THE FOOD REFERENCE NEWSLETTER
October 14, 2004 Vol 5 #34 ISSN 1535-5659
IN THIS ISSUE
=> Website News
=> 'Food for Thought' by Mark Vogel
=> Quotes and Trivia
=> Bill Marsano Book & Product Reviews
=> Website of the Week
=> Food Trivia Quiz
=> Readers questions
=> Ancient & Classic Recipes
=> Did you know?
=> Who's Who in the Culinary Arts
=> Requested Recipes
=> Cooking Tips
=> Culinary Calendar - selected events
=> General information and Copyright
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WEBSITE NEWS http://www.foodreference.com
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Sorry about not having a newsletter last week. I got behind, and then started what I
thought would be a small job of making the www.SeafoodFish.com recipe website easier
to navigate. I ended up changing the page layout also, and the recipes are now on a
white background and easier to read. More pictures also.
I also added hundreds of new posters to the poster section on the Food Reference
website,
www.foodreference.com/html/culinary_art___food_posters.html
The Italian Institute for Advanced Culinary & Pasty Arts has invited me to be a
special guest at the White Truffle Event at the Bellasera Resort in Naples, Florida
(November 12-16, 2004). I am not sure if I can fit it in my schedule, but I will try
my best to be there. Anyone interested in attending, here are more details
http://www.foodreference.com/html/z-white-truffle-1116.html
WEEKLY FREE COOKBOOK DRAWING
Congratulations to the winner of last week's Free Cookbook Drawing, Elaine Halford.
She wins 'FRESH CHOICES by David Joachim and Rochelle Davis
http://www.foodreference.com/html/fresh-choices.html
THIS WEEK'S DRAWING will be for 'There's a Chef in My Family: Recipes To Get Everybody
Cooking.' by Emeril Lagasse.
http://www.foodreference.com/html/emerils-theres-a-chef.html
CLICK THIS LINK TO ENTER THIS WEEKS DRAWING -
http://www.foodreference.com/html/feedback-page.html
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'FOOD FOR THOUGHT' BY MARK VOGEL
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The Fungus Among Us
If you were a leprechaun what would use for an umbrella? I�ll bet you never
pondered that one huh? Well, according to the medieval Irish, leprechauns used
mushrooms to protect them from the rain. Actually, mushrooms are.....
http://www.foodreference.com/html/markvogelweeklycolumn.html
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QUOTE
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"edible, adj. Good to eat, and wholesome to digest, as a worm to a toad, a toad to a
snake, a snake to a pig, a pig to a man, and a man to a worm."
Ambrose Bierce, 'The Devil's Dictionary' (1842-1914)
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BILL MARSANO BOOK & PRODUCT REVIEWS
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THE COOK'S ESSENTIAL KITCHEN DICTIONARY
By Jacques L. Rolland
Jacques Rolland has undertaken a Herculean task here, for compiling a cook's
dictionary is harder than ever today.....
http://www.foodreference.com/html/cooks-essential-dict.html
REVIEW OF 3 'WINE SAVER' OR 'WINE STOPPERS'
*Vacu Vin Concerto *Metrokane lever *Zyliss Wine Keeper
http://www.foodreference.com/html/bill-marsano-review.html
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TRIVIA
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Croaker is any of a variety of members of the drum fish family found off the east
coast of the U.S. and the Gulf of Mexico. They get their name from the croaking noise
they make with their swim bladders. They range in size from 1 pound to 30 or more
pounds, and include the black drum, corbina, Atlantic croaker, redfish, kingfish, etc.
