tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68624926325304136452023-11-16T12:31:52.299-05:00Spelt Right Baking Co.Spelt Right Bakinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17563914923246700171noreply@blogger.comBlogger206125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6862492632530413645.post-80353248283593855312014-06-17T01:03:00.001-04:002014-06-17T01:03:58.446-04:00Lunch Box Chronicles: Day One Hundred Ninety-Three (A Mid-Summers Day Spelt Pizza)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Father's Day (continued)</div>
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A Mid-Summers Day Spelt Pizza</div>
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We started Father's Day with Spelt Crumb Cake Orange Muffins....Yum. And we finished the day, with a Spelt Right Pizza, made in layers, after a joyful day in the park.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype', 'Book Antiqua', Palatino, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 22px;"><a href="http://shakespeare-navigators.com/dream/T.2.1.html#2">Over hill, over dale,<br />Thorough bush, thorough brier,<br />Over park, over pale,<br />Thorough flood, thorough fire,<br />I do wander everywhere.</a></span></div>
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We often say, "when it rains, it pours." On this Father's Day, I will say "When it is sunny, it gets sunnier...."</div>
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Ingredients:</div>
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<ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP4CB5Sl9sMocEPZ4isjGCZXdnnwuFDxFFxbf460UKxp1QBepDgKIveLGPsPiDlijjc1CuaepLQ-BlYegr4sG2A20rPJguhZ1jqCVgKOWvO1iBp77Sc7Tlxk0vV_5oSsdRxtDNUR6OlBnX/s1600/FathersDaySpeltPizza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP4CB5Sl9sMocEPZ4isjGCZXdnnwuFDxFFxbf460UKxp1QBepDgKIveLGPsPiDlijjc1CuaepLQ-BlYegr4sG2A20rPJguhZ1jqCVgKOWvO1iBp77Sc7Tlxk0vV_5oSsdRxtDNUR6OlBnX/s1600/FathersDaySpeltPizza.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a>
<li><a href="http://www.speltright.com/products/spelt-pizza-dough-4-doughs.html#sthash.Ma5ZCWQL.dpbs" target="_blank">Spelt Right Pizza Dough</a> (fully thawed and risen in the bag)</li>
<li>5 or 6 garlic cloves - smashed with a mortar and pestle, with a little EVOO and salt added in</li>
<li>Fresh Mozzarella (I got the pre-sliced from Trader Joe's)</li>
<li>Fresh Mushrooms (sliced thinly and sauteed with EVOO and salt and pepper)</li>
<li>Fresh Tomatoes (I like kumatos - sliced, quarter inch)</li>
<li>Fresh Basil (rinsed, dried, and chopped)</li>
<li>One Onion - caramelized by cooking slowly on stove top with a little EVOO until onion is crispy brown (another way to do this is to coat the onion with a little spelt flour before pan frying)</li>
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Preheat oven to 450F.</div>
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Stretch dough on well oiled with EVOO stainless steel pizza pan. Smear garlic mix on dough, sprinkle with some dried basil. Bake for about 10 minutes until firm.</div>
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Take out pizza shell. Layer with Mozzarella, mushrooms, and onions. Place back in oven for 10 minutes. </div>
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Take out pizza shell. Add tomatoes. Bake for 5-10 minutes. Take out pizza shell. Cover with fresh basil, bake for another 5 minutes.</div>
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Serve for Father's Day Dinner after a beautiful day in the sun, prancing around the dreamy Ft. Tyron Park.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype', 'Book Antiqua', Palatino, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 22px;"><a href="http://shakespeare-navigators.com/dream/T.5.1.html#371">Now the hungry lion roars,<br />And the wolf behowls the moon;<br />Whilst the heavy ploughman snores,<br />All with weary task fordone.</a></span></div>
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Beth Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01817194729604871418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6862492632530413645.post-2515368598431880962014-06-15T23:38:00.005-04:002014-06-17T11:50:28.575-04:00Lunch Box Chronicles: Day One Hundred Ninety Two (Father's Day Spelt Orange Crumb Cake Muffins)<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 15px;">FATHER’S DAY SPELT ORANGE CRUMB CAKE MUFFINS</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I have allowed my self-imposed chaos to interfere with the
ritual I created over the past few years of sharing personal recipes and the
moments that inspired them. Months
have passed since I have posted a recipe, though I have a backlog waiting to be
shared when I steal that moment of time. Father’s Day is too important of a day
to let the meal and the men who inspired this recipe to go unnoticed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrd9Kio80GmsNpmP8UWUkpuJXDZnMCmObji5HHGpoNXhhJ-tl78jfWbcQw0b4XLZwCs-2E8xJgSB5230o29c6IG6UTjtXZpt6IZ1wPzjwvGEUJBusYFu-wlF2bIIuEa3cgB6lhSgKrGVMj/s1600/CrumbcakemuffinsFD+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrd9Kio80GmsNpmP8UWUkpuJXDZnMCmObji5HHGpoNXhhJ-tl78jfWbcQw0b4XLZwCs-2E8xJgSB5230o29c6IG6UTjtXZpt6IZ1wPzjwvGEUJBusYFu-wlF2bIIuEa3cgB6lhSgKrGVMj/s1600/CrumbcakemuffinsFD+.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I slowed down today, to honor my father, a great soul who I have missed every
day since his passing in 2002, a man with a gruff outer self and the gentlest
of souls, who provided the profound the lesson that being kind to the world is
the best we can do in this complex web we call life; my husband, who is one of
those one in a million dads, taking the time to listen, teach, guide, and
simply have fun with his children as he joins them daily in their journey from
infancy through adulthood; and for my many father friends both near and far,
who have found both great joy and sorrow as they meander their way through the
labyrinth of parenthood.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Here is a recipe that, similar to parenthood, is seemingly
complicated, but if taken step by step, is not too daunting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though unlike parenthood, the rewards
from this recipe come without any talking back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Prepare 12 large
cupcake/muffin pans with cooking spray or papers (I used coconut oil spray from
Trader Joe’s)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Preheat Oven to 350F<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWWgY2gbkuD_EuJtLq0YbZXNFO8quBByEDwEkLoLzwnnACs92CZIi1YaXuGpvXb7PFECSUX9WSClOZgj06nmqxjZTky16Yb5u0Qc9a3KtSBG1kS_Dj4n2GulMVLZ_TnNdMEzM45-qOR1U7/s1600/fathersdaymuffins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWWgY2gbkuD_EuJtLq0YbZXNFO8quBByEDwEkLoLzwnnACs92CZIi1YaXuGpvXb7PFECSUX9WSClOZgj06nmqxjZTky16Yb5u0Qc9a3KtSBG1kS_Dj4n2GulMVLZ_TnNdMEzM45-qOR1U7/s1600/fathersdaymuffins.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>STEP ONE</b> – Mix Dry
Ingredients in Step One in A Large Mixing Bowl<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">3
cups <a href="https://www.natureslegacyforlife.com/shopping/flours/" target="_blank">Vita Spelt flour </a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1 cup and 2 tablespoons organic sugar (I substituted with
half coconut palm sugar)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1
tablespoon baking powder <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1/2
teaspoon salt<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span><!--[endif]--><b>STEP TWO</b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> – Mix Wet
Ingredients in Step Two in A Separate Bowl (put eggs in last so the warm butter
does not cook them)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1/2
cup melted butter (skimmed – meaning, I boiled the butter on low and skimmed
off the foam on top and left the settlement on bottom to make rendered butter)</span><br />
1
cup orange juice</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">3/4
cup buttermilk<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I used whole milk,
plus squeezed in 1/2 fresh lemon)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1-1/2
teaspoons vanilla extract <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">3
eggs <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>STEP
THREE</b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> – Make an indentation in the dry mix
and pour in wet mix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mix
ingredients together until well blended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is o.k. if it is lumpy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>STEP
FOUR </b><span style="font-weight: normal;">– In a separate bowl, mix the
following.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1/4
cup and 1 teaspoon brown sugar (I used organic white sugar)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">2-1/4
teaspoons ground cinnamon<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">chopped walnuts (about 1/4 cup) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>STEP
FIVE – </b>In yet
another bowl, crumble together the following ingredients.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1/4
cup and 2 tablespoons of vita spelt flour <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1/4
cup and 2 tablespoons organic sugar sugar <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">2-1/4
teaspoons ground cinnamon <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">3
tablespoons softened butter <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1/4
to 1/2 cup oats<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1/4
cup chopped walnuts (optional)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Once
you have the steps done, create an assembly line for yourself:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<ul>
<li>First,
scoop batter into muffin pans until about half full.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></li>
<li>Second,
after you have the twelve cups half full, sprinkle the sugar/cinnamon/nut mix
in the batter and swirl slightly.</li>
<li>Third,
scoop the remaining batter to cover the swirl.</li>
<li>Fourth,
top with struessel (crumble)</li>
<li>Fifth,
place pan in oven and bake for 22-25 minutes</li>
<li>Sixth,
let cool to touch</li>
<li>Seventh,
enjoy with the fathers in your life!</li>
</ul>
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<!--EndFragment-->Beth Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01817194729604871418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6862492632530413645.post-53283213496699455842013-12-22T23:46:00.003-05:002013-12-23T01:29:17.236-05:00Lunch Box Chronicles: Day One-Hundred Ninety-One, Updating Day One-Hundred Thirty-Three (Three Studies Point to the Gut As A Place to Find Better Health)<h2 class="date-header">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">During the summer of 2011, an on-line customer informed me she eats </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.speltrightbaking.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Spelt Right</span></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> products because her diet change, which included replacing wheat with spelt, helped her reduce the symptoms of </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0004546/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">metabolic syndrome</span></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. She said that, on the recommendation
of her endocrinologist, she removed white starchy flours from her diet and replaced them with ancient grains like </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=143"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">spelt </span></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and quinoa. As a result, she lost 30 pounds.</span></span></span></h2>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I have heard similar stories, but this piqued my curiosity. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I started researching and found an interesting article in the Annals of the New York Academy of Science, entitled </span><a href="http://www.nvvm.org/Adjuvant_diet.pdf"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Adjuvant Diet to Improve Hormonal and Metabolic Factors Affecting Breast Cancer Prognosis.</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> This article contains some incredible information based on medical studies.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In
a nutshell, it states what many of us already know, but hate to admit.
Americans (and others adopting the "Western Diet") eat a lot of junk,
don't exercise much, and are getting sick as a result. The good news is
that there are ways to turn this around. One way is to eat better, and one
of the recommendations for better eating is to chose spelt and other heirloom grains over processed grains.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The abstract of this </span><a href="http://www.nvvm.org/Adjuvant_diet.pdf"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">article</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> states
that “western lifestyle, characterized by reduced physical activity and
a diet rich in fat, refined carbohydrates, and animal protein is
associated with high prevalence of overweight, metabolic syndrome,
insulin resistance, and high plasma levels of several growth factors and
sex hormones….[T]hese factors are associated with breast cancer risk
and, in breast cancer patients, with increased risk of recurrences.
