Poppyseeds Pop

Poppy seeds are one of those ingredients that are always overlooked. They are not only decorative , they also add flavor to anything. They're a fun way of sprucing up ordinary foods from bagels to salads. Sprinkle just a few or add a handful to create an entirely new dish.

Poppy seeds come from the same poppy that creates opium.It is an oilseed, mostly used in baking however it can be washed to make what's known as poppy tea.Don't worry about being drugged if you eat a poppy seed bagel or have it sprinkled in salad. The opiate level is very low. There are only trace amount s in each seed.Black poppy seeds are most prevalent in the US however in Europe they can be both black and white. Premium ones from Holland are slate blue in color.The seeds may appear round to the eye however look a little more closely and discover that they are really kidney shaped.

German and Polish bakers use poppy seeds the most, namely in baking, Buns and cakes often are laced with them for color and crunch. Central Europeans love a strudel made with a poppy seed paste.They can also be crushed and mixed with honey to make a candy bar that is popular in the Balkans and in Greece. Poppy seeds are also ground in a fine paste and mixed with rum, vanilla,orange zest, raisins, almonds walnuts or heavy cream to create a thick filling for rolls.Jewish cuisine calls for poppy seeds during the festival of Purim. Indian cuisine goes the other way using the white variety in savory dishes such as korma. Here in the US , the seeds are best known for gracing bagels  and adding extra zip to salads whether on their own or in dressings.

Poppy seeds really do make foods pop. They are a great addition to any dish. Try them in savory or making a traditional strudel or cake! They bring crunch and fun, along with a distinct flavor.

Happy Birthday Cake

Yes, today is my birthday (it's also Samuel Taylor Coleridge's birthday and the anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar).I've decided to dedicate today's entry to the birthday cake. We all have good memories of them.

The birthday cake has been around since ancient Greek times when they made simple cakes for each other. They had to be round like the sun or the moon to celebrate "the circle of life". Also the Greeks put candles on them so that they would glow like the moon. Our wish making comes form them as well because the Greeks believe that the smoke could carry wishes and prayers to the gods. The 16th Century Germans also picked up on this but believed that one single taper in a cake represented the light of life.
We still carry these customs to this day. Another custom is smearing the celebrant's name on the cake so that the wish will come true.

If any of you out there has a good birthday cake recipe share it with us. I'd love to hear about your memories of butter cream roses or birthday cakes shaped like castles.