Daily – Page 16 – Sugar And Spice… Among Other Things

Yorkshire, Pudding and a Twist

Posted on October 15, 2019September 24, 2019 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

Flour. Eggs. Milk.

On one quiet Sunday afternoon, these four staple ingredients in the pantry brought out the urge to try something different for the Sunday dinner. As the option of sweet or savoury were being considered, the experimentation ran into attempts at making Yorkshire pudding.

One of the most favoured English dishes, Yorkshire pudding is a baked pudding which can be served in numerous ways. From being a main course dish served with meat and gravy or filled with banger and mash or made into dessert with fillings of chocolate, the options keep on changing depending on the choice of ingredients, the size of the pudding, and the accompanying components of the dish.

“Make a good batter as for pancakes; put in a hot toss-pan over the fire with a bit of butter to fry the bottom a little then put the pan and butter under a shoulder of mutton, instead of a dripping pan, keeping frequently shaking it by the handle and it will be light and savoury, and fit to take up when your mutton is enough; then turn it in a dish and serve it hot.
– A recipe for “a dripping pudding” as published in the book “The Whole Duty of a Woman” by Lady A; Kenrick, William (1737).

Source:https://metro.co.uk/2016/02/07/national-yorkshire-pudding-day-9-delicious-and-easy-yorkie-dishes-to-blow-your-taste-buds-5663313/

Source:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Traditional.Sunday.Roast-01.jpg

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

While the exact origins of this dish aren’t traced to any particular era, the recipe in records was seen in the sixteenth century. Originally this dish was believed to be served as first course to dull the appetite for the main meat and vegetables served as the second course. In poorer households, the pudding was often served as the only course. As to the name “Yorkshire”, the probability lies in the crispier batter of the pudding in this region, made so by the higher temperatures produced by the coal.

One of the reasons of its’ popularity lies in the ease of cooking. By pouring the batter made from milk (or water), flour and eggs ( basic ratio of 1/3rd cup flour and 1/3rd liquid per egg), into preheated, oiled, baking pans, ramekins or muffin tins (in the case of miniature puddings), they can be made steamed, in the pan or ovens. A steamed recipe involves covering the pudding with grease proof paper to steam it and then serve with jam and butter (1926).

“It is an exceeding good pudding, the gravy of the meat eats well with it,” states Glasse. “…. To set your stew-pan on it under your meat, and let the dripping drop on the pudding and the heat of the fire come to it, to make it of a fine brown.” (recipe as recorded in The Art of Cookery Made Plain and Easy by Hannah Glasse (1747)).

Source:https://metro.co.uk/2016/02/07/national-yorkshire-pudding-day-9-delicious-and-easy-yorkie-dishes-to-blow-your-taste-buds-5663313/

Source:https://metro.co.uk/2016/02/07/national-yorkshire-pudding-day-9-delicious-and-easy-yorkie-dishes-to-blow-your-taste-buds-5663313/Source:https://metro.co.uk/2016/02/07/national-yorkshire-pudding-day-9-delicious-and-easy-yorkie-dishes-to-blow-your-taste-buds-5663313/

The versatility of the Yorkshire pudding can be felt across the various cuisines. With Laplanders (also known as popovers) of the American cuisine, these are light rolls made from an egg batter similar to that of Yorkshire pudding, typically baked in muffin tins or dedicated popover pans (straight-walled sides rather than angled). Similar dishes ( batter based savoury dishes) include the French gougère (a savoury choux pastry mixed with cheese), Bismarck or Dutch baby pancakes, takoyaki (a Japanese puff batter dumpling with octopus) or the more elaborate dish of “Toad in the Hole”. Traditional variants with local flours like sago, split gram flour, gluten free or palaeo based Yorkshire puddings and the like have been tried. The beauty of experimentation of the different recipes lies in simple adaptation, palatability and above all, bringing a bit of another culture to the table.

