You say stuffing, I say dressing

No two families can agree on the proper stuffing or dressing recipe let alone decide on the correct name to use.  There are many opinions out there about which is the correct term to use.   In the "Joy of Cooking" it indicates stuffing means to stuff the cavity of the turkey where dressing is baked it in a pan.   Yet others claim it is regional term and had nothing to do with the turkey.  Southerns use dressing because it is more "gentile" then stuffing which is a northern term.

I don't know... we used both in our house and we are from the north.  We just roll that way...LOL!

The differences do not stop with the proper name.   All will agree that dressing is a bread type casserole, but what goes it in varies widely.   Some are traditional recipes and others are personal preference.   Like so many other dishes we have and will talk about, it is good to know the history and to see where we fit in.  

Like many things. we can date stuffing  back to ancient Romans.  Apicius, a Roman chef who is believed to have lived in the 2nd century BC  - 1st century AD,  wrote one of the oldest known cookbooks called  ‘ Apicius de re Coquinaria’, which included recipes for stuffing a variety of animals with vegatables, herbs, nuts and spelt, a popular known wheat.  However, we are sure it dates farther back then that.  In the Middle Ages dressing was known as “farce” which comes from the French word  farcir, which means “to stuff”.   Stuffing first appeared in print in 1538.   In the 1880’s the Victorians decided to change the name to dressing… apparently the fickly people they didn’t like the crude name of stuffing.

There is a bit of vanity that comes with making dressing.  We all think ours in the best and will politely smile when we taste others and say…”Mmmmm that is good” and when the creator turns their back we look at our family member and say…”but ours is better”.   You know you have done it. 

There is a pride that comes with a Thanksgiving meal and dressing is a traditional dish that is the staple of a proper table setting.  It is hard to know what the Pilgrims used for stuffing when they landed on Plymouth rock in 1621 but by the early 19th century oyster stuffing was popular.   It was a coastal dish and not readily know to the pioneers who were establishing homestead on the frontier. 

Oyster Stuffing

Yet with the expansion of the railroad it became more known throughout the country. Frontier families view the dish as an upper class dish and was not widely received. 

As the south began developing there was a shift in using a bread base dressing to a cornmeal base.   In time the Cajun influence appeared adding andouille sausage.  There is the Pennsylvania Dutch version which uses mashed potatoes instead of bread.  And lets not forget the Wild rice stuffing from the Great Lakes area which usually had dried cherries, cranberries and/or apples.  There is still the Chestnut dressing that is ever so popular and reminds us of old England which lives in our minds thanks to Charles Dickens.

Corn Bread Stuffing

Like all the families out there, the Williams family has traditional dressing which was created by our father.  I am going to guess he learned how to make this dish from his mother and probably his grandmother who lived with him when he was a child.   She came from Belgium so I am guessing there is a bit of Bavarian influence in the dish.  After our father passed it fell to me, Pam, to take up the helm.   I am not sure how that happened since I was only 21 at the time and really not a cook.  But I took it on proudly.  Like many dressings I tried “fancying” up this dish and putting my own spin on it.   Changing spices or adding in fruit or changing the meat.   Every time it failed.  And it failed BIG!!!  Finally I was told to stop it and make it right.   Tough crowd I was working with.   Like most families a “traditional” dish is not written down.  You watched, paying close attention and took mental notes.   So back to the basics I went.   I have not strayed from the path since.

So here it is.   Our family recipe.  And yes the proportions are up to you but I will give you a few guidelines.

What you need:

1 – ½ ground beef.   Use good ground beef whenever possible.  

One chopped onion

2-3 stalks celery - chopped

1 -2 bags Sage bread crumbs

Salt and Pepper

What you need to do:

• Brown the ground beef and drain grease.
• Sauté onions and celery.
• Place ground beef, onions and celery in a large mixing bowl.  Add at least one bag of sage bread crumbs.  
• Slowly add water and begin mixing.  Now get in there with your hands and mix…clean hands of course.   
• Add water as you go until mixture is moist.  This is the hard part to explain.   It is experience and a touch thing.   Remember the moister will evaporate if you bake it in a pan in the oven.  However it will stay or possibly become moister when put in a crock pot.    This is a judgment call and guess.

To cook in the oven:   Place in an oven proof pan at 350 until warmed through and crunchy on the top.

Crockpot method:  place in crock pot on a low to medium setting and cook until warm.   Depending on your crock pot you will get a crunchy bottom and side to the dressing.

