE6_QIFZoBu2DcWOBShQ4__OiJfYeoDfr4m2LK0NHEVuytjmZzQJoG4YMQEGVDijbxJqvGxGycQfOZGzq37tOGJayni99Wznd6ETtvhEHUepVzZNTI8KG760/s1600/IMG_6628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmkh_Jp3vcFXbBnfIm4hhQE6_QIFZoBu2DcWOBShQ4__OiJfYeoDfr4m2LK0NHEVuytjmZzQJoG4YMQEGVDijbxJqvGxGycQfOZGzq37tOGJayni99Wznd6ETtvhEHUepVzZNTI8KG760/s640/IMG_6628.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdwletZUfQ8BLkY89rM7zGp7-AY2bXTioW7qWlafcRMZb4ex-J7a8eloT5SJjwUcvvX7fZWlxBc_AYDjOpKLA-CUqSOVY-7JZtRcN2LqmOFQKulITUBd6baEa5QlWuOJ-Mgj4uQHf7O8U/s1600/IMG_6635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdwletZUfQ8BLkY89rM7zGp7-AY2bXTioW7qWlafcRMZb4ex-J7a8eloT5SJjwUcvvX7fZWlxBc_AYDjOpKLA-CUqSOVY-7JZtRcN2LqmOFQKulITUBd6baEa5QlWuOJ-Mgj4uQHf7O8U/s640/IMG_6635.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
When you taste these brownies, you may understand my son's obsession. As I was baking over the holidays, I ran across this brownie recipe by famed pastry chef, <a href="http://www.davidlebovitz.com/" target="_blank">David Lebowitz</a> -- as shared by <a href="http://www.bunsinmyoven.com/2012/07/19/david-lebovitzs-best-brownies/" target="_blank">Buns in My Oven</a> and <a href="http://leitesculinaria.com/36645/recipes-brownies.html" target="_blank">Leite's Culinaria</a>. I whipped them up for teacher gifts and have since made them three more times. They are so good and so easy! What I love the most is that you only have to use a saucepan and a baking dish.<br />
<br />
This past weekend, I made them and shared them with old friends at a get-together. I improvised a bit with Heath Bar bits and used European-style butter for extra richness. I think they European-style butter made them even more luscious. European butters like Kerrygold or Plugra have a slightly higher butterfat content. I noticed that the butter was not as foamy when I melted it. It really is buttery liquid gold! However, American-style butter works just fine as well. Give this recipe a whirl (with or without the Heath bits) and you will have chocolate lovers bowing at your feet.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT40-_O53p9JnPX_-Io3J2u15W12OhIC755ahk2WxJuDHj81yoUTX67h0lL3pIaASLzgk7-S0YXWgi2nCIA47jsTVCyV_Vjel4dyHQkFLLHRejRCMaFeutKnbjZJ64LrraaDMjAbS3RiN8/s1600/browniesquare.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT40-_O53p9JnPX_-Io3J2u15W12OhIC755ahk2WxJuDHj81yoUTX67h0lL3pIaASLzgk7-S0YXWgi2nCIA47jsTVCyV_Vjel4dyHQkFLLHRejRCMaFeutKnbjZJ64LrraaDMjAbS3RiN8/s640/browniesquare.JPG" width="488" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Insanely Rich Heath Bar Brownies</b><br />
<i>Adapted from "Robert's Absolute Best Brownies" found in David Lebowitz's, </i><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ready-Dessert-My-Best-Recipes/dp/1607743655/ref=tmm_pap_title_0" target="_blank">Ready for Dessert</a><i>.</i></b><br />
<br />
12 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
(European-style preferred)<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
16 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped (2-8 oz.
packages of baking chocolate)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 3/4 cups sugar<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2 teaspoons vanilla<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4 large eggs, at room temperature<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1/2 cup flour (I used whole-wheat pastry flour)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 dash sea salt<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 cup Heath bar bits (or any kind of chocolate covered
toffee, chopped)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 13 x 9 baking pan
with two sheet of overlapping heavy-duty foil or parchment paper. Allow the
edges to overhang. Lightly grease the foil with nonstick cooking spray. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter. Add the chocolate and
stir over low heat until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Remove from the
heat and stir in the sugar and vanilla until combined. Beat in the eggs one at
a time. Add the flour and salt. Stir or whisk vigorously for one full minute. Time yourself because this step is important! The batter should lose its graininess, develop a glossy sheen and pull away a bit from the sides of the saucepan. Scrape the batter into
the prepared pan and bake until the center feels almost set and the edges start
to pull away from the side of the pan, about 30 minutes. Do not over bake.
(It is better to err on the gooey side.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Remove pan from the oven and cool on a baking rack. Sprinkle
Heath bar bits on top and cover with aluminum foil to allow the bits to melt
onto the brownies. After about 30 minutes, remove the foil and allow the
brownies to cool completely. Cut into small squares. Enjoy!</div>
<br />
<br />Time for Good Foodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13695197996914290089noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6877763098081385934.post-66265146368086876092012-12-30T13:52:00.000-05:002013-01-02T17:28:16.575-05:00M & M Cookies Made with Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKpNhdlDU7Ki08E6N6ZUtDEfw5uTVoqMvMzRJyNEub4YM0yaYkFteX0V9mVl6mcDaONt2odEtUHgs9wOi9igp4WeuHdf7IIH-c_jBQ8jJeihhHKtzQii_-5y2ayWbKH6cl2e8p6TGBdVQw/s1600/m&m+cookies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKpNhdlDU7Ki08E6N6ZUtDEfw5uTVoqMvMzRJyNEub4YM0yaYkFteX0V9mVl6mcDaONt2odEtUHgs9wOi9igp4WeuHdf7IIH-c_jBQ8jJeihhHKtzQii_-5y2ayWbKH6cl2e8p6TGBdVQw/s640/m&m+cookies.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! Before the holidays are a distant memory, I wanted to share yet another cookie recipe with you. Christmas just isn't Christmas without Grandmama's M & M cookies. My Grandmama Ovice, for many years, starting sometime maybe when I was around 12 or 13, would make these cookies for all nine of her grandchildren. She would package them in ziplock bags - nothing fancy - and pull them out with apologies. "Well, I don't have much for you this year," she'd say and she would pass out the bags of cookies and maybe a $10 bill. As all the grandchildren grew or continued into adulthood (I have some cousins 10 years older than me), she continued to give the cookies. The last few years she made them, she would again apologize, "I can't get to the store anymore and I don't have much for you - just my cookies." We, of course, declared that we didn't care and that we loved the cookies. And we weren't lying! I looked forward to the cookies each year. Some years they would be hard as rocks, but we didn't mind. They were always tasted good - no matter the texture.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Grandmama had a stroke around 2003, I think, when she was in her early 80s. That first Christmas when she was unable to bake as she was accustomed to, my mama went over to help her. The next year my mama was sick with cancer and Grandmama's condition gradually worsened. In a matter of years, she was confined to a hospital bed in her living room. There were no more cookies. She passed away in 2010 at the age of 90, just three months after my sweet Papa George, her husband of over 70 years.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XMo65XmBDywoRBw6mI3tDOhc7GJ7Br1AkeB3OwG9GGYrNdJIUi6VjwwOhAswndQLBgiB4MCpbwdBv_NWbU0dkFfVGUrTKIvLOGrgt6PC9hhQK8h8UcUQELvuDEnAJ1JDCh9JrMMo8bYX/s1600/m&mcloseup.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XMo65XmBDywoRBw6mI3tDOhc7GJ7Br1AkeB3OwG9GGYrNdJIUi6VjwwOhAswndQLBgiB4MCpbwdBv_NWbU0dkFfVGUrTKIvLOGrgt6PC9hhQK8h8UcUQELvuDEnAJ1JDCh9JrMMo8bYX/s640/m&mcloseup.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
