ideas – Page 23 – Sugar And Spice… Among Other Things

Oatmeal Art

Posted on January 2, 2019January 2, 2019 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

“The oat is the Horatio Alger of cereals, which progressed, if not from rags to riches, at least from weed to health food.” Waverley Root, ‘Food’ (1980)

From being a weed, oats has been transformed to being one of the essential health foods, so much so as to declare January as the month of oatmeal as per “foodimentarians”. From its’ origin as early as 3000 years ago, oats were a common occurrence among the cultivation of other crops. Greeks and Romans considered oats to be a diseased form of wheat. Though most of the Scottish and the Germanic tribes would disagree with that thought.

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

Slowly over the years, oats has been embraced as a part of dining, especially for breakfast. The slow acceptance can be attributed to the fact that oats was and still is a primary fodder as pasturage and hay crops especially for cattle and horses. Additionally oats can turn rancid pretty quickly if not processed immediately after harvesting.

It truly amazes me all the things you can add and mix in to truly transform a plain old bowl of oatmeal. Ayesha Curry

Nevertheless the acceptance of oats especially as oatmeal (made of hulled oat grains, groats which have either been milled or ground, steel-cut or rolled) is on the rise. From the least to most processed oatmeal can be prepared from oat groats or whole oats, oat bran, steel cut (Irish) oats, rolled oats ( known as old fashioned oats), quick oats as well as instant oats and oat flour. From simple oatmeal to protein bars, brownies, oatmeal bread and cakes; the experimentation with oats is endless.

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

Oats are great – you can make meatloaf and use oats instead of bread as the binder, or you can make oatmeal cookies, my husband’s favorite. Ree Drummond

Besides being wonderful art decor for foodists, oats can be mixed with an “n” number of ingredients to make weird combination like oats dosa, oats and chicken salads, oats “upma”, to shakshuka, medley of vegetable or meat and even into stuffed bell peppers or spicy seasoned stuffed bitter-gourds. Try an online search, there would be numerous recipes including the addition of oats.

There is no doubt that some plant food, such as oatmeal, is more economical than meat, and superior to it in regard to both mechanical and mental performance. Such food, moreover, taxes our digestive organs decidedly less, and, in making us more contented and sociable, produces an amount of good difficult to estimate. Nikola Tesla

Source:http://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/252305/honey-oat-quick-bread/

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

Source:https://food.ndtv.com/recipe-oats-and-chicken-porridge-847041

Daily, Food, Stories Around the World

Winter, Soup and Holidays

Posted on December 29, 2018December 28, 2018 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

“What a marvelous resource soup is for the thrifty cook – it solves the ham-bone and lamb-bone problems, the everlasting Thanksgiving turkey, the extra vegetables.” Julia Child

With the season’s celebrations underway, one of the ideal ways to put the extra meat and vegetables to good use is to make them into soup. From the clear soups ( bouillon, consomme) to thick (purees, bisques, veloutes) soups are a consistent favourite with many. Its origins can be traced back to the Roman Era as evidenced by use of the middle English word “soup” from the Old French “soupe” which in turn is derived from “suppa” of Late Latin of Germanic roots. Additionally evidence of existence of soup can be found to as early as 20,000 BC with the discovery of the technique of “boiling” and waterproof jars. Yet since then, soup has been revolutionized to the traditions, customs, flavours, taste as well as style of the local cuisine to the extent that soup is not simply a starter or appetizer but also eaten as dessert or with fruit, as well as being served hot or cold.

“Soup is a lot like a family. Each ingredient enhances the others; each batch has its own characteristics; and it needs time to simmer to reach full flavor.” Marge Kennedy

Source:https://vk.com/homeliness

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Come December with the cold and snow, there’s nothing more apt than having pepper pot soup. This soup made from scraps meat and peppercorn had gained mass popularity during the Revolutionary War days in Colonial America. As the legend goes, during the battle of Valley Forge in an exceptionally cold harsh winter of 1777-78, food was often scarce and conditions deplorable. The soldiers were low on food and Christopher Ludwick, a baker general of the Continental Army, gathered whatever food he could scrounge together to feed the cold and frail soldiers. Gathering scraps of tripe, meat, and some peppercorn, he mixed the ingredients together with some other seasonings and created the hot, thick, and spicy soup we now know as pepper pot soup. It quickly became known as “the soup that won the war” as the soup gave the soldiers the warmth and strength that they needed to push the enemies back through the harsh winter weather.

