Sweetmeats For The Colonial Pantry

Every now and then I write about a historical food event, and that’s how I first learned of Deborah Peterson and her online Pantry. Deborah is an expert on early American domestic arts, you might run into her at Colonial events and reenactments, where she discusses and demonstrates some of the more unusual ingredients and accessories of 18th … Continue reading →

Cutie Pie Too

Now here’s a real cutie pie, as opposed to the peach pie of my August 12 post.   This cutie pie is my sister-in-law’s granddaughter, and she’s adorable – and can you tell she knows it?  Her mother and grandmother are big fans of good wholesome home-cooked food, and are encouraging the new generation to follow in their culinary footsteps with fun … Continue reading →

Seven Fishes (and then some)

It’s not casual but it is ethnic!  The holiday season is upon us and we really need a lift, so I’m writing about an extravagant affair today.  (I feel justified, having just spent considerable time – and money – online donating to the food banks and other agencies my friends and family asked me to, … Continue reading →

Say Cheese

I just go cheese-crazy at holidays, and often put together rather elaborate cheese trays for family dinners. Sometimes I get the camera out to document the tray, as I did here a few years ago – but not until we’d already made inroads! The cheeses here were a blue (Maytag?) and Wensleydale with cranberries in front, … Continue reading →

An Apple for the Teacher?

Go figure. I’m one of those people who enjoy ice cream just as much, if not more, in winter as in summer.  So I’ll be sashaying over the the Whole Earth Center soon to try the latest batch of Princeton School Garden Ice Cream.  These special “limited edition” flavors are created by the bent spoon, … Continue reading →

Ugly is In

This cracks me up.  A recent New York Times article reports that the European Union has now determined it is okay sell “ugly” fruit and vegetables, i.e. those that are misshapen.  If food could have a complex this is it – sorry parsnip, you just don’t, er, measure up! What will the food police do … Continue reading →

Terrific Torrone

Italian torrone is a sweet of ancient origin I fondly remember from childhood as being appealingly exotic (and darned sweet).  It is a nougat made with egg whites, honey, sugar, and nuts, and the kind we used to get at Christmas was wrapped in edible rice paper wafers.  Each piece was in a pretty little box.  I wish … Continue reading →

Spamalotmore

I am LOL at today’s New York Times business section article about Spam.  Long the subject of food jokes, Spam is amazingly still around and apparently thriving.  This cheap stand-in for ham was first produced in 1937, and in these rough economic times, is proving more popular than ever at around $2.40 for 12 ounces.  At … Continue reading →

Super Supermarkets

A recent article on CNN.com listed American’s Healthiest Grocery Stores.  Makes for interesting reading for a supermarket maven like myself, but I was struck by the fact that Wegmans was not mentioned, although they have long offered many items labeled “Food You Feel Good About.” I did notice that Albertson’s was included; they own Acme … Continue reading →