My Cannoli Cream Spread & How To Serve It!

I was browsing through Facebook and came across a recipe for Cannoli Dip posted by my cousin's wife. It is almost identical to mine except I use marscapone cheese instead of cream cheese. In addition, I add a couple of tablespoons of Marsala wine, or now and then, Strega Liqueur. YUM! So... I thought I would share, but no photos, don't think it has ever lasted long enough to photograph!

Mrs. K's Cannoli Cream Spread

2 cups ricotta cheese
8 oz marscapone cheese, softened
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
2 tbsp sweet Marsala wine or Strega Liqueur
1 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar
1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips or coarsely chopped semi-sweet chocolate
1 tsp each of cinnamon and instant espresso coffee

Blend the cheeses, vanilla, and wine until smooth, but don't overdo it. Gently and slowly blend in the confectioner's sugar - so as not to shoot it all over the kitchen, ; ). Fold in the chocolate. Allow to chill overnight to meld the flavors.

When ready to serve, bring to room temperature. Mix the cinnamon and espresso powder together and sprinkle over the cheese.

This spread can be served a number of ways. First, break up large cannoli shells into chip size pieces, or serve with a mildly sweet cookie, such as shortbread, Amaretti cookies, or vanilla wafers along with coffee, espresso, tea, or a nice liqueur. I've even served this on my ricotta cookies instead of glazing them. Spread on toast with jam or fruit butter; I love it with my apricot or plum butters!

To make a simple but special dessert, slice fresh peaches in half after rubbing off the fuzz. Place in a buttered glass baking dish and roast at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes, until soft. Add a small scoop of the cannoli cream, dress with crushed amaretti cookies and the cinnamon/espresso powder - just a bit to taste. If peaches aren't in season, canned peach halves, drained, will do just fine. Roast for 15 minutes or so, until the edges get a bit brown. Or... simply use the peaches right from the can at room temperature. Canned pear halves are very good too.

I've also used pannetone, which I've sliced crosswise like cake layers, and spread this between. I pour a little honey mixed with the liqueur over the whole thing. Another yummy!

This is a versatile spread and the sky is pretty much the limit. Enjoy!

Deliciously yours,
Mrs. K.

Pimento Cheese Spread and Kitchen Towel Swap

I was over at the Facebook page for Sweet Tea & Cindy, reading her recipe for Pimento Cheese. Well, I do love Pimento Cheese, it's one of my favorite things to eat on celery sticks, cucumber slices, or crackers. In the south, according to Cindy, they eat it on a sandwich! Yes, I will have to try that. She calls it the caviar of the south, LOL. I was born and raised in New York state, but have lived in South Florida for more years than I lived in NY. And while you can't take the New York out of this girl, I have picked up a love for all things southern. Naturally, pimento cheese is on that list.

Cindy has a great recipe -http://cindyeckhart.com/pimento-cheese-caviar-of-the-south-mamas-secret-ingredient/ - and a couple a gals commented, one adds cream cheese, another, sweet pickle relish. I had to do a bit of grocery shopping today, running through the raindrops, so I picked up what was needed and decided to make a batch last night - we should have enough to get through the weekend, but I'm not sure! Here's my tweaked version:

YUM!

Pimento Cheese

8 oz block of cream cheese, softened
3 cups of mild cheddar cheese, shredded (I used a package of Sargento pre-shredded)
1 cup mayonaise (I like Duke's)
1  7oz jar of pimentos, drained
3 spoonfuls of sweet pickle relish (I didn't use a measuring spoon, just a dessert spoon)
2 - 3 teaspoons of sugar (or to taste) - trust me, this is the secret ingredient.

I just used a whisk and blended the cream cheese and mayo together, then added all the other ingredients - except the sugar, I didn't think I would need it with the relish. I blended it all up and tasted. Hmmm... something was missing, must be the sugar, so I added that. Wow, that sugar, just as Cindy says, makes the flavor pop. 

This was so easy to to whip up, and tastes so, so good, I will never buy the pre-made again. Give it a try and let me know what you think.