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CHEF JAMES HIGHLY RECOMMENDS SAVEUR MAGAZINE
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Food Reference subscribers can get a FREE trial issue to Saveur magazine - the award
winning magazine that celebrates the people, places and rituals that establish
culinary traditions.
https://secure.palmcoastd.com/pcd/document?ikey=089CFHPO2
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THIS WEEK'S WEBSITE OF THE WEEK:
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Eating China - Eating China is a look at the food of China and Taiwan from a cultural
and historical angle. You won't find big collections of recipes here - plenty of other
sites do that.
http://www.eatingchina.com
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FOOD TRIVIA QUIZ
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1) Any of several plants of the genus Panax of eastern Asia. There are also several
similar species found in North America. The aromatic root has been used for medicinal
purposes in Asia for thousands of years. It has been reputed to cure cancer,
diabetes, aging, se?ual* dysfunctions, high blood pressure, and many other disorders.
It is also used in tea, tonics, spirits, and in cookery. Its curative powers have
never been scientifically documented. It is acknowledged as a stimulant, like coffee
or tea. Name these plants.
* If I put the 'x' in this word, the newsletter may be rejected by some spam filters.
2) The blossom of this plant is the official state flower of Arizona. The white,
funnel shaped, night blooming flowers grow on the trunk and branches of the plant
during May and June. The red fruits are edible. Name this plant.
3) These 'grains' are native to West Africa and are related to cardamom. They were
previously an important spice, especially around the 14th and 15th centuries. Today
they are not used much outside of West and North Africa. They are pungent and
aromatic, and are used sometimes to flavor vinegars, beer and wine, in herbal remedies
and in veterinary medicines. Name these 'grains.'
4) This family includes some of the most important staple food plants, and some of the
earliest cultivated plants. Members of this family of plants are also the main source
of food for domestic animals, as well as wild herbivores. Some members of this family
are sugar cane, oats, corn and sorghum. Name this plant family.
5) The top 3 Orange Juice producers in the World are:
a) Florida b) California c) Georgia d) Brazil e) Mexico f) Argentina g) Chile
6) This vegetable is popular in Mexico and other Central American countries, parts of
Europe, the Middle East, India, North Africa and Australia. Its popularity is
increasing in the United States where it can be found at Mexican grocery stores,
specialty produce markets and farmer�s markets. It has fleshy oval leaves (typically
called pads or paddles) with a soft but crunchy texture that also becomes a bit sticky
(not unlike okra) when cooked. They taste similar to a slightly tart green bean,
asparagus, or green pepper. Name this plant.
7) These aquatic vertebrates are about 8 inches long with a small mouth and no teeth.
Each year from March to August, at about midnight on the first 3 or 4 nights of the
high tide of the full or new moon, thousands of them come out of the water to breed.
The females dig holes 2 inches deep and deposit their eggs, which the males than
fertilize. They are so predictable that timetables are published each year. Name
these marine animals.
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ANSWERS TO FOOD TRIVIA QUIZ:
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1) Ginseng.
2) The Saguaro Cactus.
3) Grains of Paradise (Aframomum melegueta), also known as melegueta pepper, Guinea
grains, Guinea pepper and alligator pepper.
4) The Grass Family. It includes wheat, corn, barley, rice, oats, sorghum, sugar cane
and bamboo.
5) d) Brazil a) Florida e) Mexico
6) Prickly Pear Cactus or edible cactus, also known as nopales (no-PAH-les), nopalitos
or cactus pads.
7) Grunion. They are found only along the southern California coast, and are known for
their unique spawning habits. Grunion are not 'caught' like other fish, but are
'gathered' on the shore. The timetables are published each year so the 'grunion
gatherers' know when the 'grunion are running.' Grunion, related to mullet, are
moderately fat, and may be broiled, sauteed or deep fried. Their flavor is similar to
smelt.
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ANOTHER FOOD REFERENCE WEBSITE
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FOOD ART AND POSTERS
Art & Posters for your home, office, restaurant, dorm room, kitchen, etc. The best
selection - including movie, music, sports, food and culinary art. Famous masters,
current unknowns. All the best quality, framed or unframed, low prices.
http://www.culinaryposters.com
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READERS QUESTIONS
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QUESTION: Hi! My name is Jennifer and I have entered a contest that pertains to a
question dealing with the west, past and present. I have a clue that I am having a
hard time cracking and I was wondering if you could help. The clue is.........