However, the story of Grandmama's cookies does not have a sad ending. The tradition continues on. Thanks to the magic of <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Time-for-Good-Food/217286951624062" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, my cousins and I happened to share pictures of us making Grandmama's cookies this year. I discovered that one cousin's wife has the original recipe. She makes the cookies every year for her family and used to take them to my grandparents every year up until they died. I had made M & M cookies in the past, but did not have the bonafide "Grandmama approved" recipe. I made one batch according to the original recipe and it tasted much like hers. Of course, being unable to leave a recipe alone, I made a second batch subbing half the shortening for butter. It turned out even better, I think. The butter adds a richer flavor and a bit of crispness while the shortening retains some of the chewiness. You can try it either way (and it doesn't have to be Christmas)!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I gave my brothers and dad some of Grandmama's cookies and for a while it seemed like old times. I was carried back to Grandmama and Papa's living room with it's little flickering gas heater. On Christmas Eve, after our meal of oyster stew, we sat in the living room and exchanged gifts. Grandmama got out of rocker and went in the "cold room" off the carport in their little pieced together house they had built themselves. She came out and handed out our cookies placed in Christmas bags. Discounting the many hours she had spent in the kitchen, she would again apologize. "It's not much, just some cookies. Some of them aren't very good," she'd say. We would smile, say our thanks and dig in right away. This is Christmas.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Iq73Voxe8uqdOxgvt6oP5bBT1nYjt3Ye0qeBZm0qJF_KzTWq9mLYZtnUmQ691wrQN-pe1fyVBp0o4kyhb3L6hjSSk1xZ5_YDHIFhyFlcGQyx_ngjEyk5slURlU9XaQSCCJF3FNLaEF8a/s1600/m&mstacked-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Iq73Voxe8uqdOxgvt6oP5bBT1nYjt3Ye0qeBZm0qJF_KzTWq9mLYZtnUmQ691wrQN-pe1fyVBp0o4kyhb3L6hjSSk1xZ5_YDHIFhyFlcGQyx_ngjEyk5slURlU9XaQSCCJF3FNLaEF8a/s640/m&mstacked-001.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Grandmama Ovice's M & M Cookies</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 cup brown sugar<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1/2 cup granulated white sugar<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 cup shortening (or ½ cup shortening, ½ cup butter,
softened)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2 eggs<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2-1/2 cup all-purpose flour<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 teaspoon baking soda <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 teaspoon salt<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1-1/2 cup M & M candies<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cream sugar, shortening and
butter (if you go that route). Add eggs and vanilla and mix thoroughly. In a
separate bowl, stir together salt, baking soda and unsifted flour. Add dry
mixture to creamed mixture until just blended. Stir in candies. Drop by
teaspoonfuls about one-inch apart on ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 10-12
minutes until slightly browned around the edges. Makes about 3-4 dozen cookies
depending on size. I like mine big and hearty!</div>
</div>
<div>
<br />
<br /></div>
Time for Good Foodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13695197996914290089noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6877763098081385934.post-8751891221967758482012-12-20T17:41:00.000-05:002012-12-20T17:44:34.154-05:00Cookies for Santa (and some to swap)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELGLDko8ngQZ2s4e6d-pThRujy-Ee4bCo26ViOqTVlLlKtXMKmSBGHbscH8JK5jCOdfTMDGAEoDd_24nUqeu12fJNNnxBf5RQek-pcs4_bdxoHMfD8-SxlTnm_uS5JwliNvRPqE6OPOe6/s1600/Swap+pink+cookies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELGLDko8ngQZ2s4e6d-pThRujy-Ee4bCo26ViOqTVlLlKtXMKmSBGHbscH8JK5jCOdfTMDGAEoDd_24nUqeu12fJNNnxBf5RQek-pcs4_bdxoHMfD8-SxlTnm_uS5JwliNvRPqE6OPOe6/s640/Swap+pink+cookies.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Have you been baking up a storm lately? I have. I think I have burned through five or six pounds of butter this month. Sadly, it's not that hard to do! This past weekend I was invited to my first holiday cookies swap. It was so much fun, I just had to share. It was neat sharing some of my favorite recipes and sampling what others brought. The best part: taking home a variety of tasty homemade cookies and treats. My friend <a href="http://cookingequipment.about.com/bio/Jessica-Harlan-41948.htm" target="_blank">Jessica</a>, a bonafide food professional hosted, so I knew it was going to be good! We all had a lovely time sipping wine, eating cookies and other appetizers Jessica had prepared. I took a few pictures and gathered the recipes so that you can enjoy too!<br />
<br />
<b>The Recipes</b><br />
<a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/chocolate-white-chocolate-chunk-cookies-recipe3/index.html" target="_blank">Chocolate White Chocolate Chunk Cookies</a> - Ina Garten's recipe, which explains their yumminess!<br />
<a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/chocolate-gooey-butter-cookies-recipe/index.html" target="_blank">Chocolate Gooey Butter Cookies</a> - Straight from the "butter queen" herself<br />
<a href="http://www.bhg.com/recipe/cookies/chocolate-covered-cherry-cookies/" target="_blank">Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies</a> - With a cherry surprise in the middle<br />
<a href="http://www.thecurvycarrot.com/2011/03/04/cherry-chocolate-kisses/" target="_blank">Cherry Chocolate Kisses</a> - Another for the cherry lover in your life<br />
