My copy is on its way to my branch, yay! I am completely jazzed about making some flavored vinegars. I've done oils, but not vinegars. A friend is coming over and we're going to make them together. Few things are as much fun as food making with a woman friend.
Reading this was so much fun. I'm curious about the vinegars. Do you know does Balsamic vinegar get its thick, sweet consistency? And can one make Balsamic vinegar at home or does it need some kind of huge, fancy pressure cooker or something?
Of all the fun reading references, the one that I'm the most curious about how the potato chip came to be.
Thank you for such a delightful start to my day. Big hugs.
Stephers, good questions. Here's an explainer about balsamic--what it is, why it's sweet , what's available, what to look for: https://www.simplyrecipes.com/a_guide_to_balsamic_vinegar/ Not a project for your kitchen, although you can use balsamic as a base for more flavor/consistency additions. Look around on the web--it's being used in many different ways. (My most frequent use: add to my spaghetti sauce. Umami-rich!)
Having read the article, I get why I can’t do this in my own kitchen. Still, the ideas of flavored and altered vinegars is interesting to me and something I’ve not tried. I have used things like rosemary and basil in olive oils to create a flavor infused oil. And now I’m really eager to try adding balsamic to my spaghetti sauce. Thank you.
Back when I had boyfriends, one nice fellow sometimes made 'a favorite family treat' with sweetened condensed milk. This is where I need to say, 'Please, do not try this at home!'
Perhaps some of you are old enough to have heard of Icky-Gicky. I was suspicious when he put one of the small unopened cans in a pot of water and left it on a burner to heat just below a boil. This continued for at least 15 minutes, perhaps a good bit longer. Then the pan was removed from the heat and allowed to cool for about an hour. The can would still be warm. when opened to reveal a toffee like topping for ice cream or cake. It was good! But when said boyfriend's brother revealed that they were forbidden to make it in their mother's house, I wised up to why I had never heard of it before! Yes, it absolutely could explode! Which prompted warnings never to try boiling it in the tin. The guys were known to play with black powder and to try and make cannon balls. So, I was not surprised to hear that they made Icky-Gicky on their camping trips. Not interested in such doings, I let said boyfriend go his merry way. Still, I must admit that Icky-Gicky was a memorable treat!
Oh, well done Susan! On both items! The link has just the right amount of caution and humor! And yes, I have had that 3-ingredient fudge but forgotten all about it but liked it, too! 😄
I’ve done that too, Sandy - with EXTREME caution! - and agree it’s delicious, but prefer to buy the Dulce de Leche condensed milk rather than run the risk of a very messy explosion 😁
Good to know Lynn. I rather think my guys were in for the excitement as well as speeding up the process. Hence the drawing of straws to see who was going to crawl into the kitchen to turn the burner off! 🙄
Lots of great food celebrations in August. The vinegars sound wonderful, and I like them. However, they don't like me. My stomach won't tolerate the acidity anymore, and I'm allergic to balsamic vinegar due to the sulfites. I use vinegar more often for cleaning than cooking.
Food acidity can be an issue, yes--my daughter has to watch that. Re cleaning. I use it to clean up pans that have somehow (couldn't be my carelessness, could it?) gotten scorched. Add enough vinegar to cover the scorchy bits, heat to just boiling, and remove from the heat. By the time it's cool enough to handle, the scorchy stuff is usually history.
Unfortunately, my August list now includes flea removal. I am bringing home an orphaned kitty, spending the night in a motel. Discovered a live flea and skin irritation so treated her after a fast trip to a nearby Petco. But her carrier and bedding and our car could all have eggs. No good deed goes unpunished!
On the plus side, I got the library copy of Forget Me Never before I left and have now finished it. Brava!
I'm a big believer in essential oils (lavender, tea tree, citronella) as a repellant. Mix w/water, spray. Doesn't kill, just keeps them away. I use it for scorpions/snakes in the chickens' nest box. No snakes this year, and haven't seen the scorpions since I started spraying.
We’ve been lucky with our rescues lately, but did once have one so infested the only solution was a bath. Fortunately the kitten was fairly docile and turned out to have a beautiful coat but that was an unpleasant ordeal.