"To fill a bunch of bellies, this good man transformed something military into
something culinary. Tell us the name of this eating innovation."
ANSWER: I include this question because I have received more than 25 requests for the
same riddle. To be very frank, I do not answer trivia contest questions for people.
Maybe for a share of the prize money though.......
My response was that the answer is on the Food Reference website. Can you guess the
answer? It has been a trivia question in this newsletter a year or so ago. You will
find the answer here-
http://www.foodreference.com/html/fchuckwagon.html
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TRIVIA
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Cucumbers were believed to have originated in India and spread through Greece and
Italy. They made their way into North America agriculture by the mid-16 century. Cool
and moist due to their high water content. 'Cukes' belong to the same family as
pumpkins, zucchini, watermelon and other squashes.
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CULINARY SCHOOLS, TOURS AND CRUISES
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Culinary Schools & Cooking Classes - Food and Wine Tours for the amateur & the
professional. U.S. and abroad.
The best of the best.
http://www.foodreference.com/html/Cooking-Schools.html
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ANCIENT & CLASSIC RECIPES
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THE SOUP BOOK
by Louis P. Degouy (An apprentice of Escoffier and Chef at the Waldorf-Astoria for 30
years)
NEW ENGLAND CIDER SOUP (Hot)
In New England, there is an imperishable quality about the home instinct which has
continued through generations ... a heritage from the early sturdy pioneers who braved
untold hardships in a new land and hewed homes out of a wilderness; since then and
now. New England is renowned for its fine clambakes, clam and fish chowders, and fine
soups. Here is one example.
As slowly as possible, bring 3 pints of good cider to a boil, and carefully skim off
the beads that will appear on the surface. Stir in 1/3 cup of granulated sugar, or
even better, brown sugar. Set this aside, and keep it warm. Cut enough stale bread
into small cubes to make 2 generous cups. Brown the cubes in 3 tablespoons of butter,
and salt them to taste. Keep the cubes warm too. Beat 3 whole eggs as for making an
omelet, and add to them, while beating, 2 tablespoons of sugar and 1 1/2 cups of
cream, to which have been added 2 tablespoons of flour, a few grains of allspice, and
3 tablespoons of good dark rum. When the whole is well blended, pour the cream-egg
mixture slowly into the hot cider, beating steadily. When ready to serve, sprinkle the
fried bread cubes over the soup, and serve immediately.
http://www.foodreference.com/html/soup-book.html
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QUOTE
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"Even when freshly washed and relieved of all obvious confections, children tend to be
sticky."
Fran Lebowitz, journalist
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FLOWERS
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Fresh Flowers Directly from the Growers
BE TRULY ROMANTIC - GIVE FLOWERS FOR NO REASON AT ALL!
http://www.foodreference.com/html/freshflowers.html
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DID YOU KNOW?
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Dill (Anethum graveolens), a member of the parsley or carrot family (Umbelliferae), is
native to southern Europe, and is widely cultivated and naturalized throughout Europe,
Asia and the Americas. Both the seeds and leaves are widely used in cooking, and the
plant has also been used to make a green dye.
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WHO'S WHO IN THE CULINARY ARTS
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M. Boulanger (18th century)
The first restaurant, by that name, was opened in 1765 by Parisian soup maker M.
Boulanger. His was the first establishment to offer a menu with a choice of dishes.
Nothing is known about M. Boulanger (some say A. Boulanger), and this may not be his
name, but simply his occupation (boulanger means baker).
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RECIPE REQUESTS FROM READERS
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I would like to make my own mayonnaise at home so I can add various flavors and herbs.
Is it worth doing this and how long will it keep in the refrigerator. Which would be
best, made in a blender or food processor? Should it be stored in sterilized jars?