<a href="http://www.bakingobsession.com/2009/03/11/chocolate-thumbprint-cookies-with-fleur-de-sel-cardamom-caramel-filling/" target="_blank">Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies with Salted Caramel Filling</a> - I loved the salt/sweet combination with a touch of cardamom!<br />
<a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/white-chocolate-peppermint-drops-recipe/index.html" target="_blank">White Chocolate Peppermint Drops</a> - Peppermint meets white chocolate<br />
<a href="http://www.shugarysweets.com/2012/11/peppermint-fudge-and-a-christmas-giveaway" target="_blank">Peppermint Fudge</a> - So creamy and decadent!<br />
<a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/banana-bread-with-pecans-recipe/index.html" target="_blank">Banana Bread</a> - Moist and delicious banana bread. Tie a bow on it and call it a gift!<br />
<br />
<b>My Contributions</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFYLHzE6FQ8qU_rRRTeIQVF7ivEmIP2C3G_CnZFz7QnTkj1zHgGZEGnvub7ihb250ihDdyyYq3lt1Ujd0-aIN6QpaimH9XtZUH6TQlq0SqsGXcAPZd9feDzEA5VxboT7qubMRfbFvwRSHw/s1600/Heath+Shortbread.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFYLHzE6FQ8qU_rRRTeIQVF7ivEmIP2C3G_CnZFz7QnTkj1zHgGZEGnvub7ihb250ihDdyyYq3lt1Ujd0-aIN6QpaimH9XtZUH6TQlq0SqsGXcAPZd9feDzEA5VxboT7qubMRfbFvwRSHw/s320/Heath+Shortbread.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I pondered for weeks over what to bring. I pinned wildly on Pinterest and contemplated it late at night. Turns out I wasn't alone in my cookie obsession! Several of the others at the swap were equally cookie-obsessed. I ended up bringing two old-standbys that I was frantically decorating up until the last minute.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.joyofbaking.com/shortbreads/shortbreadcookies.html" target="_blank">Shortbread Cookies</a><br />
I added a bit more salt that the recipe called for and topped with melted dark chocolate and Heath bar bits. You could also top with toasted nuts.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://timeforgoodfood.blogspot.com/2011/12/gingerbread-cookies-and-more.html" target="_blank">Georgia Gingerbread Cookies</a><br />
I made these cookies I posted last year around this time. I still love this recipe!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8K3LOjkXsipPuSD6OSL1tHH7IzQdEqjSWWDpzLbZjJIXfyE-mWYFaycW86rNujsJ8aD4nhd2gdGuWI5h06QOX3XT9uTkVjqiUwZX0pFTq_bGkHPnMCf_M-AiOxbnaTg8jcEhJapQjhia6/s1600/Gingerbread.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8K3LOjkXsipPuSD6OSL1tHH7IzQdEqjSWWDpzLbZjJIXfyE-mWYFaycW86rNujsJ8aD4nhd2gdGuWI5h06QOX3XT9uTkVjqiUwZX0pFTq_bGkHPnMCf_M-AiOxbnaTg8jcEhJapQjhia6/s640/Gingerbread.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Finally, I have to share Kelley Sparwasser's gingerbread cookie recipe with you. Well, technically it's a molasses cookie. They are pictured behind my gingerbread cut-out cookies. Oh my goodness, they were chewy, spicy and perfect! Kelley is also a food person. (She and Jessica have written a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Quinoa-Cuisine-Nutritious-Amazingly-Delicious/dp/1612430201/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1356041680&sr=8-1&keywords=quinoa+cuisine" target="_blank">cookbook </a>together in case you are looking for any last minute gifts!)<br />
<br />
Kelley's recipe is adapted from a long-closed restaurant where she worked 15 years ago. It makes a TON of cookies, but chances are you won't mind. Half it if you want to start with a smaller batch.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Molasses Cookies</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Makes approximately 8 dozen cookies</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
6 cups all-purpose flour<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3 cups sugar, plus additional for coating<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2 tablespoons baking soda<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 ½ teaspoons ground cloves<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2 teaspoon ground ginger<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3 eggs, beaten<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2 ¼ cups vegetable oil<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 cup molasses<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Preheat the oven to 350˚. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In a large bowl combine the flour through the cinnamon and whisk together. Add the beaten eggs, oil and molasses to the bowl of a standing mixer with the paddle attachment. Beat on low until combined (about 45 seconds.) Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and beat on low until incorporated.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Using a tablespoon, scoop the batter and roll into balls. Roll the balls in sugar and place on the baking sheet, leaving about 4-inches between each. Do not flatten the balls. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the tops crack. Remove from the oven and let cool completely on the cookie sheet.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9bxcXmruI0SDRGZHNLXZb6lqxlDGDgfTHlhRTozMBhxnUYXgdw-i2iFWzD0S1XcfJBsG3DufP493nMdkz3vuhYcUgJHDACCwKoGVmz09TQh0gyKSHT3qnJbfZkMCLHEzshj2FkjMMrXw8/s1600/Cookie+Swap.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9bxcXmruI0SDRGZHNLXZb6lqxlDGDgfTHlhRTozMBhxnUYXgdw-i2iFWzD0S1XcfJBsG3DufP493nMdkz3vuhYcUgJHDACCwKoGVmz09TQh0gyKSHT3qnJbfZkMCLHEzshj2FkjMMrXw8/s400/Cookie+Swap.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
If I don't get back here before Christmas, I hope you have a wonderful holiday! Tomorrow is my birthday and I am not cooking a thing. However, I highly recommend that you get in the kitchen and bake some of these cookies. Santa and your friends and family will thank you! Ho ho ho!<br />
<br /></div>
