Every family or group of close friends has them: holiday traditions. The longer they are sustained from year to year, the more treasured they become. As a child, and well into my 20s until I left the nest, my mother would read “Twas the Night Before Christmas" to me before we settled down for our long winter’s nap. I’ll always recall that special time for just the two of us with great joy. Over the years, I’ve learned of some great traditions enjoyed by others. A former co-worker of mine once shared a delightful tradition with me. Once her very small children were asleep, she would swiftly …
They’re a tree trimmer, a gift tie-on and the crowning glory on your holiday stocking. That’s right; the candy cane. With the holiday season in full swing, the candy cane has assumed its annual role as the grand poohbah of holiday symbols. Its colorful stripes and distinctive shape makes it a shoe-in for easy decorating and a sweet treat available by the dozens in countless stores around town. According to food historians at the National Confectioner’s Association, the candy cane has a long and not so colorful (literally) past. Legend has it that in 1670, the choirmaster at a cathedral in …
One of the true joys of the holiday season is the opportunity to catch up with friends, or make some new ones, at holiday gatherings. Some years it seems every weekend is packed with parties or gatherings of some sort. Knowing that our festive Patch readers are nothing if not well-mannered, it seemed like a good time to offer a thought or two about hostess gifts. Many of us (this writer included) rely on a nice bottle of wine as way of expressing gratitude, but what better time of year to add a special flare than the holidays ? Hostess gifts are a token of appreciation offered to the person …
Thanksgiving week is upon us. If you’re cooking or hosting, the preparatory work has already begun. If you are travelling to spend the day with family or friends, your mouth is undoubtedly watering already. After dinner, football, dessert and napping have all been successfully completed, the annual parade of leftovers begins. Now, let the record state there is no better use of leftovers than the construction of the traditional gobbler sandwich. Turkey, stuffing and cranberry between two slices of hearty bread (a little mayo if you like) cannot be beat. But, with a little creativity, there…
Let the countdown begin; the annual Thanksgiving feast is approaching. With that comes the anticipation of all your favorites: turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing. All of it of course leads to the big finish, the classic array of pies. Apple, mince, pumpkin a variety of other sweet concoctions brings the Thanksgiving dinner to a glorious close. So, how did the traditional desserts acquire their place of honor at the annual feast? It is believed that the traditional pie pastry originated in Greece. The pies were made using a flour-water paste wrapped around meat. This served two purposes, to …
The observance of Halloween, dating back to Celtic rituals thousands of years ago, has long been associated with images of spooks and goblins. But its greatest claim to fame has to be the beloved tradition of trick-or-treating. We know that hundreds of costumed youngsters arrive on our doorsteps full of anticipation each year, ready to collect their bounty. But where did it all originate? As far back as the Middle or Dark Ages, the Catholic church approved the act of "souling," where beggars could go around asking for food, usually barley or oat cakes, in exchange for prayers. The prayers …
This week we continue to enjoy this summer’s harvest by exploring the various ways to prepare eggplant. Eggplant is optimally enjoyed when it is cooked. As a raw vegetable it can have a somewhat bitter taste, but becomes tender when cooked, developing a rich, complex flavor. Traditionally, recipes often advise salting, rinsing and draining of the sliced fruit. This is known as degorging. The degorging process softens and reduces the amount of fat absorbed during cooking, in addition to removing its bitterness. Eggplant is more versatile than you might think. It is often prepared as breaded …
If you aren’t passionate about ice cream this time of year (or any for that matter), read no further. This week’s article is dedicated to ice cream lovers exclusively who are a sizable and devout population. America’s obsession with the frozen concoction in its many forms has grown into a multimillion dollar industry. Indeed, it is devoured by all ages and the variations now available to consumers are endless. Believe it or not, the origins of ice cream can be traced back to at least the 4th century B.C. to the Roman emperor Nero who ordered ice to be brought from the mountains and combined …
Those of you with gardens realize that the fruits of your spring and summer labors are now making their debut. In our backyard, one of the first to arrive on the scene was zucchini. Zucchini is arguably the most versatile resident in your garden. It can be used as an appetizer, in a soup or salad, as an entrée, side dish and even in a few different desserts. The zucchini has a delicate flavor requiring little more than quick cooking, with its skin left in place, in butter or olive oil. Alternatively, zucchini can also be eaten raw, sliced or shredded in a cold salad, baked into muffins or …
In the spirit of full disclosure, I have never been a fan of cold soups. For whatever reason, it rubbed me the wrong way, so to speak. Soups are supposed to be hot and served in cold weather. Just the notion of a cold soup made me bristle. Well, all that has changed for me. I had the recent pleasure of attending a local cooking class with a friend, and lo and behold, I have seen the light. I’ll admit the peer pressure to sample the hard work of other classmates was what hooked me, but admittedly, now I am a proud convert. In general, there are lots of benefits to preparing soups. Soups are a …
This weekend, my husband and were invited to a cookout. Earlier, I wracked my brain about what I could bring that would eliminate any possibility of sparking up the oven in the midst of this heat wave. As I gazed out the window, I realized that the first fruits of the garden harvest had arrived. I’m not rushing the end of the season — I promise. But as the fruits of your garden labor arrive, it’s always fun to think of different ways you can enjoy them. I did and the culinary wheels started turning, directing my thoughts to salsas. Salsa is the Spanish word for sauce. In its most traditional …
The all-American hot dog — no single item is more synonymous with summer. Young and old alike crave them, whether grilled or steamed, at the ballpark or in the backyard. In my recent conversations with folks as I prepared this column, there is no doubt that there are strong feelings out there about prep method, brand and the all important topping options. Believe it or not, the National Council on Hot Dogs and Sausages (yes, it exists) reports that in 2010, consumers spent 1.6 billion dollars on hot dogs in super markets. So where did this wildly popular item originate? There are a number of …
Ahhh..steamy summer nights and the frozen margarita. You can’t deny it’s a pairing like no other. If you’re a margarita lover, you know that every Mexican restaurant and well-meaning bartender boasts their candidacy for the “world’s best margarita.” But a margarita aficionado knows that the traditional ingredients, well selected and appropriately portioned, make for a five-star refresher. Today, the variations are endless: strawberry, raspberry and new to the scene, the pomegranate margarita. The origins of the margarita are debatable. Tequila purveyors and various restaurateurs are quick …
Strawberry harvest is upon us in New England. Whether you procure them at a local produce stand such as Wagon Wheel or large scale supermarket chain like Shaws, strawberries are sure to provide a delightful taste explosion. Strawberries reach their peak in New England in June. Pick them when the color is a deep red for the optimal taste experience. A word of caution: strawberries are perishable, and should be handled with care. Freezing them is usually a good method for long-term storage. You should gently wash them to remove any traces of dirt or toxic substances such as fertilizers. Keep …
