Holland is known for a lot of things: The Hague, Anne Frank's attic, and don't forget legalization of prostitution and marijuana. It is not known for its' culinary cotributions (well , except for cookies). yet it is hardy fare,s trong like the Dutch people themselves.
Mostly The Netherlands is known for its' cheeses. We all are familiar with the creamy Edam and nutty flavored Gouda. Spiced cheeses are also popular. The Dutch are big on their version of sauerkraut as well.
Like their German neighbors, the Dutch have a sweet tooth. They make several different kinds of cakes and fritters for the holidays as well as having chocolates and fondants.
Dutch cooking reflects its' people. It is hardy.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Fall Treats
There's nothing that says fall like the smell of fresh fried doughnuts or the vibrant glaze of a jellied apple. This is the season when farms bring out all sorts of goodies (and not just pumpkins and Indian corn. Take advantage of what's out there.
During this season enjoy what your farms have. Some will be getting cheddar wheels in from Vermont and Wisconsin . Treat yourself and your family to a nice wedge. This is the perfect cheese for grilled cheese as well as just plain on toasted French. Another farm treat is honey which is good in tea but also excellent for baking. Some stands have their own bake shops that are known for not only doughnuts but apple crumb cakes, pies , and large cookies. Also take advantage of the homemade fudge brownies they'll have as well as the breads.
Candies play a big part in farm merchandise. A few will have divinity fudge as well as the old fashioned cocoa walnut. Be on the lookout for maple candies too (as well as fresh maple syrup). The big draw (besides the pumpkin picking) are the candy and caramel apples. These are usually fresh made with apples from the farm's orchards. By some for now and then some for later. Of course there will be fresh fruits such as apples and pears. get your baskets of them for some fall desserts.
This autumn, take a stop at your local farms. There are so many good foods waiting for you. You can have your choice form homemade pies, to candy apples to cookies to doughnuts,
During this season enjoy what your farms have. Some will be getting cheddar wheels in from Vermont and Wisconsin . Treat yourself and your family to a nice wedge. This is the perfect cheese for grilled cheese as well as just plain on toasted French. Another farm treat is honey which is good in tea but also excellent for baking. Some stands have their own bake shops that are known for not only doughnuts but apple crumb cakes, pies , and large cookies. Also take advantage of the homemade fudge brownies they'll have as well as the breads.
Candies play a big part in farm merchandise. A few will have divinity fudge as well as the old fashioned cocoa walnut. Be on the lookout for maple candies too (as well as fresh maple syrup). The big draw (besides the pumpkin picking) are the candy and caramel apples. These are usually fresh made with apples from the farm's orchards. By some for now and then some for later. Of course there will be fresh fruits such as apples and pears. get your baskets of them for some fall desserts.
This autumn, take a stop at your local farms. There are so many good foods waiting for you. You can have your choice form homemade pies, to candy apples to cookies to doughnuts,
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Food of Africa
Like Europe and Asia, Africa has a wide variety of cultures and cuisines.What makes their food so special is that mnany countries do not have an abundance of it. Unlike the other continents, famine is rampant. Yet , despite this , every area has a weath of dishes that are unique and flavorful.
African cuisine ca nbe divided into regional rather than by separate countries. There's north, east, central, south, and west. The North is facing the Meditererenean and like it's European neighbors of Italy, ,Greece and Spain, there is an abundance of olive sand olive oil. North Africans eat many rice dishes and there are an abundance of spices in the cuisine.East Africa is influenced by them along with East Indian cooking. They too have dishes that are flavored with cardamon and cinnamon and mostly all have a side of rice.East Africans also have ugali , a polenta type corn mash that is used to sop up stews and gravies. Saffron and pomengranate also are popular and much used flavors there too.Unike the Muslim North, the East Africans do have pork in their diet along with chicken and lamb.
The continent is also a study in the traditonal and the foreign. Central Africa is possibly the most untouched of all the regions and therefore has the purest. One standout out dish is a savory spinach stew made with fresh spinach leaves, peppers and onions., The only foreign influences there are tomatoes, chilis and peanuts - sad reminder s of Central Africa's link with the slave trade. South Africa is by far the most worldly of all the areas. It is inflkuenced by the Dutch, french,m english as well as the East Indian and Asian. It is called the rainbow cusines because of the rich variety of dishes and flavors.
American Southern cusine has West Africa ot thank for its's origins. Sadly, this was the area where most of the indigenous people were taken into slavery. Their cooking influneced the way the South ate. They brought their love of fried foods as well as yams, sweet potatoes and black eyed peas. The West Africans also eat a polenta type dish known as fufu. Fish is also on the menu and it is usally cooked in oil and then flaked. The West Africans also produce a wine made from fermented palm leaves.
Africa has just as many varied and rich cuisines as Europe and Asia. Unlike these continents it has to endure famine and hardship. Yet it produces some of the best dishes in the world,
African cuisine ca nbe divided into regional rather than by separate countries. There's north, east, central, south, and west. The North is facing the Meditererenean and like it's European neighbors of Italy, ,Greece and Spain, there is an abundance of olive sand olive oil. North Africans eat many rice dishes and there are an abundance of spices in the cuisine.East Africa is influenced by them along with East Indian cooking. They too have dishes that are flavored with cardamon and cinnamon and mostly all have a side of rice.East Africans also have ugali , a polenta type corn mash that is used to sop up stews and gravies. Saffron and pomengranate also are popular and much used flavors there too.Unike the Muslim North, the East Africans do have pork in their diet along with chicken and lamb.