Recent trials </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">have proven</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> that
such metabolic and endocrine imbalance can be favorably modified
through comprehensive dietary modification, shifting from Western to
Mediterranean and macrobiotic diet.” (Emphasis added). </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Among
the other dietary recommendations, the article suggests that breast
cancer patients should “reduce high glycemic index and high insulinemic index
foods, such as refined flours, potatoes, white rice, corn flakes, sugar,
and milk, using instead whole grain cereals (unrefined rice, barley,
millet, oat, spelt, quinoa)." </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The human body's ability to "heal" itself when fed the proper foods is the topic of a recent Harvard study published in </span><a href="http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nature12820.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nature</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> in December 2013. The study indicates that the types of foods (plant based proteins vs. animal based proteins) influence the bacteria in the gut almost immediately, and that the human gut rapidly adapts to positive dietary change.</span><br />
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Similarly there are recent studies demonstrating that gut health is related not only to physical wellness, but also is connected to brain function. A study conducted by CalTech published in </span><i><a href="http://www.alnmag.com/news/2013/12/probiotic-therapy-alleviates-autism-behaviors-mice?et_cid=3642890&et_rid=454957268&location=top"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Cell</span></a></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> in December 2013 demonstrates that there is a connection between the gut and the brain, suggesting that the use of probiotics may alleviate the symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorders. "Traditional research has studied autism as a genetic disorder and a disorder of the brain, but our work shows that gut bacteria may contribute to ASD-like symptoms in ways that were previously unappreciated," says Prof. of Biology Sarkis Mazmanian. "Gut physiology appears to have effects on what are currently presumed to be brain functions." </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">All of these scientific studies support what my family has been unscientifically proving over the past eight years. A balanced diet rich in whole foods (no additives or highly processed foods or grains) leads to a healthier, more productive life, with less "down time" and a stronger immune system. The benefits of our "clean diet" lifestyle are most prominent with our son whose health and behavior have improved dramatically as a result of the change.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />Americans have been in a state of amnesia, forgetting to listen to their bodies which have been the primary indicators since time immemorial of what is good and what is not. We ignore the signs when we abuse our bodies with bad food choices and we are led down a false path that a simple pill will fix it. We simply need to look to the past for our answers today. As the Ancient Greek Physician Hippocrates is oft quoted, "Let food be thy medicine; let medicine be thy food."</span></div>
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Beth Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01817194729604871418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6862492632530413645.post-87137312680871846262013-11-18T13:47:00.000-05:002013-11-18T13:49:23.913-05:00Lunch Box Chronicles: Day One-Hundred Ninety (On Learning to Slow Down and Relax with the Help of a Spelt Banana Muffin)<br />
WHOLE GRAIN SPELT BANANA MUFFINS - The Slow Food Solution<br />
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Here is a really moist, completely lovely, spelt banana bread that comes with clear instructions on how to make and how to eat. Certain of the instructions are mandatory, others offer some flexibility. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifl8GYdn2VI0nwLtf5FuynKeEL0orvcqQR2XJtFu94ZSAwu99fttDDdzA-B2eUoi_DeOm-3J42AvkndqtOpNiMfI2EkfvhEbY6CAVkXkV94Hp2uyIQYX5jUY0U93cUG7Lhy5mZ_BfZYe51/s1600/SpeltBan2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifl8GYdn2VI0nwLtf5FuynKeEL0orvcqQR2XJtFu94ZSAwu99fttDDdzA-B2eUoi_DeOm-3J42AvkndqtOpNiMfI2EkfvhEbY6CAVkXkV94Hp2uyIQYX5jUY0U93cUG7Lhy5mZ_BfZYe51/s1600/SpeltBan2.jpeg" /></a>1) Make Muffins as set forth below. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98SWmX_Rr_jpDqSsnlj6Kk53GpU-zlFnwvCLTQLDxDaGQ8soc63GdI9CaQUM4ZH05DdllJExd3joqt88JkLhCmmSsDhHMpahJwS42Jt7ldEpJsh1SZxinbr02PLNj8PXAKHr9EtkqR08V/s1600/SpeltBan3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98SWmX_Rr_jpDqSsnlj6Kk53GpU-zlFnwvCLTQLDxDaGQ8soc63GdI9CaQUM4ZH05DdllJExd3joqt88JkLhCmmSsDhHMpahJwS42Jt7ldEpJsh1SZxinbr02PLNj8PXAKHr9EtkqR08V/s1600/SpeltBan3.jpeg" /></a>2) Eat only when sitting at your nicely lit table (no eating on the run)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgTf1yTVVnYbVQkQuN1W4R33sJmEdfbfbbpd4VeopNiNbgp1ahmyBqdXX9tW9t_uFCCDy-w4ygXX2gQv5j5H1SrmbjhvmWTMI1i_kL9-8MI-rfF1-SEjzx8mDGJ4Txwhurxh74AhitrylJ/s1600/SpeltBananaMuffins1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgTf1yTVVnYbVQkQuN1W4R33sJmEdfbfbbpd4VeopNiNbgp1ahmyBqdXX9tW9t_uFCCDy-w4ygXX2gQv5j5H1SrmbjhvmWTMI1i_kL9-8MI-rfF1-SEjzx8mDGJ4Txwhurxh74AhitrylJ/s1600/SpeltBananaMuffins1.jpeg" /></a>3) Enjoy with a glass of milk (cow’s, goat’s, soy, almond - your preference), or cup of coffee (or cup of chai)<br />
4) with the newspaper open (sounds so antiquated),<br />
5) No electronic media allowed near or on the table or in your hand<br />
6) savor each bite, sip your drink, relax for a moment.<br />
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Ingredients<br />
1/2 cup soft butter<br />
1 cup organic sugar<br />
2TBL organic black strap molasses (optional)<br />
2 eggs, beaten<br />
2 cups whole grain VITA SPELT flour<br />
1 teaspoon aluminum free baking soda<br />
1/4 cup orange juice<br />
2-3 ripe bananas<br />
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Directions<br />
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream butter and sugar, beat in eggs. Add dry ingredients, and then mix in mashed bananas and orange juice. Mix well. Bake in 12 muffin pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes.<br />
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OK, did it work? Did you slow down for at least 20 minutes? I hope the answer is yes.<br />
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Beth Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01817194729604871418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6862492632530413645.post-77951071142123213552013-11-10T23:20:00.001-05:002013-11-11T19:01:56.314-05:00Lunch Box Chronicles: Days One-Hundred Eighty Two through One-Hundred Eighty Nine (Seven Days - On Eating)<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRBPzMIHA52AKQXVqNcgotXac_b35TPH5IpskV71GFyYJebSJt71HN7E8mKtvtjGejtNBLpAe2tmNqhzvIPbN5slkk3HctURm2jFHoZ25Vup6pL04EXR7VtkzUPBq20FxoaZq3jyAbuGFs/s1600/Intheshadows.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRBPzMIHA52AKQXVqNcgotXac_b35TPH5IpskV71GFyYJebSJt71HN7E8mKtvtjGejtNBLpAe2tmNqhzvIPbN5slkk3HctURm2jFHoZ25Vup6pL04EXR7VtkzUPBq20FxoaZq3jyAbuGFs/s200/Intheshadows.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cinnamon Raisin Spelt Bread Pudding<br />
In the Shadows Reflecting on the Week</td></tr>
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In the shadows, we gain perspective. As we peer back and look forward, we see what worked, what didn’t, what we should change, and what we should keep just the same. Last week was a first for us, but perhaps, not the last. As Tim scaled the Great Wall in search of vast opportunities in the eastern frontier, I had to take on the daily drive from Upper Manhattan to Westchester and back again, throwing in a few Brooklyn and NJ detours along the way. Tim works where the kids go to school, so the drive is usually not on my agenda, and certainly not round-trip twice a day. The kids and I planned how to make seven days less stressful even though the days and nights required more organization from the tween and teen and more mileage from the quinquagenarian. We did seven days solo, and we did it well.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANK9NCCgkOfi-s0Loz6kpsYkWnpWi5dKm5aAHZHXLiCwz9N-2-QdEwCFgShrVPe3czXxpD5zyCkyck7NBlinvPUCXCgvp5l18vggsaml_7yDRN6D0K6STdj1qFSFkM1aKXb3y3sLy7kHl/s1600/Pot.Thur.Nov.+7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANK9NCCgkOfi-s0Loz6kpsYkWnpWi5dKm5aAHZHXLiCwz9N-2-QdEwCFgShrVPe3czXxpD5zyCkyck7NBlinvPUCXCgvp5l18vggsaml_7yDRN6D0K6STdj1qFSFkM1aKXb3y3sLy7kHl/s200/Pot.Thur.Nov.+7.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homemade Home Fries</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiloVDgR4woBudwchYiyFVJCa3i90ldbTpcvyF1JfFCvqo31YhxAz_eetXZf4L8sMZJDH7GTTRE1V3ECz1H3A_CLQGNKwBjakm8fbgi9yIGO1DxqrAMKSopaJoF4zDzTW2hS1s7hbD9Fi3l/s1600/Thus.Nov.7.BF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiloVDgR4woBudwchYiyFVJCa3i90ldbTpcvyF1JfFCvqo31YhxAz_eetXZf4L8sMZJDH7GTTRE1V3ECz1H3A_CLQGNKwBjakm8fbgi9yIGO1DxqrAMKSopaJoF4zDzTW2hS1s7hbD9Fi3l/s320/Thus.Nov.7.BF.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spelt Right Bagels, CC, Bacon,<br />
Homemade Pear Sauce, Homemade Custard</td></tr>
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We planned it around food, around dinner and breakfasts, around go-to-bed times and early rise times, around planning ahead, packing your backpacks, having your phones, and not-losing it when you did not have your phones. We planned for mistakes, we made mistakes, but we got over them. We cooperated. We made messes. We cleaned them up. We did homework. We forgot homework. We laughed, sang, yelled, danced, and smiled.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAekcJaKKFyuXBAW5mnDHf9XI57EfudXR-Y7EPnTKu_9mnDhrGkuEYiM-LtBQoDNqQTkKr4rTcVjcD_Vf_nLBGDEigUPjopEXsauVqFXZqWqX0urB1qd2eEaWQaHXiLxlVNSihbyS7ip8O/s1600/Table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAekcJaKKFyuXBAW5mnDHf9XI57EfudXR-Y7EPnTKu_9mnDhrGkuEYiM-LtBQoDNqQTkKr4rTcVjcD_Vf_nLBGDEigUPjopEXsauVqFXZqWqX0urB1qd2eEaWQaHXiLxlVNSihbyS7ip8O/s320/Table.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Dining "Room" Table -<br />
It's More Like the "Dining Corner"</td></tr>
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Most transformative of all, though, was that for each of our meals - breakfast and dinner - we sat at our dining "room" table beautifully set and lit as if for guests, and ate our foods with appreciation of their inherent gifts rather than inhaling the foods as an afterthought on the way out the door. It became ritualistic to gather together to share these two meals, talk about the day to come, and the day that just finished. By being purposeful, we calmed our souls and set the tone ready to take on the challenges of each day. We started a new tradition, which we will incorporate into our daily routines. It worked, and we like it.<br />
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In all of this, I also made some new recipes, received feedback, and made them again, modified and better as result of the input from the peanut gallery.<br />
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So, we are not going to offer all of the recipes for the week (that would be totally insane), but we will tell you our menu, show you some photos, and give you a revised version of the recipe that started and ended this 7 day sojourn: Cinnamon Raisin Spelt Bread Pudding, but this time with less bread, smaller chunks of bread, and less sugar. Definitely, a better version within the shadows."<br />
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Sunday<br />
• Lunch and Dinner: two batches of moujadara (Lebanese lentil rice stew)<br />
• Dessert: Cinnamon Raisin Spelt Bread Pudding<br />
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Monday<br />
• Chicken Pot Pie (I made the inside; Spencer made the crust) YUM! and salad with homemade dressing<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2oda6aF3Gqu2DvLQWG4kd-mCuD_2ykh4adIei9vEihw9MMTDGBPLPAQXgf9JbUDCUICn8AIvjA9bcgv7BAXH6-iVOtIzXdOua277MJxnXgixcfRpvnM5D5s2fXQnL1kKUAeOGDjfj3oy/s1600/GreenBeanStew.Fri.11.8.13.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2oda6aF3Gqu2DvLQWG4kd-mCuD_2ykh4adIei9vEihw9MMTDGBPLPAQXgf9JbUDCUICn8AIvjA9bcgv7BAXH6-iVOtIzXdOua277MJxnXgixcfRpvnM5D5s2fXQnL1kKUAeOGDjfj3oy/s320/GreenBeanStew.Fri.11.8.13.jpeg" width="320" /></a>• Protein Bars for Olivia (made by Mom with love as a sure solution to curb the protein lows. Quick recipe: 3 cups all natural rice crisp cereal (I used Trader Joes), 1 cup unsweetened raw almond butter, 1 cup Bob’s Red Mill ground flax seed, 3/4 cup natural Tjs natural chocolate chips, 3/4 cups natural Tjs white chocolate chips. Mix all ingredients but chips together in large bowl. Melt chips in double boiler. When they are melted, mix in. Press the mixture into a buttered 9 inch pyrex pan. Cool in fridge. Cut in squares when done. Put in baggies for quick snacks for school.<br />
• Homemade apple sauce (just peel, slice, de-core a bunch of old apples, add water as need, cook until mushy, add cinnamon to taste, organic sugar (optional), mash with a potato masher)<br />
<br />
Tuesday<br />
• Breakfast, homemade spelt banana muffins (made the night before), homemade apple sauce (made the night before) scrambled eggs<br />
• Snack - protein bars (recipe above)<br />
• Dinner: Shepherds pie (made the night before) and salad<br />
<br />
Wednesday<br />
• Breakfast - homemade custard (made Tuesday night)<br />
• Dinner - the most amazing chicken and mushroom soup with onions, carrots and potatoes. In large sauce pan, sauté a finely chopped onion with pulverized garlic and 1 teas salt, add 4-5 chopped carrots, keep sautéing, add 2-3 chopped potatoes, keep sautéing, add 2-3 chicken breasts, sprinkle in tarragon, basil, salt and pepper, add frozen green beans if desired, cover all with filtered water. Cook until all is cooked. Take out cooked chicken, cut up chicken in small chunks and put back in. Add more flavor if desired (made Tuesday night)<br />
<br />
Thursday<br />
• Breakfast: (spelt right bagels with cc and bacon!?!, homemade pear sauce (pear-ple sauce as named by O), homemade custard squares, side of bacon)<br />
