Fall Baking Q and A what do you know about Allspice

 

Have you started your fall baking yet?? Many have been at it for quite some time. I simply love walking in the house and discovering the odors coming from the kitchen during fall baking season. Today was no different at my daughter had allowed my grand-daughters to bake on their own. This is nothing new as they are both 12 now and have been baking for quite some time. However,,, they did not know that nana (as they call me) was going to quiz them on some fall spices.

I will take a few days over the next few weeks to share with you about spices to. A great place to start at is allspice. A spice commonly found in the kitchen during the baking season but do you know what it is??

Allspice is made up of the dried unripe fruit of a tree commonly found in the Caribbean and Central America Often referred to as the Jamaican pimento or myrtle pepper comes from the Pimenta dioica. This tree native to the Central Americas including the Antilles and southern Mexico can now often be found in many warm parts around the world.

What types of recipes is Allspice used in?? Well actually because as its name says it taste a bit like other spices such as cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg the spice goes well in desserts as well as in savory dishes. Whole allspice goes great in more fragrant dishes and lasts longer so consider using it in braises and sauces. However, if you are baking then consider using the ground all spice as it is easier

Save a bit of money and time make your own All Spice

• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon cloves
• 1 tablespoon nutmeg

This mixture can be used as a SUBSTITUTION for Allspice.  

In a small bowl mix together all the above ingredients and store in an airtight container. Enjoy!

If you like a milder taste use 1/2 tablespoon of nutmeg and cloves. 
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Celebrate the FlufferNutter

 Today is Fluffernutter day. Don't know what fluffernutter is?? Neither did I for a bit of time but now my kids love it. Flufferutter is made up of peanut butter and marshmallow fluff. The mixture is made into a sandwich and normally placed on white bread. In addition, other foods like desserts that have both peanut butter and marshmallow cream in the recipe. 

The one thing that helps make the fluffernutter possible. The invention of marshmallow cream during the early 20th century was the missing ingredient. Archibald Query from Somerville Massachusetts invented the tasty marshmallow creme in 1913. Later during War War I Emma Curtis created a recipe for the Liberty Sandwich Many other booklets came later that shared recipes that shared marshmallow creme with peanut butter as well as ideas to eat the mixture on sandwiches chopped with nuts or olives. 

Today why not enjoy a fluffernutter?? 

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Early Polish Immigrants Come To America

 The first Polish Americans arrived in America in 1608. They came in an English ship titled Mary and Margaret. Those among the passengers with Polish descent were workers hired by the Virginia Company of London. These workers were hired to establish a glass industry in the colony. Perhaps it was meant to be as upon arrival the workers helped dig a well for providing fresh drinking water. 

Did you know that the first company in America was constructed and ran by Polish in America?? The factory made glass products. The members of the Polish also produced pitch and tar as well as other vital building materials that would help to build and strengthen the new colony. These products would be needed to help make it thru life in the colonies with the harsh climate and living conditions In addition the products that were created were also the first commercial items to be sent out of the Americans to Europe. 

One recipe that became a famous treat for Polish working population was City chicken. City chicken did not require you to touch your food as it was held on a skewer. The delicious meat was done like chicken but in reality was a lower cost pork or beef. I have shared a recipe that you may find interesting better yet visit the webiste where I borrowed this recipe and read about more interesting facts

• 1 1/2 lbs city chicken (pork or veal pieces cut into cubes)
• salt and pepper
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup seasoned bread crumbs
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup oil