I arrived home and took all fabric that accompanied her first to the yard for a good shake, then into the washer. I removed some things like throw pillows and blankets from her isolation room before turning her loose. She was actively grooming while we were traveling, so I hope she is assisting with flea removal.
I’m late to the party today, still sorting, discarding, unpacking…was sorely tempted to take some time off to experiment with vinegars though. Maybe next week when I should be able to find things. I loved the vintage Eagle Brand poster as that’s what I have to do if Faye even suspects I might be eating something! And I’m definitely going to try those potatoes.
When I moved into my new home (less than 50% the size of our house in Idaho) I bought myself a new mug. It says, "Let the adventures begin." I toast you with my cup of tea!
It really is a voyage of discovery! Can’t believe how much I packed into my former bedroom - no wonder it was hard to find things! Now I’m working on discarding. Yesterday roasted a chicken, baked a squash and made gravy in my new-to-me oven, shared with the ‘neighbours’. Today my first visitor is coming to inspect 😁
I have read only Wicked Plants but plan to read more. I like plants so I enjoyed that one. I have no plans to do anyone in with the knowledge I gained!😺😺😺
On one trip to the UK my sister and I visited The Poison Garden at Alnwick Castle - there since 1750! It was revamped early in this century and now, for Health and Safety reasons, is festooned with signs begging visitors not to eat the plants 😂😂
Interesting place! Glad you got to visit there, Lynne. There's a short list of the 100s of plants here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alnwick_Garden I think maybe Alnwick doesn't post a plant list because they don't want somebody coming in to steal a few leaves. You can't wander there--it's all guided tours, 20 max. (I think the biohazard suits are for PR). 🙄
Biohazard suits? Wow - we didn’t get those, but it was pre Covid and we did just go in an look around. The Chelsea Physic garden also had a poison plant section - next to the Useful Plants! But haven’t been there for a long time so that too may be different.
You’re right, it’s everywhere, and beautiful - but SO toxic. Monkshood is another one. Caryll and I visited gardens all over the UK over the years and almost all had this beautiful, deadly plant.
Susan, you do realize that I am starting to book my reading into 2030! 🤣 And now it looks like I am going to need to start saving for gallons of vinegar!?! Who would have ever guessed what we are now asked to pay for even plain white vinegar, let alone apple cider vinegar!?! Still, I do make various salad dressing that are fruit and vinegar forward and these vinegars could go a long way to adding an extra kick of flavor with my favorite greens!! On the less salt and more herbs front, I am a regular user of thyme and Italian herb blends when cooking to off-set some of my salt use. And that has helped me to cut back on my salt use at the table. See my halo there! LOL
Agreed. I was thinking about making gifts and the costs now-a-days for the bottles and vinegar as compared to when I did such a project several years ago. Luckily, if I act fast, all of our fruit is in season and still fairly cheap. I need to be at least freezing some this week! Rather big on fruit with my Forager cashew yogurt for breakfast. 😋
A treasure-trove of references to pursue. I knew about the story o Pepsi - I also knew about trace amounts of cocaine in the original formula of Coca Cola. I did not know about condensed milk. I loved the movie with Meryl Streep. When I unboxed the box collection (27) from my in-laws, I found an old copy of Julia Child's book. Sadly mold had permeated the entire box.
I have had success removing moldy odors with those rocks that are sold as odor killer. I put the books in a tightly sealed bin with the rocks for about a week. I’d find what they are called if I were home….
Clearly the boxes had been wet at some time. Stored in basements in the East for 20+ years. Sadly many of the family photos in albums were so permeated that the paper just disintegrated when touched. As had family slides.
Georgeann, Sorry to hear about the mold. In the summer with a string of hot sunny days I have managed to vanquish mold from a few items by exposing them to hours of sunlight outside along with dusting with baking soda and followed with Lysol spray as needed. Actually worked!
Sadly these boxes had water in them at some time. And then sat for 20+ years. We lost many photo albums and a family slide collection, as well as many letters. The paper was so fragile they disintegrated when I touched any surface. Your sunlight treatment does work well in some instances.
I understand Georgeann. Very sad to lose your treasures like this. I too have had to let such things go. 20 years can go by so quickly when we are not looking. I do love hearing about your life and encourage you to post more. In their own way such posts are shared pictures, too. 🙂
Sadly, I only received the boxes after more than 20 years of storage. Nevertheless, I saved what I could. A few boxes were in pristine condition, so those pictures, documents, letters etc were intact. I made both digital and paper copies of some of them to send to family members. Files and family trees are recorded for posterity.
