Roger's View of the World, Love and Seafood Gumbo!
Seize the Day! Put no trust in the morrow! — Horace
Thanksgiving is the only holiday celebrated by virtually all Americans. It is a time for looking back on all we have and giving thanks. To prepare for such an event requires a lot of preparation … and a secret ‘energy bar’… in fact, the original energy bar (or as we jokingly refer to it as “Elf Bread”)… SHORT BREAD!
Happy thanksgiving!
Anyone faced with family coming home for the holidays has many things to balance to make the occasion enjoyable for all. The biggest challenge is to have all of the favorite foods that everyone prefers: Stroganoff, cured and spiced bbq ribs, homemade corned beef transformed into pastrami, a “Greek Night”, a ‘Turducken’, a few South African delicacies ( I am hoping for ‘Bobotie’)… and beef in many forms ( the Brazilians would be so proud!).
Oh I haven’t forgotten desserts, cookies and other goodies! I will be making some of President Washington’s favorite Eggnog from an old recipe that is guarenteed to be remembered!
Fortunately, much is in stages of development, but all will be ready when everyone arrives!
Bon appetite!
Roger
Scottish MacPhae Short bread , the original tax rebel’s treat
3 ½ cups of flour ( I use bread flour)
1 lb butter ( 4 cubes)
1 cup sugar (confectioners)
325 F for 45 minutes or until slightly brown
The texture of the short bread is very much a point of discussion and the process of blending the ingredients is varied. Purest stay strictly to the three ingredients, while those who want to have a more ‘crumbly’ shortbread add rice flour and those who want a denser cookie will add cornstarch; both are yummy. Some recipes, even some very old recipes, call for eggs and salt.
Regarding sugar, the traditional is a granulated white sugar, but there are recipes including: brown sugar or confectioner’s sugar. Some will add almond or vanilla flavorings and the toppings may include things like: nuts, icing, sesame seeds or even coconut.
Cooking temperature is low with much time in the oven at 275-350 degrees ranging from 15 – 45 minutes depending on the thickness of the product. Shortbread is supposed to be white or slightly brown.
“Sooo, what ya gonna do now ,laddie? eat somethin!”
There is a little butcher shop in the Village of Arroyo Grande, California with the grand name of Arroyo Grande Meat Company! If you are drving up the coast of central California it is worth a stop… they even make sandwiches.
I’ve been shopping here when I really need a quality piece of meat and their sausages are superb… or did you already notice that? From making their own corned beef to marinating tri tips ( in beer among other things) there is something for any carnivore. Although I have been coming here for around 30 years or so, there is something I always learn or discover. Yesterday, I asked if he had any rabbit… and he said they always keep a case or two in the back! Outstanding!
The meat under the hat above is a special marinated tri-tip that I further amend for a wonderful stroganoff.
bon appetite!
Roger
Today is really the start of baking season as folks start putting together what they want to serve their friends and families for Halloween, then comes the truly universal American Holiday of Thanksgiving and finallyDecember and for us that means Christmas.
As the father of adult children, when we all get together, it calls for something special. Memories of family foods and fun from times gone by for starters. Food is a way of keeping family close and traditions alive. My daughter Kristin, for example, is fixing some ‘seafood lasagna’ this weekend… it takes a lot of preparation… but it is an impressive dish!
Fortunately for me, I have lots of freezers!