Time for Good Foodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13695197996914290089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6877763098081385934.post-31517191974250192202012-12-03T21:05:00.001-05:002012-12-04T16:39:00.264-05:00The Power of Pound Cake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPdxzb35UdQTFQG1Wn0ziyvEbXYHkqFF3shqFy-YUN2uFEK05FNu0dC52J6YmtpE4YqKNZ3yoEx_Ir8VKJHRV1QkJnZ1rCuK9C1GgosefdBSzLIgMikvo2fl0OR7Cc7ksi203S_VuyitiD/s1600/IMG_6337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPdxzb35UdQTFQG1Wn0ziyvEbXYHkqFF3shqFy-YUN2uFEK05FNu0dC52J6YmtpE4YqKNZ3yoEx_Ir8VKJHRV1QkJnZ1rCuK9C1GgosefdBSzLIgMikvo2fl0OR7Cc7ksi203S_VuyitiD/s640/IMG_6337.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Many Southerners are endowed with a special power. The power to make a mean pound cake. I've written before about </span><a href="http://timeforgoodfood.blogspot.com/2011/09/chocolate-pound-cake-and-lost-art-of.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">pound cake</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> before and I am inspired to do so again. There are a million other things I need to be doing and other things I need to be writing about, but I can't get this cake off my mind. It was definitely the best pound cake I've ever made. And who can I thank for that? </span><a href="http://virginiawillis.wordpress.com/" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">Virginia Willis</a><span style="font-family: inherit;">. I got the recipe from her first cookbook </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">Bon Appetit, Y'all. </i><span style="font-family: inherit;">The recipe was her grandmother, Meme's. It reminds me of my granny and mama's recipes, though I'm not sure that they ever wrote their recipes down. They knew how to make a pound cake as if it were second nature. And I'm sure Virginia does, too. That's what I love about her recipes. They are familiar, but refined. And I have heard her speak about her recipe development and testing process, so you can be fairly certain they are going to work. Definitely check out this cookbook and her newest, which I do not have yet, </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">Basic to Brilliant, Y'all</i><span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Too often my pound cakes have turned out too dry or flat - but this one was perfect. I'm thinking of making mini-loaves of it for holiday gifts. I also am going to try this out in cupcake form. I feel like I've reached a milestone. I'm empowered. Finally, I get the pound cake! If you fear the pound cake, give Meme's a try. I promise, she won't steer you wrong. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq8RyEbAjCEYHPX9GQomZi6AJikrK8tvr8sa0gC3S9V6Qehxb3vUtgs21iWyn-I4feibWZpDzZS6DscVpCfWi0eRghMPKLg529LdIlZ-RiGPqIcwntfCCwakMNQC7nrkyXE0PogH4K1KKu/s1600/PoundCake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq8RyEbAjCEYHPX9GQomZi6AJikrK8tvr8sa0gC3S9V6Qehxb3vUtgs21iWyn-I4feibWZpDzZS6DscVpCfWi0eRghMPKLg529LdIlZ-RiGPqIcwntfCCwakMNQC7nrkyXE0PogH4K1KKu/s640/PoundCake.JPG" width="442" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Meme’s Pound Cake</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">From </span><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bon-Appetit-Yall-Generations-Southern/dp/1580088538/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1354657064&sr=8-2&keywords=virginia+willis" target="_blank">Bon Appetit, Y'all: Recipes and Stories from ThreeGenerations of Southern Cooking</a></i>, copyright © 2008. Published by Ten Speed
Press, a division of Random House. For more information visit <a href="http://www.virginiawillis.com/">www.virginiawillis.com</a>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus
more for the pan<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3 cups White Lily or other Southern all-purpose flour</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 teaspoon baking powder </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1 cup whole milk, at room temperature </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">5 large eggs, at room temperature </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1 vanilla bean, split and scraped, or 1 tablespoon pure
vanilla extract (I used extract)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 cup solid vegetable shortening, room temperature (preferably Crisco, per Virginia's recipe)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3 cups sugar</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Generously grease a 16-cup
(measure to the rim) bundt pan with butter. In a bowl, sift together the flour,
baking powder and salt. Set aside. In a large liquid measuring cup, combine the
milk, eggs and the scraped vanilla seeds. Set aside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In the bowl of a heavy-duty mixer fitted with the paddle,
cream together the 1 cup of butter, vegetable shortening and sugar on medium
speed until light and fluffy. Add the flour and milk mixtures to the butter
mixture in 3 batches, alternating between dry and liquid, occasionally scraping
down the sides of the mixing bowl, beginning and ending with the flour mixture.
Fill the prepared pan with batter. It should be no more than two-thirds full.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Bake for 15 minutes. Increase the oven
temperature to 325 degrees and bake an additional 45 minutes, or until the cake
is golden brown and pulls away from the sides of the pan. Remove to a rack to
cool for 10 minutes. Invert the cake onto the rack to cool completely.</span><br />
<br />
<b>Tips and Tricks</b><br />
<ul>
<li>I used Spectrum organic vegetable shortening instead of Crisco. I also used organic sugar and unbleached all-purpose flour.</li>
<li>I think having the eggs and milk at room temperature is an important step that I used to leave out. Lesson learned!</li>
<li>I also used salted butter which may have added a touch more saltiness, of course.</li>
<li>It is OK for the cake to be a little gooey on top when you first remove it from the oven. I was afraid that I had undercooked it, but it was perfect when cooled - and perfectly browned on the outside. It was so perfect that we almost ate it up before I could get pictures!</li>
</ul>
<br />
Finally, I added a simple glaze and grated orange zest on top. Here's an approximate recipe of my own:<br />
<br />
<b>Orange Glaze</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
2 tablespoons butter, melted<br />
2 cups powdered sugar<br />
2 tablespoons half and half or milk (plus maybe more to get it to desired consistency)<br />
1 tablespoon fresh squeezed orange juice<br />
1/2 teaspoon vanilla<br />
1/2 teaspoon orange liqueur (like Grand Marnier)<br />
Dash of salt<br />
Grated orange zest<br />
<br />
Melt butter and whisk together with other ingredients until smooth. Slowly pour over warm cake. Grate orange zest on top of cake for decoration. Allow to cool until hardened.<br />
<br />
Enjoy the simple, buttery pound cake goodness! Someone asked me at the family reunion if I sold them. Now there's a compliment. Thank you Virginia, Meme, Mama, Granny and all the amazing Southern cooks who came before. <br />
