Photo: Sarah Anne Edwards via A Word A Day
Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
What did I miss posting on August 30?
September 2, 2012
In case you missed it, August 30 was Toasted Marshmallow Day. These days marshmallows are a confection, but they started out as a medicinal product made from the extract of the marshmallow flower, a wildflower with a sticky sap. The concoction was used as a demulcent – a compound that forms a smooth or protective coating over an irritated or inflamed area. This was a time-intensive process, and as industrialization provided commercial gelatin and sugar became more readily available, recipes were developed and marshmallows became easier to create.
Here is a history of marshmallows at About.com.
I’m not sure they are as good for toasting as the commercial ones, but if you are interested in creating your own marshmallows, this recipe is from Ina Garten via the Food Network. I do know from experience that these are terrific when dipped in Belgian chocolate. There are also lots of places – many of them on the internet – that sell gourmet marshmallows in flavors such as White Russian, Key Lime, and Aztec Chocolate. Don’t forget to save room for s’more.
- Marshmallows
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Prep Time: 8 hr
- Cook Time: 10 min
Level: Easy
Yield: 20 to 40 marshmallows
Ingredients
- 3 packages unflavored gelatin
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting
Directions
Combine the gelatin and 1/2 cup of cold water in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and allow to sit while you make the syrup.
Meanwhile, combine the sugar, corn syrup, salt, and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan and cook over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Raise the heat to high and cook until the syrup reaches 240 degrees on a candy thermometer. Remove from the heat.
With the mixer on low speed, slowly pour the sugar syrup into the dissolved gelatin. Put the mixer on high speed and whip until the mixture is very thick, about 15 minutes. Add the vanilla and mix thoroughly.
With a sieve, generously dust an 8 by 12-inch nonmetal baking dish with confectioners’ sugar. Pour the marshmallow mixture into the pan, smooth the top, and dust with more confectioners’ sugar. Allow to stand uncovered overnight until it dries out.
Turn the marshmallows onto a board and cut them in squares. Dust them with more confectioners’ sugar.
What did I change my mind about?
August 30, 2012
Or, if you prefer, about what did I change my mind? I was revving up to do a language usage rant on pet peeves, when I came upon this video of Stephen Fry on language. Stephen is always fun and the graphics in this video are brilliant.
Thanks to Just English for this reference, and regarding my rant – never mind.
What am I sappy cat blogging this week?
August 24, 2012A little art history this week featuring:
Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841–1919) was a French artist who was a leading painter in the development of the Impressionist style. As a celebrator of beauty, and especially feminine sensuality, it has been said that “Renoir is the final representative of a tradition which runs directly from Rubens to Watteau.”
In addition to feminine beauty and sensuality, he was also frequently painted cats.
Juliet Manet and Cat
Woman and Cat
Sleeping Cat
Reference:
Wikipedia
What am I waffling on about?
August 24, 2012
Just when you pancake it any longer, it’s time to celebrate – National Waffle Day. On August 24, 1869, the first waffle iron was patented in the U.S. by Cornelius Swarthout.
Some Waffle History from Mr. Breakfast
13th Century A.C. – Ancient Greeks cook flat cakes between two metal plates. These early waffles were called obleios and were primarily savory in nature, prepared with cheeses and herbs.
1620 – The pilgrims bring Dutch “wafles” to America.
1735 – The word “waffle” – with two “f”s – appears in English print for the first time.
Late 1800’s – Thomas Jefferson returns to the U.S. from France with a long handled, patterned waffle iron.
1869 – Cornelius Swarthout patents the first U.S. Waffle Iron.
1953 – Frank Dorsa’s Eggo Frozen Waffles are sold in Supermarkets for the first time.
1964-65 – Brussels restaurateur Maurice Vermersch brings his wife’s Brussels Waffle recipe to the World’s Fair in New York. The fluffy yeast-infused waffle becomes a huge hit and becomes known as the Belgium waffle.
Whose birthday am I celebrating today?
August 23, 2012We have met the enemy, and they are ours.
Oliver Hazard Perry – who, symmetrically, was born and died on August 23 – 1785 and 1819, respectively.
Born in South Kingstown, Rhode Island, with a history of accomplished Naval officers on both sides of the family, Oliver served in the War of 1812, initially supervising the construction of naval vessels and the training of their crews for battling the British on Lake Erie. In 1813 he engaged the British fleet off Put-in-Bay.
The British anticipated an easy victory and the early fighting went in their favor. After losing his flag ship, Perry sailed for the ship Niagara and was able to ram the lead British ship while firing rifles on the crew.The Battle of Lake Erie became a decisive victory for the Americans. As a result, Perry became a popular hero and is memorialized throughout the area.
Perry Monument, Put-in-Bay, South Bass Island, Ohio
References
What festival am I celebrating? – August 23
August 23, 2012
Qixi – the Milky Way Festival or the Night of Sevens.