• Dinner: leftovers – lentils, chicken soup, hamburgers, and whatever else remained in the kitchen with homemade homefries.<br />
• Time to go grocery shopping<br />
<br />
Friday<br />
• Green Bean Stew with tomatoes and chickpeas<br />
• We all fell asleep after dinner, then Olivia woke grumpy and protein deprived (the green bean stew was not enough to help with a protein low). I made a quick meat and tomato sauce over noodles to help her out.<br />
<br />
Saturday<br />
• Both kids out<br />
• Beth dinner solo at local Italian Restaurant (It was a little over-the-top to have so much free time!!). No clean up, no planning, no nothing. Wow!<br />
<br />
Sunday – start all over again (Tim arrived home safely from his eastern adventure, but still is on eastern time, so went right to bed after an early dinner. Just to prove that I love him as much as I love the kids, I made….)<br />
• Spelt Right Cinnamon Raisin Bread Pudding –with less sugar (in the shadows)<br />
• Chicken pot pie, non-traditionally made by being folded in Spelt Right triangles (pictures to come)<br />
• Green Bean Stew – repurposed from Friday’s dinner with local ground beef, onions, eggplant, and olives sauteed in EVOO with the green beans. Very very good!<br />
• A new batch of apple sauce<br />
• Green leaf salad with endives, black olives, dill pickles, and tomatoes with homemade dressing with EVOO and balsamic vinegar<br />
• AND, whole spelt white and dark chocolate chip cookies.<br />
<br />
Monday- will see a repeat from all the leftovers from Sunday.<br />
<br />
What are we going to do for Tuesday??<br />
<br />
I believe I am obsessed….<br />
<br />
Here is the revised recipe - a picture of which is in the shadows.<br />
<br />
7 slices Spelt Right cinnamon raisin bread. Place on baking sheet and bake at 375 – 400 until crisp (10 minutes each side). Let cool. Put in plastic bag, and crush with rolling pin Set aside.<br />
2 TBL melted butter<br />
4 eggs beaten<br />
2 cups milk<br />
1/4 cup organic evaporated cane sugar (so much better than bleached white sugar!) (we halved the amount)<br />
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon<br />
1 teaspoon natural vanilla<br />
(we took out the raisins)<br />
<br />
Instructions:<br />
Butter the bottom and sides of an 8" glass baking dish. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Put bread in bowl, pour melted butter on bread.<br />
In medium bowl, combine eggs, milk, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla. Beat until well mixed. Pour over bread, and lightly push down with a fork until bread is covered and soaking up the egg mixture.<br />
Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the top springs back when lightly tapped.<br />
<br />
Yum!Beth Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01817194729604871418noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6862492632530413645.post-822471546553730622013-11-03T12:39:00.000-05:002013-11-03T12:46:08.840-05:00Lunch Box Chronicles: Day One Hundred Eighty-Two (Spelt Cinnamon Raisin Bread Pudding) CINNAMON RAISIN SPELT BREAD PUDDING - THE PERFECT MARATHON TREAT<br />
<br />
The New York Marathon is in town! Thousands of toned tonies have descended upon the City to show their super human endurance running 26 miles through this concrete jungle. I totally admire and am slightly envious of these folks. For god's sake, I am proud when I accomplish 2 miles! Not that I would not want to be one of those Superhuman Toned Tonies, I'm just not. <br />
<br />
To jog or to blog? That is the question.<br />
<br />
To blog, cook, bake, and clean. Those are the answers. That is my life - at least for this week while my spouse is world traveling and I am preparing to stave of the inevitable chaos of the coming school week. The goal with baking and cooking on overdrive today is to make the mornings less grueling and the evenings less exhausting during my solo parenting week.<br />
<br />
So far, I have made:<br />
Two batches of lentils with rice (mojadarah). One has already been eaten. <br />
Cinnamon/Raisin Spelt Bread Pudding - already half eaten<br />
<br />
My plan is also to make:<br />
Chicken Pot Pie (there are already rumors that it will be devoured in full tonight)<br />
Chicken Soup<br />
Stuffed Mini Eggplant<br />
Shepherds Pie<br />
Lubi - green bean stew<br />
????<br />
<br />
Perhaps too ambitious? Maybe I should call this my own little marathon. 26 hours of cooking rather than 26 miles of running.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
Here's the recipe for the Bread Pudding. Definitely counterproductive to any two mile jog I have done, but downright AWESOME according to two eleven year old critics.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkuQdvJdtOntPY46M9CAYEmqlBhos-CBrurKUYJYvpqoNac4E9pAxnoplJnEErleKaCQF-vXQ1jCQSNZROpQC0GoYTy4cGCKQjelkEMIxlGSS04Y0eY6Nw59-UG3o81VtwBVDR1rh9aoy8/s1600/BreadPudding2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkuQdvJdtOntPY46M9CAYEmqlBhos-CBrurKUYJYvpqoNac4E9pAxnoplJnEErleKaCQF-vXQ1jCQSNZROpQC0GoYTy4cGCKQjelkEMIxlGSS04Y0eY6Nw59-UG3o81VtwBVDR1rh9aoy8/s320/BreadPudding2.jpeg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice the beautiful organic sugar. <br />
So much flavor and not that weird color white</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVn3zWJ-vXbzVlI5BtsvP5A_lG2Mpad86rw7LIjjcn6edexFkJO4X3paPcTq99CYdmWBwxOqsmOl2iEjER5dsIj7QVBKYVVmfkIxYO0WM6qWXKAOPPuFDf4i13Ry4C1Q5NbonUy3bIU3u/s1600/Toasted+CR+Bread.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVn3zWJ-vXbzVlI5BtsvP5A_lG2Mpad86rw7LIjjcn6edexFkJO4X3paPcTq99CYdmWBwxOqsmOl2iEjER5dsIj7QVBKYVVmfkIxYO0WM6qWXKAOPPuFDf4i13Ry4C1Q5NbonUy3bIU3u/s320/Toasted+CR+Bread.jpeg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spelt Right Cinnamon Raisin Bread <br />
Toasted to Crisp</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Cinnamon Raisin Spelt Bread Pudding – adapted from All Recipes.com http://allrecipes.com/recipe/bread-pudding-ii/<br />
<br />
<br />
9 slices Spelt Right cinnamon raisin bread. Place on baking sheet and bake at 375 – 400 until crisp (10 minutes each side). Let cool. Break in to one inch squares. Set aside.<br />
2 TBL melted butter<br />
1/2 cup raisins<br />
4 eggs beaten<br />
2 cups milk<br />
1/2 cup organic evaporated cane sugar (so much better than bleached white sugar!)\<br />
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon<br />
1 teaspoon natural vanilla<br />
<br />
Instructions:<br />
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxLbtZW625hen0hhCvmuy8xRQtKlCdNSVeBPJR7GIVhatB12EouzJpWl8RKv97wAmFCqwTjShjSUBk7TP9WayUqW6cvzKGhQ3nhT2DCjPzNR5F_i5nL5R1btLu1CwZveJ7qTrFzLo7X_nO/s1600/CRBread5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxLbtZW625hen0hhCvmuy8xRQtKlCdNSVeBPJR7GIVhatB12EouzJpWl8RKv97wAmFCqwTjShjSUBk7TP9WayUqW6cvzKGhQ3nhT2DCjPzNR5F_i5nL5R1btLu1CwZveJ7qTrFzLo7X_nO/s320/CRBread5.jpeg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What the Goo Mix <br />
Should Look Like When Ready</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Break bread into small pieces into an 8 inch square baking pan. Drizzle melted butter over bread. Sprinkle with raisins.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0jcnGAGuf4_lE3xW89qBs24fsL1tDxTaoutePp8feX_VE9rm8Eu678sum6XBVR844hxmWZRdJ-iYuRvXHhrHZd2z8vlCwAwlmg1JkySrO9DGIJxP2IfzL1UldnbcBLHhoGFGYE6gZIcwZ/s1600/BreadPudding3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0jcnGAGuf4_lE3xW89qBs24fsL1tDxTaoutePp8feX_VE9rm8Eu678sum6XBVR844hxmWZRdJ-iYuRvXHhrHZd2z8vlCwAwlmg1JkySrO9DGIJxP2IfzL1UldnbcBLHhoGFGYE6gZIcwZ/s320/BreadPudding3.jpeg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Young Friend Ying Adding the Ingredients</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In a medium mixing bowl, combine eggs, milk, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla. Beat until well mixed. Pour over bread, and lightly push down with a fork until bread is covered and soaking up the egg mixture.<br />
Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the top springs back when lightly tapped.<br />
<br />
According to my two eleven year old assistants, Olivia (photographer) and Ying (baker), the bread pudding was TOTALLY AWESOME!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Photos by Olivia K, age 11<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8EjOrrqwaMB3wXAPnimk1Dd9USOwl3VcwbJbAyzJPcsQo1QS3FRIV9Ya8ENhhiIrUEF1f0kFkAu-DDtwmsme1oq_EZdRqM14d-ET2qzTUgnFI-fkcDxD0t6O6a6LKpn_Y42ky5BHCPnhm/s1600/Finished+Bread+Pudding.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8EjOrrqwaMB3wXAPnimk1Dd9USOwl3VcwbJbAyzJPcsQo1QS3FRIV9Ya8ENhhiIrUEF1f0kFkAu-DDtwmsme1oq_EZdRqM14d-ET2qzTUgnFI-fkcDxD0t6O6a6LKpn_Y42ky5BHCPnhm/s1600/Finished+Bread+Pudding.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Totally Awesome <br />
Cinnamon Raisin Spelt Bread Pudding</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilV5Sr4LDNVN369bdD56OlEaEbbHgey-ELpsToGof_gMR9CxcGpMHtna7daZ2FC8zP9Yra6mczy4kaQMJ3npuELsGOqcV15B2TaCg2AKhTcmV0KhxkAnNHBAJyt7P45IGL36KoNzhaZUkQ/s1600/CRBreadPudding6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilV5Sr4LDNVN369bdD56OlEaEbbHgey-ELpsToGof_gMR9CxcGpMHtna7daZ2FC8zP9Yra6mczy4kaQMJ3npuELsGOqcV15B2TaCg2AKhTcmV0KhxkAnNHBAJyt7P45IGL36KoNzhaZUkQ/s200/CRBreadPudding6.jpeg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pour Goo into Bread <br />
Just Before Baking</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Beth Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01817194729604871418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6862492632530413645.post-562194071249642432013-09-14T14:20:00.000-04:002013-09-14T14:23:58.957-04:00Lunch Box Chronicles: Day One Hundred-Eight One (French Toast with Spelt Right Cinnamon Bread, Slivered Almonds, and a Touch of Bourbon Vanilla)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-yPV4kKKeTLirZ8cdA3DgNUR9ONqWbPNaDS8cClk094bwl631AAov4cyXcLQNOHGbWv55DlFdOKokAKr5d6uLwk7HSZ62ThMZ1XUNSWlM2NKCWpPZTOuQ-W1_VT-9cKIWSzSx0Agl7fFI/s1600/SpeltCRbreadfrenchtoast+with+slivered+almonds+and+real+maple+syrup.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-yPV4kKKeTLirZ8cdA3DgNUR9ONqWbPNaDS8cClk094bwl631AAov4cyXcLQNOHGbWv55DlFdOKokAKr5d6uLwk7HSZ62ThMZ1XUNSWlM2NKCWpPZTOuQ-W1_VT-9cKIWSzSx0Agl7fFI/s320/SpeltCRbreadfrenchtoast+with+slivered+almonds+and+real+maple+syrup.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
I am almost half way to my original goal of 365 posts, but it already has taken me more than double the time to reach half of the entire goal. But that is the subject of another post.<br />
<br />
This post is simple. A restful breakfast on a beautiful day in NYC. No plans, no work, no rushing around. Just making good food and feeding my family. Kind of sweet.<br />
<br />
RECIPE: French Toast with Spelt Right Cinnamon Raisin Bread, Slivered Almonds, and a Touch of Bourbon Vanilla.<br />
<br />
<b>Ingredients:</b><br />
<br />
Spelt Right cinnamon raisin bread (this particular loaf had been in my freezer for months). I used the whole loaf. <br />
3 eggs<br />
1/2 cup of milk<br />
a teaspoon of Bourbon vanilla (yum!)<br />
3 TBL organic cane sugar<br />
2 teaspoons of cinnamon<br />
1/4 cup slivered almonds<br />
(butter for the pan) <br />
<br />
<b>Directions:</b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Mix together all ingredients (except bread and butter) in a glass dish with high enough sides (like a pyrex dish)</span></b><br />
<br />
Soak individual bread slices, each side until soaked with the mixture. Make sure the almonds stick. In a stainless steel pan, melt butter to coat bottom of pan on medium heat. When butter is hot, put slices of bread on pan. Pan fry each side until golden brown. Repeat until all bread is made into French Toast. Serve with real maple syrup and cut up fruit.<br />
<br />
If you have left-overs, you can freezer in plastic baggies. They are perfect not only for a lazy Saturday morning breakfast, but also for a quick before school breakfast treat. Take out of freezer and pop in toaster oven. <br />
<br />Beth Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01817194729604871418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6862492632530413645.post-67910978849104179132013-09-03T20:37:00.001-04:002013-09-03T20:37:35.008-04:00Lunch Box Chronicles (Day One-Hundred Eighty)(Spelt Right Toast, Chevre, Pomegranates, Oh My!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoKqESPv-wMQIyaZ4AkGhBIezw-yxwkY9422Eyd5KMY1ggzCvxJz-WCx3Wi3reSnR_1Pkx6ZNgEN64xANo8NmzD1srxhujarnWDG9_oZGuDIETjWAzYxlnRquXV-KZr85nQtKIbApRJSob/s1600/SpeltBreadPomWal.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoKqESPv-wMQIyaZ4AkGhBIezw-yxwkY9422Eyd5KMY1ggzCvxJz-WCx3Wi3reSnR_1Pkx6ZNgEN64xANo8NmzD1srxhujarnWDG9_oZGuDIETjWAzYxlnRquXV-KZr85nQtKIbApRJSob/s320/SpeltBreadPomWal.jpeg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
Well, I officially went the entire summer without a blog post. Life sometimes is THAT busy. Well, here is an easy and incredibly delicious appetizer for those of you who love good food but are busy, busy, busy.<br />
<br />
Thanks to Olivia's burgeoning talent as a photographer and overall mega social networker, as well as a tough food critic, I have a great picture and an honest, critical review of this new recipe. "Yumm"<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKpRMowKr_tiOSQVoocDqxrhVsIlgPe_G9UVivz2RnHDE_PzSl3aAYD854TI1hOO2YGDfYEReBVdWlHBVjLRDYSRpJa11uZePBg4NXO7lEDDhtg_BoHj-ycfcfi9hhNZMRsOrhaEI9USzV/s1600/Pomegranatemolasses.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKpRMowKr_tiOSQVoocDqxrhVsIlgPe_G9UVivz2RnHDE_PzSl3aAYD854TI1hOO2YGDfYEReBVdWlHBVjLRDYSRpJa11uZePBg4NXO7lEDDhtg_BoHj-ycfcfi9hhNZMRsOrhaEI9USzV/s200/Pomegranatemolasses.jpeg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.speltright.com/">Spelt Right </a>toast with goat cheese, pomegranate molasses, and chopped walnuts.<br />
<br />
Easy! Easy!<br />
<br />
Toast up some Spelt Right bread. Smear with your favorite chevre (either plain or herbed), top with chopped walnuts, and drizzle with pomegranate molasses. Enjoy!Beth Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01817194729604871418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6862492632530413645.post-30795528557160126642013-04-24T00:15:00.000-04:002013-12-26T23:48:56.312-05:00Lunch Box Chronicles: Day One-Hundred Seventy-Nine (Let Good Prevail Over Evil)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">
<!--StartFragment-->
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Writer's Note: This piece was written shortly after the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tell me it is not so.