Streep simply inhabits a role, doesn't she? And Nora Ephron's script was a delight, start to finish. I read some of Julia Powell's blog and enjoyed it, and her process. But I learned recently about her 2022 death, at only 49, of cardiac arrest. https://www.bonappetit.com/story/julie-powell-tribute-friend Her life seems to have been full of remarkable adventures.
Sad about the mold, Georgeann. Books are truly perishable.
I had seen a few of the old TV programs where Julia presented various recipes. I did wonder of Meryl Streep watched those - her mannerisms were spot on.
This is packed many interesting facts and ideas, thank you! My Aunt lived in Chicago and she would tell us how it was pronounced, and it sounded kind of snooty. Well, now that I know the origin of the name, I know she wasn't being snooty, just closer to the Algonquin pronunciation. I love making vinegars, I should try fruit vinegar. I usually make the more savory/medicinal vinegars.
That sounds yummy, Susan! Mine is more medicinal but it tastes so good on my salads and grain/vegetables bowls for dinner. I wash and chop up onions, garlic, habanero peppers (or hotter if you want more heat), horseradish, ginger, and parsley, put it all into a big bowl and stir, and then I pour ACV (raw) over it and cover. I stir it twice a day for two weeks, then bottle it. It not only is really good on my food, but it helps keep illness at bay. Or if I'm sick, I'll take a spoonful of it several times a day.
It's actually really easy to make as I don't peel anything - the skins on everything is actually very good for us, too. I just chop everything up into smaller bits. It's a wonderful vinegar that I think he would like since he likes heat!
Absolutely will try some of the vinegars - they would make great Christmas gifts. I'm making a couple of batches of limoncello - one is halfway through and I added the sugar to it this morning. I use half a cup of lemon verbena leaves (packed) in 4 cups of vodka - put into a jar with a lid, shake now and then, and let brew for 2 weeks. Then add 2 cups sugar (I add about half a cup of very hot water to mostly melt the sugar before I add to the brew). Let sit another 2 weeks, shaking now and then. Strain and bottle (I use 1 cup jars with a latch lid made for liquids and it makes great Christmas gifts!
You can drink it plain, I like mine over ice, but just an ounce or so because it is strong. You can add sparkling water into it. Put a tablespoon in powdered sugar to make icing for a cake. Or a spoon over ice cream. Just about anything that calls for a touch of sweet lemon!
Jill, this sounds tasty--and positively full of spirits. Thanks for sharing! Also glad you mentioned the latch lid. I use those with quart jars for my dry milk mix and sugar mix for hummingbirds. Easier for arthritic hands to grasp/pour.
Yes, Flower Confidential and Gilding the Lily, both excellent. I skipped Wicked Plants. I rarely use plants to poison victims in the mysteries (exception: tobacco). Do you have a favorite?
I love how chockful of information and invitations to learn your publications are. Amazing!
Thanks, Leenie. I write to learn. And I love sharing. Thank you for reading!
It’s August 8 - happy International Cat Day 😸😻
My copy is on its way to my branch, yay! I am completely jazzed about making some flavored vinegars. I've done oils, but not vinegars. A friend is coming over and we're going to make them together. Few things are as much fun as food making with a woman friend.
Reading this was so much fun. I'm curious about the vinegars. Do you know does Balsamic vinegar get its thick, sweet consistency? And can one make Balsamic vinegar at home or does it need some kind of huge, fancy pressure cooker or something?
Of all the fun reading references, the one that I'm the most curious about how the potato chip came to be.
Thank you for such a delightful start to my day. Big hugs.
Stephers, good questions. Here's an explainer about balsamic--what it is, why it's sweet , what's available, what to look for: https://www.simplyrecipes.com/a_guide_to_balsamic_vinegar/ Not a project for your kitchen, although you can use balsamic as a base for more flavor/consistency additions. Look around on the web--it's being used in many different ways. (My most frequent use: add to my spaghetti sauce. Umami-rich!)
