I got a text that my friend saying she was in the driveway. She’d brought a bag of homegrown lettuce from her garden. I sat on the side porch stoop, she stayed in her car. We talked a bit. Thanks for the delicious lettuce, Joan. You wrapped it so carefully in the wet towels. It was crispy and refreshing. Summer.
My sister told me about this Baker’s Edge Brownie Pan so I ordered one for Anna. (and the family)
Anna was headed to work today and said when she got home at ten, it would nice to have a brownie.
Maura made a batch and I got to see the pan do what it claims to do. And it does it perfectly. All edges!
Which is your preference? Edge? Center? Or Pass?
This French pepper mill was a 1974 wedding gift from my sister’s friend, Janet. It works perfectly. I added a variety of peppercorns my friend Joanne sent to me.
Freshly ground pepper, yes or no?
If yes, on what?
The recipe from my Clarion PA neighbor, Nell Miller, was called Poor Man Meatballs.
No meat was involved.
Take 3 zucchini and grate or use food processor. Tip bowl to let moisture run off and discard. Get zucchini as dry as you can.
Add an egg
and about 3/4 c Italian Bread crumbs. Add a minced garlic clove or two
Salt and pepper let sit a few minutes. Form in patties.
Sauté in olive oil ‘til brown on both sides. Cast iron skillet works wonderfully. Freshly grated Parmesan is always welcome
Sriracha. Yes or no?
There’s a really good 2013 documentary film by Griffin Hammond “The film features David Tran discussing the origins of his Huy Fong Foods sriracha”.
Sriracha is worth watching and you not only learn how it came to be but understand why the hot chili sauce is so popular.
But do you like it? Yes or No?
My friend Bill’s sister used to make him a raisin pie. I believe it was for his birthday. One time I made raisin filled cookies for him once he told me. He would be a YES on the raisin question.
And then there is the NO response to Raisins- Yes or No?
I have a friend who prefers oatmeal cookies without raisins in them. Not sure if he dislikes raisins or just in cookies.
The other day on Zoom virtual knitting group we were talking about pick-up bakery items available at Jean Marc Chatellier French Bakery in Millvale. You can order via phone and pick up baked goods between 10-1, different items available different days. Then someone in our Zoom Virtual Knitting group asked if the Apple Strudel made by Jean-Marc had raisins in it.(no was the answer) Another participant said they hoped the apple strudel didn’t have raisins in it because “Raisins are the Devil’s Candy!” I’d never heard of that expression before. Have you? Sure enough when I googled I found a 2015 blog post with that very title. Oh my. A rant agains the lowly raisin? Who knew?
Last week a reader objected to the rice pudding with raisins in it when I posted a few days ago. Yes to the Rice Puddings but No to the Raisins.
Ready to make Raisins Filled Cookies . Raisins plumped by covering with boiling water.
April 30 is National raisin day
And the story of the image of the Maid on the Raisin box who passed away in 1983
So which is it-
Raisins. Yes or No?
My friend Roberta sent me a Post-Gazette article this evening, An elegy to the ‘O’: A beloved hot dog shop closes after 60 years written by Mick Stinelli and Dan Gigler. It told about the sad and sudden closing of The Original Hot Dog Shop. A long time late night favorite in the heart of Oakland adjacent to University of Pittsburgh. Upon closing they donated “7 tons of potatoes to charity”. (They were famous for their fries)
We’d get a couple of hot dogs and share the huge order of fries, sometimes before a Poetry Reading at Hemingway’s. Or after. No matter what time you ate there, it was a familiar and reliable taste and experience.
Here’s a photo I took of the landmark from a 2010 blog post.
Rice Pudding-Yes or No?
Leftover rice with milk, egg, sugar. This method cooked and stirred on stove top ‘til thick without curdling. Vanilla and raisins, cinnamon on top. There’s a baked method as well. Reminds me of childhood.
A friend sent three boxes of Scones mix.
When the surprise arrived, I didn’t have one of the essential ingredients- a stick of butter.
Today I followed the directions and baked them.
Mmmmm Thanks Deb.
They were delicious.