I like to believe you don’t exist, that you are not so lost and
disconnected from the beauty of life.
Please tell me that your choice is not to destroy it. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But, you show me otherwise.</span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;">
</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
You rattle my psyche.
You unnerve my children.
You bring terror in a backpack.
I like to think you do not exist.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But you are there. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And, you rattle, unnerve, terrorize, and destroy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But we are here.
And, we calm, comfort, protect, and create. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You almost silenced me. But, I won’t let you.
If I am silent, you have won. I am here to tell a story – simple as it
is, of family, love, and food; of good over evil. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
There are stories of hope, of sharing, of
simplicity that are wedged in between the episodes of tragedy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And one day, a simple meal was created with love, by cousins
lost and found. Strangers the day
before, now forever entwined by blood.
They worked together to recreate the flavors of those who preceded them. And the spirits of their common great
granddads and great grandmoms danced in the crowded kitchen whispering secrets from
100 years past when they landed on Ellis Island in the same City in search of a better life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10, 10s have passed, and those great grandchildren have
unknowingly returned to the same place to hear the stories, smell the scents, and
taste the flavors that were brought here just for this moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And locked in time, cloistered from the noises from without,
the stories unwind from within…..<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Kristen, did you know your granddad, my uncle, was a war hero, with his picture in
Life Magazine?”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“And that your grandma, my aunt, was perhaps one of the best cooks on
the planet?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbP5XG3KhmrzYjqa_EaMYXFoGMkmE1gtbLtAI-l-QcB1GUqKKdF-gTd20un_bpQREnr-g0kvoANZxmiSxFV9dOIyhAqJgVV5p3B5W_RaCeCjASC92QzPv58fpuM_7Gg0z7aneVka4pX7a/s1600/Family+and+Food.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbP5XG3KhmrzYjqa_EaMYXFoGMkmE1gtbLtAI-l-QcB1GUqKKdF-gTd20un_bpQREnr-g0kvoANZxmiSxFV9dOIyhAqJgVV5p3B5W_RaCeCjASC92QzPv58fpuM_7Gg0z7aneVka4pX7a/s1600/Family+and+Food.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbP5XG3KhmrzYjqa_EaMYXFoGMkmE1gtbLtAI-l-QcB1GUqKKdF-gTd20un_bpQREnr-g0kvoANZxmiSxFV9dOIyhAqJgVV5p3B5W_RaCeCjASC92QzPv58fpuM_7Gg0z7aneVka4pX7a/s1600/Family+and+Food.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbP5XG3KhmrzYjqa_EaMYXFoGMkmE1gtbLtAI-l-QcB1GUqKKdF-gTd20un_bpQREnr-g0kvoANZxmiSxFV9dOIyhAqJgVV5p3B5W_RaCeCjASC92QzPv58fpuM_7Gg0z7aneVka4pX7a/s320/Family+and+Food.jpeg" width="239" /></span></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Olivia and Spence, did you know your granddad, my dad, worked on airplanes during WWII…?”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“And that your grandma and granddad, my parents, had a big pool, where
people paid to swim, and all the relatives visited, and laughed, and danced,
and ate?”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“And all of you, did you know that your great great granddad was a slave to a sultan somewhere in the Middle East? He was told he could win his
freedom if he fought and killed a bear with his bare hands. Do you think he won?”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Are you here today because of the bear?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“And, kids, please just keep chopping the onions, squeezing
the lemons, and measuring the olive oil.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7OlimDI9nqZo4d1bwryKahiqJ-2PzAA_91STUYldk9hcwoZF_VMniNN3a8XQcGgZpLW9jVtSwFmGEJuI9lYQuYCQ30PfXZQdtd5lQ8CU8m3_iViNb8qBiRlaGwvtKb3bb1mjUZnqLbQf/s1600/0-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7OlimDI9nqZo4d1bwryKahiqJ-2PzAA_91STUYldk9hcwoZF_VMniNN3a8XQcGgZpLW9jVtSwFmGEJuI9lYQuYCQ30PfXZQdtd5lQ8CU8m3_iViNb8qBiRlaGwvtKb3bb1mjUZnqLbQf/s1600/0-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7OlimDI9nqZo4d1bwryKahiqJ-2PzAA_91STUYldk9hcwoZF_VMniNN3a8XQcGgZpLW9jVtSwFmGEJuI9lYQuYCQ30PfXZQdtd5lQ8CU8m3_iViNb8qBiRlaGwvtKb3bb1mjUZnqLbQf/s1600/0-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7OlimDI9nqZo4d1bwryKahiqJ-2PzAA_91STUYldk9hcwoZF_VMniNN3a8XQcGgZpLW9jVtSwFmGEJuI9lYQuYCQ30PfXZQdtd5lQ8CU8m3_iViNb8qBiRlaGwvtKb3bb1mjUZnqLbQf/s320/0-1.jpeg" width="239" /></span></a><br />
<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
We made quite a feast that night.
Enough to serve multiple generations. We made fitayers with ground beef, fitayers with
spinach, red-pepper pies, and tabouli (with quinoa – not something our
ancestors would have recognized, but something we believe they would have
appreciated.)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
And here we share one of those recipes, Tabouli with Quinoa, that combines tastes and cultures from across the globe that weave in and out of generations. Here is to good eating, and good people.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recipe for Tabouli (with quinoa rather than cracked wheat)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 bunches of fresh curly parsley – rinsed, destemmed, finely
chopped<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 small bunch fresh spearmint – rinsed, destemmed, finely
chopped<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 onion or 3/4 cup scallions finely chopped<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2-3 red plump tasty tomatoes finely chopped<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 fresh lemons squeezed<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">salt and pepper to taste<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 to 1 cup quinoa cooked and drained according to
instructions (let cool)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Toss
the parsley, spearmint, onions, and tomatoes together. Add lemon, olive oil, salt and
pepper. Toss. Add cooled quinoa. Gently toss.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ENJOY your favorite dishes, B</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ROUGHT to you by your great grandparents, MADE by your parents (and first cousin once removed). TOAST to family, food, love, and PRAY for GOOD over EVIL.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></span>Beth Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01817194729604871418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6862492632530413645.post-35737222005475386202013-02-14T00:11:00.001-05:002013-02-14T00:11:25.746-05:00Lunch Box Chronicles: Day One-Hundred Seventy-Eight (Forks Over Knives Gone Awry)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLD7hC1G234EsAWyVonDiOoEd_RNRUGKnl11FqFVG20SzX82nchaCehV5YhzsKAiGz__oCUtFuFfrhODI6H7Bq82wOFfnT_qSmL6Amqi12-PW_JY4Lc4Sx116QuGgxDmgi4_Jc7MmYelnn/s1600/0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLD7hC1G234EsAWyVonDiOoEd_RNRUGKnl11FqFVG20SzX82nchaCehV5YhzsKAiGz__oCUtFuFfrhODI6H7Bq82wOFfnT_qSmL6Amqi12-PW_JY4Lc4Sx116QuGgxDmgi4_Jc7MmYelnn/s320/0.jpeg" width="239" /></a></div>
So, I came home zonked. Really pooped. Tired. And, I still had emails to write. The sales calls promoting my fantastic Spelt Right products were more exhausting than hauling 250 pounds of flour and lifting 500 pounds of dough. Now it is my fingers and psyche getting the work out rather than my back and biceps.<br />
<br />
With every call and email, I put on my armor and a smiley voice. The method is working. We are sending out samples and getting meetings. Just got to keep up the energy. So got to keep in the protein. And, how am I to do this on our new found diet - plant based diet?<br />
<br />
Enter the 15 year old. "Spencer, can you figure out what to make for dinner without meat please?" Answer, "Umm, not really." Shoot, I thought his intellect would have pulled me through on this one. Thank goodness his cooperative nature is still intact so he agreed to help. He just needed some direction.<br />
<br />
I could pull it off without the meat. But eliminating the egg, dairy and cheese was out of the question tonight. Solution: potato, spinach, egg and cheese layered casserole. Again, I had a "culinary vision". This could work. It would fill us up, and could be done in less than an hour.<br />
<br />
I directed the kid with the basics. He pulled off the rest on his own. The dinner was stellar, but failed the "Forks Over Knives" test. It did, however, pass "The Mom Is Really Exhausted and Thankful" test. <br />
<br />
Ingredients:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>4-5 medium sized potatoes, sliced 1/8 inch thin, cut with the precision of a mathematician. </li>
<li>a bunch of fresh spinach, rinsed, spun, and de-stemmed</li>
<li>3-4 eggs</li>
<li>some milk (let's guess at 1 cup)</li>
<li>1and 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese</li>
<li>salt, pepper and garlic to taste</li>
<li>extra virgin olive oil for frying the potatoes</li>
</ul>
<br />
Directions:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Put 1/8 cup of EVOO in frying pan. Pan fry the potatoes until soft on the inside and a little crispy on the out (we did this in two pans to get the process moving)</li>
<li>Place layer of potatoes on 9-12 inch baking dish. Layer with spinach. Layer with potatoes. Layer with spinach. </li>
<li>Blend eggs, milk, 1 cup of grated cheese, salt, pepper, (and chopped garlic if desired)</li>
<li>Pour over layered potatoes and spinach.</li>
<li>Top with remaining 1/2 cup of grated cheese.</li>
<li>Bake at 400F for about 20 minutes or until tooth pick inserted in comes out dry and cheese is all bubbly and tempting on the top.</li>
</ul>
<br />
Enjoy, sit back, relax, and think not of anything but of eating good things.Beth Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01817194729604871418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6862492632530413645.post-60707038591399477862013-02-12T22:56:00.000-05:002013-02-13T10:41:39.430-05:00Lunch Box Chronicles: Day One-Hundred Seventy Seven (Forks Over Knives: Day Three, No Cheating)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE8TLuZ4tARGfCl1gw6uIHE_8W8dYkj-60BMeKKgCJvVkkPQKMrTtZ69tteZspzi5OdJiEEOHQFXUAtS0qws7EUBVVFnp7W9R0Rld5A6qYlSmoRCG582VwQJ0eoLO_LlPpRw6Lp5GMehBk/s1600/ForksoverKnives.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE8TLuZ4tARGfCl1gw6uIHE_8W8dYkj-60BMeKKgCJvVkkPQKMrTtZ69tteZspzi5OdJiEEOHQFXUAtS0qws7EUBVVFnp7W9R0Rld5A6qYlSmoRCG582VwQJ0eoLO_LlPpRw6Lp5GMehBk/s320/ForksoverKnives.jpeg" width="238" /></a></div>
Thanks to Netflix, we saw the documentary <a href="http://www.forksoverknives.com/">Forks over Knives</a>. It told us what we suspected. Made us feel guilty for many foods we eat. And, motivated us to make some dietary changes - at least until we can't stand them anymore or run out of ideas, or worse, get really grumpy.<br />
<br />
So, the synopsis is this: meat is evil; red meat is the worst; animal based products are bad; give up your beloved cheese, eggs, and butter. People who eat animal based diets have higher rates of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and all the horribles that haunt those who consume products made by or with fellow creatures that once breathed.<br />
<br />
Man! That is a harsh pill to swallow. What if we have just a little meat? A little cheese? Our beloved eggs in the morning and cream in our coffee? What if we just cut out some, but not all those animal based products? <br />
<br />
Apparently, the real deal is that we are supposed to go cold turkey. Cold Turkey? More like Cold Kale.<br />
<br />
We were ready to introduce this change to our daily routine. Tim did the shopping. I did the cooking. Lots of green stuff, beans, rice, and veggies in our fridge and cupboards. I cheated on Day One - eating my friend's baked chicken that he did not eat while visiting him as he was recuperating from surgery at the hospital. How could I possibly admit to my family that, in my desperation, I ate chicken from hospital fare? I cheated also on Day Two, even though I did make enough rice and beans the night before to last a week.<br />
<br />
The rice and black beans were not finished until late night because I did not anticipate the 4 hours of cooking after the eight hours of soaking. So, we had them for a late night snack, for breakfast the next day, and for dinner the following evening. The family was being surprisingly cooperative at dinner facing beans and rice again, but were looking a bit forlorn.<br />
<br />
Enter cheat number two. More poultry. We happened to have some chicken in the fridge so I sauteed it up with some olive oil, garlic, and wine. Everyone was happy with the addition of the poultry because the steady diet of beans and rice was causing slight gastric distress in all of us. Day two was a semi-success.<br />
<br />
So tonight, day three, we all sighed at the thought of consuming anything that contained beans. Yet, I was resolute not to cheat again.<br />
<br />
As I looked at a beautiful bunch of dark green kale that Tim brought home like a bouquet of flowers (thanks honey, so beautiful!), I prayed for my culinary instinct to divine something to me. My prayers worked. All I needed was a little organic tofu, some nuts, and some tasty oils (probably against the diet...but, heck, I needed some tools). Here it is. Forks Over Knives, Day Three - No Cheating.<br />
<br />
<b>Ingredients and Directions</b><br />
<br />
Make a cup and half of rice, according to instructions - organic brown rice is recommended, but if you are pressed for time (as we were), use white rice. <br />
<br />
One large bunch kale, de-stemmed, rinsed, and chopped and half chopped onion. Saute onion and kale in frying pan with freshly minced garlic (crushed with a mortar and pestle), extra virgin olive oil (about 1/4 cup), 2-4 TBL of organic toasted sesame seed oil, and salt to taste. Saute until onions are soft and kale is limp. Set aside.<br />
<br />
Take one pound of organic extra firm tofu, and cut into equal size chunks. Coat thoroughly with organic <a href="http://www.purityfoods.com/">spelt</a>. Heat about 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil in a separate stainless steel frying pan. As soon as the oil is heated, add coated tofu. Cook until brown on all sides. Add about 2TBL of toasted sesame seed oil. Add about 1/2 cup unsalted peanuts. Add kale, onion mix, and toss together.<br />
<br />
Serve over rice. DELICIOUS.<br />
<br />
We did it. We accomplished Forks over Knives, Day Three...<br />
<br />
As noted by Tim, "Served with red wine, thank god, that hasn't been eliminated..."<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Beth Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01817194729604871418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6862492632530413645.post-87980476174639974842013-02-10T11:36:00.002-05:002013-02-10T12:24:40.413-05:00Lunch Box Chronicles: Day One-Hundred Seventy-Six (Blizzard Blues: Spelt Blueberry Banana Muffins)<!--StartFragment-->
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Blizzard Blues.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Experiencing a major blizzard in coastal Maine is a
different experience than in the Big Apple. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In Maine, Tim would have shoveled the drive and walkway,
shoveled them again, shoveled them again, loaded wood in the woodstove, and we
all would have hunkered down to stay snug in the house all day. I probably would have baked something
too. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In NYC, we had no shoveling (except for digging a car out),
have no woodstove, and had tickets to see Blue Man Group. So, we hailed a cab, met some friends,
and went to a very bizarre off-Broadway production. A little loud for my taste.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But, the habits of Maine linger. So before embarking on the Blue Man adventure, I felt compelled to make blueberry muffins– appropriate for a snowy blue-themed
day.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Problem #1, there was no organic sugar in the house, and I
was not about to use bleached white sugar, nor was I going to pay $7.99 for a
pound and half of organic sugar at our local grocery store.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eKINziEmcZY/URfJuapQ_rI/AAAAAAAAANk/hI-yJMMuhjg/s1600/blueberrybananamuffins.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eKINziEmcZY/URfJuapQ_rI/AAAAAAAAANk/hI-yJMMuhjg/s320/blueberrybananamuffins.JPG" width="240" /></span></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Spelt Blueberry Banana Muffins with Honey</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Problem #2, we had very few blueberries, and as with the
organic sugar, I was not going to pay triple for the convenience of buying them
in our neighborhood.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Solution #1: create a recipe with honey</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Solution #2: use blueberries in combination with some other
fruit we have in the house: bananas!!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is a recipe for Blueberry-Banana Spelt Muffins – made
especially to prevent stormy day blues, and to keep you from going bananas. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Blueberry-Banana Spelt Muffins – with no sugar</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 and 1/4 cups white</span><a href="http://www.purityfoods.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> spelt</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> flour</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 cup whole spelt flour</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 tsp. salt</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 TBL baking powder</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 cup buttermilk (made with 1 tbl fresh lemon juice and 1
cup milk, mixed and set aside for 10 minutes)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7 TBL honey</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 cup melted butter</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 cup blueberries</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 and 1/2 ripe bananas</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Combine
dry ingredients in a medium sized bowl.