I do both methods depending on where we are having Thanksgiving.  As you know, there is never enough oven space. (that is a design flaw with the Thanksgiving meal….LOL)

(ok this years I am going to add sautéed fennel… wish me luck.   I will probably get yelled at for messing with it.)

Now that we have our dressing in order, we need to discuss the bird.  You know what we're talking about....the TURKEY.   Whether you stuff your turkey or bake your dressing in the oven separately, it is important to make sure all your side dishes compliment the turkey. 

But before we get to the recipe, here are a few facts for you:

• In 2012, the average American ate 16 pounds of turkey..
• 88% of Americans surveyed eat turkey on Thanksgiving
• 46 million turkeys are eaten each Thanksgiving, 22 million on Christmas, and 19 million on Easter.
• In 2011, 736 million pounds of turkey were consumed in the US.
• In 2013, 242 million turkeys were raised in the US.
• The average weight of a turkey sold at Thanksgiving is 15 pounds.
• The heaviest turkey ever raised was 86 pounds.
• The wild turkey is native to northern Mexico and the eastern US.
• The turkey was domesticated in Mexico and brought to Europe in the 16th century.
• Turkeys live almost 10 million years ago.
• Male turkeys gobble and can be heard a mile away.  Female turkeys do not gobble.
• Turkey's can see in color.
• Turkey's are related to pheasants.
• Wild turkeys can fly; domestic turkeys cannot fly.
• The Native Americans hunted wild turkey for its sweet and juicy meat as early as 1000 AD.

Turkey is clearly the most recognized part of any Thanksgiving meal.  And there are any number of ways to prepare a turkey, including smoking it on the grill, deep frying the whole bird, roasting it over an open fire on a spit, and the old reliable way of roasting it in the oven. If you are looking for a great way to ensure that your turkey is moist and tender, regardless of how you cook it, then we suggest you brine your turkey.  

Brining a turkey takes a bit of extra work, but it is so worthwhile.  I'll admit that in the beginning I thought brining was the same as pickling.  I didn't get it until I did some investigation.  Here's what I learned.  The reason brining makes meat more tender and moist is because of the very nature of meat protein.  The meat, which is essentially muscle, has a structure that, when cooked, tightens up.  This is true especially in overcooked meat. That is why it is dry and tough.  Brining fills the meat with tasty liquid and helps in the roasting process to keep the it moist and tender.  Now even brining really only works if you don't overcook it!!!!  Here's a guide to help you know how long to cook your turkey.

So today, in honor of the lovely turkey, we offer you a recipe for brining your turkey and enjoying it's juicy goodness.

Turkey in Disguise!  :)

What you need:

1 10-12 lb turkey (thawed)

1 Cup kosher salt

1/2 Cup light brown sugar

1 Gallon vegetable stock

1 Tablespoon black peppercorns

1 1/2 teaspoon allspice berries

1 1/2 teaspoon sliced fresh ginger

1 gallon heavily iced water.

What you need to do:

In a large stockpot over a medium-high heat, combine stock, salt, brown sugar, peppercorns, allspice berries, and ginger.  Stir occasionally to dissolve the solids and bring to  boil. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.  Refrigerate overnight.

Put the stock, water and ice in a 5 gallon bucket.  Place the thawed and cleaned turkey in the brine, breast side down.  Weight the turkey down if necessary to keep it submerged.  Set the turkey in the refrigerator or a cool are for at least 8 hours.  Turn the bird half way during the brining process.  

Remove the turkey and rinse it thoroughly inside and out.  Discard the brine.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place turkey in roasting pan.  Stuff as you like.  Roast turkey for 30 minutes.  Turn down over to 350 degrees for approximately 2 to 2 1/2 hours or to a temperature of 161 degrees internally.  Remove turkey from oven and allow to rest for 15 minutes before carving.

The 2 Prickly Pears bid you a peaceful and joyful Thanksgiving.  Enjoy your family and friends, and give thanks for all the blessings in your life.  We are taking Thanksgiving week off from our blog because we have lots of holiday preparations, just like you.  We'll be back in December to talk about all kinds of baking fun.

Now, go out and make something good!

Pumpkin or Sweet Potato....Yes, we are talking pie again.

Did you carve a pumpkin this year for Halloween?  

We remember the days of cutting out triangles for the eyes and nose, along with a scary smile all lit up by a candle.  It was great fun and when we were pretty small, it was a bit frightening.  It was all part of the Halloween experience.  The first carving of a vegetables started with the Irish, who would take turnips and carve images in the vegetable and place them in their windows.  Upon arriving as immigrants to America, they found the pumpkin and so the first pumpkins were used for carving.