*********

On another Facebook page, SB Canning, I participated in a kitchen towel swap. The idea was to send... yes, a nice kitchen towel. It was suggested that you might add a kitchen magnate and/or a recipe. I found a really cute 100% cotton towel with an image of a bunch of carrots on it, green tops and all, added a pretty, ceramic kitchen magnate that said, "Housework won't kill you, but why take a chance?", and threw in a recipe for my very favorite Fresh Apple Cake, which I make all the time. It is really very good: buttery, spicy, and packed with unpeeled apples. I have tweaked that recipe a bit too because Mr. K. doesn't like nuts or raisins, which the original recipe calls for. 

Years ago, 1984 to be exact, I belonged to one of those book clubs that were so popular; you know, you get ten books for a dollar and agree to buy half a dozen more over the next year. One of the first books I bought was "The Fanny Farmer Baking Book" by Marion Cunningham. I was only married a few years and was delving into baking. I cannot tell you how much I use this cookbook! Well, the Fresh Apple Cake recipe is in that book and I have been making it ever since. I figured it would be a nice recipe to include with my swap, so off it went.

The same day I sent it off, my package arrived, and what a delight it is. It included a pretty towel, small wind chimes with a wooden cardinal (my favorite bird) on top, a little spatula/scrapper, the cutest scrubby, two recipes - one for Texas Hash, the other for Pumpkin Bars, a little notebook in the shape of a handbag, I just love little notebook, two containers of tea, and... a really nice sized tea strainer with stars, moons, and suns on the rim. Marla G. was very generous and I am very grateful for all the goodies. 

*********

Before I hit the grocery store, I made a stop at my local needlework shop, Cross Stitch Cupboard, in Fort Lauderdale. The Halloween Ornament issue of Just Cross Stitch had arrived and I had reserved a copy. It is the best issue they have done so far, filled with 51 wonderful Halloween designs. There are ten, yes, TEN, designs I want to stitch. Luckily, most are smalls. By the way, the fabric that I laid my swap stash on is from the Cupboard too, Blackbird Designs - just had to have that. Oh well, I will make a pot of one of Marla's special tea blends, put on some lovely music, and take up my needle! Perhaps a few celery sticks packed with Pimento cheese on the side would not be amiss?

Just in case you would like to check out the Facebook pages I mentioned above, here are the links:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/SB-Canning/130750240327122 - everything about canning and preserving.

SB Canning's website:  http://www.sbcanning.com/

https://www.facebook.com/cindyeckhart

My needlework shop: crossstitchcupboard.com

Deliciously yours and tangled in threads,

Mrs. K.  

One Smart Kid

This little gal has made a video in response to an article written by Dr. Oz that conventionally grown food is just as healthy as local and organic food. He went so far as to say canned foods are a bargain food and just as nutritious.

I never watch Oz because he has always come off as an advocate for big agra and his health information is outdated. He states that eating real, organic, local food is "snobby" and "elitist! What??? Is he kidding? He supports the large food companies, with their CEOs who make more money in a year  than most of us will see in a lifetime, and calls budget-conscious people who support small farms part of the 1%?

Here's my note to Dr. Oz - stop drinking the Kool-Aid! You have, in my opinion, a serious conflict of interest in most of what you present. Studies funded by the Canned Food Association are going to tell people that those BPA lined lids are not good for you? That the pesticide-laden food one finds in those cans is safe? As Coral says.... puh-leeze!

Take a look for yourself and share, share, share. Let's see if we can get Dr. Oz to see this and respond!

Deliciously yours,
Mrs. K.

Food Companies to Avoid

Here is a list of food companies that donated considerable funds to prevent labeling of genetically modified food. You might want to show them how you feel about that by not buying their products. The list also shows companies we thought were OK, but it turns out they are just subsidiaries of larger companies:

Many of the products that seem so good are actually just subsidiaries of the companies that were most complicit in blocking GMO labeling, aided and abetted by everyone’s favorite purveyor of death, Monsanto. (Monsanto, incidentally, donated $7,100,500.00 to the fight against the labeling of GMO-containing products.) Don’t forget that Monsanto is now above the law due to the Monsanto Protection Act, a traitorous rider that Senator Roy Blunt managed to attach to a bill that was subsequently signed into law by President Obama. (you know, that guy in the White House, who made the labeling of GMOs one of his 2007 campaign promises?)

