Category Archives: Uncategorized

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!!!”

Yes, you read that right, Candied Orange Peels.  This a thing, and I have had them.  I am not big on anything orange tasting, so they are not a big deal for me.  However, give me some candied Lemon Peels, and I am all over them!! 🙂 You have likely enjoyed it in seasonal bakedContinue reading “NATIONAL CANDIED ORANGE PEEL DAY!!!”

Since I have reached the end of the line in regards to typical spices/herbs, starting on Monday, May 7, 2018 I will be starting with different foods. Have a great weekend!!!

There are actually three National Foods celebrated today:  National Raspberry Popover Day, National Raspberry Tart Day & National Chocolate Custard Day.  Since I am a chocolate lover, I have chosen to talk about Chocolate Custard!!! Custard is a variety of culinary preparations based on a cooked mixture of milk or cream and egg yolk. DependingContinue reading “NATIONAL CHOCOLATE CUSTARD DAY!!!”

I probably cook with Thyme almost everyday!!  I love this herb and have it growing all year long; outside in the spring/summer/fall and inside in winter. Thyme is a small garden herb that’s been used even since Ancient Egypt. Its essential oil- thymol is used as a disinfectant and an antiseptic and Thyme goes wellContinue reading “THYME”

Oh Man, I LOVE Truffles, and I’m not talking mushrooms; although they are good too! Chocolate truffles are confectionery sweets made primarily of a mixture of cream and chocolate, known as ‘ganache’. The term ‘chocolate truffle’ is derived from the edible tuber fungus known as a ‘truffle’, which shares a similar appearance to the confectionery. The internal part of aContinue reading “NATIONAL CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE DAY!!!”

Turmeric is used for more than just Curry.  The word “turmeric” derives from its Latin name, terra merita, or “meritorious earth.” Turmeric comes from the underground stem, of a plant in the ginger family. The plant is native to South Asia, so it’s not surprising that turmeric spice is most widely used in the cuisinesContinue reading “TURMERIC”

There are SO many different types of salt out there; Table Salt, Course Salt, Iodized Salt, Kosher Salt, Celtic Salt, Dairy Salt, Rock Salt, Pickling Salt, Sea Salt, Seasoned Salt, Popcorn Salt, and Colored Salt. Whew!!! There are three main methods for obtaining salt: Evaporation from sea water, mining salt from the earth, and creating salt brines.Continue reading “SALT, SALT, & MORE SALT”

The term ‘upside down cake’ wasn’t used very much before the middle of the 19th century, but the style of baking probably dates back much further, probably to the Middle Ages. The early recipes for fruit upside down cakes were made in cast iron skillets on top of the stove. The classic American ‘Pineapple UpsideContinue reading “PINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN CAKE DAY!!!”