Rhett Butler Pecan Pralines!

Because I'm already missing the deep south and I wanted the scent of it in my home and the taste of it on my lips.   

Many fine cotton plantations converted to pecan plantations after the War of Northern Aggression as they were less dependent on free manual labor. 

I like a beverage when I'm in the kitchen. Today's choice - something hot in a French Press.

Take 2 cups of chopped pecans and toast them in a 300 degree oven for at least 10 minutes.  This is important to make your pralines crunchy.

Then take half of the nuts and chop them up a little more than how you found them.

Here is the rest of what you need to conjure Rhett Butler in your home.

He likes it when you have parchment paper (rather than aluminum), butter (slightly less than a whole stick), organic WHOLE milk (heavy cream really speaks to his heart) sugar,  brown sugar, unsulphured black strap molasses (for hand making your brown sugar) & vanilla extract.  Toss into the rubbish your brown sugar from the store.  I'll show you how to create your own.

Place your pecans (about a cup and a half) into a HEAVY bottom kettle  I used a porcelain coated cast iron kettle.

S-U-G-A-R.  Okay I broke out the measuring cup this time because it was my virgin candy-making activity and I was scared.  I cup and a half.  Sugar parity with pecans.

 

Now if you listen real close, you will hear the whisperings of Mammy telling you to make your own brown sugar.

Okay.. maybe not exactly whispering.

It's that simple! Now get yourself a fork and...

Oui La! Brown sugar.  Too much molasses and you'll understand how black licorice is made. Just add more sugar. I'm tellin' ya, it changes EVERYTHING when you do it this way in place of store brown sugar.

  Now pack it real good, about 3/4 cup. and place it in your kettle.



This didn't strike me funny until now.  Notice anything 'bout this 'measuring' cup?

 

uhhh...there's NO WRITING on it!  I've used it this way for years.  I'm too lazy to buy a new one. I guess it gives me comfort that I'm kinda measuring something when I'm feeling chicken.  

Add the milk and BUTTER (6tbs) to the kettle and turn your burner on to medium.  Here is where I was really wishing I had a gas stove.  I think this kind of cooking would benefit from precise heat from a constant flame.

Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper (tape it down) and grease it.

 

I've made enough baking errors in the kitchen over the years to have a genuine concern of things sticking.  I was scared, so I then did this...

Yes, this is butter...on top of  Crisco. Sue me. 

Next prepare an 'Ice bath'.  This reminded me of high school dryland ski training where a pulled hamstring would send me to the physical therapist office to submerge my entire leg in a trash pail 'ice bath' for 20 minutes.  brrr.

This is where you are going to place your kettle the moment you take it off the stove.

I don't know how long I waited for the mixture to resemble candy. I watched a TED segment.  And refilled my hot beverage a couple times.  All while stirring frequently.  After a while, it started to thicken and do this...

Then things start to happen really fast.
 Place the kettle in your ice bath and stir for just a moment, just a nano second while it cools.
 Then using two soup spoons, do this...


And this...

 

If you leave them in the ice bath too long, THIS will occur - oopsies...

..crumbly..

Let them cool for a few moments, they should harden immediately. You can even pop them in the freezer for a minute.

Mmmmmm...

They were scarfed up by Rhett Butler before I remembered to photo all of them!

 Ciao!

MUDD Season! Manchester, Vermont

I bet Imelda Marcos did NOT have a pair of THESE sexy swanky shoes! (tee-hee).  My shoe of choice this time of year.

As our perpetual vacation continues, we stop in Manchester, Vermont; a five season location.  What?!?  You have never heard of or experienced a fifth season in Vermont before?  Well, let me introduce you to MUDD season!

Why anyone would choose to live here in the early 20th century or before is beyond me!  Some locals may say that why anyone would choose to live here NOW is beyond them.

An exquisite method to ensure you receive regular holiday cards from and elevate the standard of living for your local automobile mechanic. 

Getting mudd on my tires, I discovered some gems on a drive through town.

Hildene. This was the summer home of Robert Todd Lincoln, first child of President Abraham and Mary Lincoln.  It remained in the Lincoln family until the 1970s.  Today it is utilized for weddings, philanthropic events, and public education.  Her massive grounds hold polo tournaments, children's sporting events and art festivals. 

Equinox Hotel and Resort.