In a larger bowl (I used the Kitchenaid), combine all the other
ingredients, except the blueberries, and mix the dry into the liquid until blended. Stir in the blueberries. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<!--StartFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Scoop enough batter to fill the muffin pans 3/4 way either lined with muffin papers or in well oiled muffin pans. Bake at
400 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center of muffin
comes out clean.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Beth Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01817194729604871418noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6862492632530413645.post-19730709398688074612013-01-06T23:43:00.005-05:002013-01-07T00:18:38.191-05:00Lunch Box Chronicles: Day One-Hundred Seventy-Five (Terrific Truffles-But Stop Already)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi19gIydLwqioq8GtT5zDpEcRXAhHngiwZXpjwBmK-GY6CBdmdKePa_knbUyGwwW58pZWbF4AJVA-Xs4qhQVmpu9b1z-FmuB2bagX4mj7O2iP_PMZJwEid5MBqtN_8Jt9AQYzZ_J0Aqm0x5/s1600/Truffles.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi19gIydLwqioq8GtT5zDpEcRXAhHngiwZXpjwBmK-GY6CBdmdKePa_knbUyGwwW58pZWbF4AJVA-Xs4qhQVmpu9b1z-FmuB2bagX4mj7O2iP_PMZJwEid5MBqtN_8Jt9AQYzZ_J0Aqm0x5/s320/Truffles.jpeg" width="238" /></a></div>
Stop Already! The kids have been obsessed this holiday season with baking. My girth does not appreciate it.<br />
<br />
On Saturday evening we picked up Spencer at the airport after he returned from Duluth, MN. He and his cousin Charlie served as human couriers each way to help Grandma travel safely between their homes in NYC and Duluth, MN. It's an incredible right of passage to have these teenage boys become the guardian over their 87 year old grandmother as she travels to visit her kids and grandkids.<br />
<br />
In less than a decade, the roles of child and grandma, have morphed into something neither the grandchildren nor the grandparent could have imagined. Besides adoring these boys, Grandma used to bathe, babysit, read and sing to them.<br />
<br />
Now, what seems as nothing more than in a blink of an eye, the little boys have transformed into young men, aware, caring, and capable of taking on the role as guardian to help Grandma safely maneuver her trips through the Big Blue Sky. And Grandma has transformed from a fierce individual ready to take on any travel itinerary to a fragile sometimes disoriented woman in her prime, who understands love, but sometimes loses track of the daily flow. Despite some confusion as she bustles through busy LaGuardia, Grandma has a certain calmness knowing that there is a trusting young man by her side to help her along her journey.<br />
<br />
On the ride home from the airport, I mentioned that I planned on doing some baking. Spencer chimed in somewhat disappointed. "Mom, you plan to use the kitchen?" I answered, "Yes, why?" "Umm, well, I was planning to make truffles. It's in the cookbook from the <a href="http://www.duluthgrill.com/cookbook/">Duluth Grill</a> where Auntie Carol works. She got me the cookbook."<br />
<br />
Both Tim and I smiled, "Truffles?" What I wanted to say was "Stop Already!" All this decadent food is, well, too decadent. But, what could I say? "The kitchen is yours kid." As Grandma trusts him to courier her through her travels, I trust him to take on another challenge in the kitchen.<br />
<br />
It was a two day and very messy project. But the outcome was nothing less than devilish. Here is a lovely photo. We can't provide the recipe here, but suggest you buy the <a href="http://www.duluthgrill.com/cookbook/">Duluth Grill Cookbook</a> for this recipe and many more from the award winning restaurant.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Beth Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01817194729604871418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6862492632530413645.post-66430712344006203662013-01-06T19:52:00.001-05:002013-01-07T11:20:58.466-05:00Lunch Box Chronicles: Day One Hundred Seventy-Five (Carrot Cupcakes for Argument Sake)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq744stMm6Vg2RE4q_6q57ZW_IdwECvaSDJNKyrS3aQVd3-E2gHXEZxTw4DBplpawmpR2NEIK83dUgH8bOjmRe_KmC16khUePw6pYiicDc80iTLbE0770FuBu02fP4GFlObVCozj1Wzdhy/s1600/carrotcupcakes.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq744stMm6Vg2RE4q_6q57ZW_IdwECvaSDJNKyrS3aQVd3-E2gHXEZxTw4DBplpawmpR2NEIK83dUgH8bOjmRe_KmC16khUePw6pYiicDc80iTLbE0770FuBu02fP4GFlObVCozj1Wzdhy/s320/carrotcupcakes.jpeg" width="238" /></a></div>
The Joy of Parenting brought to you by the <a href="http://www.joyofbaking.com/CarrotCupcake.html#ixzz2HElG0ZH7">The Joy of Baking</a> website. <br />
<br />
We have been admonishing our ten-year old for too much computer time. She reminded us that if we did more activities with her in someway, she might not be on the computer as much. She suggested that she might spend less time on the computer if she were allowed to have some independence baking like her bigger brother has.<br />
<br />
We reminded her that she often argues so much that we end up not doing an activity. <br />
<br />
She disagreed.<br />
<br />
So, her dad suggested that they make bread pudding at the suggestion of her mom. (Dad is infinitely more patient than Mom is).<br />
<br />
And, the kid thought the baking was a good idea, but the bread pudding was a bad idea.<br />
<br />
So, after extensive negotiations, her dad agreed to help her make carrot cupcakes.<br />
<br />
Dad then suggested walnuts, and the kids reminded him that nuts are optional in the recipe. She vetoed that option.<br />
<br />
And so goes the conversation. <br />
<br />
And we must say that the 10 year-old carrot cupcake advocate won her case. The confections were absolutely delicious.<br />
<br />
This recipe is adopted from <a href="http://www.joyofbaking.com/CarrotCupcake.html#ixzz2HElG0ZH7">The Joy of Baking website</a>, but modified to use spelt instead of wheat, butter instead of oil, bourbon vanilla extract instead of regular vanilla extract, and organic evaporated cane juice instead of white sugar.<br />
<br />
For argument sake, we think the modifications make a better cupcake.<br />
<br />
Well said, counselor.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="border-top-style: none; border-top-width: medium;" valign="top" width="353"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #663300; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"></span></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #663300; font-family: Arial;"><b></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #663300; font-family: Arial;"><b></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #663300; font-family: Arial;"><b></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #663300; font-family: Arial;"><b><h2 align="left">
<b><span class="bod" style="color: #663300; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Carrot Cupcakes:</span></span></b></h2>
<div align="left" class="ingredient">
<span class="bod" style="color: #663300; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span class="value">1 cup organic white spelt flour</span></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="ingredient">
<span class="bod" style="color: #663300; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span class="value">1/3 cup organic whole spelt flour</span></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="ingredient">
<span class="bod" style="color: #663300; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span class="value">1 teaspoon baking soda</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="bod" style="color: #663300; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span class="value">1/4 teaspoon salt</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="bod" style="color: #663300; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span class="value">1 teaspoon ground cinnamon</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="bod" style="color: #663300; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span class="value">1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="bod" style="color: #663300; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span class="value">2 large eggs</span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="ingredient">
<span class="bod" style="color: #663300; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span class="value">2/3 cup organic evaporated cane juice</span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="ingredient">
<span class="bod" style="color: #663300; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span class="value">2/3 cup butter softened</span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="ingredient">
<span class="bod" style="color: #663300; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span class="value">1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract - (we used bourbon vanilla)</span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="ingredient">
<span class="bod" style="color: #663300; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span class="value">2/3 cup unsweetened applesauce</span></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="ingredient">
<span class="bod" style="color: #663300; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span class="value">1 1/3 cups finely grated raw carrots </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="bod" style="color: #663300; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><small><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Cream Cheese Frosting:</span></b></small><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="ingredient">
<span class="bod" style="color: #663300; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span class="value">1/4 cup butter</span>, room temperature</span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="ingredient">
<span class="bod" style="color: #663300; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">4 <span class="value">ounces cream cheese</span>, room temperature</span></span></div>
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<span class="bod" style="color: #663300; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span class="value"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">2 1/4 cups confectioners' (powdered or icing) sugar</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">, sifted</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><div align="left" class="ingredient">
<span class="bod" style="color: #663300; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span class="value">1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract</span></span></div>
</span><br />l</b></span><br />
<span class="bod" style="color: #663300; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><small><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><b>Carrot Cupcakes</b>: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C) and place rack in center of oven. In a medium cupcake pan, line 12 muffin cups with paper liners.</span></small></span><br />
<span class="bod" style="color: #663300; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><small><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">In a large bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon. Fold in the chopped walnuts (if desired. Olivia chose not to use nuts).</span></small></span><br />
<span class="bod" style="color: #663300; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><small><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></small></span>
<span class="bod" style="color: #663300; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><small><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">In another large bowl whisk the eggs until lightly beaten. Then whisk in the sugar, butter, and vanilla extract until slightly thickened. Fold in the applesauce and grated carrots. </span></small></span><br />
<span class="bod" style="color: #663300; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><small><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></small></span>
<span class="bod" style="color: #663300; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><small><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Then fold this mixture into the flour mixture until incorporated. Evenly fill the 12 muffin cups with the batter and bake 20<span class="cooktime"> - 23 minutes<span class="value-title" title="PT0H23M"></span></span> or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Remove from the oven, place on a wire rack, and let cool completely before frosting.</span></small></span><br />
<span class="bod" style="color: #663300; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><small><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></small></span>
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<div align="left">
<span class="bod" style="color: #663300; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><small><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Frosting:</span></b></small><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"> In a separate beat the butter and cream cheese u</span><small><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">ntil very smooth and creamy. Add the powdered sugar and beat until fully incorporated and smooth. Beat in the vanilla extract. Add more confectioners sugar if needed. Pipe the frosting on the top of each cupcake. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate the cupcakes until serving time. Can be stored in the refrigerator for several days.</span></small></span></div>
<div align="left">
<span class="bod" style="color: #663300; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Makes 12 cupcakes.</span></span></div>
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Beth Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01817194729604871418noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6862492632530413645.post-83961684535213014682012-11-25T21:28:00.002-05:002013-05-19T00:50:55.635-04:00Lunch Box Chronicles: Day One-Hundred Seventy-Four:(On Kids, College and Cakes)<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">Well,
arriving home last night couldn’t have been any cuter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">I came home
slightly grumpy after a $300+ eye doctor bill because of some crazy astigmatism
that I have – making the cost of the appointment and the contact lenses about a
gazillion times more expensive than that for the normal far-sighted folks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">But, as I
walked into the apartment, there was laughter and wafts of baking chocolate and
perhaps an essence of alcohol? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">This was
truly a sight for sore eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">My two
oldest were in the kitchen baking together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Emma wanted one of Spencer’s famous (at least in our
household) cakes to bring back to college.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spencer will use any excuse to make a cake, but this excuse
was a good one, because he loves his big (albeit 6 inches shorter) sister.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">What kind
of cake for the college kids?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Well, of course it has to have chocolate, and maybe a little
liquor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Voila!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A spelt chocolate Kahlua cake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_gAea7ypK1KQMZ_vahzTTAj3UuerX_UCYd8JPDmOduwIlB9qrAfXhR_EVvLMZE-YNsD7PPtqq1hLmW4sFAPFcnoIfUqmePNMAWOna_DBuCV11IL6wpKWYlU1aBvA5qcMLg26zD5PAIhl/s1600/Kahluaforkids.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_gAea7ypK1KQMZ_vahzTTAj3UuerX_UCYd8JPDmOduwIlB9qrAfXhR_EVvLMZE-YNsD7PPtqq1hLmW4sFAPFcnoIfUqmePNMAWOna_DBuCV11IL6wpKWYlU1aBvA5qcMLg26zD5PAIhl/s320/Kahluaforkids.jpeg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">Tim, being
the good dad and cautionary fellow he is, warned Emma not to give the cake to
any of the drivers on the trek back to school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I assured Tim that when baked, the liquor is baked off and
so the cake would not be truly intoxicating, except maybe for its delicious
taste.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, we got the assurance
that the kids would not “eat and drive”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">Now, I was
lucky to try the frosting, but the kids simply would not let me break into the
cake to try it, so we will have to hear comments from the college kids way up
North on how they rate it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;"><b><a href="http://www.speltrightbaking.com/category_s/1818.htm">SPELT</a>
CHOCOLATE KAHLUA CAKE</b> (adapted from cdkitchen.com and modified to be mostly
organic, all natural, and without regular wheat)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 4.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #b20005; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">INGREDIENTS:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<b>Kahlua Chocolate Spelt Cake</b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">3 eggs,
separated<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">3/4 cup
organic sugar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">1/2 cup
butter<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">1 cup
light brown sugar packed<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">2 1/4
cups <a href="http://www.speltrightbaking.com/category_s/1818.htm">organic spelt flour</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">1/2 cup
unsweetened cocoa powder<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">1 1/2 teaspoons
baking soda<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">3/4 cup
strong cold brewed coffee<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">3/4 cup
Kahlua<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<b>Kahlua Frosting</b> (this was not the typical way
Spencer likes to make frostings.