In addition, there is a list of the good guys. Here is the link for the complete article:

http://www.thedailysheeple.com/the-grocery-store-blacklist-12-food-companies-to-avoid-and-95-sneaky-aliases_042013

After Thanksgiving!

Well, I certainly hope your Thanksgiving was as lovely as mine. That nasty stomach virus I had been dealing with finally let up and I was able to enjoy my dinner. I made sure not to over-indulge. Although the wine didn't sit well, otherwise I am back in fighting form! Yay! I don't do sick well.

Our Thanksgiving was spent at my husband's cousin's club (what a mouthful!) which included very moist and delicious turkey, naturally, but also excellent ham, apple cider glazed salmon, and prime rib that didn't require a knife to cut. Along with these, there were traditional fixings, mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, stuffing, a wonderful salad table that included a sauteed mushroom and Brussels  sprouts salad with bits of bacon that was out of this world. I will be figuring out that recipe, for sure. There was plenty of breads; cornbread, rolls, sliced breads of all types, butter and honey butter. Then there was dessert... two rooms worth, traditional pies and everything in between and around, including a sugar free table that I don't think anyone touched, hehe. The chef even made his own truffles and white chocolate covered almonds. OH...... delightful. However, with my tender tummy, I did not over indulge, enjoying a few little bites of this and that along with a lovely cup of tea. Best of all, Mike's cousin and his wife, Aunt Harriet and her friend, Arlene, were there to share the day. We sat a good long time, chatting, laughing, and remembering. My own mother was home with my nephew and a few friends. She said she cooked up a feast that she hasn't done in years when we talked on the phone. Thanksgiving, a wonderful day!

How appropriate that Common Sense Homesteading had this post today - all about natural remedies for.... you guessed it, upset tummy! See the post here. Good information to add to one's housekeeping book or file.

Do you remember those old Victorian housekeeping books? I have a number of them, including Mrs. Beeton's, of course. My edition is probably early 1900s, but there were many editions. I also have a copy of A Jane Austen Household Book, which includes Martha Lloyd's receipts; not an antique, but most interesting. I do have many actual antique books which I love to peruse and even attempt the recipes - adjusting measures and ingredients as needed. There is a lot of advice about remedies too, which Laurie's post at Common Sense Homesteading reminded me of.

Folks are  so quick to take a pill when, most of the time, a cup of chamomile tea with a just a pinch of mint will do the trick for the upset tummy. A tea of crushed fennel seeds also relieves the, pardon the expression, burps. Herbal tinctures are also very good - melissa, passionflower, chamomile, all relaxing when stress is about to overwhelm or you can't sleep. Of course, there are good medicines today, so I like to utilize the best of both worlds; the ultimate tummy soother: Pepto Bismol! Works for me, LOL!

Moving along, it is now officially THAT time of year, the countdown to the holidays! On the agenda for me, finishing handmade gifts, candy and cookie making, cakes, homemade eggnog, and, of course, decorating. I like to have my tree up on December 1st so I can enjoy it all month. Last year, I was way behind getting my decorating done and that definitely will not be happening this year. I am ready to go!

We, in this household, celebrate Chanukah as well as Christmas, Mr. K being Jewish. I love it!!! Getting a little Chanukah gift takes the edge off waiting for Christmas, LOL! (oh, I have to stop with the exclamation points! Argh, there I go again.) After all these years being married, we curb the gift giving to just little goodies, but still, it is the excitement of a sweet little something wrapped in pretty paper. So, in addition to the Christmas food making, there will be LATKES!!!! And no latke incident as happened a few years ago - I will post that another day, a funny story, just before Chanukah which begins the evening of December 8th. Out with the menorah and blue paper!!! Onward potatoes, onions, applesauce and sour cream!!! The smell of frying will permeate my home for a few days, but it IS worth it. Nothing like homemade potato pancakes!!!