<br />Time for Good Foodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13695197996914290089noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6877763098081385934.post-60852832400914230042012-11-09T12:02:00.001-05:002012-11-09T12:02:24.725-05:00Living it Up in Southwest Louisiana<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKnS0Em1RT1fpPkoq1dW1teDWxqIZKpmGFX2yQZvcWvKhzI0kj8_KTB-muROCseRdo0LnXAgkGB-1xALugDm5ZWzPVk-Nqchqh5mwE7Em6keMA6Xhbpw9AaQK7SrOLu1IBuQk58lvYSAWb/s1600/IMG_5518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKnS0Em1RT1fpPkoq1dW1teDWxqIZKpmGFX2yQZvcWvKhzI0kj8_KTB-muROCseRdo0LnXAgkGB-1xALugDm5ZWzPVk-Nqchqh5mwE7Em6keMA6Xhbpw9AaQK7SrOLu1IBuQk58lvYSAWb/s640/IMG_5518.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Rouge et Blanc Festival - just one of 75 annual festivals held each year.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to go to Southwest Louisiana and Lake Charles along with other travel journalists and food writers. It was truly an amazing experience and I'm smitten. Can I just say that Louisiana people know how to have fun? They know how to eat, too! The tour was focused on Cajun food culinary experiences available in this part of the state. When I told people I was going to Louisiana, most replied enthusiastically, "Oh, New Orleans?" And it's true -- it's the first place most (outside of Louisiana) think of when you name the state. However, there are many other wonderful towns and cities and Lake Charles is one of them. It's situated about four hours west of New Orleans near the coast only a few miles from the Texas border. In fact, I flew into Houston and caught a short flight back east to Lake Charles. It's a little bit Texas, a little bit Louisiana, and a lot Cajun!<br />
<br />
<b><i>Who are the Cajuns?</i></b><br />
You know I dig this stuff, so time for a history lesson. The Cajun people are descendants of the Acadians, a French ethnic group, who were forced out of Canada (what is now Nova Scotia) in 1755 because of their Catholic faith. They ended up settling in the swampy "no man's land" of Southwest Louisiana. Because of their isolation living on the bayous and vast prairie lands, they retained much of their language and culture. They adapted to their new environs by living off the land. Seafood, game, rice, sausage (that utilizes the whole hog) and of course a little spice are at the heart of Cajun cuisine.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX8egtFSuWCVPwNFUeHofX5ukHZMsFCDHYrXXT_G_DE8Uu-zvMAu5z2mYD0q8CkvI7mo6bHiVaWE04F85d-SkJuljiX0q5BHUowUpDMbVOGZYVP1mfE1J_4wFg2TVP90Lwjby7LOFpDm4K/s1600/Nature+SW+La.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX8egtFSuWCVPwNFUeHofX5ukHZMsFCDHYrXXT_G_DE8Uu-zvMAu5z2mYD0q8CkvI7mo6bHiVaWE04F85d-SkJuljiX0q5BHUowUpDMbVOGZYVP1mfE1J_4wFg2TVP90Lwjby7LOFpDm4K/s640/Nature+SW+La.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scenes from the Pintail Wildlife Drive - a glimpse of the beauty of the bayou.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<b><i>Cajun Food</i></b><br />
We had the opportunity to dine at some local Cajun restaurants and meat markets. On the menu: gumbo, po' boys, fried seafood, boiled seafood, broiled seafood, crawfish, gator, cracklins and boudin. A humble sausage of pork and rice, boudin is a staple of Southwest Louisiana food culture. In fact, the <a href="http://www.visitlakecharles.org/" target="_blank">Convention and Visitors Bureau</a> has developed a <a href="http://www.visitlakecharles.org/visitors/dining/southwest-louisiana-boudin-trail/" target="_blank">Boudin Trail</a> that highlights restaurants and delis where you can sample the local delicacy. Boudin deserves a post of it's own, so I'll get back to that, but as a tease, look at this platter of meatiness.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUFQyalWUJKkolK4EvkF9Wohbidxo1_8ikCdTCYUKUGRcUKwJrIKmhFVABu8F_1h0agf-ZUkbxbjqesxYKhdBPc50TiTfJTbkNOF2uYqfsdcRNEP3r-UFPK_VhLBhH36ibBNzD_XoCaqf9/s1600/IMG_5085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUFQyalWUJKkolK4EvkF9Wohbidxo1_8ikCdTCYUKUGRcUKwJrIKmhFVABu8F_1h0agf-ZUkbxbjqesxYKhdBPc50TiTfJTbkNOF2uYqfsdcRNEP3r-UFPK_VhLBhH36ibBNzD_XoCaqf9/s640/IMG_5085.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boudin and cracklins at Famous Foods Market.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The food was all delicious. The gumbo in this part of the state is made from a <i>roux</i> of oil and flour. Creole cooking, which originated in New Orleans, typically uses butter to make the <i>roux</i>. Cajuns did not have easy access to butter - hence oil or lard was a choice of necessity. I tried the gumbo at local favorite, Seafood Palace, and it was divine. They also brought out a huge tray of steamed crabs for us to admire. We split several appetizers like fried gator bites (yes, real gator meat) and the light and fluffy Crawfish Pistolette pictured below. It's a Southwest Louisiana speciality.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKI8pVtPPIZUyTg4reCGV4mBOljaQJIyjgnDuYMZZzkvT6l2YVDSCqr2h-9C5n9_avOqUsMku3wiPOCJfM4o6a2WeNsEjN2bMzNggdlVjPIoEccjyHRIjCYK5j5B3b9EbotOug9Jnc-u4G/s1600/Cajun+food.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKI8pVtPPIZUyTg4reCGV4mBOljaQJIyjgnDuYMZZzkvT6l2YVDSCqr2h-9C5n9_avOqUsMku3wiPOCJfM4o6a2WeNsEjN2bMzNggdlVjPIoEccjyHRIjCYK5j5B3b9EbotOug9Jnc-u4G/s640/Cajun+food.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the menu at Seafood Palace.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Another Louisiana speciality is King Cake. This sweet ringed yeast cake is traditionally eaten on Epiphany, Three Kings' Day or Twelfth Night - depending on what you call it. The religious holiday falls on January 6 and honors the meeting of the "Three Wise Men" with baby Jesus. The holiday is also officially kicks off Mardi Gras. The cake's oval shape is said to represent the unity of all Christians. It's also traditionally decorated in the carnival colors of green, yellow and purple. Nestled inside each cake is a tiny plastic baby. Whoever finds the baby is obligated to bring the cake to next year's celebration.<br />
<br />
It doesn't have to be January 6th to get a King Cake in Louisiana. We visited a small grocery store in nearby Sulphur, Louisiana and decorated our own in the back storeroom. Misse's Grocery has become well known for their King Cakes and they ship them out across the country any time of year. Mine was delivered to to my family in Georgia the very next day. The boys were so excited and almost devoured it before I got home!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqBRMEnUQmf8kO0HvqqdVxWhhxuvNqLO60FymVKdrb1kLd1OMlA4CXV0woI8bzjSWcsj0IqJojdoK6mb7_EPWAuJ2qXMDqLNF64Co8PCbLjra-D289nkdeiHaY4qLT6gjMQn8t6QPqW01d/s1600/King+Cake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqBRMEnUQmf8kO0HvqqdVxWhhxuvNqLO60FymVKdrb1kLd1OMlA4CXV0woI8bzjSWcsj0IqJojdoK6mb7_EPWAuJ2qXMDqLNF64Co8PCbLjra-D289nkdeiHaY4qLT6gjMQn8t6QPqW01d/s640/King+Cake.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">King Cake decorated by <i>moi</i>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b><i>A Land of Celebrations</i></b><br />