These days, pumpkin carving has taken on dimensions that are endless.  Here are a few examples:

Wow!  That last one is impressive.  It makes us wonder what is the biggest pumpkin grown to date.  A little research reveals that the largest pumpkin on record weighed in at 2,032 lbs. In October 15, 2013, Tim Mathison grew this pumpkin in his backyard:  

Do you wonder how many pumpkin pies that pumpkin would make?  The answer is actually none. And that's because not all pumpkins are created the same. There are a seemingly endless variety of pumpkins, too many to list here, but we've included a link to break it down for you.  Each kind of pumpkin is used in different ways.

Pumpkins belong to the same plant family as watermelons, honeydew melon, cantaloupe, zucchini, squash, and cucumbers.  Pumpkins have been grown in North America for five thousand years.  They are indigenous to the western hemisphere, but now are grown on every continent except Antarctica.

Once pumpkins have served their purpose for Halloween, we turn to them as a food source. As a matter of fact, Native Americans roasted long strips of pumpkin on the open fire and ate them. The seeds were also eaten and used as medicine.  They would also dry the strips and used them to weave mats.  The flowers, seeds and flesh of a pumpkin are all edible. The nutritional value of this plant includes:

• No cholesterol or saturated fats
• High in dietary fiber, anti-oxidants and minerals
• High in vitamin A, C and E
• Good source of vitamin B-complex, like folates, niacin, and thiamin
• Pumpkin seeds are a concentrated source of protein

After you prepare the pumpkin flowers (here's a recipe) and after you roast the seeds (here's a recipe), it's time to make something with the meat of the pumpkin.  There are literally hundreds of recipes using pumpkin.  You can make everything from muffins to pie to soup to bread and on and on.  

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, everyone is expecting a recipe for pumpkin pie. We offer you a link to a variety of images of this most holiday pie.  If you click on an image you can visit the page that will offer you the recipe.  It is speculated that the first pumpkin pie was actually a whole pumpkin with the seeds removed, filled with milk, spices, and honey.  It was baked in hot ashes.  Today's pie usually includes a pie crust and a dollop of whipped cream.

Our holiday pie is not at all related to pumpkin.  In fact, it is a relative to the potato. We offer you an alternative to the pumpkin pie, a southern staple at celebrations, including Thanksgiving, namely the Sweet Potato Pie.  This pie was undoubtedly developed by slaves who came from Africa.  The sweet potato is a vegetable very familiar in Africa.  Today sweet potato pie is considered among dishes known as soul food.

Here's is the 2 Prickly Pears recipe for Sweet Potato Pie.  

Just a side note from PP1:   when I made this pie for the post, I didn't realize that I was missing an ingredient.  Turns out I didn't have any evaporated milk.  I didn't realize this until I had already mixed the sweet potatoes and the eggs.  I decided to put all the filling ingredients together and put it in the refrigerator, then finish the pie the next day after I went to the store.  When I was ready to finish the pie, I took the filling out of the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature.  Then I mixed in the evaporated milk and completed my pie.  It may be that my oversight of my ingredient made my pie even better.  I was told that the pie had a depth of flavor and "soul."  It is safe to say that the spices and other ingredients had a chance to meld together giving the pie better flavor. You can choose for yourself if you wish to use this technique for your pie.  I know I will do it again.  

What you need:

Unbaked pie crust for 9" pan  (pie crust recipe)

1/3 butter, softened

1/2 cup sugar

2 eggs slightly beaten

3/4 Cup Evaporated Milk

2 cups mashed sweet potatoes

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

What you need to do:

Cream butter and sugar until smooth, add eggs and mix well.  Add all remaining ingredients and mix until well combined.

Pour pie mixture in unbaked pie crust.

Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes.  Reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake another 30-35 minutes. 

This pie can be made a day ahead of your Thanksgiving meal.  Add a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon......Yummy!

We know the holidays can be hectic.  Prepare many of your dishes ahead of time to save some peace of mind.  Enjoy yourself!


Now, go out and make something good!!!

Cranberries... Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!!!

With the holidays right around the corner, that means a busy time for many including the 2 Prickly Pears.  We are going to take a little break during the holiday season but before we do we wanted to wish everyone the best during this time and to share one of our more popular blogs for the holiday season.

From our kitchen to yours we wish you a Merry, Christmas, Happy Holiday and Happy New Year.   May 2016 be a joyous year for everyone.

See everyone again in 2016!!!