It is impossible to think of any good meal, no matter how plain or elegant, without soup or bread in it. M. F. K. Fisher

From the Belgian Waterzool to the Russian Solyanka, Vietnamese Pho, Partan bree of Scotland; each country, place and local cuisine have their own version of soup of meat and vegetables. Whichever name it may be by, essentially soups ward off the wintry chill satisfying not just the palate and hunger, but also keep us simply warm, comfortable and nice.

Source:https://gracefoods.com/recipe-a-z/recipe/1735-pepper-pot-soup

Souce:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

Source:https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/13136/authentic-pepper-pot-soup/

Daily, Food

Fruitcake Time Again !

Posted on December 27, 2018December 27, 2018 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

When the Romans had shaped “the satura”, as a cake of pine nuts, barley mash, pomegranate seeds, raisins with honeyed wine “satura”, little did they imagine the evolution of their creation years in the future. Over the centuries the entire month of December has been dedicated to the creation whose origins may dated back to even before the Romans. If one hasn’t yet figured out what the above lines were about, it can be credited to the modern version of “satura”, i.e. the fruitcake.

Each year, the holiday season marks special traditions in many homes and among many communities, some which center around food while others revolving around the various customs and heritage. The fruitcake enjoys its’ own special relation with people. For some, fruitcakes bring nostalgic memories of warm kitchens, family specialties, the smell of spices in the air and the feel of Christmas baking. While for others, fruitcakes epitomize tasteless bricks or unwanted gifts that probably came from a factory kitchen rather than a homemade specialty.

“There’s a little bit of fruitcake left in everyone of us.” Jimmy Buffett

Yet the origin of the fruitcake was one of love and survival for difficult times. It was believed that the ancient Egyptians would put an early version of the fruitcake in the tombs of loved ones as means of providing food for the afterlife. The ancient Romans popularized the fruitcakes especially for the soldiers as these early fruitcakes were easy to carry and remained edible for a long time. Gradually over the years, other ingredients, such as honey, spices and preserved fruits were added. Towards the 16th century, the discovery that fruit could be preserved by soaking it in heavy concentrations of sugar (candied fruit) lead to its’ experimentation in fruitcakes especially when excess amounts were there in the kitchens.

Source:https://vk.com/comeshome

Source:https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/patricias_holiday_fruitcake/

“Friends are the fruitcake of life – some nutty, some soaked in alcohol, some sweet.” Jon Ronson

Slowly fruitcakes became layered, dense and heavy with a typical fruitcake having citrus peel, pineapples, plums, dates, pears, cherries, candied fruits and even nuts or raisins. With a long storage life and easy to preserve, fruitcakes have been popular during Victorian England especially during holidays and special occasions. This British tradition has spread over to many of its’ colonies although other countries have their own set of “fruitcakes”. From the Stollen of Germany, panforte of Italy, keks of Poland and Cozonac of Romania to light coloured or rum soaked fruitcakes, the variants are many to list. Although by convention fruitcakes are made more around December (Christmas time), they have been traditional for certain weddings especially as seen in the royal weddings.

“Reality is like a fruitcake; pretty enough to look at but with all sorts of nasty things lurking just beneath the surface.” A. Lee Martinez

Although fruitcakes can certainly be delicious, they’ve declined in popularity over the years primarily as the richness is a little too much especially with calorie counting and the arrival of other decadent delights. Despite the declining demand, fruitcakes are still a holiday tradition in many areas though not beyond that period.