Directly behind this camera would be a trailhead that takes one to the lovely Equinox Pond - and trail network for Equinox Mountain.  At the top of Equinox Mountain, the view north to Danby and Dorset looks like....

As in the time of the Lincolns, Manchester is a mecca for retirees, second, third, and fourth home owners.  Many resident 'Snowbirds' seem to winter together in places like Vero and Palm Beaches in Florida.  In fact, Manchester is blessed to possess incredible social and artistic venues for such a small community.  Non-profit organizations thrive here and many a fund raising activity is held down south at swanky parties at these winter residences. 

'The Village' is comprised of tight zoning, in fact, I think ALL houses are white and many have the same or similar color shutters.  Although some may find this stifling and arrogant, it can be a nice detraction from the vast majority of Vermont where "anything goes'.  Not that one wants to go through a major zoning process to erect a tiny dog house on their property, but in Manchester Village, that is how it is done. This undoubtedly maintains the area as a quaint, predicable respite for down country tourists, who keep the lights on for many that live and love here.

Conclusion: a GREAT place to visit, recreate and raise children; live a simple quiet life yet access amenities typically not found in a smallish town.  

Next stops, Dorset and Danby!

Ciao!

Travelogue - Washington D.C.!

Our final educational destination on this trip was a day stop in Washington D.C..  I found the Metro (the DC train) very simple.  Well.. as simple as can be with four children in tow.  Navigating the METRO ticket machines was a bit of a hassle, but there was always a nearby local willing to help me.  There is something about a woman with four children that screams - "HELP ME, I'm helpless and need help!"  Because as self reliant as I feel when I am with them, there is always someone offering to extend a hand, give up a seat, offering to carry something.  I find it quite funny, actually. There are so many reasons to believe in humanity. For the record, I do NOT need help.  Okay...maybe just a little....sometimes.

I stayed west of town and therefore took the Orange Metro line from the Vienna station directly downtown to the Metro Station.  I highly recommend traveling after 9:30am when rates are slightly less expensive and you can find a seat because commuter traffic is standing room only and it is about a half hour ride in from Vienna/Fairfax.  Next time I would park and ride a bit closer to DC on the orange line, I think.  Most of the museums do not open until 10am anyway.  Pretty much everything you would want to see is located on The National Mall, the area with the Washington Monument and the reflection pool at one end and the Capitol building on the other.  Pennsylvania Ave is a street or two adjacent to the mall and at one end is the White House and the other takes you close to the Capitol Building.  To give you an idea of scale, I think you could walk briskly from the White House to the Capitol in a half a hour and the museums and memorials are located in between.

Our first stop was the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.

Here exists dinosaur bones and skeletal replicas of  T-Rex, an ocean exhibit with a scale-size whale.  I could see that these exhibits gave my children a sense for the first time on the grand scale of dinosaurs and whales and other amazing creatures.  

There is also a Human Origins exhibit that is fascinating.  Those who have strong religious faiths may find this exhibit challenging to walk through.  Also the Hope Diamond, the world's largest blue diamond.  I recommend getting to this museum at 10am and being GONE by noon as the crowds seem to flock at that hour to the Hope Diamond and Dinosaur exhibits. 

Our next stop was the National Archives which houses our nation's most treasured documents on civil and social development. 

The best part was entering the Rotunda which holds the Declaration of Independence and Constitution.  I call them "The Living Documents".  

One must pass through security similar to flying.  It was noteworthy that almost all of the security guards/special police present in the archives building were from Africa with thick beautiful accents.  The room is actually much darker than this photo above reveals, to protect the documents.  I immediately experienced goosebumps and shivers and eyes with tears about to spill over as I entered this exact area.  There is a reverent feeling that brings quiet to even rambunctious teenagers on a forced school tour who may not have a great understanding of the significance of what they are about to see.

Just off the Mall are diners and taverns which we used because it was dreadfully rainy.  Next time I would prefer to eat at the various ethnic street vendors and picnic on the grassy mall.  I found prices to be totally reasonable for being so close to the major tourist mecca. 

If I made it back to DC without kids in tow, I would want to see the National Gallery of Art, to enjoy for the first time works by Michelangelo, Raphael and Leonardo among others.  I would want to take my time strolling through the various memorials, maybe see the Holocaust museum.  There are almost 20 museums in the Smithsonian complex so if you only have a couple days you will have to pick and choose what you'd like to see.  I find Washington DC to be a great city to be spontaneous in, because everything is so accessible by foot once you are at the Mall.  All of the national museums are free.