Any recipes?
ANSWER: Mayonnaise made with raw egg should be used within 24 hours.
The best mayonnaise is made with a hand whisk, next would be with a hand held electric
mixer. Blenders and food processors give a different texture.
2 egg yolks, 1 cup oil, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice
(optional), salt, pepper
1) Get all the ingredients together.
2) Put the mustard in a bowl. Separate the egg whites one after the other and mix the
yolks with the mustard.
3) Season with salt and white pepper.
4) Whisk in a rotating pattern to mix egg yolks with mustard. Pour the oil in
gradually.
5) The oil will combine with the mustard and eggs, making a mayonnaise. Keep whisking
until all of the oil has been added.
6) At last, whisk vigorously to thicken the mayonnaise. Add the vinegar or lemon
juice (optional). Use within 24 hours.
Email your recipe requests, food info or history
questions to me at [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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SPONSOR
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POSTERS - Culinary posters, movie, music, sports and fine arts posters and prints.
Framed and unframed. Largest selection available anywhere, at the lowest prices.
http://www.culinaryposters.com/
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QUOTE
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"Every country possesses, it seems, the sort of cuisine it deserves, which is to say
the sort of cuisine it is appreciative enough to want. I used to think that the
notoriously bad cooking of the English was an example to the contrary, and that the
English cook the way they do because, through sheer technical deficiency, they had not
been able to master the art of cooking. I have discovered to my stupefaction that the
English cook that way because that is the way they like it."
Waverly Root (1903-1982)
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COOKING TIPS
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Mirin is a sweet Japanese rice wine (sak�), sometimes just called rice wine. Mirin is
used for cooking, only, mainly in sauces and glazes. It gives a nice glaze to grilled
foods. If a recipe calls for Mirin or rice wine, you may substitute sherry or white
wine with a little sugar.
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CULINARY CALENDAR - A Few Selected Events
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15
1959 Emeril Lagasse was born in Fall River, Massachusetts. TV cook and actor.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16
1939 'The Man Who Came to Dinner' opened on Broadway.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 17
1977 The Guinness Book of World Records notes that Peter Dowdeswell managed to eat 40
sandwiches in 17 minutes, 53.9 seconds at a California donut shop on October 17, 1977.
Each sandwich was 6 X 3 inches, spread with jam and butter.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 18
1945 James T. Ehler, Chef and food writer, was born. That's me - the author of this
Culinary Calendar and the Food Reference Website.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19
1962 Boxer Evander Holyfield was born. On June 28, 1997, Mike Tyson decided to snack
on Evander Holyfield's ear in the 3rd round of a boxing match. Tyson was disqualified.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20
1880 Lydia Maria Francis Child died. An American abolitionist and author of novels and
children�s books. She also wrote books of advice for women including 'The Frugal
Housewife' (1829).
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21
1449 George Plantagenet, duke of Clarence was born. Brother of Edward IV whom he was
accused of plotting against. He was thrown into prison and secretly executed in the
Tower of London. The rumor is that he was drowned in a butt (large cask) of malmsey
wine.
For a complete listing of each day's events, go here:
http://www.foodreference.com/html/HistoricEvents.html
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TRIVIA
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During the Tang Dynasty (around 900 A.D.) the Chinese were 'farming' fish exclusively
for the emperor's consumption. Some sources date the beginnings of Chinese fish
farming as far back as 3,500 years ago.
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QUOTE
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"First need in the reform of hospital management? That's easy ! The death of all
dietitians, and the resurrection of a French chef."
Martin H. Fischer (1879-1962)
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Food Reference Newsletter ISSN 1535-5659
James T. Ehler (Publisher & Editor)
3920 S. Roosevelt Blvd
Suite 209 South
Key West, Florida 33040
E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Phone: (305) 296-2614
Food Reference WebSite: http://www.foodreference.com
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