FOR GRAVY

• 1/2 cup broth, chicken or beef
• 1-2 tablespoons flour

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Add your eggs to a shallow bowl and beat
3. In a separate bowl add your breadcrumbs, paprika and Parmesan cheese.
4. If your pork and veal are not already placed on skewers, do so by alternating pork and veal pieces.
5. Sprinkle meat with salt and pepper.
6. Dip the skewered meat in the egg and then the bread crumbs. Set aside and finish the rest of the meat.
7. Heat your skillet to medium high and once hot, add your oil.
8. Once the oil is hot, place your meat in the pan and turn the skillet down to medium. Brown skewered meat on all sides. About 2-3 minutes on each side.
9. Once the meat is browned, place in a baking dish and cover with aluminum.
10. Bake for 20 minutes or until the pork is no longer pink inside.
11. To make the gravy turn the skillet on to medium heat.
12. Add the broth to the skillet and break up all the browned bits.
13. Add the flour a little at a time and whisk well so there are no lumps.
14. Pour over cooked meat. (this did not make much gravy for me but it was tasty.)

recipe source <https://mylifecookbook.com/moms-city-chicken/ >

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0keep warm with coffee

 This time of year when the weather is getting crisper with a chill in the air I enjoy a good cup of coffee. Others need a cup of java to wake them up in the morning. Still others look for the energy from Joe to help make it thru the day. However while many enjoy a good cup of coffee it is still a puzzle where coffee originated.

Most coffee growers around the world acknowledge that for centuries coffee were grown in the Ethiopian plateau. Legend says that a goat herder first discovered the power coffee beans could share It seems that the goats had ate berries (beans) from this bush that gave them extra energy and did not sleep at night. With this information the herder shared the information with the abbot of a nearby monastery. After gaining the information he digested the berries himself and found that he stayed alert through the long hours of pm prayer and had to share all about what he had learned with the other monks. 

It was the Arabs in the 15th century that would begin to grow and sell coffee beans. The love of these beans quickly grew to areas such as Persia, Egypt, Syria and Turkey. Coffee houses began to pop up in cities around the Near East. Not only was it the drink they wee after but to get out and socialize as well. In addition those visiting these places from around the world would bring it to their homes around the world. 

Europeans would visit the Near East and take back with them stories of the amazing dark black beverage. The popularity of coffee grew and it was not always met with a warm reception. Fear and suspicion of the "bitter bean" was even compared to Satan himself. Clergy members would condemn it until Pope Clement VIII gave it his approval. Like in other countries coffee houses would be built and grow in popularity in places such as France, England, Austria, Germany and Holland. Perhaps today you would find it odd to realize that coffee would replace the common morning drink of beer and wine and offer not only the chance for a better day but also offered a chance for stimulating conversations. 

In the New World even before colonies had formed the New Amsterdam citizens of what would would be known as New York met up at coffee houses in the 1600s. In fact it was a revolt by the citizens of this area who would revolt against the tax the King George III would impose that would offer tea drinkers a chance to think things over. The Boston Tea Party of 1773 would lead Thomas Jefferson himself declaring 

"Coffee - the favorite drink of the civilized world." - Thomas Jefferson

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White CHocolate Raspberry Brownies #recipe

 

5.3 oz (150 g) white chocolate, roughly chopped
2/3 stick 75 g unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
1/3 cup (70 g) caster sugar
2 eggs + 1 egg yolk
1 tsp vanilla extract
pinch of salt
1/2 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
1 cup (125 g) plain gluten free flour blend (I've used a simple store-bought blend of rice, potato and maize flour with no added xanthan gum)
1/4 tsp xanthan gum
1 cup (230 g) frozen or fresh raspberries

Pre-heat the oven to 190 ºC (350 ºF) and line an 8 x 8 inch baking pan with greaseproof/baking paper.
In a bowl above simmering water, melt together white chocolate and butter. After they are melted, allow to cool until warm to touch.
Add the caster sugar, eggs + egg yolk, vanilla extract, salt and milk, and mix well until evenly combined.
Sift together gluten free flour and xanthan gum, and add them to the batter. Mix well until no flour clumps remain.
Transfer the white chocolate brownie batter into the baking pan and "sprinkle" the top with raspberries.
Bake in the pre-heated oven at 190 ºC (350 ºF) for about 25 minutes or until an inserted toothpick still comes out a bit dirty, but the top is a light golden brown colour.
Allow to cool, cut into pieces and enjoy!
The white chocolate brownies keep well in a closed container in a cool dry place for about 3 - 4 days (but only if very well hidden).

recipe resource <https://theloopywhisk.com/2017/08/14/gluten-free-raspberry-white-chocolate-brownies-video/>

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Keeping Food Safe at All Fall Activities

Welcome to fall where the weather starts to cool down a bit and the days are a bit shorter. There is still more fun to be had and many times this fun will also involve eating food. While many think that the food rules that were present in the hot months do not pertain to the fall months they are wrong.