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With Halloween over and the two biggest holidays approaching, we thought we spend a little time talking about the classics of these cooking season.  Let's start with Thanksgiving.  Over the next few weeks we will look into the true history of Thanksgiving and the foods that are so familiar with the traditional turkey dinner.

Fresh Cranberries

Today's post is all about the cranberry.  Can you guess what cranberries have in common with blueberries and concord grapes?  The three are native fruits of North America.  And long before the settlers took over the shores of what we now know as the United States, Natives of the land used cranberries as a food source, medicine and dye.  

It's easy to imagine the first convenient food ever made was a mixture of deer meat and mashed cranberries.  It was called pemmican.  Pemmican kept for long periods of time and was great for long travels.  As for medicine, cranberries were used in poultices that would draw poison from arrow wounds. And the juice of the berry was used to dye blankets, rugs and clothing.  The Delaware Indians of New Jersey used the cranberry as a symbol of peace.

East coast people called the red berries sassamanash.  The Pequot and Leni-Lenape tribes called them ibimi. And the Algonquin tribe of Wisconsin called them atoqua. The versatile berry was introduced to the English settlers in Massachusetts, which helped stave off starvation.  The truth of the matter is that the settlers only survived with the help of the native population.

The English named cranberries after the plant's flower, which resembles the bill of the Sandhill Crane.  Crane-berry morphed into what we recognize today as the cranberry.

Flooded bog

Contrary to popular belief , cranberries do not grow in water.  They do grow in bogs that are made up of mostly of sand and clay.  Once the berries have acquired their family color, the bog is flooded with about 8 - 10 inches of water, making harvesting easier.  But it turns out that this method of harvesting actually adds health benefits to the cranberries.  It is the berries exposure to the sun that develops its nutritional value.  Cranberries are naturally high in antioxidants, as well as vitamins C, A, & E.

Cranberries float as there are chambers in the the berries.

In case you were wondering, Wisconsin is the largest grower of cranberries in the US growing more than half of the berries available, followed by Massachusetts.

More interesting facts about cranberries:

• Sailors on the days of wooden ships carried cranberries as they were loaded with vitamin C which fought against scurvy.
• Dennis, Massachusetts was the site of the first cultivation of cranberries in 1816.
• It takes one ton or more of cranberry vines to plant a bog.
• Recipes using cranberries date back to the late 1700's.
• During WWII, American troops required about 1 million pounds of dehydrated cranberries per year.
• In 1996 200 billion cranberries were harvest, about 40 for every man, woman and child on the planet.  In that same year, growers harvest 4.84 million barrels of fruit.  If the berries were set end to end they would span 1.75 million miles.
• 440 cranberries make up one pound.
• It takes 4,400 cranberries to make a gallon of juice, and there are 440,000 cranberries in a 100 lb barrel.

Now that we have a better insight into the make up of cranberries as an industry, let's talk about it's place on the Thanksgiving table. We will talk more about the history of Thanksgiving in coming posts.  For now, sufficed it say, it is safe to speculate that cranberries were cooked up and served at the first Thanksgiving.  And certainly cranberries enjoy a familiar presence on today's table.  But before we get to our recipe, lets have a short talk about canned cranberry sauce.

  

We are all well aware of the smooth, jello-like cranberry sauce that slides out of the can. There is a large population that is completely offended if the canned sauce is not on the table each year.  We respect the need for tradition.  And if canned cranberry sauce is your personal preference, then we bid you enjoy every bite of it.  If, on the other hand, you want to venture out and make your own cranberry sauce, we have a recipe for you that is easy-breezy and can be made up to a week ahead of time.  And if there are left-overs, feel free to freeze your sauce in an air tight container.

Here is the 2 Prickly Cranberry Pear Sauce.  This is also known as chutney.

Cranberry Pear Sauce (Chutney)

What you need:

3/4 cup water

1 cup sugar**

1 pear, peeled and chopped

12 oz bag of of whole cranberries ***

Zest of 1 orange

What you need to do:
In sauce pan combine sugar, water and orange zest.  Heat until sugar is dissolved.  Add cranberries and pear, bring to boil.  Reduce heat to low and cover.  Simmer chutney until the berries burst and the fruit is soft, approximately 15 minutes.  This will actually depend how chunky you like your chutney. Remove from heat and allow to cool.  Store in refrigerator until ready to serve.

** add a bit more if you like your sauce sweeter.
*** if you can't get fresh cranberries, dried berries work just as well.  You'll likely need a bit more water in your recipe.