I found myself disoriented when I got off the train, and I found everyone to be entirely friendly when I asked for some direction.  Most people are tourists and have no idea where anything is, but if you spot a man in a suit, carrying an armful of files, you can bet that he works there and is a good one to ask.  The street vendors do not speak English but do an excellent job of nodding and saying "yes" even when asked a 'Non Yes or No Question'.  I'm pretty sure we were given directions by a prominent southern Senator and his aide.  We also walked a great distance with a friendly IRS man who exchanged life stories with us as we strolled.  I thanked him for our nice refund this year. 

Oh - if you hear a parade of police sirens on Pennsylvania Avenue, LOOK!  Because it is likely Obama's motorcade of police cars and Black SUVs heading to or from the White House.  Goosebumpy! 

If you wish to tour the White House, you must contact your congressional office where they conduct a background check.  It is very difficult to score tickets, but the tour is so worthwhile if you can get them.  Your congressperson can also provide you access to the Congressional galleries, which I found interesting when I viewed it years ago. 

I also recommend seeing Ford Theater, where Lincoln was shot and across the street, the home they carried him to where he died.  If I remember correctly, there is a blood stained pillow preserved from the event.

Ciao!

Sunburns.. Ouch! A Natural Remedy!

THIS is what you want for sunburns.  Available in natural food stores.  If you choose to apply something from a regular box store grocery store or pharmacy, it likely has alcohol in it and may not have Aloe in it at all.  While Alcohol can sure "feel" soothing at first, it kinda defeats the purpose of healing a sunburn by drying it out further.


The aloe plant has been used in the fields of medicine and cosmetics for centuries. Ancient records show that the medicinal properties and healing benefits of the aloe vera plant have been known for over 5000 years. The Bible mentions the aloe vera plant in over a dozen passages, referring to it as the “bitter herb”. The Biblical account of Christ’s burial states that his body was anointed with bitter aloes. There is a substantial amount of history and documentation behind the aloe vera plant.

Ancient Chinese and Egyptians used aloe vera skin products to treat burns, wounds, and to reduce fever. Cleopatra, the Egyptian Queen, credited her irresistible charm and vibrant beauty to regular use of aloe gel. Legend reports that Alexander the Great, upon the advice of Aristotle, conquered the island of Socotra off the coast of Africa to secure supplies of aloe vera in order to treat the wounds of soldiers.

Aloe vera is filled with aloe polysaccharides which are the naturally occurring active components that promote absorption, digestive health, immune qualities, anti-inflammatory, and overall health benefits. In 1944, the benefits of the aloe vera plant were firmly established in the United States, when it was learned that the Japanese who were exposed to the “A” bomb applied aloe gel to their wounds and reported faster healing. Through use of aloe vera, they also had significantly less scaring. Aloe vera is now becoming more prevalent in every-day world. People are beginning to learn about the benefits and at least understand that aloe vera is good for them when taken internally or applied externally.

I might try some on my breakfast cereal tomorrow!  Ciao!

Source: Lily of the Desert,   http://www.lilyofthedesert.com/the_aloe_vera_story

Trippy Road Trip!

My nine year old son made a short video clip of our road trip down to South Carolina.  I had never driven so far with my children before.  We covered seven states in two days or about 16 hours of car time.  They were GREAT!  I give credit to the technology of itouch, of which they have two, to circulate amongst them.  Go ahead and judge me as a poor parent as even my three year old is scarily proficient at many games on the itouch.   But he was incredibly happy and busied himself for 16 hours. 

The newest version itouch holds music, games, TV shows, movies and a camera and video capability that I've been using on the trip in place of my older iphone camera.  It does not operate with cellular phone service, but it has wireless connection for internet which is handy in hotels or wherever you land.  My older children have Facebook accounts.  The darned device also has Facetime, the ability to video chat with friends (they video chat with their cousins) when in range of a wireless connection.  I'm impressed.

Since I normally limit their candy and junk food intake, I made sure to STOCK up on as much CRAP as I could find...Lollipops, bags and bags of chips, bubble gum and other good grazing food to help them associate what may seem like an eternity in the car with generally positive "feedback".  I only bring bottled water  - ensuring that we have less potty break stops than if they had juice or soda.  There was zero complaining and no one actually asked "Are we almost there yet?".  A success.  It helps that we enjoy the same music....For the most part.  If I arrive in that place (I know you all know what I speak of here) where I have "had ENOUGH"...I flip off their favorite pop or country channels and ON to CoffeeHouse which always elicits some moans and groans.  But hey, Mom needs SOMETHING sacred to herself on a 16 hour road trip with FOUR children, right?    Ciao!