Having read the article, I get why I can’t do this in my own kitchen. Still, the ideas of flavored and altered vinegars is interesting to me and something I’ve not tried. I have used things like rosemary and basil in olive oils to create a flavor infused oil. And now I’m really eager to try adding balsamic to my spaghetti sauce. Thank you.
Back when I had boyfriends, one nice fellow sometimes made 'a favorite family treat' with sweetened condensed milk. This is where I need to say, 'Please, do not try this at home!'
Perhaps some of you are old enough to have heard of Icky-Gicky. I was suspicious when he put one of the small unopened cans in a pot of water and left it on a burner to heat just below a boil. This continued for at least 15 minutes, perhaps a good bit longer. Then the pan was removed from the heat and allowed to cool for about an hour. The can would still be warm. when opened to reveal a toffee like topping for ice cream or cake. It was good! But when said boyfriend's brother revealed that they were forbidden to make it in their mother's house, I wised up to why I had never heard of it before! Yes, it absolutely could explode! Which prompted warnings never to try boiling it in the tin. The guys were known to play with black powder and to try and make cannon balls. So, I was not surprised to hear that they made Icky-Gicky on their camping trips. Not interested in such doings, I let said boyfriend go his merry way. Still, I must admit that Icky-Gicky was a memorable treat!
Mmm...well, here are directions, if somebody wants to try it: https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a12060/homemade-dulce-de-leche/ My favorite use for sweetened condensed is in 3-ingredient fudge: 3 c chocolate chips, 1 can SC milk, 2 tblsp butter. Mix, microwave 1 min (only!), add 1+ cup chopped nuts.
Sounds yummy. Have added the ingredients to my next shopping list. Thanks for the recipe. Do you use pecans?
Yes. Bill's pecan trees keep us supplied. Walnuts work too, of course.
Oh, well done Susan! On both items! The link has just the right amount of caution and humor! And yes, I have had that 3-ingredient fudge but forgotten all about it but liked it, too! 😄
I’ve done that too, Sandy - with EXTREME caution! - and agree it’s delicious, but prefer to buy the Dulce de Leche condensed milk rather than run the risk of a very messy explosion 😁
Good to know Lynn. I rather think my guys were in for the excitement as well as speeding up the process. Hence the drawing of straws to see who was going to crawl into the kitchen to turn the burner off! 🙄
😱
🤣🤣🤣
Lots of great food celebrations in August. The vinegars sound wonderful, and I like them. However, they don't like me. My stomach won't tolerate the acidity anymore, and I'm allergic to balsamic vinegar due to the sulfites. I use vinegar more often for cleaning than cooking.
I frequently use vinegar when I clean the nose-prints from my windows. Works well!
Food acidity can be an issue, yes--my daughter has to watch that. Re cleaning. I use it to clean up pans that have somehow (couldn't be my carelessness, could it?) gotten scorched. Add enough vinegar to cover the scorchy bits, heat to just boiling, and remove from the heat. By the time it's cool enough to handle, the scorchy stuff is usually history.
Unfortunately, my August list now includes flea removal. I am bringing home an orphaned kitty, spending the night in a motel. Discovered a live flea and skin irritation so treated her after a fast trip to a nearby Petco. But her carrier and bedding and our car could all have eggs. No good deed goes unpunished!
On the plus side, I got the library copy of Forget Me Never before I left and have now finished it. Brava!
I'm a big believer in essential oils (lavender, tea tree, citronella) as a repellant. Mix w/water, spray. Doesn't kill, just keeps them away. I use it for scorpions/snakes in the chickens' nest box. No snakes this year, and haven't seen the scorpions since I started spraying.
We’ve been lucky with our rescues lately, but did once have one so infested the only solution was a bath. Fortunately the kitten was fairly docile and turned out to have a beautiful coat but that was an unpleasant ordeal.
I arrived home and took all fabric that accompanied her first to the yard for a good shake, then into the washer. I removed some things like throw pillows and blankets from her isolation room before turning her loose. She was actively grooming while we were traveling, so I hope she is assisting with flea removal.
Fingers crossed 🤞
I’m late to the party today, still sorting, discarding, unpacking…was sorely tempted to take some time off to experiment with vinegars though. Maybe next week when I should be able to find things. I loved the vintage Eagle Brand poster as that’s what I have to do if Faye even suspects I might be eating something! And I’m definitely going to try those potatoes.