He usually does butter cream on the stove top, but he took the
confectioners sugar short cut in order to make it in time for his sister’s
departure to college)<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">6
tablespoons butter<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">1 pound
of sifted powdered sugar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">3
tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">3
tablespoons Kahlua<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">3
tablespoons hot coffee<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 4.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #b20005; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 4.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b20005; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 4.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #b20005; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">DIRECTIONS:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<b>Kahlua Chocolate <a href="http://www.speltrightbaking.com/category_s/1818.htm">Spelt</a> Cake</b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">Butter
and flour 2 9” cake pans <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">(it is
best to put fitted parchment paper on bottom of the buttered pan)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
Preheat oven 350 F. </div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
In a medium bowl, beat egg whites till frothy; then beat
in sugar until stiff peaks forms. Set aside. </div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
In a larger bowl (or in the KitchenAid Mixer if you have
one), cream butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Beat in egg yolks one at a
time. </div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
In a separate bowl, mix flour, cocoa, baking soda
together. Add to creamed mixture alternately with coffee and Kahlua; blend
well. Fold egg whites into batter. </div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
Pour into prepared pans. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until
done. Cool 10 minutes. Invert on wire rack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remove from pans. Cool before frosting. </div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Bold";"><b>Kahlua Frosting <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
In a large bowl, cream 6 Tbsp butter and a pound of
confectioner’s sugar. Add 3 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, 3 Tbsp Kahlua and
2-3 Tbsp hot coffee; beat until smooth. </div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
Gently frost.<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 15.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->
Beth Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01817194729604871418noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6862492632530413645.post-32722454203609772342012-11-22T22:40:00.002-05:002012-11-24T11:05:06.267-05:00Lunch Box Chronicles: Day One-Hundred Seventy-Three (On Birthdays and Giving Thanks and Complicated "007" Cakes)<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2FqKQXcaC1J-yGvFsGZLCYMiIlBVlfDcxJuYUgz1G9LXz3gUbdcMtToMS66klrPAd66EB5JmW0y_CA-R_kkRAmyL5nnF0FG3GYCFwYvWME6GB24G_536914Macu-RRtTfGY8X1lnS2K6/s1600/German+Chocolate+Cake+One.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2FqKQXcaC1J-yGvFsGZLCYMiIlBVlfDcxJuYUgz1G9LXz3gUbdcMtToMS66klrPAd66EB5JmW0y_CA-R_kkRAmyL5nnF0FG3GYCFwYvWME6GB24G_536914Macu-RRtTfGY8X1lnS2K6/s320/German+Chocolate+Cake+One.jpeg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"007 Cake"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Happy Birthday, Tim! <br />
<br />
My husband was blessed with being born during the Season of Giving, so every seven years or so, this year being one of them, Tim's birthday falls on Thanksgiving. <br />
<br />
Spencer gets quite revved during holidays because they provide a great excuse to make great cakes. A double holiday leads to double the reason to make a doubly good cake. <br />
<br />
We dubbed this cake "the 007" given the timeliness of the newest James Bond flick, and because of all of the gadgets that were used to create it. But, as an afterthought, we realized that this "the 007" was also appropriately dubbed for this Double Occasion: Thanksgiving with our crew of 5 and Tim's 52nd. <br />
<br />
GERMAN CHOCOLATE SPELT CAKE - renamed the DOUBLE OCCASION "007" CAKE<br />
<br />
CAVEAT:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOVXWjT0f1vhimfLvCplREFRnOH6xTTGyl_5XwF7ngWKkWEkemzNzgPNDRTphaJb5BWMkb26x-YtHRgFgv8TEc2G0jxL8alkokmo9gFS1LLupg3_ESCxcc0yJYh8la30IXMJq-TZSTw8Fa/s1600/Sliced007cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOVXWjT0f1vhimfLvCplREFRnOH6xTTGyl_5XwF7ngWKkWEkemzNzgPNDRTphaJb5BWMkb26x-YtHRgFgv8TEc2G0jxL8alkokmo9gFS1LLupg3_ESCxcc0yJYh8la30IXMJq-TZSTw8Fa/s320/Sliced007cake.jpg" width="320" /></a>This is at least a two person job (another double). No person (especially a 14 or 15 year old) should be expected to make this alone. Spencer spent approximately 5 hours making this incredibly delicious and rich concoction of layers of chocolate, butter, sugar, coconut, and pecans. I spent about 6 hours following him around and cleaning up every bowl, gadget and pan it took to create this Double Occasion cake.<br />
<br />
Ingredients (adapted from AllRecipes.com but revised significantly to meet our spelt and all natural requirements)<br />
<u><br /></u>
<u>CAKE</u>:<br />
1/2 cup water<br />
4 ounces German sweet chocolate<br />
1 cup butter, softened<br />
2 cups organic cane sugar<br />
4 egg yolks<br />
1 teaspoon natural vanilla extract<br />
1 cup milk (need to make into buttermilk with lemon)<br />
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon<br />
2 1/2 cups organic white spelt flour<br />
1 teaspoon baking soda<br />
4 egg whites<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> <u>FROSTING</u>:</span></span></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">1 cup organic cane sugar</span></span></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">1 cup evaporated milk</span></span></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">1/2 cup butter</span></span></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">3 egg yolks, beaten</span></span></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">1 1/3 cups flaked organic coconut</span></span></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">1 cup chopped pecans</span></span></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract</span></span></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><br /></span></span></b></span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 18px;"></span></u>
<u><div class="directions" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<h3 style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #7a7a7a; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
Directions (REVISED 11/24/12)</h3>
<ol style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 16px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 16px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<li style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="plaincharacterwrap break" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). </span></li>
<li style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="plaincharacterwrap break" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">Grease and flour 3 - 9 inch round pans. </span></li>
<li style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="plaincharacterwrap break" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.</span></li>
<li style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="plaincharacterwrap break" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">In a small bowl, make the buttermilk by mixing the milk and fresh lemon. Set aside until curdles. (About 5 minutes)</span></li>
<li style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="plaincharacterwrap break" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"> In a small saucepan, heat water and 4 ounces chocolate until melted. Remove from heat and allow to cool.</span></li>
<li style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="plaincharacterwrap break" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">In a large bowl (or KitchenAid Mixer), cream 1 cup butter and 2 cups sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in 4 egg yolks one at a time. Blend in the melted chocolate mixture and vanilla. Beat in the flour mixture alternately with the buttermilk, mixing just until incorporated.</span></li>
<li style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="plaincharacterwrap break" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">In a large glass or metal mixing bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Then, fold 1/3 of the whites into the batter, then quickly fold in remaining whites until no streaks remain.</span></li>
<li style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="plaincharacterwrap break" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">Pour into 3 - 9 inch round baking pans, which have been greased with butter. Best also to cover bottom with parchment paper cut to fit the baking pan.</span></li>
<li style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="plaincharacterwrap break" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"> Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then turn out onto wire rack.</span></li>
<li style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="plaincharacterwrap break" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">To make the Filling: In a saucepan combine 1 cup sugar, evaporated milk, 1/2 cup butter, and 3 egg yolks. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until thickened. Remove from heat. Stir in coconut, pecans and vanilla. Cool until thick enough to spread.</span></li>
<li style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="plaincharacterwrap break" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">Spread filling between layers and on top of cake. In a small saucepan,</span></li>
</ol>
</div>
</u><br />
<br />
<b>ENJOY</b> - and then go for a 30 block walk (twice!) in order to work off some of the double calories gained from this double treat.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><br /></span></span></b></span></span>Beth Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01817194729604871418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6862492632530413645.post-69840039253243433632012-11-18T21:14:00.000-05:002012-11-18T21:14:15.241-05:00Lunch Box Chronicles: Day One-Hundred Seventy-Two (Spelt Crumb Cake to Carry Your Worries Away)<!--StartFragment-->
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yesterday I thought I
would never escape my doldrums. I was more tired than I remember being in
years. My only option was to
nap. </span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finally,
I had escaped into a dreamy bliss of not knowing where I was or having a care
in the world. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nearly
three hours later, I woke to the joyous sounds of Emma arriving home from
college. “PARENTS!! I AM HOME! NEW YORK, I AM HERE!” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And,
then everyone barged in on my pillowly bliss. “HELLO MADJA” proclaimed
Emma. Then, Olivia and her pal Ying, showed up like little chirping
birds. “We’re hungry! We’re hungry!” Then Spencer chimed in waiting for
that moment for me to wake. “Mom, it’s time to make a cake!!!” Then, Tim
came in with some hot chocolate. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, I got up,
tucked away my worries and proceeded to the kitchen. While I made
meatballs, Spencer tried out his “new” KitchenAid (thanks to a friend) and made
the best spelt crumb cake ever!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">SPELT CRUMB CAKE</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #444434;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ingredients:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444434;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 and
1/2 cups organic
white spelt flour<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444434;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 cup
organic whole spelt flour<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444434;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 and
1/2 cups organic evaporated cane juice (organic sugar)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444434;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2.5 TBL
organic molasses<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444434;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2/3 cup
BUTTER<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444434;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2
teaspoons baking powder<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444434;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2
teaspoon baking soda<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444434;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2
teaspoon ground cinnamon<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444434;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2
teaspoon all spice<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444434;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2
beaten eggs<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 and 1/3 cups of milk with 1-2TBL freshly squeezed lemon
juice (let sit for at least 5 minutes)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 cup chopped walnuts</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lOiOaGMZ0Ic/UKmUNkOpGVI/AAAAAAAAALA/GFz5SZd_UbM/s1600/Frankscake.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lOiOaGMZ0Ic/UKmUNkOpGVI/AAAAAAAAALA/GFz5SZd_UbM/s320/Frankscake.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A cake to carry your worries away</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #444434;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Butter
a 13 x 9 x 2 inch baking dish. Set aside.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444434;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In a
medium bowl. combine flour, sugar, and molasses. Cut in butter until
mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Set aside 3/4 of a cup for topping.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444434;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stir in
baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and all spice into remaining crumb
mixture.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444434;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In
another bowl, combine the eggs, milk and lemon. Add wet mixture to dry
and mix together. Pour batter into prepared baking dish. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444434;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(If you
have a KitchenAid, first mix the dry ingredients on low, and then add the wet
ingredients and mix on medium until ingredients are all mixed together)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #444434;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Combine
nuts with reserved crumb mixture. Mix together in crumb form and then
sprinkle over batter.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444434;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bake at
350F for 35-40 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the middle comes
out clean.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444434;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ENJOY!!! Savor each piece with your family and friends, tuck your
worries away, and be sure to save a piece for friends. </span></span><!--EndFragment-->
Beth Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01817194729604871418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6862492632530413645.post-64143915332690791132012-11-13T23:06:00.001-05:002012-11-13T23:11:06.031-05:00Lunch Box Chronicles, Day One-Hundred Seventy One (On Being a Flexitarian - Vegetables with Chicken)<br />
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<div class="etymology" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 22.0pt;"><br />flex·i·tar·i·an</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13.0pt;"> </span><span style="color: #5e5f61; font-family: Verdana;"><b><i>noun</i></b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13.0pt;"> </span><span style="color: #5e5f61; font-family: Verdana;">\</span><span style="color: #5e5f61; font-family: Times-Roman; font-size: 11.0pt;">ˌ</span><span style="color: #5e5f61; font-family: Verdana;">flek-sə-</span><span style="color: #5e5f61; font-family: Times-Roman; font-size: 11.0pt;">ˈ</span><span style="color: #5e5f61; font-family: Verdana;">ter-ē-ən\</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #b67266; font-family: Verdana;"><b>Definition of FLEXITARIAN </b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">(</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #b67266; font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">source: <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flexitarian">http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flexitarian</a> )</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13.0pt;"><b>:</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13.0pt;"> one whose normally meatless diet
occasionally includes meat or fish<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #434343; font-family: Verdana;">— <b>flexitarian</b></span><span style="color: #434343; font-family: Verdana;"> <i>adjective</i></span><span style="color: #434343; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #b67266; font-family: Verdana;"><b>Origin of FLEXITARIAN<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13.0pt;"><i>flex</i></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13.0pt;">ible + vege<i>tarian</i></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13.0pt;">First
Known Use: 1998 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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This recipe is dedicated to my formerly vegetarian, now
flexitarian friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We both
aspire to be completely meat free in our diets, but sometimes we just need a
little comfort food – both for our bodies and our souls. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Baked Chicken with Vegetables, or in Flexitarain Lingo: Baked
Vegetables Accented by Chicken.</b> (adapted from A Taste of Lebanon by Mary
Salloum)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil<o:p></o:p></div>