Half a pound of flour
1 ounce of butter
2 eggs
Milk to mix
Put the half-pound of flour into a basin and rub in the butter. Make a hollow in the centre of the mixture and break in the egg, beat well adding the milk gradually until all is mixed. Then beat for a further fifteen minutes, when the mixture coats a spoon it is ready. Grease a pudding basin and pour in the mixture, cover with greaseproof paper and steam for one and a half hours. Serve with jam, butter and sugar. [Note, for cooking the water should only come half way up the dish.
Source: Recipes Past and Present. A Wootton Bridge Historical website

Source:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popover#/media/File:Popovers_2.jpg

Source:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_baby_pancake#/media/File:DutchBabyWithSides.jpg

Source:https://metro.co.uk/2016/02/07/national-yorkshire-pudding-day-9-delicious-and-easy-yorkie-dishes-to-blow-your-taste-buds-5663313/

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

Source:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Yorkies_in_cast_iron_frypan.JPG

Daily, Personal Musings, Quotes, Reflections, Stories Around the World, Work

Across the Road

Posted on October 14, 2019June 10, 2019 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

“The art of life lies in a constant readjustment to our surroundings.” Kakuzo Okakura, The Book of Tea

While visiting the extended family as a part of the routine monthly road trip; travel sickness, traffic gridlocks and bad roads are major issues often encountered. Although one comes out of them to reach the farmstead, time is often lost. Consequently after two long journeys courtesy of road congestion, we had decided to leave a little early, around the wee morning hours. Although it was difficult packing up the family including toddler, pets and all for a two day stay; the task was accomplished with joint effort of both the adults. While the first journey was successful, the second was bad due to the unprecedented rains and really bad worn out roads. Consequently the route was adjusted to include the state highways. Though extra distance was covered, the journey was not hampered by bad roads or excessively heavy traffic. Change from the familiar and adaptability to the situation paved way for the smooth travel.

“I cannot say whether things will get better if we change; what I can say is they must change if they are to get better.” Georg C. Lichtenberg

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

There may be similar instances in our lives, wherein one has to take a different route to reach the final target. Even though the final target is an appreciated goal, deflecting from the routine, known or approved approach encounters a lot of courage and foresight to go ahead, in the face of open opposition and criticism. A lot of security is often laid at doing something in the known way. While the “known” helps one many a time, at times it is necessary to try a different technique to achieve the purpose.

“The price of doing the same old thing is far higher than the price of change.” Bill Clinton

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

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Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Through history and time, to try again and not give up has been the requisite for achievement of any goal, dream or target. Yet constantly trying to find a way out through the tiny spaces of the bricks doesn’t help us cross the path, unless one remodels the bricks to a more suitable form. Simply putting in extra hours isn’t the sole method to achieve more. Instead finding an alternative method, correct, true and just with adequate effort, perseverance and determination combined with intelligence and smart honest work helps us reach the dream. When the stakes are solely set on “harder than ever” instead of “trying better, different and with thought”; the former may kill the chance of a breakthrough.

“You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.” Buckminster Fuller

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

I’m sitting in a quiet room at the Millcroft Inn, a peaceful little place hidden back among the pine trees about an hour out of Toronto. It’s just past noon, late July, and I’m listening to the desperate sounds of a life-or-death struggle going on a few feet away. There is a small fly burning out the last of its short life’s energy in a futile attempt to fly through the glass of the windowpane. The whining wings tell the poignant story of the fly’s strategy – try harder. But it’s not working. The frenzied effort offers no hope for survival. Ironically, the struggle is part of the trap. It is impossible for the fly to try hard enough to succeed at breaking the glass. Nevertheless, this little insect has staked its life on reaching its goal through raw effort and determination. This fly is doomed. It will die there on the windowsill.
Across the room, ten steps away, the door is open. Ten seconds of flying time and this small creature could reach the outside world it seeks. With only a fraction of the effort now being wasted, it could be free of this self-imposed trap. The breakthrough possibility is there. It would be so easy.
Why doesn’t the fly try another approach, something dramatically different? How did it get so locked in on the idea that this particular route, and determined effort, offers the promise of success? What logic is there in continuing, until death, to seek a breakthrough with ‘more of the same’? No doubt this approach makes sense to the fly. Regrettably, it’s an idea that will kill.
Author: Price Pritchett

“If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.” Henry Ford

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Daily, Family and Society, Personal Musings, poetry, Reflections

To Hold On

Posted on October 13, 2019June 25, 2019 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

“Life consists not in holding good cards but in playing those you hold well.” Josh Billings

Experiencing the exhilaration of doing something right in the face of silent opposition, underhand criticism or open disapproval is something to remember. Each one of us may have experienced this feeling at some point of time. From the right career choice to change of employment; settling down and establishing their own roots to even the choice of school for own children. Living in the day, today everybody is entitled to their thoughts and comments. Yet the art of living today, lies in knowing what to hold onto, when to hold on to and when it is the right time for a change.