Source:http://romania-to-go.com/romanian-christmas-cozonac/

Source:http://ivona.bigmir.net/cooking/recipes/343595-Shtollen–Recept

Source:https://vk.com/homeliness_public

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

Source:https://vk.com/homeliness_public

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

Christian, Family and Society, Stories Around the World

Countdown to Christmas

Posted on December 23, 2018December 19, 2018 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas;
Soon the bells will start,
And the thing that will make them ring
Is the carol that you sing
Right within your heart.” ~ Meredith Willson, “It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas”

With carols in the air and knitted stockings labelled and hung up, the countdown to Christmas begins. Tuning to the “Nine Lessons and Carols” which tells of the birth of Christ and the carol stories; carols have been an early accepted part of Christmas celebrations.

Source: https://vk.com/slideshowarts

Derived from Old French “carole”, the word Carol actually means dance or a song of praise and joy. Although carols used to be written and sung during yer round, only the tradition of singing them at Christmas has really survived. During the early years of Christianity, the songs of the pagan solstice celebrations for Christmas were reworded with songs from the Bible. As time progressed and vernacular language of carols along with plays had set, carols gained wide popularity during the Christmas season. These days carols have become an essential part and parcel of Christmastime and a major time for meeting, singing, rejoicing, praising and celebrating.

While we busy ourselves with the songs and plays, decorating homes and trees, shopping spree, sending the express parcels and orders and wrapping presents; bringing everyone including family, friends, colleagues, acquaintances and communities together is what gives the season its’ real meaning. To quote Harlan Miller, “I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month.”

Photo by Craig Adderley on Pexels.com

Source: https://vk.com/slideshowarts

Source: https://vk.com/comeshome

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Daily, Food, Quotes

Evolution of Baking

Posted on December 22, 2018October 30, 2018 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

Baking may be regarded as a science, but it’s the chemistry between the ingredients and the cook that gives desserts life. Baking is done out of love, to share with family and friends, to see them smile. Anna Olson

Since the existence of man, the very first instances of baking was believed to have occurred when wild grass grains were soaked in water, mixed together and mashed into a kind of broth-like paste which was cooked by pouring it onto a flat, hot rock, resulting in a bread-like substance. After the experimentation and mastery of fire, the paste was roasted on hot embers which made bread-making easier. To date the world’s oldest oven was credited to the evidence in Croatia dating it back 6500 years ago. The Ancient Egyptians had baked bread using yeast.In Ancient Greece (600 BC) bread making had lead to the invention of enclosed ovens. Baking flourished further during the Roman Empire with professional pastry cooks being in vogue. Rome saw the establishment of the bakers’ guild with an wide variety of breads being available like the libum (sacrificial cakes made with flour), spira (modern day flour pretzels), savaillum (sweet cake) to name a few. Ovens with their own chimneys and mills to grind grain into flour were common features in Roman towns.

Cooking involves a deadline and hungry people and ingredients that expire in a week. It’s stressful. Cooking happens on the stove and on the clock. Baking happens with ingredients that last for months and come to life inside a warm oven. Baking is slow and leisurely. Regina Brett

Over time and with travel, the Roman technique of baking spread throughout Europe and to eastern areas of Asia. Towards the 13th century, commercial baking started off in London with strict regulations being enforced. Yet it was only by early 19th century that alternate leavening agents (besides yeast) like baking soda were more common. Slowly baked goods were available on the streets as handcarts or in downtown cafes (first being in Paris) or stores. With the advent of automated machinery, the commercialization of baking grew by leaps and bounds.

Source: https://cocinayrecetas.hola.com/lacocinaperfecta/20130623/pan-al-vapor-estilo-chino/

Source:http://preschool-is-fun.blogspot.com/2010/01/pat-cake-bakery.html

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

Source:https://vk.com/public138314547

Source:https://www.sweetandsavorybyshinee.com/best-banana-bread/

Baking can be done with a few simple ingredients, so it’s about simplicity and nostalgia – people are reminded of their childhood. Paul Hollywood

The technique of baking is not confined to bread alone, but ranges from biscuits to cakes, casserole to pudding and pies as well as roast, tarts and viennoiserie to list a few. Each country has their own set of baked goods. Adobe bread of southwest US, Barley bread in England, Baozi of China, pan de vapor of Mexico, Naan of India are a few of the baked breads that vary across various regions and countries. In fact a bread variety can be named for every letter of the alphabet.