When I moved into my new home (less than 50% the size of our house in Idaho) I bought myself a new mug. It says, "Let the adventures begin." I toast you with my cup of tea!
Back atcha, sister😁
Enjoy getting settled! Wonderful new adventure . . .
It really is a voyage of discovery! Can’t believe how much I packed into my former bedroom - no wonder it was hard to find things! Now I’m working on discarding. Yesterday roasted a chicken, baked a squash and made gravy in my new-to-me oven, shared with the ‘neighbours’. Today my first visitor is coming to inspect 😁
Hope you can make it all fit!
So far, so good - am first making sure all my book friends have a home 😁
I have read only Wicked Plants but plan to read more. I like plants so I enjoyed that one. I have no plans to do anyone in with the knowledge I gained!😺😺😺
On one trip to the UK my sister and I visited The Poison Garden at Alnwick Castle - there since 1750! It was revamped early in this century and now, for Health and Safety reasons, is festooned with signs begging visitors not to eat the plants 😂😂
Interesting place! Glad you got to visit there, Lynne. There's a short list of the 100s of plants here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alnwick_Garden I think maybe Alnwick doesn't post a plant list because they don't want somebody coming in to steal a few leaves. You can't wander there--it's all guided tours, 20 max. (I think the biohazard suits are for PR). 🙄
Biohazard suits? Wow - we didn’t get those, but it was pre Covid and we did just go in an look around. The Chelsea Physic garden also had a poison plant section - next to the Useful Plants! But haven’t been there for a long time so that too may be different.
Oops: the biohazard suit are pictured on the web, https://www.gardensillustrated.com/features/venomous-plant-world-gympie . And I did find a list of (at least some of) the plants, with photos. https://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/gardens/tour-the-alnwick-poison-garden-pictures I see Brugsmansia in nurseries frequently, and the sales people don't seem to know how toxic it is.
You’re right, it’s everywhere, and beautiful - but SO toxic. Monkshood is another one. Caryll and I visited gardens all over the UK over the years and almost all had this beautiful, deadly plant.
Susan, you do realize that I am starting to book my reading into 2030! 🤣 And now it looks like I am going to need to start saving for gallons of vinegar!?! Who would have ever guessed what we are now asked to pay for even plain white vinegar, let alone apple cider vinegar!?! Still, I do make various salad dressing that are fruit and vinegar forward and these vinegars could go a long way to adding an extra kick of flavor with my favorite greens!! On the less salt and more herbs front, I am a regular user of thyme and Italian herb blends when cooking to off-set some of my salt use. And that has helped me to cut back on my salt use at the table. See my halo there! LOL
Yes, it doesn't take much jazzed-up vinegar to jolt a few greens. 😘
Agreed. I was thinking about making gifts and the costs now-a-days for the bottles and vinegar as compared to when I did such a project several years ago. Luckily, if I act fast, all of our fruit is in season and still fairly cheap. I need to be at least freezing some this week! Rather big on fruit with my Forager cashew yogurt for breakfast. 😋
A treasure-trove of references to pursue. I knew about the story o Pepsi - I also knew about trace amounts of cocaine in the original formula of Coca Cola. I did not know about condensed milk. I loved the movie with Meryl Streep. When I unboxed the box collection (27) from my in-laws, I found an old copy of Julia Child's book. Sadly mold had permeated the entire box.
Thanks for all your efforts.
I have had success removing moldy odors with those rocks that are sold as odor killer. I put the books in a tightly sealed bin with the rocks for about a week. I’d find what they are called if I were home….
Clearly the boxes had been wet at some time. Stored in basements in the East for 20+ years. Sadly many of the family photos in albums were so permeated that the paper just disintegrated when touched. As had family slides.
Oh, slides, yes. We've lost many over the years, even in good storage. They discolor, disintegrate.
Georgeann, Sorry to hear about the mold. In the summer with a string of hot sunny days I have managed to vanquish mold from a few items by exposing them to hours of sunlight outside along with dusting with baking soda and followed with Lysol spray as needed. Actually worked!
Sadly these boxes had water in them at some time. And then sat for 20+ years. We lost many photo albums and a family slide collection, as well as many letters. The paper was so fragile they disintegrated when I touched any surface. Your sunlight treatment does work well in some instances.