What about all of you? Ready to decorate? Recovered from the wonderful gastronomic indulgences of Thanksgiving and plotting those for Christmas? My Christmas pudding fixings await me!

Did I say Christmas pudding???? I certainly did. Today is Stir-up Sunday, the Sunday before Advent or the Sunday after Thanksgiving, according to some. In any event, mine is not a traditional plum pudding, but a dried apricot pudding. Each and every Sunday after making it, I unwrap it and douse it in rum, wrap it back up and leave it in the fridge to do its thing. By the time Christmas Eve rolls around, that baby is potent! And quite delicious with a lovely, buttery rum sauce drizzled over it. Lights up like a torch too, hehe! Yes, we set it alight in the traditional manner. Fun, fun.

So, off I go, because in addition to the pudding and some ham steaks for supper, there is stitching to be done.

Tangled in threads and deliciously yours,
Mrs. K.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

May you be blessed with plenty and more;

lots of love, plenty of delicious food enjoyed with abandon,

family and friends who love and treasure you.

Thanks so much for reading my blog, 

Tangled in threads and deliciously yours,

Mrs. K (and Mr. K. too)

Remembering Thanksgiving

When I was a child, Thanksgiving was a very exciting time. Most years, family joined us for dinner, but sometimes, it was just the immediate family, my parents and us kids. My dad always cooked breakfast for us on Sundays and holidays, pancakes! He made great pancakes and we ate piles, literally. He would just keep cooking until he could see we were full, then he'd sit down and have his breakfast.

There was one thing my dad, who's gone now three years as of October, did for us on Thanksgiving when we were kids, that I always remember with such sweetness. We'd come to the breakfast table, waiting for those pancakes, and there was a little gift at each of our places; just small things, a little mini tea set, a little girl's make-up kit - not really make-up, but the play stuff. My brother would find Match Box cars, little tools, those sorts of little toys and goodies one found in the Five and Ten, or in our case, the Hopewell Pharmacy. We could never wait to see what he got us. Small things, big memories.

Yesterday, as I am just getting over a stomach virus from hell, I made a pot of homemade chicken soup. I had a large pack of chicken thighs in the freezer, so I used those. I cooked the chicken with some onions, garlic, celery with leaves, and a couple of carrot. When the meat was cooked, I removed it, but threw the bones and skin back into the pot, cooking another couple of hours. I then strained the broth and put it back into the pot. Along with more fresh onion, lots of garlic - all told, about 8 cloves, carrots, and celery, I threw in a leftover half bag of frozen spinach, some barley, about a third box leftover ditilini macaroni, and finally, some cheese tortellini. That is the best chicken soup I have ever had, and I consider myself a connoisseur. Love chicken soup.

Wasn't sure how Mr. K. would react to such a mixed pot, but he ate three bowls and told me I better make it again just that way. He said I could always add matzoh balls too! As I've mentioned before, we mix it up in our home and it's all good.

Tomorrow we are off to Mr. K's cousin's club, as we have been doing for the past few years, joining relatives and friends. They put on an incredible spread, so it will be a wonderful meal. For leftovers, I've got that pot of soup in the fridge, but who knows, maybe Sunday, as I stir up my Christmas pudding, I'll make a little turkey dinner just for the two of us. As for the pudding, I'll share the adventure of the first one I made later in the week.

Deliciously yours,
Mrs. K.  

Whole Foods Sells Organic Food From CHINA?

Take a look at this! If you shop at Whole Foods, you will want to take a closer look at what you are buying and where it comes from. READ THE LABELS! Whole Foods brand California Blend Frozen Organic Veggies are from China! While California is shown in large type, the "from China" note is in very small print. It isn't only these vegetables, either, it is other foods as well.

I found out about this from The Healthy Home Economist blog. I highly recommend this blog for keeping informed about traditional, healthy foods and how to cook them.

There are problems with products from China all the time. Remember all the dead pets? Why would anyone want to buy so-called organic food from them? Why is any market supposedly dedicated to organic, local, sustainably grown food buying produce from China in the first place? 

Watch this and learn, then let Whole Paycheck Foods what you think. 

Deliciously yours,
Mrs. K.