That's it!!  Easy, tasty, convenient and no can opener.

We know that holiday dinner can be hectic.  We wish yours to be peaceful and filled with good things to serve your family and friends.

Now, go out and make something good.

Let's all eat some cake!

Poor Marie Antoinette! She is saddled with the unfortunate "let them eat cake" maxim. There is a great amount of controversy around its origin. From all accounts, even though Marie Antoinette was from Austrian aristocracy, she, in fact, had great charity and cared deeply about the people of France. She was the wife of Louis the XIV. There is no record or any evidence that she utter these words. But history is often distorted, and with famine in Europe and the cost of bread ingredients, Marie comes out being callus and unsympathetic.

Marie Antoinette

Today cake is much different than that in Marie's time. In fact, it was the Ancient Greeks that developed the notion of baking.  From that possibility, cake took it's place in history. But even prior to that villages in Neolithic times 10,000 BC, there is evidence of simple cakes made out of grains that were moistened and packed into cakes and likely cooked on hot stones. These were likely more like biscuits and maybe cookies.  But through time and advances  the cakes we are more familiar with were developed.  It is not uncommon when looking at history that the distinction between bread, cake, cookies, and biscuits was not very clear.  

When yeast was discovered, thanks to Louis Pasteur, as a leavening agent, it was used for bread and cake.  They were not all that different, although cake often included honey.  In time, yeast was substituted with eggs that, when whipped up, gave enough air to lift the batter.  This was followed by the introduction in the 19th century of baking soda and baking powder.  (We'll talk more about that in our cookie post coming soon.)  This was probably the defining point of distinguishing bread from cake.  As technology advanced and ovens were improved, baking a cake  was more and more easy to manage.

The word "cake" comes from the old Norse word "kaka."  Cake first made with refined sugar was available mostly to the wealthy who could afford such a new ingredient.  Previously, honey was the sweetener that made cake different from bread.  The French were the first to adopt the concept of dessert and cake finally took it's place as part of the course in a meal. More importantly, during the time that ingredients were expensive, cake became a most special thing.  There is a mystique around cake, and always has been because it was often presented at celebrations.  Let's face it, cake for a birthday, wedding, retirement, or anniversaries is as much a part of the celebration as anything else.  We have held on to the special nature of cake for centuries. Throughout time, cake, regardless of how it was defined, has been a treat. 

So how many different cakes from around the world can you name?  We'll help you out a bit here.

• Smorgastarta, a savory sandwich cake from Sweden and Finland
• Panettone, a cake from Italy made with raisins, orange peel and lemon peel
• Magdalena, a cake from Spain that is much like a muffin
• Kransekake, a cake from Denmark made with egg whites, sugar and almond
• Dobos cake, a cake from Hungary is a sponge cake with layers of chocolate cream
• Petit fours, a cake from France that includes butter cream
• Sernik, a cake from Poland includes sponge cake, cream cheese, and raisins
• Yokan, a cake from Japan made with red bean paste

Dobos Cake

And that is only beginning.  Every country, every culture has its own special definition and recipe for cake.  Because there is so many culture within the United States, we wonder if you can name the different cakes just in the US.  Again, we'll help you out.

• Black Forest Cake, a popular cake in the Midwest with German influence
• Red Velvet Cake, a cake from the Southern states.  The red originally came from beets
• Cassata, a dense chocolate cake filled with ricotta cheese from the east coast with Sicilian origins
• Funnel Cake, well maybe not really a cake.  With a Dutch influence, this cake is found at fair around the country.
• Marble Cake, originally from Canada or the US, combines white cake with chocolate cake to make a swirl.

Marble Cake

Of course, this list doesn't even begin to address all the cakes from around this country.  But it gives you an idea of how cultures within a culture are influenced from around the world.

But there is a cake not included on the list.  It's the cake we are going to talk about in more detail and ultimately make.  Can you guess?  Here's a hint.  Bugs Bunny would love love love this cake.  Yes, it is Carrot Cake!

Did you know that there is a World Carrot Museum?  Did you know that there are dozens of varieties of carrots?  If you want to know about that, look here.  And did you know that the predecessor to carrot cake was likely carrot pudding made in Medieval times?

Carrot Pudding

Turns out that when sugar was rare and expensive, carrots were used as a sweetener.  It seems that one cup of sliced, cooked carrots has 2.69 grams of sugar.  Now, don't get excited. No one is saying that carrots are not a good food source.  It simply is true that vegetables have dietary sugar.  The balanced nutrition of vegetables is necessary for good health. History shows us the use of various forms of sweeteners like carrots were much easier to come by and actually better for consumption than refined sugar.