“Just dream big. Go for it. There’s nothing holding you back. You can have ups and downs, but if you believe in something, keep the faith; keep fighting. And don’t let people put you down.” Geraint Thomas

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Moments of self doubt, despair and insecurities lie within each one of us. Sometimes it may be evident, other times brimming at the surface or hiding silently beneath. Overcoming all those occasions lie in holding on to their own root beliefs, dreams and practicalities. Knowing that convincing another is to be done only when required. In fact it took years for the layman to believe that the earth was round, although the idea of spherical earth had appeared in the Greek philosophy with documentations of Pythagoras (6th century BC). If such a simple though took years to be approved from then by the mass public, convincing the whole world around one would result in lost time and opportunities. Hold on to own true self and things will work out.

“Moments never stay, whether or not you ask them, they do not care, no moment cares, and the ones you wish could stretch out like a hammock for you to lie in, well, those moments leave the quickest and take everything good with them, little burglars, those moments, those hours, those days you loved the most.” Catherine Lacey, Nobody Is Ever Missing

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Hold On…
A Pueblo Indian Prayer

Hold on to what is good,
even if it’s a handful of earth.

Hold on to what you believe,
even if it’s a tree that stands by itself.

Hold on to what you must do,
even if it’s a long way from here.

Hold on to your life,
even if it’s easier to let go.

Hold on to my hand,
even if I’ve gone away from you.

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Daily, Personal Musings, Quotes, Random Thoughts

Silent Change

Posted on October 11, 2019June 7, 2019 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

“How did it get so late so soon?” Dr. Seuss

Watching my toddler buy his new shoes highlights the fact of how fast this little child is growing. Comparing with the regular pattern of behaviour, unlike the constant tantrums and upheavals while leaving the comfort of his home and familiar surroundings, today he is more keen to attend school, accompany to grocery shopping and help out in the garden, in spite of the little bugs and ants crawling around. Over time, there has been a change in the understanding of the world around him. While one observes the changes in others’ especially children, their own changes often go unnoticed. While some changes are good, some aren’t desired ones.

“Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.” Mother Theresa

Source:https://vk.com/monahos

One of the less desired changes in the adult life over time, is the occasional “putting off of the goals, priorities, to-do list or responsibilities” which later get morphed into the “art of doing it tomorrow”. Procrastination has been one of the deadliest vices of man. Believing in the ready availability of tomorrow, one often tends to take the today for granted. Little does one remember or acknowledge that, to get to the tomorrow around the corner, one has to walk of today. Instead of walking but taking a few paces, tomorrow will be on the same road and not around the corner. While putting off the seemingly tedious tasks of today, they won’t be gone tomorrow.

One has to do what is necessary to be done, at the given point of time in their lives. Doing it at the right time is what matters.

Source:https://vk.com/monahos

Too lazy to start on the weight loss goals, do them soon before the “diseases of the modern lifestyle” take complete hold of one’s schedule or life. Putting off the roof repair plans, would result in a collapse during the unexpected downpour. Putting off doing the embroidery hobby one is fond of, do it soon before there is even less time in the future. All it takes is one start for a few minutes. Eventually the flow will set in and before one knows, the task is tried, perfected and accomplished. That sense of self achievement, pride and wonder is one to treasure and review for inspiration and courage during hard moments.

“For what it’s worth: it’s never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope you have the courage to start all over again.” Eric Roth

Source:https://vk.com/monahos

Daily, Family and Society, poetry, Quotes, Reflections, Stories Around the World

Sliver of Hope

Posted on October 10, 2019June 6, 2019 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

“Once you choose hope, anything’s possible.” Christopher Reeve

While awaiting scholarship and university acceptance for higher studies, volunteering in the cancer ward at the city hospital for brownie points was one of my interim jobs. The experience during those three short months was enlightening and had a paramount influence in the later years of my life. Seeing the faces of different years, from the young adult to the elderly as they underwent the various stages of their treatment be it chemo or radiation or both had a wide range of emotions running across them. While there was disbelief, despair and regret at the initial phases it was the acceptance, hope and the will to survive that had surfaced as the treatment progressed. Although some responded and some didn’t, it was the will to try and the hope for better tomorrow that gave the will to live today.