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2 green peppers, de-seeded and sliced in rounds<o:p></o:p></div>
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2 large tomatoes sliced in rounds (field tomatoes are great
for this)<o:p></o:p></div>
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2 large onions sliced in rounds<o:p></o:p><br />
2 large zucchini sliced in rounds</div>
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1 large leek sliced in rounds <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4 potatoes sliced in rounds<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 chicken cut up, or two-three bone-in breast of chicken<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1-2 teaspoons of salt<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1/2 teaspoon of pepper<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 tsp dried basil<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4-5 cloves of garlic (crushed with salt)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1/2 bunch of fresh parsley (destemmed and chopped)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vHfBfq8werE/UKMWFOhxSSI/AAAAAAAAAKw/3j7Ui1yb3Nc/s1600/flexitarian.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vHfBfq8werE/UKMWFOhxSSI/AAAAAAAAAKw/3j7Ui1yb3Nc/s320/flexitarian.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
Set oven at 400F.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wash and dry chicken (I do this by cleaning with salt and then rinsing –
taught to me by my mother and grandmother).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Place all vegetables and chicken in roasting pan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Add oil and all remaining
ingredients.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Coat vegetables and
chicken with oil, herbs, and spices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Cover roasting pan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bake
for 1 hour or until chicken is tender.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is an easy comfort meal. Perfect with <a href="http://www.speltrightbaking.com/">Spelt Right </a>rosemary bread - toasted with EVOO. The kind of food to enjoy after weathering a storm.</div>
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</div>
</div>
</div>
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Beth Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01817194729604871418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6862492632530413645.post-5238451036635999192012-10-31T02:50:00.001-04:002012-11-10T11:38:25.751-05:00Lunch Box Chronicles Day One Hundred Seventy (Distant Observations from Close-By: Hurricane Sandy)<!--StartFragment-->
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Distant Observations [of Hurricane Sandy] from Close-By (by Beth George)</div>
<h1>
October 29, 2012 – late night<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"> </span></h1>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cloistered in my living room on W. 187th and Cabrini
watching the screen report on the unfathomable destruction wrought by Hurricane
Sandy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The reality of Mother
Nature’s assault on my adopted City is brought to me via CNN.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With a simple click of the remote all sense of chaos
disappears, until it hits me that I cannot get off of this island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All bridges, tunnels, and subways are
closed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Highways are flooded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have not been ordered to
evacuate,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>official orders are to
stay inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, it is so
peaceful in my apartment and on my street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps, someone has made a mistake?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Came here seeking refuge in the vastness, anonymity, and
opportunity of the Big Apple. Landed here in the Heights by chance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The enclave of Hudson Heights within
Washington Heights is among the cheapest of the safest neighborhoods in
Manhattan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Little did I realize
that it was also among the safest when an unprecedented storm hits the City. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Being home to the fortress-like Monastery, known as the
Cloisters, should have been a hint of the Heights protective nature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s no surprise George Washington
chose it as his headquarters during the Revolutionary War given its location
perched above the Henry Hudson boasting the highest point in Manhattan. So I
sit in my solid apartment fortress in the City of all Cities sheltered from the
angering wind and rising waters watching the screen, wondering, and thinking,
“Maybe I should pray tonight.”</div>
<h1>
October 30, 2012 – even later than the night before<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"> </span></h1>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hTbmWf1JP0eO_5JWNzfWnlrI8BiCpSG-j2IcUsFq-LqTAZAiP5CQCeCIJiiIfW0hNLAqABzXSkwpgQP7Y3t3fqTryIqMRpulFG5XUzIbXpmD8lN2_zFMhQ-43apk3xnxWvPCAALBkKVJ/s1600/1247200618134801308Seal_of_New_York_City.svg.med.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hTbmWf1JP0eO_5JWNzfWnlrI8BiCpSG-j2IcUsFq-LqTAZAiP5CQCeCIJiiIfW0hNLAqABzXSkwpgQP7Y3t3fqTryIqMRpulFG5XUzIbXpmD8lN2_zFMhQ-43apk3xnxWvPCAALBkKVJ/s200/1247200618134801308Seal_of_New_York_City.svg.med.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Seal of NYC</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While this neighborhood has been protected, the pain of the
City permeates throughout its veins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wind has died down, the waters have started to
recede, but the lives lost will never be forgotten, and destruction at every
level – below, on and above ground<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>- is unthinkable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What will
happen?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The subway system, the grand equalizer of this City, the way
5 million people – regardless of wealth, race or class commute throughout this
extensive beehive of boroughs, and into neighboring NJ, is closed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of its stations are under
water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How will the millions who
make this City churn get from here to there while this 108 year old subway
system is gasping for breath?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This City is so vast, so diverse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who could believe that so much destruction could happen in
one place in one night? Enter Mother Nature, perhaps with Mankind messing her
up a bit.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Solid little fortresses in Hudson Heights are protected from
the wrath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grand high rises in
Mid-Town are threatened by an errant storm-damaged crane teetering menacingly
over Mid-Town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Breezy Point
Queens, a tight-knit coastal community, was devastated by raging fires leaving
80 homes (most recent count 110) burnt to the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And,
communities along the coast in Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island are
underwater.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nearly a quarter of a
million people are without power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Cars are floating down Wall Street; Lower Manhattan virtually has been
swallowed by the sea; the tunnels between Brooklyn and Manhattan are
underwater; rail yards are under water; and the Battery has been battered. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But, it is the subways, the grand equalizers that are
haunting me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How in the world will
they pump out the water and get these veins pumping again?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The words of Joe Loda, the MTA chief
keep echoing in my ears “The worst disaster the mass transit has seen in 108
years it has been running.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yet still, I sit in my quiet little fortress in Upper
Manhattan and I have seen none of this.</div>
<h1>
October 31, 2012 – wee hours of the morning</h1>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I should be asleep, but I can’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The screen reminds me that NYC is not the only place
crying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of NJ has been
declared a State of Emergency.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Governor
Christie says it’s some of the worst damage he has ever seen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seaside, NJ has been buried by sand,
reminiscent of the City of Pompeii, yet these homes instead of being locked in time
will be washed out to sea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hoboken, our neighbor to the West, is under water, half of its residents
trapped in their homes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, the
list goes on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, next we hear
from neighboring Connecticut – also underwater.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the list goes on.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yet still, I sit in my quiet little fortress in Upper
Manhattan and I have seen none of this.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This bliss won’t last.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I will venture out, but in the meantime, I will do something that I do
not do often.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will pray. <o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->
Beth Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01817194729604871418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6862492632530413645.post-2392410395298026062012-10-29T16:25:00.001-04:002013-05-19T01:05:44.122-04:00Lunch Box Chronicles Day One-Hundred Sixty-Nine (Of storms, neighbors, and sweet things to eat). Guest Blog from Courtney Young.<!--StartFragment-->
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">This is a Guest Blogpost from one of my favorite NYC finds: Courtney Young - professional dancer, wonderful mother, accomplished baker, loyal neighbor, and one hell of a Spelt Right bagel demo-er!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzvV9I2pdeEGrH0tQgXwtkTzk4Di-6lIqDZuxRqiC5CAp3Nhq3TbDuZysUeYNu12R6T3fHn4IxPgdMx7qvEoQGySH7uiF-uGUXQqGNPvd732Whkefg5dSvnEBLXQlMekgDSPU8ZJOOmVh4/s1600/William.grahamcracker.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzvV9I2pdeEGrH0tQgXwtkTzk4Di-6lIqDZuxRqiC5CAp3Nhq3TbDuZysUeYNu12R6T3fHn4IxPgdMx7qvEoQGySH7uiF-uGUXQqGNPvd732Whkefg5dSvnEBLXQlMekgDSPU8ZJOOmVh4/s320/William.grahamcracker.2.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">"The hurricane is coming to
New York City.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The subway is
stopped, shops are shuttered and city slickers are staying sheltered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love this kind of day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Normally life is rush here, hurry
there, off to work, time for school. .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>. A day like today when the city is literally shut down allows me to
stay in my apartment, enjoy my family at a relaxed pace and accomplish some of
the to-do’s I have at home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
list of course is quite long - everything from design, create and install
curtains in our bedroom to painting a kitchen wall with chalkboard paint so
that the kids and I have a spot for daily inspiration, to baking graham
crackers in autumnal shapes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAA8wvafr0y542W_SFIAqnCIa2tYbUS0oCkYVhPKnnCSZwp6LLQ-0Hc2jn9SyF_jyaRpYrStF43v24QtkgNcMtEXSM5iZSH_XKPtgxAFs6ohyphenhyphene-ut2HNvCJKYPkeDH_d6JeAOrRMUc8-Lk/s1600/William.grahamcracker1A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAA8wvafr0y542W_SFIAqnCIa2tYbUS0oCkYVhPKnnCSZwp6LLQ-0Hc2jn9SyF_jyaRpYrStF43v24QtkgNcMtEXSM5iZSH_XKPtgxAFs6ohyphenhyphene-ut2HNvCJKYPkeDH_d6JeAOrRMUc8-Lk/s320/William.grahamcracker1A.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Today, I don’t have the supplies I need for curtains or painting so the
graham crackers win.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve wanted to
make them since I was at a girl’s weekend over the summer with my sister and
friends in Minnesota.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the
woman, Stacy May, casually mentioned that she makes her children graham
crackers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I must admit, I
figuratively rolled my eyes as she handed me a copy of the recipe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who has time to make graham
crackers?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The thought never once
occurred to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aren’t the store
bought ones perfectly acceptable?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then the competitive New Yorker in me kicked in and I figured if Stacy
May in Minnesota could do it then Courtney Young in New York could do it
better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would certainly be a
superior mother if I could navigate the confusing world of the city pre-k
admissions process AND make homemade graham crackers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to improve upon them though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Lucky for me, several months
earlier, Beth George, owner and creator of <a href="http://www.speltrightbaking.com/">Spelt Right Baking</a>, moved into my
neighborhood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since then
I’ve been enjoying her breads, bagels and pizza dough and have suspected that
my family’s health is better off for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As of late, I’ve even been assisting Beth at demos at Whole
Foods and telling customers about the benefits of the Spelt Right Baking Co. My
zeal for this ancient grain has been growing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spelt Graham Crackers it is!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">So at 9:30am on hurricane day
with Blythe (age 15 months) in the Ergo Carrier on my back and William (age 3)
as my very enthusiastic helper we took the graham cracker to the next
level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The process is incredibly
easy. William loved operating the big Kitchen Aid mixer and cutting out the
pumpkin, turkey and leaf shapes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Blythe was delighted to sample the dough. All of us including daddy,
Scott, enjoyed eating them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beth
and her family even gave them an enthusiastic Spelt Right approved thumbs
up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her only suggestion was to add
two tablespoons of molasses next time in order to keep them moist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Great advice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll try it."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Here is the recipe. . .</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">2½ Cups Organic Spelt Flour<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">½ Cup Dark Organic Brown Sugar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">½ tsp Salt<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">1 tsp Cinnamon<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">1 tsp Baking Soda<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">½ Cup Butter, chilled and
cubed<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">¼ Cup Honey<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">¼ Cup Water<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Preheat oven to 350 degrees<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">In a food processor or mixer combine the first 6
ingredients.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Add cubed and chilled butter and pulse/mix until it
resembles coarse meal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Add honey and water and continue to mix until it all
combines.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Remove and shape dough into a flat disk and place
between two pieces of parchment paper.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Roll dough out until ¼ inch thick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cut into crackers or shapes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">7.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Place cookies on a Silpat or parchment lined baking
sheet and bake for 15 minutes (less time for smaller shapes).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">8.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Cool and serve<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Beth’s daughter Olivia suggested we make homemade marshmallows, melt chocolate and make S’mores.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Great idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Might have to save that for the next hurricane though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">PS: Thank you William for the modeling!!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<br /></div>