This is the story of star-crossed lovers, Zhinu an imortal member of the Queen of Heaven’s family, and Niulang, a lowly cowherd. Zhinu is represented in the sky by the star Vega; Niulang is represented by Altair. Both of these stars are prominent in the summer night sky as two points in the asterism known as the Summer Triangle.
There are, of course, many versions and variations on the story, but just as in Romeo and Juliet, the two main characters meet and fall in love. In this instance they marry, have two children and think that they are home free on their way to happily every after.
But the Queen of Heaven, who up to now has not been paying attention, finds out about the liaison and demands that Zhinu return to the sky where she must again take up her regular job of weaving colorful clouds. This is a job which, apparently, no one else can do.
Niulang is despondent – he is also left with two little kids to raise by himself. Now things get a little strange. His ox begins to talk to him. Listening to the ox’s advice, Niulang kills the beast, puts on its skin, picks up the kids and travels to heaven to reclaim his wife.
He was not fast enough, however, because Queenie learns of the plan and scratches a huge river across the sky between Zhinu and Niulang creating the Milky Way – a river they cannot cross – EXCEPT on the seventh night of the seventh month when the magpies fly up to heaven and create a sky bridge so that the lovers can be together on that one night of the year.
This Chinese festival is related to the Japanese Star Festival, Tanabata.
Whose birthday am I celebrating today?
August 22, 2012
“Brevity is the soul of lingerie.”
“Take care of the luxuries and the necessities will take care of themselves.”
“This is not a novel to be tossed aside lightly. It should be thrown with great force.”
Upon being informed of Calvin Coolidge’s death, she replied, “How could they tell?”
And, of course, “One more drink and I’ll be under the host.”
Dorothy Parker, of course, born August 22, 1893. Poet, writer, playwright and founding member of the Algonquin Round Table. When the Round Table broke up, she went to Hollywood and was a two-time Oscar nominated screen-writer. She was active there until black-listed by the McCarthyism. She remained politically active throughout her life. Parker downplayed her skills, but was well known and appreciated for her bright wit and scathing humor.
Founding members of the Algonquin Round Table: (l-r) Art Samuels, Charlie MacArthur, Harpo Marx, Dorothy Parker and Alexander Woollcott. What a wonderful experience it must have been to experience lunch at the Algonquin Round Table during that time and with those characters.
What am I sappy cat blogging about this week?
August 17, 2012We often talk about the Dog Days of Summer, but August 17 marks the beginning of Cat Nights, which come with wonderful stories about witches and their cunning ways.
The Farmer’s Almanac describes Cat Nights:
The term “Cat Nights” harks back to a rather obscure old Irish legend concerning witches and the belief that a witch could turn herself into a cat eight times, but on the ninth time (August 17), she couldn’t regain her human form. This bit of folklore also gives us the saying, “A cat has nine lives.” Because August is a yowly time for cats, this may have prompted the speculation about witches on the prowl in the first place.
In addition, there are a number of feline constellations in the night sky at this time – Leo Major, Leo Minor and the Lynx all appear. More here at space.com.
Leo Major
What am I cooking with?
August 16, 2012
We all know that PopTarts are little bundles of goodness, but WHO KNEW that you can cook with them?
I just discovered PopTart recipes on the PopTarts website. I am stunned – what next – cooking with Twinkies?
Confetti Bursts
Ingredients1 package (12 oz., 2 cups) semi-sweet chocolate morsels
1/3 cup whipping cream
1/4 cup butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups Kellogg’s® Rice Krispies® cereal
3 cups white chocolate morsels
3 tablespoons shortening
30 lollipop sticks or ice cream sticks
4 Kellogg’s® Pop-Tarts® Frosted Confetti Cupcake toaster pastriesConfetti Bursts
Any day can be a celebration when you serve these crunchy chocolate balls, dipped in white chocolate and coated with colorful Pop-Tarts® Frosted Confetti Cupcake toaster pastries.Prep Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
Servings: 15Directions
1. In heavy, medium saucepan combine semi-sweet chocolate morsels, cream and butter. Cook over low heat for 4 to 5 minutes or until smooth, stirring frequently. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla. Transfer to mixing bowl. Refrigerate for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.2. Beat chocolate mixture on high speed of electric mixer about 2 minutes or until light and fluffy. Stir in KELLOGG’S RICE KRISPIES cereal.
3. Using small ice cream scoop or rounded tablespoon, divide mixture into thirty 1 1/2-inch portions. Use hands to quickly shape portions into balls. Place on baking sheet lined with wax paper. Freeze for 30 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, in small saucepan melt white chocolate morsels and shortening over low heat, stirring frequently. Remove from heat. Let stand for 10 minutes.
5. Insert lollipop stick or ice cream stick into each chocolate ball. Working with 1 ball at a time, spoon white chocolate mixture over each, allowing excess to drip off. Press KELLOGG’S POP TARTS Frosted Confetti Cupcake toaster pastry pieces into white chocolate. Place on baking sheet lined with wax paper. Refrigerate at least 15 minutes or until firm.
For the record, I also think this post is ironic coming on the heels of my homage to Julia Child yesterday.
Gunsmoke and Knitting 