It’s Pumpkin Time!!

The pumpkin.  It has become a symbol of harvest, Halloween, and Thanksgiving, and can be found in a variety of colors: orange (the one everyone knows), white, tan, and rarely seen red, and blue.  But what exactly is a pumpkin?  According to Wikipedia, “a pumpkin is a gourd-like squash…and is native to North America.”  The University of Illinois published a list of facts about pumpkins, which includes how they “…contain potassium and vitamin A….are used for feed for animals….Native Americans used pumpkin seeds for food and medicine.”  And so, the tradition continues with stores everywhere displaying bountiful arrangements of pumpkins signaling the upcoming holidays.  Growing up, I always looked forward to this time of year with the smells of baking bread, cinnamon, cloves, apples, and pumpkin greeting me as I arrived home from school.  Weekends were spent playing with friends, running and trudging through piles of orange and yellow leaves or visiting family. 

The Art of Handcrafted Mayonnaise

Mayonnaise.  We’ve all seen it and eaten it, or know someone who has an aversion to it (possibly).  But what exactly is mayonnaise; where did it come from?  Well, first, it is a condiment.^[1]   Multiple sources state that it is a cold emulsion of egg yolks and oil, flavored with vinegar (or lemon juice), seasonings and spices.  It is one of the classic Mother Sauces (along with Hollandaise) because it is used as a base for so many things, such as salad dressings and dipping sauces.^[4]  The origins of this are credited to multiple people:  the personal chef of Louis-Francois-Armand de Vignerot du Plessis, duc de Richelieu in 1756; the French chef Marie Antoine Careme; the French cities of Bayonne and Les Mayons; in 1589 after the Battle of Arques in honor of Charles de Lorraine, duc de Mayenne.^[1,3]  According to the website, whatscookingamerica.net, “In 1910, Nina Hellman….made a dressing that her husband used on the sandwiches and salads he used in his New York delicatessen.”^[3]  He sold it to customers, and eventually in 1912, Hellman’s® Mayonnaise was officially for sale.

Dijon Mustard Vinaigrette

One of the easiest things I learned to make at culinary school was vinaigrette.  It is a relatively easy ratio to remember – 3 parts oil to 1 part vinegar (remember those Good Seasons® bottles?).  You can add some salt and pepper, and perhaps some herbs (fresh or dried – your choice).  By making your own you can save so much money.  You can take a basic recipe, switch out ingredients for other light flavored oils and more pungent vinegar, and not have the same vinaigrette for a long time.  Besides being less expensive, there are also fewer ingredients than typically found in the pre-bottled stuff at the store. 

Enjoy!

Baking Powder – in a pinch!

Ever have one of those days were you are in the mood to bake but you can not find any baking powder in your home?  Or you don’t feel like getting dressed and heading out to the store to pick up some?  Or you’re in the middle of a baking frenzy and you run out?  Me too!  To help you out of this situation I have listed below how to make your own baking powder from ingredients right in your kitchen.  

Homemade Brown Sugar

Mmmmm, brown sugar.  Just the words conjure images of baked deliciousness.  So many recipes use this wonderful brown sweetness – from bacon to desserts to chicken.  Try to imagine your favorite chocolate chip cookies without it.  Horrifying!  But what exactly is brown sugar?  I found a couple interesting links.  One, from www.ehow.com states that it’s “made from sugar cane or sugar beets…cut and squeezed for their juice, which is boiled until it thickens to molasses.”¹  It is then stripped and dried.  Foodtimeline.org is another site that always has such interesting information as well.

General Tso’s Chicken

Of all the recipes I have tried, the one I return to regularly is my adaptation for General Tso’s Chicken.  I took for granted that this delicious concoction would be available wherever I went.  After relocating to California I could not find a version of the dish I remembered and previously enjoyed.

Sweet Potato Apple Dog Treats

11 years ago I was out foraging with my daughter for a suitable offering to appease our cat at a local PetSmart.  At the inside entrance of the store, sitting at a long table were several women from a local animal rescue with puppies and dogs of varying ages looking for homes.  They didn’t call them “rescue homes” back then.  I proceeded past the women toward the sought after prizes, sans child.  Big mistake. 

On that day, I learned the true power of persuasion my daughter possessed.  She begged, pleading for me to come see the puppies.  Gently, I attempted to explain that we had enough animals in our home and the addition of another animal was not possible.  She continued, attempting to coerce me, promising to walk, feed, and care for this potential new family addition.  Again, I attempted my explanation.  She countered, saying that this time was different, promising to work as a united front caring for said pet. 

Cedar Park Farmers Market

Farmers markets are a great way to meet and patronage local businesses.  According to Wikipedia, “Farmers markets are a traditional way of selling agricultural and home manufactured products.”¹  Whenever cruising the aisles at a farmers market, one will often see for sale – local produce, baked items, beverages, and crafts tables.  Some markets are also fortunate to have available local honey, meats, nuts, and food trucks.

Having been in the Austin area officially four months, it was time to pay a visit to the local farmers market.  First up – the Cedar Park Farmers Market, located at the Lakeline Mall in…Cedar Park.  How have I missed this wonderful gathering of local farmers and business for the last four months?

Blackfly Austin

Hubby and I happened across this hidden gem at the Lakeline Mall in Cedar Park.  They have a fantastic selection of rock band t-shirts, shirts from Pallbearer Press Horror Merch & Design, Lucky 13 Apparel, custom designed aprons from Tara Braddock Designs, corset beaters from Folter, items from Rock Steady, SourPuss, and body jewelry.  We met Rob who works there and was extremely helpful and knowledgeable.   They even carry an exclusive handmade Tara Braddock Design apron – with skulls and roses.

If you are local and looking for unique clothing, this is the place to go.  If you plan on visiting the area, this is definitely a place to put on your bucket list.  Either way, stop by and say “Hi” to Rob and the rest of the staff at Blackfly!

http://www.blackflyaustin.com/

http://www.facebook.com/blackflyaustin

Macaroni and Cheese

 

Macaroni and cheese is the ultimate American comfort food.  Many people grew up enjoying the stuff from the Kraft ® Macaroni & Cheese box.  But, did you know that while many believe this is an American dish, it actually originated in Italy?  Oh, and the ingredients did not come from a box.  Shocking, right?  Well, according to TLC on their “How Stuff Works” page, “back in the 13^th century an Italian cookbook, Liber de Coquina (Book of Cooking), included a recipe that food historians believe is the first macaroni and cheese recipe.”¹    There are multiple stories on the internet that credit Thomas Jefferson with bringing the recipe and a pasta machine from Italy home to his daughter, Mary Rudolph, who then made it for White House dinner parties.  According to the Monticello website, Mr. Jefferson brought neither the recipe nor the pasta machine.  The machine was shipped from Naples to Paris, and eventually listed among Mr. Jefferson’s household items shipped from Philadelphia to Monticello in 1793.  He did make the recipe popular by serving it to dinner guests during his presidency.²  Apparently the original cheese (possibly Parmesan) was replaced with white American cheese.    In 1937 Kraft foods introduced Mac & Cheese during the Great Depression, selling 8 million boxes that year.³  And a brand was born.