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Beth Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01817194729604871418noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6862492632530413645.post-3820201837608319062012-10-29T14:46:00.000-04:002013-05-19T01:04:34.453-04:00Lunch Box Chronicle Day One Hundred Sixty-Eight (In the Shadow of the Storm, Make, Bake, Eat Cookies)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This day is beyond surreal. One of the largest natural disasters is about to hit NYC, and I'm waiting impatiently in my apartment for all hell to break loose. All public transportation is closed - no subways, no buses, no rail service. All flights are cancelled. The threatened eleven foot water surges have caused the closure of the tunnels. More than a quarter of a million people have been ordered to evacuate from their NYC homes. </span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgopTNdOfu3w2rQcUd_wrWPKgckmcSj-_REeLscDxM_x6sO9RkolgPcQ0W6ovY9pfl5s59JrmvqGQhOWP-en_TbM6ePnLIsg0xNtKmP4Km3CxlwIiT7IE6hGawwz929nuXGE1xQJiHi1wwt/s1600/HurricaneSandycookies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgopTNdOfu3w2rQcUd_wrWPKgckmcSj-_REeLscDxM_x6sO9RkolgPcQ0W6ovY9pfl5s59JrmvqGQhOWP-en_TbM6ePnLIsg0xNtKmP4Km3CxlwIiT7IE6hGawwz929nuXGE1xQJiHi1wwt/s320/HurricaneSandycookies.jpg" width="320" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The talking heads on the t.v. are murmuring non-stop, holding on to swaying trees, sopping themselves, repeating to us again and again The Obvious. This storm is going to be Big. Bigger than Big. How-to-survive messages from friends and family who are out-of-state and out-of-country are appearing on my Facebook, in my email, and through texts. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">All kids are home from school - indefinitely. The apartment building has become a refuge for all the children, huddled together, roaming the halls and apartments as if the world belongs to them; playing make believe, and showing the adults that a hurricane is nothing but a chance for all kids to just be kids.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Somehow, this close living, the quick stop with neighbors to share goodies, the endless play of the kids in the building, the Super making storm preparations, all make this impending event seem less lonely, more communal, and perhaps safer. But, what do I know? It is only the shadow of the storm that has reached us thus far.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So, I retreat to doing what I do best in these situations - cooking, baking, and writing. Here is a recipe to offer a little bit of calm before the storm. </span></span><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Whole Grain Spelt Chocolate Chip Cookies.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1 cup (2 sticks) of butter - REAL BUTTER softened<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1 and 1/2 cups organic cane sugar (this stuff has sooo much flavor)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2 TBL pure molasses<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1/2 teaspoon baking SODA<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2 eggs<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1 teaspoon REAL VANILLA <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1 1/2 cups organic whole spelt flour<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1 cup organic white (sifted) spelt flour</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">12 ounces mini semi sweet Ghiradelli Chocolate Chips<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Preheat oven to 350F. In a large bowl, beat butter until smooth. Add sugar and molasses. Keep beating until smooth, add in eggs and vanilla. Keep mixing. In separate smaller bowl, mix together spelt flours and baking soda. Beat flour mixture into butter mixture, slowly adding in the flour. Stir in chocolate pieces.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Drop dough by rounded teaspoons about 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in 375 oven for about 10 minutes. Because these are spelt, they tend to flatten out. Done when edges are slightly brown. Transfer to a wire rack for cooling. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<br />Beth Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01817194729604871418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6862492632530413645.post-28648139169464902512012-10-13T18:53:00.001-04:002012-10-13T18:54:31.084-04:00Lunch Box Chronicles: Day One-Hundred Sixty-Seven (Sweet Trio-Spelt Right Dough, Figs, Walnuts)Daily I am reminded of the gift in friendship. This past month has been a testament to the value of friendship, both new and old. Just before leaving for a 5 day journey to visit my dear friend Veronica of 32 years who lives in Mexico, I had dinner in NY with two friends of 3.2 months. May, I just say that both encounters were precious. <br />
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Jess, Ruthie, and I had an evening of shared recipes, shared clothing, kvetching and kvelling. Our newly formed sweet trio shared traditions from our respective cultures. Thank you Ruthie for the Yiddish, and I shared some Lebanese cooking traditions. For dinner, we collaborated to make my favorite recipe <a href="http://speltrightbaking.blogspot.com/2010/07/lunch-box-chronicles-day-seventy-four.html">flayir bil-flayfli,</a> walnut pepper pies. We topped off the night with a sweet dessert for this sweet trio.<br />
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Here is the sweet trio recipe for you to share with your friends, old and new.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hamauLZfx7E/UHnspLLv39I/AAAAAAAAAJE/mQY12YBDaIY/s1600/figwalnuttrio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hamauLZfx7E/UHnspLLv39I/AAAAAAAAAJE/mQY12YBDaIY/s320/figwalnuttrio.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.speltrightbaking.com/">Spelt Right</a> dough, fig paste, and walnuts. Perhaps, we should name it, TRIBESSIE (for Beth, Jess, and Ruthie).<br />
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Preheat oven to 450F. Thaw and rise Spelt Right dough in package. Cut in 10-12 small pieces. Flatten the pieces in rounds. Set on well oiled baking pan. Blend 1/4 fig paste, 1/2 cup walnuts together. Place a dollop of the mix in the center of the dough. Make into triangles. Bake at 450 for 15-20 minutes. <br />
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Enjoy, Enjoy, Enjoy.<br />
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<br />Beth Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01817194729604871418noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6862492632530413645.post-14109762308886672322012-09-18T00:32:00.008-04:002012-09-18T21:04:33.426-04:00Lunch Box Chronicles: Day One Hundred Sixty Six (Turkey Loaf: In Honor of the Bird)<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uv7z_8w6mZk/UFf7inITL4I/AAAAAAAAAIw/7Jko9i0wn4U/s1600/TurkeyLoaf.pic.3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">So, the ground turkey from the Farmers’ Market lived on for another day. (Well ain’t that an oxymoron? How can a poor slaughtered and ground up bird live on?).</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Now, I’m making this very appetizing meal not so appetizing by thinking and articulating too much about the state of the deceased fowl.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">In any event, all this rambling has gotten me off course for providing you a really good recipe for nothing else, but, tada! TURKEY LOAF.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Ingredients:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"></p><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">One pound ground turkey breast (I bought the locally raised variety)</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">3 carrots finely grated</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">1 onion finely chopped</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">1/2 - 1 whole bunch curly parsley, de-stemmed and finely chopped</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">3-4 cloves of garlic, mashed with salt with a mortar and pestle</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">2 eggs</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">1 cup <a href="http://www.speltrightbaking.com/">Spelt Right</a> breadcrumbs</span></li></ul><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">Directions: </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">Pre-heat oven to 375 F. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">Mix together bread crumbs, grated carrots, chopped onions and mashed garlic. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">Add in eggs, blend well. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Add in turkey meat (poor bird!</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I just can’t let go of it…maybe I should try vegetarianism instead of stressing every time I make a meat based meal). </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">Blend well.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Place on well greased (with EVOO) 8 x 8 baking dish, or whatever combination you have. (see pics)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <span style="font-family:Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Bake for 45 min – 1 hour until fully baked.</span></span><!--EndFragment--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> Enjoy, and please take a moment to the honor the bird that made this meal possible.</span><br /><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WvDA9RorDBg/UFf6NfnOdTI/AAAAAAAAAIY/os5Zr0Omke8/s320/TurkeyLoaf.pic.5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5789370955739329842" /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qoB43uEoeDs/UFf7Soto3mI/AAAAAAAAAIk/6dqxzrxhBRU/s1600/TurkeyLoaf.pic.4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qoB43uEoeDs/UFf7Soto3mI/AAAAAAAAAIk/6dqxzrxhBRU/s320/TurkeyLoaf.pic.4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5789372143593119330" /></a><br /><br /><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>Beth Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01817194729604871418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6862492632530413645.post-56937121559751479582012-09-16T00:20:00.007-04:002012-09-16T09:40:57.969-04:00Lunch Box Chronicles: Day One Hundred Sixty Five (The Bellwether Meal: Shepherd's Pie, Beth Style)<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nPUIALzER6M/UFVUAMoESiI/AAAAAAAAAIA/83ErUIGEqUM/s1600/turkeyhash.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nPUIALzER6M/UFVUAMoESiI/AAAAAAAAAIA/83ErUIGEqUM/s320/turkeyhash.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5788625258420652578" /></a><br /><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">Cooking is my bellwether.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">It’s not the literal sheep (wether) wearing the bell, and leading the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But, it is the metaphorical indicator of my wellbeing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Bellwether.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Wellbeing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Interesting how close those words are juxtaposed. Or if I play with them a little more, it becomes WellBether.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>How Weird.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Cooking relates to a Well Beth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>Well, this Beth has not been so well the past month, and she has not been up to any cooking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So, cereal and pasta, if anything, it has been for this family, except for the few nights that Tim did some stupendous cooking.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">But, I love to cook, and to write, and when both are stifled, it is an indication that something is wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The WRONG was a strange anaphylactic response to some unknown that lasted in various stages for about a month, followed by strep throat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was like my body wasn’t my own.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Finally, happily, my body is once again my own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>No more swollen face or scratchy throat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And, with this rejuvenation comes the impulse to cook and shop.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Luckily, my new pal Ruthie likes to grocery shop too. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">So after “schlepping” two dozen cases of <a href="http://www.speltrightbaking.com">Spelt Right</a> product to the <a href="https://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/upperwestside/">UWS Whole Foods</a> for our upcoming demos, (thank you, Ruthie, for the Yiddish), we visited the Farmers’ Market on 97<sup>th</sup> Street and loaded up on fresh locally raised meat and turkey, fresh grown veggies, and the rest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You know the scoop, summer and fall in the Northeast create a virtual cornucopia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Pure bliss for those who love to cook.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I decided to make turkey shepherd’s pie – hey, how apropos for a bellwether meal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The sheep and the shepherd are joining us for dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"></span>As I was about to boil the potatoes, I decided to modify the recipe and use home fried potatoes instead and add ground turkey, and organic corn, and create a hash-like shepherds meal rather than in layers as in shepherd’s pie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Along with gaining my health back, I also gained some creativity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This was a “yum fest”. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Ingredients and Directions</b>: </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><ul><li>4-5 potatoes, diced, and sautéed on stove top with EVOO and a smidge of salt until golden brown and soft to cut.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></li><li><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>In a separate pan, sauté one chopped onion, 4-5 cloves of garlic mashed with about 1 teaspoon of sea salt in about 1/4 cup EVOO.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Saute until golden brown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></li><li><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>Add, one pound of ground turkey meat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Cook thoroughly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Salt and pepper to taste.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></li><li><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>Chop one head of curly parsley and add to meat mixture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></li><li><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>Add in cooked potatoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></li><li><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>Toss together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></li><li><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>Feed to very hungry and happy family and to one healthy mom.</li></ul><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>This meal and blogpost are bellwethers of happier, healthier days to come. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment--> Beth Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01817194729604871418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6862492632530413645.post-42430479596227988812012-07-29T11:44:00.007-04:002012-07-29T12:29:09.083-04:00Lunch Box Chronicles: Day One Hundred Sixty Four (I've Gone Bananas!)<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-swQilZqJedY/UBVkKU3Ps5I/AAAAAAAAAHo/3DMMuAMe-y0/s1600/20120729_111206.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-swQilZqJedY/UBVkKU3Ps5I/AAAAAAAAAHo/3DMMuAMe-y0/s400/20120729_111206.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5770628626107052946" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div>SPELT BANANA BREAD WITH A SPLASH OF ORANGE JUICE</div><div><br /></div><div>My intent was to write something funny, or inspiring, but I feel neither humorous nor inspirational, just a bit bananas. </div><div><br /></div><div>Some of you know my story, others have bits and pieces, and many simply don't know or don't care. Don't worry, though, I'm not hurt. I get it! Everyone else's story can't become your own. </div><div><br /></div><div>You would have too many layers to unfold, too many tangles to untangle. Life is too complicated. Inertia moves us from moment to moment. We do what we can just to survive. </div><div><br /></div><div>And, we hope somewhere along the way that, if we work hard enough, hang tough, and remain dogged with our mission, we might actually achieve that which we set out to accomplish. But, I've been told that it also takes some luck. </div><div><br /></div><div>Well, I've had some good luck. And have worked hard. And have hit some brick walls, experienced some bruises. But, I am still moving forward. My goal is to build a business - <a href="http://www.speltrightbaking.com/">Spelt Right Baking</a> - to have people chose better options for eating bread while having the grain spelt become a household staple - "Of course, I have spelt in the cupboard, right along side my quinoa, emmer, and wild rice." And to have <a href="http://www.speltrightbaking.com/">Spelt Right</a> be the brand that everyone associates with spelt. And, side by side with these goals, I hope to benefit my family and my business partners, for sticking by me, cheering me on, being a part of that essential luck, and keeping me from going completely bananas.</div><div><br /></div><div>PS: Did I mention that Spelt Right is on its way. We did our very first demo in the <a href="http://wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/upperwestside/">NYC Whole Foods - Upper West Side</a> - and we plan on doing many more. And, with a little luck, we hope to get into many more stores in this great city.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here is a DELICIOUS recipe - whether you are going bananas or not.</div><div><br /></div><div>SPELT BANANA BREAD WITH A SPLASH OF ORANGE JUICE</div><div><br /></div><div>1/2 cup softened butter</div><div>3/4 cup organic evaporated cane sugar</div><div>2 TBL molasses</div><div>2 eggs beaten</div><div>1 cup whole <a href="http://www.purityfoods.com/">VITA </a>spelt</div><div>1 cup sifted (white) <a href="http://www.purityfoods.com/">VITA</a> spelt</div><div>1/4 cup orange juice</div><div>1 teaspoon aluminum free baking powder</div><div>1/2 teaspoon salt</div><div>3 ripe bananas mashed</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Pre-heat oven to 350. Cream butter and sugar; add eggs; beat well. Add dry ingredients. Mix. Add bananas and orange juice. Mix well. Butter and dust with flour a baking dish. You can use a flat Pyrex type dish, 9" x 7"or a 5"x 9" loaf pan. For the flatter dish, bake for about 45 minutes until toothpick comes out clean. For the loaf pan, about an hour.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Beth Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01817194729604871418noreply@blogger.com0