Homemade Clams Casino!

Even if you think you do not like shell fish (like me)...

Walking on the Murrell's Inlet, South Carolina beach the other night, I tripped across a particular shell.  I wish I was dorky enough to impress you with a basic working knowledge of a few of the 2000 clam varieties, but I am way too lazy for that.  Out of all the shells one can spot while covering three miles of beach, THE shell that inspired me on this walk looked like this one above, with a grey/blue hue and ridges on the outside.  As soon as I saw it, I was reminded that I was in the self-described 'Seafood Capital' of South Carolina, and I decided at that moment I wanted to buy some fresh clams and make Clams Casino.  Seek to be inspired, and inspired you shall be!

This fish market had three different clam sizes.  I went for the medium sized...too large and they get kinda rubbery textured, I'm told.  Too small and the shell will not be sufficient for the recipe.  I bought a dozen for $4.99 which yields 24 servings.  It is important to scrub them when you bring them home.  You can do this in your kitchen sink.  I chose to do it outside as they were fairly sandy.

Supposedly, you can freeze them for two hours so they just open up.  A shell difficult to open is a sign of a healthy clam. 

 Healthy clam.  Ummmm.  This isn't working.  laughing....  whining....  crying...

I may or may not have used the handle of a pair of pliers to smash this one and this was the undesirable result: 

Uhh, yeah, I kinda need the shells as part of the recipe.  Okay.  wiping perspiration off my brow...uncrinkling my face...smoothing my hair and my shirt.  We need another tactic.  Let's try five minutes in boiling water.  Yes.  Yes, that will do. 

In my Smug voice...Notice the OPEN clam shells!  Here is all you need.  Oh wait..one more thing!

Paprika!  Now this is my 'Papa Jim's" recipe.  RIP Grandpa.  He had some amazing recipes that were truly their own from his varied travels and his own modifications.  The matriarchs of the family always tried to take credit, but they are genuinely his and his alone.  It is important that the breadcrumbs be Italian-seasoned  (you can do it yourself with oregano, basil, etc)...and that the bacon be center cut (extra fatty)! 

Steam for five minutes or until the clams pop right open. They will slide right out of the shell and into a bowl.  Mince right in the bowl with a fork and sharp knife if you can.  

Try to preserve as much of the clam juice from the shell as possible.  Finely mince peppers and onions and add them to clams.

This little piggy went to market, this little piggy went home, this little piggy ate roast beef, this little piggy ate none.  And THIS little piggy went right into my clams casino.

  Scissors are key here.  I used four slices total.

 Now we don't use any measurin' cups 'round these them here parts.  You are looking for a certain consistency when adding breadcrumbs and butter.  If it looks dry, add more butter (wink-wink).  If it is too soupy, add breadcrumbs.  Be big girls and boys and put away the measuring cup.  For reference, I think I used about a cup of breadcrumbs to start with and a stick....okay okay TWO sticks of butter.  :D

This is what too dry looks like.

This is what loving myself deeply looks like.

'When Harry Met Sally.  Meg Ryan.  Diner Scene.  'Nuff said.  

Now we are ready to assemble.

Grab a teaspoon and do this while singing Pavarotti.

Your raw little piggies are saying "pick me, oh pick me, coach!"

Really lay them on THICK.  The piggies make the entire dish.

Because everyone needs a mentor (ahem, MOTHER) in the kitchen with them at all times saying helpful things like "You missed one.  That one needs more.  You put too much on that one.  That's enough!".  Yes, I am her humble apprentice in the kitchen.

Finished product awaiting the broiler.

Broil for less than 10 minutes.  Put on your big girl (or boy) panties (or briefs) and put away your timer.  Just watch them and sing and dance something from XM CoffeeHouse while you wait.  It would be good to turn the tray half way through broiling, however long that is.

Oui La!  Completion indicated by the crispy little piggies!

A popular appetizer for a dinner party or if you are lazy like me, a complete meal. Would be good with chilled white wine of the finest sort.  I wouldn't know.  Ciao!