The continent is also a study in the traditonal and the foreign. Central Africa is possibly the most untouched of all the regions and therefore has the purest. One standout out dish is a savory spinach stew made with fresh spinach leaves, peppers and onions., The only foreign influences there are tomatoes, chilis and peanuts - sad reminder s of Central Africa's link with the slave trade. South Africa is by far the most worldly of all the areas. It is inflkuenced by the Dutch, french,m english as well as the East Indian and Asian. It is called the rainbow cusines because of the rich variety of dishes and flavors.
American Southern cusine has West Africa ot thank for its's origins. Sadly, this was the area where most of the indigenous people were taken into slavery. Their cooking influneced the way the South ate. They brought their love of fried foods as well as yams, sweet potatoes and black eyed peas. The West Africans also eat a polenta type dish known as fufu. Fish is also on the menu and it is usally cooked in oil and then flaked. The West Africans also produce a wine made from fermented palm leaves.
Africa has just as many varied and rich cuisines as Europe and Asia. Unlike these continents it has to endure famine and hardship. Yet it produces some of the best dishes in the world,
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Back In The Pantry Again!!!!!
Hey everyone,
It feels good to be back in the pantry again!!! My prehistoric computer of 8 years finally went to techie heaven and I was stuck! I'm working on a laptop right now (big adjustment) but I'll be able to write more informative entries for all you foodies out there! There's a lot to write about to be sure. I wanted to cover African and Dutch cuisine along with fall favorites but couldn't. Now I can and give you the same good quality foodie info as before
Tomorrow I'll be writing about the various tastes of the African continent.
Ciao
Liz
It feels good to be back in the pantry again!!! My prehistoric computer of 8 years finally went to techie heaven and I was stuck! I'm working on a laptop right now (big adjustment) but I'll be able to write more informative entries for all you foodies out there! There's a lot to write about to be sure. I wanted to cover African and Dutch cuisine along with fall favorites but couldn't. Now I can and give you the same good quality foodie info as before
Tomorrow I'll be writing about the various tastes of the African continent.
Ciao
Liz
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Technical Trouble
Sorry everyone.
Dues to tecvh trouble there will be no entry (or column or whatever today.) Hopefully the problem will be fixed by Monday.
Eat well.
Liz
Dues to tecvh trouble there will be no entry (or column or whatever today.) Hopefully the problem will be fixed by Monday.
Eat well.
Liz
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Home with the family
Since it's September 11th I'm not going to write about the usual. I'm just going to tell you guys to share a meal with your family and friends today. Enjoy each other's company and be lucky you have a country that appreciates your rich culture and traditions.
Also if you have the time, have a coffee with a friend you haven't seen. Hang out with cousins, aunts and uncles, along with grandparents and godparents you don't see as often as you'd like. Bring them their favorite doughnuts or treat them or the last batches of Italian ice. laugh over old times. Plan fall weekends where you can go apple picking or enjoy an early autumn beach.
Remember - always make however small the meal together special.
Liz
Also if you have the time, have a coffee with a friend you haven't seen. Hang out with cousins, aunts and uncles, along with grandparents and godparents you don't see as often as you'd like. Bring them their favorite doughnuts or treat them or the last batches of Italian ice. laugh over old times. Plan fall weekends where you can go apple picking or enjoy an early autumn beach.
Remember - always make however small the meal together special.
Liz
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
A Kiss Is Not Just A Kiss
Giess what classic has been reinventing itself? Not no th e sacred Oreo although that would be a pretty good guess. It's the Hershey's Kiss.All of a sudden you can now get it in "flavors"!
Hershey's Kisses were born in 1907 and got their name possibly from the sound of the chocolate being extruded from the machine that made them. Up until recently they were just solid milk chocolate. Now they come in solid dark, mixed with white (the Hugs)) or with cherry , peanut butter or truffle filling. As much as I like the original I really love the cherry and peanut butter. The cherry is reminiscent of the Cella's brand of chocolate covered cherries and the peanut butter is a notch above Reese's Cups (sorry Reese's).
There are also cookie Kisses which are kiss shaped cookies either filled with chips or sprinkles. These are OK.
What I just found out is that you can special order the kisses with different tags.Getting hitched? Then order the ones with the JUST MARRIED tags sticking out of them. Having a baby? You can get pink or blue foil wrapped ones with the appropriate messages. There are even birthday , congratulation and thank you kisses. These would be th e perfect party table treat at a shower or party. You can only order these from Hershey's.com/kisses.
Well I guess Casablanca's them song isn't true. A kiss isn't just a kiss anymore. It's something more. A special candy that' just reinvented itself
Hershey's Kisses were born in 1907 and got their name possibly from the sound of the chocolate being extruded from the machine that made them. Up until recently they were just solid milk chocolate. Now they come in solid dark, mixed with white (the Hugs)) or with cherry , peanut butter or truffle filling. As much as I like the original I really love the cherry and peanut butter. The cherry is reminiscent of the Cella's brand of chocolate covered cherries and the peanut butter is a notch above Reese's Cups (sorry Reese's).
There are also cookie Kisses which are kiss shaped cookies either filled with chips or sprinkles. These are OK.
What I just found out is that you can special order the kisses with different tags.Getting hitched? Then order the ones with the JUST MARRIED tags sticking out of them. Having a baby? You can get pink or blue foil wrapped ones with the appropriate messages. There are even birthday , congratulation and thank you kisses. These would be th e perfect party table treat at a shower or party. You can only order these from Hershey's.com/kisses.
Well I guess Casablanca's them song isn't true. A kiss isn't just a kiss anymore. It's something more. A special candy that' just reinvented itself
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