There is much fun to be had at picnics, hikes, cookouts, apple picking, or even tailgate picnics during the fall months. These events are all fun but if someone ends up getting sick because of the food they ate it will end up on a sour note. Therefore it is best to follow the same type of food rules as are followed in the warmer months. 

• One of the first and easiest ways to prevent food borne illness is to always make sure the food is prepared with clean hands, utensils and surfaces. When there is no running water then disposable wipes should be used.
• Make sure that raw meat always is prepared with clean utensils and dishes. Cooked food should be kept on separate plate never place with the raw or where the raw meat was kept.
• The same 2 hour rule that was followed in the summer months continues year round. SO if you serve perishable foods at the fall get-together then you must put them away in cool place within a 2 hour time frame or throw them away. If you are out and about and not near a fridge then ice packs that come in many varieties should be used. An option to perishable foods is to use non perishable treats like trail mix, energy packs, protein snacks or canned meats. 
• When packing a food for tailgating place in cooler with ice or ice packs. Similar to in the fridge meat should be placed at the bottom of the cooler so that juices can not drip on the other foods. 
• When grilling cook meat to proper temps

By following these rules you can make sure that your fall event stays fun and no one falls ill from a food borne incident

find out more at foodsafety.org 

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Supreme Pizza Casserole #recipe

16 oz. uncooked fettuccini
2 lbs. ground beef
1 medium onion chopped
2 cans sliced mushrooms drained, 4-oz. each
2 29-oz. jars   your favorite spaghetti sauce
14 oz. jar pizza sauce
1 tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. oregano
2 8-oz. bags mozzarella cheese shredded
6 oz. bag parmesan cheese shredded
2 3.5-oz. bags pepperoni sliced

1. Cook pasta according to package directions.
2. Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain.
3. Stir in the mushrooms and spaghetti sauce, pizza sauce, sugar and seasonings.
4. Drain pasta; stir into meat sauce.
5. Place half of the meat/pasta mixture into greased 10x15" casserole dish.
6. Sprinkle 1 package of mozzarella cheese over sauce mixture.
7. Layer 1 package of pepperoni slices on top.
8. Repeat layers once.
9. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over top of pepperoni.
10. Cover casserole with foil or lid and bake about 1 hour at 350° until mixture bubbles on sides.
11. Remove cover and bake an additional 10 minutes or so until done.

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Truth About Hunger

There are so many factors currently in the economics that is leading families to desperate times. Food is one area in the budget that may have been slimmed. Sadly in some situations hunger may be affecting more neighbors than you realize. In addition, it is known that in America there is one family in every community that struggles with getting enough food to feed the family. 

It was all ready a known fact each year that millions of Americans faced hunger daily. Now the coronavirus pandemic affecting every American has made it even harder for families that are struggling to get enough food to feed their family. In 2020 it is estimated that 54 million individuals are not sure if they have enough to eat or not. Thus food banks are seeing more participants that are in need of help. 

Those visiting food banks have deeply been affected by covid 19. Many often think that the individuals that are in need and visit food banks are those that do not work. This is not the case as many families in need are led by those working part time or full time jobs. However, the issues involved are low wages, underemployment, and other expenses that must be made. 

Programs set up by the government including SNAP or WIC and these are meant to help offer proper nutrition. Many families that are still going hungry earn to much to qualify for such programs. 

Find out more about hunger and how can you help.... feedamerica.org

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