From carrot pudding came carrot loaf in Europe, sort of like a quick bread during World War II.  By the 50's the carrot cake made its way to the US.  One story for this new dessert is based on the fact that there was a glut of canned carrots.  George Page, a businessman, hired bakers to find a use for the surplus carrots.  The result was the carrot cake we know today.

  

Ironically the popularity of carrot cake came in the 70's when it was perceived as being healthy.  Now, while it is true that carrots and walnuts and raisins are easily recognizable as healthy, the truth is that carrot cake also has butter and cream cheese and sugar.  We wouldn't think of suggesting that carrot cake is a health food.  But our purpose is to offer you an opportunity to make your family and yourself a lovely treat.  And so we offer you the 2 Prickly Pear recipe for Carrot Cake.  Let's get started.

Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

What you need:

CAKE:

2 1/2 cup flour

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1 Tablespoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

1 1/2 cup olive oil

4 large eggs, lightly beaten

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 cup chopped walnuts

2 cups grated carrots

FROSTING:

12 oz cream cheese, room temperature

1/2 cup butter, room temperature

2 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 Tablespoon milk (as needed)

What you need to do:

Preheat over to 350 degrees.  Butter and flour 2 9" cake pans.

Whisk together flour, sugars, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and salt in a large bowl.

Add the oil, eggs and vanilla and mix well.  Fold in the nuts and carrots.

Divide the batter into the 2 cake pans and bake for 45-50 minutes.  Cool on rack for 10 minutes.  Remove the cake from the pans and allow to cool completely.

While cake is cooling, cream together the cream cheese and butter.  Sift the confectioners' sugar into the butter mixture and beat until the mixture is smooth.  Stir in vanilla.  Add milk as needed at achieve the necessary thickness.

Once the cake is cooled, frost.

There are literally hundreds of cake recipes to choose from when selecting the perfect treat for a celebration or to simply treat yourself.

Now go out and make something good.

Who doesn't love PIE!?!

Today we aren't really talking about pies in general.  We've already done that in a previous post.  Here it is if you would like to know more about pies.  

What we are talking about today is apple pie, specifically.  It is apple season, after all.  And there are so many apples to choose from whether you are craving a tart crunch or a sweet crunch.  Maybe you are making your favorite apple strudel or a lovely baked apple with caramel sauce.  Fall is the time of the year to truly appreciate and celebrate this most popular fruit.  So let's begin.

No doubt, you have heard the expression "as American as apple pie."  But did you know that crab apples are the only apples native to the United States?  They are considered wild apples and Native Americans cultivated apples extensively, although you can find wild apples in many other countries.  In fact, the crab apple is considered the ancestor of many varieties of apples grown today around the world.  

There are over 10,000 varieties of apples.  Here's a site that will break down the varieties alphabetically for you.  Apples are a member of the rose family.  And if you look at apple blossoms you will see that they are very similar to wild rose blossoms. 

The word apples comes from the Old English word "aeppel."  Apple remnants have been found by archaeologists in Switzerland dating back to the Iron Age, around 800 BC.  There is also evidence that, in the Stone Age, apples where preserved  by drying them.  And as early as 20,000 years ago, in the countries of China and Egypt, humans understood the art of grafting fruit trees, including apple trees. 

Crab Apples

Interestingly enough, crab apple trees in the early days produced very few apples.  The reason is that there weren't any honey bees.  Turns out that the colonist brought those along with them, as well and apple seedlings and seeds.  The first shipment of honey bees arrived in Virginia in 1622.  The natives called the bees, "English flies." 

So how do we get from the stone age to apple pie being a symbol of America?  During World War II, American soldiers, when asked what they were fighting for would often say, "for Mom and Apple Pie.  That was a very common catch phrase.  In short order, that phrase morphed into "as American as Mom and Apple Pie.  And by the 60's, the expression became "as American as Apple Pie."  We don't know what happened to "Mom."

So even though the first apple orchard in the United States was planted in Massachusetts in 1625, it wasn't till the 20 Century that apple pie took its place in American's patriotic hearts.

If you are wondering how it is that apples got from the east coast all the way to the west coasts, let your wondering stop.  We can thank a man who we will call "Johnny Appleseed." Yes, there really was a Johnny Appleseed.  His real name was John Chapmen (1774-1845). He was born in Massachusetts and his dream was that the land produce so many apples that no one would go hungry.  

