Monthly Archives: May 2018

Did you know that the cultivation of bananas predates rice?  Wow, that is a long time.  I think everyone knows something about bananas.  If not, maybe you will learn something here. Season: Winter Taste: Sweet Scientific Name: Musa acuminata Acuminata means long-pointed, but not referring to the fruit, but the flower.  The English word Banana is from theContinue reading “BANANAS!!!”

A Macaroon is a small cookie made with almonds, sugar and coconuts.  Sometimes, it has flavorings and topped with chocolate!  Do not confuse these with the French Macaron, which is made from Meringue.  Both are delicious!!!!! Here are five facts about Macaroons: The original macaroon was a “small sweet cake consisting largely of ground almonds”Continue reading “MACAROON DAY!!!”

The Kentucky Derby is over, so I am a little late in posted this! The Mint Julep is typically associated with the Kentucky Derby & it’s the drink that prompted Hemingway to throw his glass against a wall.  You probably also know that it should be served in a silver cup with shaved or crushed ice, FRESHContinue reading “MINT JULEP DAY!!!”

One of my favorite vegetables!  Believe it or not, there are people who have never eaten this; don’t know what they are missing. Season:  Spring Asparagus:  Ancient Greeks and Roman used the Persian word asparag , meaning shoot.  The word sparagus started being used in English speaking countries in the 16th centuries. Asparagus has been around since AncientContinue reading “ASPARAGUS!!!!”

What is with this week having food I don’t like!  My three children LOVE Escargot; they obviously get that from their dad.  Not a big fan of snails, although I do like the garlic-butter sauce that is made with them! YUM!! Escargot is the French word for snail.  Escargot is a French appetizer made withContinue reading “EXCARGOT DAY!!!”

Again, another favorite of this California girl!  I love eating fresh apricots, just not too many 😉 Season:  Summer Taste:  Sweet Scientific Name:  Prunus armenaica Apricots are relatives to peaches, but small with a velvet skin and not too juicy. Apricots are not native to America, but to China.  They are primarily grown in California,Continue reading “APRICOTS!!”

Yuck!  I personally can’t stand anchovies, but my husband LOVES them. Taste:  Salty An anchovy is a small oily fish that is abundant in the Pacific.  Anchovies usually travel in schools, making it easier for fishermen to catch large amounts of their population. However, this has led to numerous manufacturers to overfish, eventually endangering theContinue reading “ANCHOVIES”

YM, Saltwater Taffy!! 🙂  I had the opportunity as a kid to make & pull homemade taffy!  Pulling is not an easy job; works those arm muscles!!! Salt water taffy in was invented 1883 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Taffy is made with boiled sugar and butter and stretched and pulled until it is chewy.Continue reading “TAFFY DAY!!!”

I did herbs & spices, now I am going to talk about everything else.  I will try to do this alphabetically, but can’t guarantee that I won’t forget something. Here we go: Almonds Being from California, I grew up eating almonds and still love them today. Taste:  Sweet Botanical Relatives: Peaches The word “almond” comesContinue reading “ALMONDS”

Who loved pudding as a kid???  MEEEE!!! Still do!! Did you know that pudding wasn’t always made with milk, sugar & vanilla? Most medieval puddings were meat based and seasoned with herbs and spices. Even sweetened, they were usually served hot. Toward the end of the 18th century, puddings were more likely made from aContinue reading “VANILLA PUDDING DAY!!!”