“It is because of hope that you suffer. It is through hope that you’ll change things.” Maxime Lagacé

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Carrying those memories towards the later years of life, one gears up to face setbacks and disappointments of life with perseverance and will to go on. What drives the person in the face of all odds, is the promise and hope of the future. In fact, hope is really a special, wonderful and marvellous gift from God, Time and Faith. Although hope may vary, bend around the corners, twists to a very thin segment and hides from plain sight, it never breaks or vanishes as long as one never forgets it. When the darkness, doubt and despair set in; it is hope that sustains one, giving a reason to go on, courage to let go and move ahead. Instead of giving up or sinking down, it is hope that helps one to stay afloat and survive.

“I dwell in possibility.” Emily Dickinson

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

While one needs to sustain and nurture hope to get out of tough times; sitting simply and twiddling doesn’t help. Instead combine fortitude, strength and courage with a heavy dose of knowledge, foresight, will and hope to go ahead and face the situation. Although one hopes for the best, preparation for the worst scenario should be made. Refresh the hope and the will to survive, then event he darkest corner would light up.

“May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.” Nelson Mandela

If you can look at the sunset and smile, and find beauty in the colours of a small flower, then you still have hope.
If you can find pleasure in the movement of a butterfly, and if the smile of a child can still warm your heart, then you still have hope.
If you can see the good in other people, and if the rain breaking on a roof top can still lull you to sleep, then you still have hope.
If the sight of a rainbow still makes you stop and stare in wonder, and if the soft fur of a favoured pet still feels pleasant under your fingertips, then you still have hope.
If you meet new people with a trace of excitement and optimism, and if you give people the benefit of the doubt, then you still have hope.
If you still offer your hand in friendship to others that have touched your life, and if receiving an unexpected card or letter still brings a pleasant surprise, then you still have hope.
If the suffering of others still fills you with pain and frustration, and if you refuse to let a friendship die, or accept that it must end, then you still have hope.
If you look forward to a time or place of quiet and reflection, and if you still watch love stories or want the endings to be happy, then you still have hope.
If you can look to the past and smile, and when faced with the bad, when told everything is futile, you can still look up and end the conversation with the phrase … ‘yes, but ….’ Then you still have hope. (Source: vk.com)

“Hope is a good thing, maybe even the best of things, and good things never die.” Andy Dufresne (Shawshank Redemption)

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Daily, Life, Personal Musings, Quotes, Reflections, Work

Let Go and Fly

Posted on October 9, 2019June 6, 2019 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

“When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be. When I let go of what I have, I receive what I need.” Lao Tzu

With the turn of the weather, rains settling down a little bit and the wind picking up speed; evenings are meant for long walks. Quite often one may spot the chirping of birds as they settle for the night or the distant view of the migratory birds as they gather speed for their next lap of their journey. Before settling for the night the local birds have to find a spot to sleep in; which should be well away from the rain, wind and safe. For this, they can be found flitting from one branch to another, finding high ground perches away from the two and four legged beings who may not just disrupt their sleep but harm them. To find a new place, they need to let go of their old perch. As morning hours come, these birds wake up the world from a different perch. Unless a little bird has the courage to leave the nest, neither it won’t be able to fly, explore the different branches nor see new sights from there.

“You will find that it is necessary to let things go; simply for the reason that they are heavy. So let them go, let go of them. I tie no weights to my ankles.” C. JoyBell C.

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

Like the birds that find different perches depending on their situation, one needs to find the similar courage and foresight in life to let go of the emotional branches of life that one tends to cling to. From innate beliefs, vices, negative emotions, regrets, bad memories and the like are the slippery branches where one tends to fall from. Clinging to them can prove to be unsafe and dangerous in the long run. Add to it, the feel of privileges, possessions and false safety make us stick on to that one branch, which may be well high for some time but later has been slowly breaking down and gathering rot.

“It’s hard to be clear about who you are when you are carrying around a bunch of baggage from the past. I’ve learned to let go and move more quickly into the next place.” Angelina Jolie

Knowing that the branches one clings to, stops them from fling high helps to change their respective positions and find new ground. In life, there will be times when one needs to fly, stay on safe ground or just watch the situation without a reaction. Like the birds, knowing to do what when and where, requires one to use their memories (not just cling on to them) and adapt to the situation by the right time and at the right moment.