If baking is any labor at all, it’s a labor of love. A love that gets passed from generation to generation. Regina Brett

Fast forwarding to today, baking has become an art with more flavours, designs and artful masterpieces being created. From cultural as well as religious significance to high teas, daily food, party events and even nursery rhymes (pat-a-cake, bakers’ man) the art of baking has always been an integral part of man’s subsistence and lifestyle. A day at home or any festive season, (especially Christmas) without baked goods would be like missing important pieces of the puzzle, not to forget the pleasant memories as well as burst of flavours and taste lost. As Lidia Bastianich said, “Make gifts meaningful by putting the time in creating them, whether baking and cooking, or in making arts and craft. It will all have more meaning for the giver and receiver.” Baking is a labour of love and something that brings rest to a tired, wandering or lost soul with a plate of freshly baked bread, whichever style of type it may be.

Seed grain cottage loaf Source:https://www.newideafood.com.au/seed-grain-cottage-loaf

Source:https://vk.com/pub_mdma

Source:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgUaBIQa6xI

Source:https://2blissofbaking.com/bread-kulcha-indian-flat-bread/

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

Source:https://vk.com/pub_mdma

Christian, Daily, Stories Around the World

Colours to White Christmas

Posted on December 21, 2018December 19, 2018 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

“I’m dreaming of a white Christmas,
Just like the ones I used to know,
Where the tree tops glisten
And children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow.” ~ Irving Berlin

Christmas brings forth its’ own hue of colours with each colour bringing its own significance. Ranging from prosperity and year round presence of “green” to “red” which depicts the fall of Adam, blood of Christ or Santa’s coming; these two form the predominant hues of the season. Other major colours include blue denoting the sky and heaven, purple for the altar and the coming of the light and presence of sun in cold months of winter as denoted by the colour “gold”. Yet the most evasive of all is the pristine colour of white, which represents purity, spotless, goodness and peace; akin to the birth of the Lord.

Trending through the Christmas cards, pictures, stories and carols is the scene of “White Christmas”. While this is the case of the wintry lands, the rest of the world may see a little to hardly any snow. Yet the dream of White Christmas lurks for many reasons ranging from beauty, artistry to the pristine pureness of Christmas. For those of us who can’t experience the snow; the closest we can get to “White Christmas” is by engaging in the spirit of love, sharing, kindness and generosity. Whichever colour it may be, Christmas season is here for all.

Source: https://vk.com/slideshowarts

Source: https://vk.com/pub_mdma

Source: https://vk.com/slideshowarts

Christian, Daily, Stories Around the World

Christmas and Oranges

Posted on December 20, 2018December 19, 2018 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

For those of us who are involved in Christmas-time festive, the link between oranges and Christmas will perplex unless we have heard the story connecting them. In fact for “Christmas historians”, oranges originated with St. Nicholas, stockings and gold.

The legend is traced to (and the most popular explanation) St. Nicholas, an early Christian bishop of the ancient Greek city of Myra during the time of the Roman Empire who was a wealthy man and spent his life helping others. According to the legend, he had learnt of a poor shopkeeper who couldn’t afford wedding dowries for his three daughters. As the father was reluctant to accept any gifts, in order to help the family, St. Nicholas went to the town at night and tossed three sacks of gold through the window (or down the chimney as some narrate). The gold had landed in the girls’ stockings, which were drying by the fire. In the morning by the time the family had woken up, the gold had condensed into balls in the toes of the stockings.

Following St. Nicholas’ example, oranges were given and shared at Christmas time, as representations of gold and a way to celebrate generosity and caring for those in need.

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

Others reasons for handing oranges at Christmas can be traced to the fact there were once considered as luxurious items and scarce commodities; hence considered as rare treats when received. During the Great Depression and the wars, oranges were rarity in the markets and homes.

Another theory behind the tradition is that orange segments signify the ability to share what one has with others, symbolizing “the season of giving” of December. Reminding us of the taste of summer, oranges are indeed a “must” gift in the stockings.

“I pretended like all the oranges rolling everywhere were her happy memories and they were looking for a new person to stick to so they didn’t get wasted.” Stephen Kelman

Photo by Kaboompics .com on Pexels.com

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

Source:https://vk.com/comeshome