John traveled all over the new territories leasing land and developing nurseries.  He would collect apple seeds from cider mills, dry them, and put them in small bags.  He then would give them to people who were heading west.  He also made it his business to build nurseries that grew other fruit as well as vegetables and herbs.  John had a reputation for eccentricity and was completely dedicated to his mission to grow apples.

Johnny Appleseed died at the age of 70; he is buried in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He spent 50 years growing apple trees and traveling to spread his precious trees around the country so that people could enjoy apples. In 1966, the US Postal Service designed a 5 cent stamp honoring Johnny Appleseed. 

Long before Johnny Appleseed and even before the first European apple seeds were planted in Massachusetts, there was recorded the expression, "an apple a day keeps the doctor away."  Only that wasn't the exact wording.  In February 1866, in a Welch magazine, it was written,  "A Pembrokeshire proverb:  Eat an apple on going to bed. And you'll keep the doctor from earning his bread."   Who ever said it first made a great point.  Here are some of the benefits to eating an apple a day:

1. Phtyto-nutrients and anti-oxidants for optimal growth, development and overall wellness.
2. Low in calories, but contain no saturated fats or cholesterol.  They are rich in dietary fiber, which helps prevent absorption of LDL or bad cholesterol.  
3. High amount of Vitamin C and beta-carotene, both develop resistance against infectious agents in the body.
4. A good source of B-complex such as riboflavin, thiamin, and pyridoxine.  These vitamins help metabolism.
5. Small amounts of minerals like potassium, phosphorus, and calcium.

Now that we know the history of the apple, let's get down to the business of what to do with them.  There are a zillion ways to eat apples.  Just this morning I ate a fresh Honey Crisp with chunky peanut butter...yummy.  They can be baked, sauced, dried, tossed in a fruit salad, made into apple butter, made into a crisp, carameled, juiced, you name it.  But we are not here today for any of those ideas.  We are all about the pie.  

So today we offer you a classic recipe for apple pie....the 2 Prickly Pears version of Dutch Apple Pie.  Most apples pies have a double crust.  A Dutch Apple Pie has a single crust and is topped with a streusel-like mixture.  

When choosing which apples will make the best pie, there is a general understanding that Granny Smith is the best.  The reason for this is because it is a tart and firm apple.  The tartness pairs well with the sugar that is added to the filling.  The firmness means that the apple won't fall apart while baking.  Having said that, there are a variety of apples that work well in pie making.  Braeburn apples are tart, with a wonderful flavor and are firm enough to stand up to baking.  In this recipe, I used 4 Granny Smith and 2 Honey Crisp.  I like the combination of sweet and tart.  Feel free to use whatever combination you like.  

Dutch Apple Pie.

What you need:

1, 9" pie crust (see link above)

1 egg white thoroughly beaten

Filling:

5 cups apples, peeled and cored

3 Tablespoons flour

3/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon allspice

2 Tablespoons butter

Topping:

3/4 cup flour

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

3/4 cup rolled oats

1/2 cup butter

What you need to do:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Brush pie crust all over with beaten egg white and set aside.

Place sliced apples in large bowl.  In another bowl mix the 3 T flour, sugar, 1 T cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.  Add mixture to apples.  Toss until apples are evenly coated.

Place apple mixture in pie crust.  Cover losely with aluminum foil.  Bake for 10 minutes.

While filling is basking, make the Streusel Topping by combining 3/4 cup flour, 12/teaspoon cinnamon, brown sugar, and oats in food processor.  Pulse until mixture is crumbly.

Remove pie from oven and sprinkle streusel on top.  

Reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake pie for an additional 45-55 minutes until streusel is brown and apples are tender.  Losely cover with aluminum foil to prevent to much browning.

Cool on wire rack.  ENJOY!

It is apple season and fall is in the air.  Find an apple orchard and pick your own fresh apples. Bring them home and make an apple pie.  There's nothing like it!

Now go out and make something good.

Stews

Whoever said writing the history of some foods was going to be easy was simply crazy!   Who would have thought the history of stew started 8,000 years ago or more when artifacts of turtle shells where found in the Amazon by an indigenous tribe who used them to create a form of a stew with meat and vegetables in the area.  You just never know what you will find when you start digging.

In the Roman cookbook call Apicius believed to date back to the 4th century and the oldest cookbook in French called Le Viandier mention various type of stews.  We would be remiss not to mention the importance of Hungarian Goulash and Irish Stews in the world of stews that date back to earlier times.