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Source:https://vk.com/monahos

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

“The truth is, unless you let go, unless you forgive yourself, unless you forgive the situation, unless you realize that the situation is over, you cannot move forward.” Steve Maraboli

To experience life and their various branches, use the time to let go of the clinging perch and find the courage to fly, to higher levels. While learning to experience the new vantage points, diving headlong into trouble or danger isn’t on the list. Let go but don’t be blind. As in every experience, be the like the bird, exploring new views but keeping their eyes open, exploring their surroundings with foresight, curiosity and care. Find the strength and soar high.

“Some people believe holding on and hanging in there are signs of great strength. However, there are times when it takes much more strength to know when to let go and then do it.” Ann Landers

No one can drive a car with different pressures in the tyres or cover long distances with less fuel. Unless one stops to change the tyre, fill the tank; one can’t go ahead. Likewise no bird flies high looking behind. It moves forward looking below, above and straight ahead as it covers different angles through its flight. Instead of looking back, use the past experiences to fly, experience the present and shape the future.

Source:https://vk.com/monahos

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Source:https://vk.com/monahos

Daily, Food, Photography Art, Stories Around the World

Of Cheese and Blue Streaks

Posted on October 8, 2019September 12, 2019 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

While cleaning out the larder over last weekend, I had chanced upon a blue veined gooey stuff enclosed tight in a packet. On closer inspection, apparently it was a piece of cheese misplaced post the local grocery shopping and was out of sight for a month, resulting in the mold setting in. Seeing the blue green veins streaking across the white; what came to mind was the difference between blue and bad cheese.

Source:https://www.vk/slideshowarts

Source:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_cheese#/media/File:Gorgonzola_and_a_pear.jpg

Source:https://www.pinterest.com/pin/447334175466649808/

Blue cheese was believed to be an accidental discovery. As legend says of the making of Roquefort cheese by a young boy who had abandoned his meal of bread and ewes’ milk cheese (on seeing a beautiful girl) returned back months later to find his old cheese soft, crumbly, blue veined and with a tangy flavour transformed so by the mold (Penicillium roqueforti). Similar legends have been heard with the drunken man and his cheese. The early years saw that cheeses were stored in natural temperatures and moisture-controlled caves which happen to be favorable environments for many varieties of harmless mold.

Over the years, many varieties of blue cheese have been created with few having their own stories. For instance, the Gorgonzola one of the oldest known blue cheeses, having been created around AD 879, is said that to have its blue veins only around the 11th century. Stilton cheese, an English cheese (popular since the 1700s) was set in the modern shape and style by Frances Pawlett (or Paulet), a “skilled cheese maker” of Wymondham, Leicestershire. Thus with strict codes, only the three counties of Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire had market the cheese as Stilton. Later varieties(20th century) of blue cheese like the Danablu and Cambozola (cow’s milk cheese of a combination in style of a French soft-ripened triple cream cheese and Italian Gorgonzola) were made with few variations from the original. Danablu was made from full fat cow’s milk and homogenized cream with copper wires or rods used to pierce the formed curds to distribute the mould (Penicillium roqueforti) evenly through the cheese and then the cheese is aged for eight to twelve weeks.

Source:https://www.vk/slideshowarts

Source:https://www.tumblr.com/tagged/cheese-platter

Source:https://www.vk/pub_mdma

With blue cheese varieties, one must know to differentiate between the good and bad mold. If mold grows on soft cheeses like cottage cheese, cream cheese or ricotta; or on shredded, crumbled and sliced cheese, it is best to be discarded. As far as hard and semi-soft cheese like cheddar, Colby, Parmesan or Swiss are concerned, the moldy part with an inch extra around it can be removed and the rest of the cheese can be used. With moldy cheese one has to be careful with its’ use and storage.

For foodimentarians with a special love of desserts, home food or for that quick added or unique touch to the regular meals, cheese (be it from cow, goat or sheep milk or homemade, local store bought, cheese market special or blue cheese varieties) is a pantry must. With a change from the regular, cheese gives an option of taking Stilton sandwiches to work, Gronozola on toast, shredded Brie or Danablu on salads, dressings or crumbled and used in cheesecake recipes, cheese themed parties or simply the change from the sweet dessert to the cheese platter with wine for afters.

Source:Source:https://www.vk/pub_mdma

Source:Source:https:/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_cheese_dressing#/media/File:Picles_fritos.jpg

Source:Source:https://www.vk/pub_mdma