King Cake goes hand in hand with Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras is as big of deal in Lake Charles as it is in New Orleans. Lake Charles has over 50 krewes and is the second largest celebration in the state. Lake Charles is also the only place in the state where the public
is invited to see the ornate costumes of
the royal courts from all the local krewes in one place. It is very family-friendly and accessible from what I hear. If you can't make it to Lake Charles during Mardi Gras, you can visit the <a href="http://www.swlamardigras.com/" target="_blank">Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu</a> year-round. The museum features the largest costume display in the world. The ornate costumes, most handmade by local residents, are truly incredible.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJRDpU8qRuruWcGIRaKidJC8lihlApLqosRSyrRz_b5s2EvWul5lkvHpbZ-cXq-2PBGqVcuA-coCQ7bdveXAXV8fcmysWpU5gWrRgl0rQ6cDw0ae4Si1KDM_iwJ9t44PgWn0y6RYfSz_L/s1600/IMG_5471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJRDpU8qRuruWcGIRaKidJC8lihlApLqosRSyrRz_b5s2EvWul5lkvHpbZ-cXq-2PBGqVcuA-coCQ7bdveXAXV8fcmysWpU5gWrRgl0rQ6cDw0ae4Si1KDM_iwJ9t44PgWn0y6RYfSz_L/s640/IMG_5471.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liberace would have approved.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
There are 74 other festivals in Lake Charles each year besides Mardi Gras. We had the chance to attend the second-annual <a href="http://www.rougeetblanc.us/" target="_blank">Rouge et Blanc Food and Wine Festival</a>. It is held on the grounds of the historic 1911 City Hall in downtown Lake Charles. It's pictured at the top of this post. The festival features food and wine from local restaurants, casinos and distributors. It was so much fun -- maybe a little <i>too </i>much fun!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLuM0BYGYFCL867RPMGX3Bjc06bYMgcRJ-7d0d7WJ65uLduE5qE25m16eXG1eA_PYqurCgDoeZVahnL-0Hj1FsDCW3Bbvf4lSm4NkdJJPW4rjZYHr5ZG5v6yBzySkeWnG7nmbOekbZ-bf1/s1600/Lobster+Toast.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLuM0BYGYFCL867RPMGX3Bjc06bYMgcRJ-7d0d7WJ65uLduE5qE25m16eXG1eA_PYqurCgDoeZVahnL-0Hj1FsDCW3Bbvf4lSm4NkdJJPW4rjZYHr5ZG5v6yBzySkeWnG7nmbOekbZ-bf1/s640/Lobster+Toast.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This lobster toast was fabulous. And I love the wine glass holding plates they gave us for our samples.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
There are so many other stories to tell, but I think I will stop here for now. Expect a few more posts on Louisiana soon! I want to try my hand at some Cajun gumbo -- and I want to tell you more about boudin, casinos, horse racing, zydeco and all the many ways my new Southwest Louisiana friends celebrate the<i> joie de vivre </i>- the joy of living.<br />
<br />Time for Good Foodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13695197996914290089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6877763098081385934.post-9860024896439759582012-11-05T13:51:00.000-05:002012-11-05T14:00:57.474-05:00Election Day EatsTomorrow is the big day. It’s the day that political junkies
look forward to every four years. And this year, it’s the last day that swing state
voters hope their phones stop ringing off the hooks. This year’s
campaign has not been pretty. But, is politics ever? I have been writing some middle
school history curriculum over the past few months – and let me tell you, the
United States has had its share of ugly elections. But, the beautiful part is
that we are still here. We still believe in democracy at the end of the day. No
matter who you vote for, it’s important to vote. Regardless of who wins, I know I will wake up on Wednesday hoping that we can put aside the bitter partisan rhetoric and force our
politicians to actually work together for a change.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqSmcL0xoDdNe0WSpgNSGhFV8NQmstfK_r0JfuLOUlMgT5mp_DwjSZkXa7dlafBzAqOUDzyCedOdp_JCvIkCzwQ7_gTduMwI-O-Ckzn8XDai1VXK7LMkPZwXoNv5bTgS59f5wxl2etjq3C/s1600/vote-button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqSmcL0xoDdNe0WSpgNSGhFV8NQmstfK_r0JfuLOUlMgT5mp_DwjSZkXa7dlafBzAqOUDzyCedOdp_JCvIkCzwQ7_gTduMwI-O-Ckzn8XDai1VXK7LMkPZwXoNv5bTgS59f5wxl2etjq3C/s320/vote-button.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
In honor of the election, I thought it would be interesting to
take a look at the role food plays in presidential politics. We’ve all seen the
photos of the candidates on the campaign trail – dropping into a mom and pop cafes,
delivering pizza to their weary campaigners, digging into an ice cream cone or eating
a corn dog at the county fair. And the campaign wives get in on it too.
Ann Romney recently handed out her homemade Welsh cakes to the press. Each
election year, <i>Family Circle</i> runs a contest featuring the candidates' wives’cookie recipes. This year Michelle Obama’s <a href="http://www.familycircle.com/recipe/mama-kayes-white-and-dark-chocolate-chip-cookies/" target="_blank">white and dark chocolate chip cookies</a> won over Ann Romney’s <a href="http://www.familycircle.com/recipe/mms-cookies/" target="_blank">M&M's cookies</a>. <b>Let’s face it – politicians eat as strategically as they shake hands and </b><b>kiss babies. </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love election night! I love watching the returns come in
and hearing the talking heads speculate about who will carry what state. I’ll
be home biting my nails and glued to the TV. I was thinking it would be fun,
however, to cook a themed meal in celebration of the occasion. So, I have
developed menus based what I could glean on the likes, dislikes and food traditions
of each major candidate. These are meant
to be tongue and cheek – so please do not take this too seriously!<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, depending on whom your favorite is – here are some ideas
to get you started thinking about an election night meal. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Menu Approved by Barack Obama (Democrat, Incumbent)</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>The President is said
to have a fondness for Mexican food and enjoys whipping up his own chili. We