So what is stew?  It is more than just a pot over an open camp fire or a cast iron pot in the fireplace of a pioneer settler home we commonly see in an old western movie.  Of course every culture has it variation but the basics of a stew is a combination of vegetables and meats, normally a tougher meat that is normally used for slow cooking.   The ingredients are cooked in a liquid such as wine, stock, beer and even water for several hours until the meat is soft and tender. Who hasn't thrown a combination of what I mentioned in a crockpot in the morning before leaving for work only to come home to a yummy goodness ready to eat?

There are a few things to keep in mind when selecting the meat.  As mentioned the meat should be the least tender cut.  These cuts normally contain a marbling effect which lends to a juicier stew then a lean cut of meat.  A leaner cut will be dry from cooking so long.  A tougher cut of meat doesn't mean it is a bad cut.  On the contrary, it is perfect for stew.  Once the meat and veggies are cooked the liquid is normally thickened by reducing it or thickening it with flour.  Both are acceptable techniques in the world of stews.

There is little difference between soups and stews and many think they are the same. However soups normally have more liquid then stews....except at my house.  Soups and stews all look the same. :-) 

Today stews are common in all cultures and countries.  Here are a few you might recognize...

Beef Stroganoff

Beef Stroganoff, a stew with beef from Russia.  Seeing this on the list makes me want to make it soon!

Bourguignon, a French dish of beef stewed in red burgundy wine.  If you haven't made Julia Child's Beef Bouguignon...well you need to!  YUM!!

Booyah, an American meat stew...  This is for my friends and family in Green Bay WI.  Chicken Booyah!   I can smell it all the way to FL!

Bouillabaisse, a fish stew from Provence.

Brunswick stew, from Virginia and the Carolina's.

Chili con carne, Mexican-American meat and chili pepper stew.

Goulash, a Hungarian meat stew with paprika.  Have you ever met a goulash you didn't like?

Gumbo, a Louisiana creole dish.   Cajun cooking.... oh my!

Irish stew, made with lamb or mutton, potato, onion and parsley.

Pho, a Vietnamese noodle soup consisting of broth, linguine-shaped rice noodles called bánh phở, a few herbs, and meat.  If you know me you know why this is on the list.  I could just swim in the stuff!

Ratatouille, a French vegetable stew.

Yahni, a Greek, Turkish, and Persian stew.

For a more complete list of stews from other countries go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stew

What is your memory of stews?  In our house I remember a stew had beef in it with everything but the kitchen sick thrown in!  It was always served over noodles.   Our dad (Lloyd) threw caution to the wind when he cooked so it was not surprising to find a leftover hot dog cut up in chunks floating around in our stew.  I didn't really like that kind of cooking but in our house you did not complain about what was put on the table.   It could be why I make sure hot dogs are kept to eating in a bun and not available in the house when it is time to make stew...LOL!

As you can see by my comments above I like stews.  It is a comfort food to me and it best served in the Autumn or Winter, but I will eat it anytime.  However with all there is to chose from I decided to pick something I have not made in a long time.  Jambalaya!!!  Though I don't come from the south, I think I make a pretty good Jambalaya.

Jambalaya

Here is what you need...

3 (14 1/2 oz) cans chicken broth (can use homemade stock also, which is what I prefer)

1 (14 1/2 oz) canned diced tomatoes with juice (can use homemade canned tomatoes, which is what I prefer)

4 cloves garlic, crushed

1 tsp cayanne pepper

1 1/2 onion, chopped

1 cup diced celery

1 Fennel bulb diced/sliced

2/3 cup brown rice (can also use wild rice, which is what I prefer)

4 oz cooked andouille or chorizo sausage or a combination diced/sliced or your favorite type of sausage

8 chicken drumsticks (leave the skin on for flavor while cooking)

1 red, yellow or orange pepper, diced

1 lb uncooked shrimp peeled

1/2 lb okra fresh or frozen

Here is what you do...

This can be made in a slow cooker or on the stove top.   Stove top will be faster but it is perfect in a slow cooker if you are going to be gone all day.   The steps to make are the same.

In a slow cooker, combine the first 10 ingredients.  Cook in high for 4 -5 hours or until the rice and chicken are cooked through.  When the chicken is cooked, remove from the slow cooker.  Let them cool and remove the skin from the chicken and remove the chicken from the bone.  Add chicken back to the cooker along with the shrimp and okra.  Simmer for about 5 - 10 minutes or until the shrimp is done.  Do not over cook the shrimp.  Serve with a nice salad and bread.  

Pretty easy... now go and make something good.....and share your talents with others!