I understand Georgeann. Very sad to lose your treasures like this. I too have had to let such things go. 20 years can go by so quickly when we are not looking. I do love hearing about your life and encourage you to post more. In their own way such posts are shared pictures, too. 🙂
Sadly, I only received the boxes after more than 20 years of storage. Nevertheless, I saved what I could. A few boxes were in pristine condition, so those pictures, documents, letters etc were intact. I made both digital and paper copies of some of them to send to family members. Files and family trees are recorded for posterity.
Streep simply inhabits a role, doesn't she? And Nora Ephron's script was a delight, start to finish. I read some of Julia Powell's blog and enjoyed it, and her process. But I learned recently about her 2022 death, at only 49, of cardiac arrest. https://www.bonappetit.com/story/julie-powell-tribute-friend Her life seems to have been full of remarkable adventures.
Sad about the mold, Georgeann. Books are truly perishable.
I had seen a few of the old TV programs where Julia presented various recipes. I did wonder of Meryl Streep watched those - her mannerisms were spot on.
Bet she did, even if just to study the culinary techniques.
This is packed many interesting facts and ideas, thank you! My Aunt lived in Chicago and she would tell us how it was pronounced, and it sounded kind of snooty. Well, now that I know the origin of the name, I know she wasn't being snooty, just closer to the Algonquin pronunciation. I love making vinegars, I should try fruit vinegar. I usually make the more savory/medicinal vinegars.
Do you have a favorite vinegar, Pamela? Mine has been rosemary, which I use with rice dishes.
That sounds yummy, Susan! Mine is more medicinal but it tastes so good on my salads and grain/vegetables bowls for dinner. I wash and chop up onions, garlic, habanero peppers (or hotter if you want more heat), horseradish, ginger, and parsley, put it all into a big bowl and stir, and then I pour ACV (raw) over it and cover. I stir it twice a day for two weeks, then bottle it. It not only is really good on my food, but it helps keep illness at bay. Or if I'm sick, I'll take a spoonful of it several times a day.
Now THAT sounds like a vinegar Bill would love. I can't manage chile heat, and we're always looking for ways to individually season his food.
It's actually really easy to make as I don't peel anything - the skins on everything is actually very good for us, too. I just chop everything up into smaller bits. It's a wonderful vinegar that I think he would like since he likes heat!
Agree!
Absolutely will try some of the vinegars - they would make great Christmas gifts. I'm making a couple of batches of limoncello - one is halfway through and I added the sugar to it this morning. I use half a cup of lemon verbena leaves (packed) in 4 cups of vodka - put into a jar with a lid, shake now and then, and let brew for 2 weeks. Then add 2 cups sugar (I add about half a cup of very hot water to mostly melt the sugar before I add to the brew). Let sit another 2 weeks, shaking now and then. Strain and bottle (I use 1 cup jars with a latch lid made for liquids and it makes great Christmas gifts!
Your Limoncello - which sounds intriguing, reminded me of a landlord who used to make Cherry Bounce in a 2-3 gallon crock covered with cherry leaves to give out at Christmas. Here's a good and said to be original version: https://okramagazine.wordpress.com/2013/12/17/martha-washingtons-original-cherry-bounce/
Since I have little knowledge of "spirits," what do you do with the limoncello?
You can drink it plain, I like mine over ice, but just an ounce or so because it is strong. You can add sparkling water into it. Put a tablespoon in powdered sugar to make icing for a cake. Or a spoon over ice cream. Just about anything that calls for a touch of sweet lemon!
I've never made it, Georgeann--Jill mentioned to me that makes it as gifts. Also found this--the photos are simply luscious! https://www.olivemagazine.com/recipes/collection/ways-to-use-limoncello/
Jill, this sounds tasty--and positively full of spirits. Thanks for sharing! Also glad you mentioned the latch lid. I use those with quart jars for my dry milk mix and sugar mix for hummingbirds. Easier for arthritic hands to grasp/pour.
Yes much easier to open!
My Mom cooked a lot of the Julia Child recipes back in the day.
Have you read any plant books by Amy Stewart?
Yes, Flower Confidential and Gilding the Lily, both excellent. I skipped Wicked Plants. I rarely use plants to poison victims in the mysteries (exception: tobacco). Do you have a favorite?