know he likes beer, burgers, Hawaiian pizza and of course, arugula. Remember that Iowa campaign moment in 2008?<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1PlN6MizDLtcm1mzcMmP4qPVX2NyfbG4uZrawYO68Cqb5hcELyu-shwtoflRhciDOc7oiMuGtWhjD5wGhGtd1vPG_HRZDx21148cbU9NAgOe4rt2e5CodghqkfvnBHWy-yJNe_a42hNri/s1600/20121024_davenport_otrpizza_hqb_560-20121024201323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1PlN6MizDLtcm1mzcMmP4qPVX2NyfbG4uZrawYO68Cqb5hcELyu-shwtoflRhciDOc7oiMuGtWhjD5wGhGtd1vPG_HRZDx21148cbU9NAgOe4rt2e5CodghqkfvnBHWy-yJNe_a42hNri/s400/20121024_davenport_otrpizza_hqb_560-20121024201323.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The president eating at an Italian restaurant in Davenport, Iowa.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>To eat:</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.rickbayless.com/recipe/view?recipeID=130" target="_blank">Guacamole and Chips</a> (the president is said to be a fan of guacamole and Rick Bayless's Chicago restaurants)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.dashrecipes.com/blogs/dashboard/2011/04/24-Obama-Biden-Recipes.html" target="_blank">Turkey Chili</a> (the Obama family recipe)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/healthy-recipes/NU00387">Fresh Cucumber and Pineapple Salad</a> (in honor of Hawaii)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Michelle’s cookies (they are award-winning after all)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>To drink:</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Local brew of your choice (the White House brews its <a href="http://obamafoodorama.blogspot.com/2012/08/president-obama-travels-with-white.html">own craft beer</a>!)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Menu Approved by Mitt Romney (Republican)</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>We don’t know a lot
about his food preferences, but we do know that his campaign has a fondness for
Jimmy John’s subs. He also seems to enjoy ice cream. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheSUdFqQwzY7cDdBlyowtwK9hGBArG7MMVOXOnVsFnbDXmDwDGXwSHhF6-IjKN6QOMxn5Q2aA6VXSJf_Q2M4BCyFGf5xY-w4ofb4Fa4urm6Z9HFvfrXQ-5bXpT3uKXk_DfNeWbTB66EMF7/s1600/media_73387dc9ca6e4651b9060303f232643f_t607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheSUdFqQwzY7cDdBlyowtwK9hGBArG7MMVOXOnVsFnbDXmDwDGXwSHhF6-IjKN6QOMxn5Q2aA6VXSJf_Q2M4BCyFGf5xY-w4ofb4Fa4urm6Z9HFvfrXQ-5bXpT3uKXk_DfNeWbTB66EMF7/s400/media_73387dc9ca6e4651b9060303f232643f_t607.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Governor Romney enjoying some ice cream with the Ohio governor.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://wyldethyme.com/2012/08/17/creamy-new-england-clam-dip/">New England Clam Dip</a> (in honor of his home state) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.mittromney.com/blogs/mitts-view/2012/03/anns-kitchen-mitts-favorite-meatloaf-cakes">Mitt's Meat Loaf Cakes</a> (Ann's recipe shared by the campaign) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://blogs.kcrw.com/goodfood/2011/02/recipe-mormon-funeral-potatoes/">Funeral Potatoes</a> (a Mormon staple and ultimate comfort food dish) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/537">Fall Green Salad </a>(just cause you need a salad)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/reliable-source/post/ann-romney-hands-out-homemade-welsh-cakes/2012/08/28/2fea2402-f145-11e1-adc6-87dfa8eff430_blog.html">Ann’s Welsh Cakes</a> with Vanilla Ice Cream (gotta have ice cream)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>To drink:</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Water or lemonade. No alcohol, caffeine or hot drinks
allowed.<br />
<br />
If you are hosting a non-partisan watching party, you can mix both the menus. And if you are voting third-party, just make whatever you want! :)<br />
<br />
Whatever your political affliation, I think we can all agree that food is good. Happy Election Day!<br />
<br /></div>
Time for Good Foodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13695197996914290089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6877763098081385934.post-51349328340458059622012-10-26T10:10:00.000-04:002012-11-09T12:03:11.724-05:00I Love Louisiana!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX02eCffBgwxOydrApvB1tISFb0Q9AKbFdtyCxG6LaJhmw0zHFqYEA73Eom5u4aatNd0wr70eE6AzE4cu63Tvqtek4-b_dSUl208GAUZXp7kewWJl4OAA-JzbV4z1Q0ilqZmtTkf7zxfhX/s1600/Lake+Charles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX02eCffBgwxOydrApvB1tISFb0Q9AKbFdtyCxG6LaJhmw0zHFqYEA73Eom5u4aatNd0wr70eE6AzE4cu63Tvqtek4-b_dSUl208GAUZXp7kewWJl4OAA-JzbV4z1Q0ilqZmtTkf7zxfhX/s640/Lake+Charles.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I just returned from Lake Charles, Louisiana on Sunday -- and what a trip! I met so many wonderful people and ate tons of good food. Have you ever heard of boudin? Well, let me tell you. For now, I just want to share a quick teaser of some of the 498 photos I captured. October is speeding by at warp speed and I am hurrying to finish up some assignments and get the boys ready for Halloween. I hope you are having a beautiful fall. I'll be back soon - promise!<br />
<br />Time for Good Foodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13695197996914290089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6877763098081385934.post-12127979987368055962012-09-21T12:48:00.000-04:002012-09-21T12:50:05.668-04:00A Good Day in the Garden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXOLo1_fuYu0-RWkzbRkahfBdzPcrBGTmfMJjqtxjcUH8SFgR0qDD4L3htoIeMuoGBEo9lHT-1CEdu89lpNPpjfpXM0KjBGMU17v2rXWXWmoe_fhuCbnlwQeBFh9YuKXNSgRIbjUd4uyAs/s1600/garden2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXOLo1_fuYu0-RWkzbRkahfBdzPcrBGTmfMJjqtxjcUH8SFgR0qDD4L3htoIeMuoGBEo9lHT-1CEdu89lpNPpjfpXM0KjBGMU17v2rXWXWmoe_fhuCbnlwQeBFh9YuKXNSgRIbjUd4uyAs/s640/garden2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
My poor sad garden. My dreams of a bountiful summer harvest never came true. For the first time, we planted a small raised bed garden to the side of our house. All summer long, the boys and I have been eagerly watching our cucumbers, zucchini, yellow squash, watermelon and a few tomato plants. The tomatoes plants grew tall, but <i>nada</i> - in terms of actual fruit. I had lots of blooms on the zucchini and squash, but they always fell off. I even tried to self-pollinate, but to no avail. They died. The cucumbers seemed to be on the verge of a bumper crop, but something obliterated them. The plants shriveled up to nothing and rotted away. The watermelon vine took over the small garden and only one tiny little watermelon blossomed - but it went away too.<br />
<br />
Just when I was about to give up all hope -- about to angrily rip the plants from the ground -- what do I find? A baby tomato. My first tomato!!! And then another baby tomato - and another. And then, much to my shock and dismay, after a summer of purple blooms but nothing else, I am finally growing an eggplant. I cannot even believe it!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6WgbWJWTewrmY3JaZoj3wmgNUUk05EfU1g_r_05o0UJsM5RcyyYttUGtTncASYkqyJY4WFP_IaQvgUoIoPShT7dUUBAeWepi98fbVouKaWvnhKIs5yTe7qIO0_ChVTtEFyFOlPZh9wr6/s1600/eggplant.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6WgbWJWTewrmY3JaZoj3wmgNUUk05EfU1g_r_05o0UJsM5RcyyYttUGtTncASYkqyJY4WFP_IaQvgUoIoPShT7dUUBAeWepi98fbVouKaWvnhKIs5yTe7qIO0_ChVTtEFyFOlPZh9wr6/s640/eggplant.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
And here are more of my babies ...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie9-4zDe7unO2HJ7kSzNgIu_pYcue0-yPeentXq70Oxs8Aaix1e5C5bFpW02bCJDRFSiWb6pRSpi2wxOK66KPFNIsoSf89bzdBqCWkxPR9qn8RzwBzNBazWuF03gpBtFq7HO-0m3b0YePn/s1600/watermelon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie9-4zDe7unO2HJ7kSzNgIu_pYcue0-yPeentXq70Oxs8Aaix1e5C5bFpW02bCJDRFSiWb6pRSpi2wxOK66KPFNIsoSf89bzdBqCWkxPR9qn8RzwBzNBazWuF03gpBtFq7HO-0m3b0YePn/s400/watermelon.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnYTcAwPhEhP7TXODzmUmJJjZs_a9ym2ewG5Le9RRejKh1Q8t-kAGzN8XxhNSt8u7jmCTwMvAiy9HaXUI9OsJqPBAWIDGJjQqRV6oYTFRgYPPsoISW8PBfbGnOa5UPtVrbGq3QUCJdtgip/s1600/babytomato.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnYTcAwPhEhP7TXODzmUmJJjZs_a9ym2ewG5Le9RRejKh1Q8t-kAGzN8XxhNSt8u7jmCTwMvAiy9HaXUI9OsJqPBAWIDGJjQqRV6oYTFRgYPPsoISW8PBfbGnOa5UPtVrbGq3QUCJdtgip/s400/babytomato.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Discovering these new fruits yesterday completely made my day. Will they make it before the fall frost? Who knows, but it gives me hope for the future. Perhaps I'm not a total gardening failure. The boys are excited, too. Everyday we check the garden - sometimes multiple times a day. Amazingly, there always seems to be some kind of change. (Sometimes not the good kind of change, but change nonetheless.) I never realized how exciting and inspiring gardening can be.<br />
<br />
Yesterday, I also had the opportunity to attend a celebration of an urban gardening project, <a href="http://themetroatlantaurbanfarm.com/" target="_blank">The Metro Atlanta Urban Farm</a>. With a grant from <a href="http://garden.robertmondavi.com/" target="_blank">Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi's Giving Through Growing</a>, they were able to expand their community gardening space. Tucked away in College Park, Georgia just a few miles from the busy Atlanta airport, is this almost five acre urban gardening oasis. We feasted on grilled sweet potatoes, sauteed swiss chard and fresh corn salad. The community came out to celebrate - some of whom are driving from 15 miles away to tend their small garden plot.<br />
<br />
Needless to say, I had a very good day in the garden. I cannot wait to eat these tomatoes and eggplant that I grew myself -- and I can't wait to tell you more about what groups like The Metro Atlanta Urban Farm and the <a href="http://www.acfb.org/" target="_blank">Atlanta Community Food Bank</a> are doing to promote community gardening and ensuring that EVERYONE has access to fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables. Stay tuned!<br />
<br />Time for Good Foodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13695197996914290089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6877763098081385934.post-69916483185900919912012-09-06T09:20:00.000-04:002012-09-17T13:01:55.429-04:00Chocolate Salted Caramel Brownie Bars<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyHQmiW3ImY5eGEcjKcWHZnv78KVyIXfyOqpN-sThfQEWUoK9xyJrydseFCtH-t74qzGT9Yzgy5e5OIWOVsLpPHChCZhj4uKuARZXRdgl3mTf3j6RJLIdNZtqGZMy1AKaZ1qGfsTY5Up_k/s1600/browniebar4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyHQmiW3ImY5eGEcjKcWHZnv78KVyIXfyOqpN-sThfQEWUoK9xyJrydseFCtH-t74qzGT9Yzgy5e5OIWOVsLpPHChCZhj4uKuARZXRdgl3mTf3j6RJLIdNZtqGZMy1AKaZ1qGfsTY5Up_k/s640/browniebar4.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
What happens when you take your favorite chocolate <a href="http://timeforgoodfood.blogspot.com/2011/02/cookies-and-community.html" target="_blank">cookie recipe</a>, insert caramel and bake it as a bar? Magic! One of these days I will write about something that doesn't have sugar in it, but for now, I have to tell you about these Chocolate Salted Caramel Brownie Bars. I made them for a Labor Day cookout and am still swooning over them. They are rich, decadent, gooey and with two sticks of butter - Paula Deen approved. :)<br />
<br />
<b>Chocolate Salted Caramel Brownie Bars</b><br />
<i>Inspired by Mama Dip's Kitchen Chocolate Chip Cookies</i><br />
<b><br /></b>
2 sticks butter, softened<br />
1 cup dark brown sugar (this is important - much better with dark brown sugar)<br />
1 cup granulated sugar<br />
2 eggs<br />
1 teaspoon vanilla<br />
3 cups all-purpose flour (I used 2 cups plain, 1 cup whole wheat)<br />
6 tablespoons cocoa<br />
1 teaspoon baking soda<br />
1 teaspoon salt<br />
2 cups semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips<br />
20 Kraft caramel candies<br />
2 tablespoons half and half<br />
Sea Salt and Sugar (for sprinkling)<br />
<br />
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease your favorite baking dish or pan. I used a 9 x 12 aluminum pan like this <a href="http://www.nordicware.com/store/products/detail/naturals-bakers-quarter-sheet-commercial/21A79684-7C89-102A-B382-0002B3267AD7" target="_blank">one</a>. You can also use a 9 x 13 standard pan or glass baking dish, just note that the bars will be a bit thinner than these pictured.<br />
<br />
In a large mixing bowl, beat together butter and sugars until fluffy. Add vanilla and eggs and beat until just mixed. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture until well mixed. Stir in chocolate chips.<br />
<br />
In a small bowl, place caramels and half and half. Microwave in short intervals until melted. Stir until smooth. Set aside to cool slightly.<br />
<br />
Spread half the cookie dough in your prepared pan. Use a piece of wax paper or greased aluminum foil to help spread the dough evenly. Pour melted caramel over the cookie layer. Spread remaining batter on top of caramel. Lightly sprinkle with sea salt and course sugar.<br />
<br />
Place in oven and bake for approximately 15-20 minutes, or until the edges are puffed and the sides begin to slightly pull away from the pan. Do not overbake (it's better gooey than dry)!<br />
<br />
Cool on a wire rack and cut into squares. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<a class="pin-it-button" count-layout="horizontal" href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Ftimeforgoodfood.blogspot.com%2F2012%2F09%2Fchocolate-salted-caramel-brownie-bars.html&media=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-WtWm5sjKx3U%2FUEiaPRRqekI%2FAAAAAAAAAwo%2F-hlPYE867xE%2Fs1600%2Fbrowniebar4.JPG&description=Chocolate%20Salted%20Caramel%20Brownie%20Bars%20-%20www.timeforgoodfood.com"><img border="0" src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/PinExt.png" title="Pin It" /></a><br />
<br />Time for Good Foodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13695197996914290089noreply@blogger.com0