Italian Cooking, the Overwhelmingly Authentic Way

For Christmas this year, one of my presents was a Gastronomique-size tome simply called, La Cucina, edited by the members of the Italian Academy of Cuisine and recently translated into English. This is the sort of massive cookbook that you know you'll never get the whole way through in your lifetime. It won't be for lack of trying, however, if you're like me and love trying foreign foods, the more "real", the better. There are thousands of recipes using almost every type of ingredient that could be dreamt of, from eel to chamois to wild thyme to grape must. This is the type of book that makes you feel inadequate as a cook from its sheer cornucopia of dishes. The book is organized into chapters by course: Antipasto, Soup, Pasta, Fish, Meat, Vegetables and Dessert (plus one chapter I've missed). It also includes the region from which each recipe originated, providing a little geographical and historical context for each meal--especially useful for Italian-Americans trying to get a "feel" for their roots. When I get over my initial feeling of awe and actually cook something from La Cucina, I'll be certain to post a review here. Until then, Buongiorno!

Failed Culinary Experiments

Where do recipes come from, if not from one person trying to see if two or more ingredients go well together? In this spirit of culinary adventure, I like to try something a little different now and then, sometimes discovering a great taste I never knew before, but more often than not, inventing a dud. Today I came up with some such wash. I tried topping warmed-over Christmas Plum Pudding with shredded cheddar cheese, melted in the microwave. I couldn't detect the cheddar other than as an odd aftertaste. My guess is that Plum Pudding, being such a profusion of flavors to begin with (rum, sugar, various dried fruits), is so potent that nothing could possibly be added to enhance it, not even decent cheddar cheese (such as shredded Kraft, or "fancy cheese" to all of you Boondocks fans). Oh, well. In discovering one thing that doesn't work, to paraphrase and put a twist on the thoughts of Thomas Edison, you've come closer to discovering the thing that will.

On a sweeter note, I did find via a blind taste-test administered by my younger stepson that expensive cinnamon really is superior to bargain supermarket cinnamon as far as taste alone (not smell) goes. My apologies to those who, like me, are of Scottish descent and attempt to squeeze each penny until copper juice flows.

Sunday Savings

I like when I find that something that I needed or even just wanted to buy is much lower in price than what I was expecting. I really, really like it when I find that I can obtain some such item for FREE. Now, I myself enjoy a good pictorial calendar with stunning photos or humorous/retro drawings as much as the next person, but as we've heard everywhere and known ourselves, the economy has been hobbled for quite some time. So when I found a website that allows you to create your own month-by-month photo calendars for free, I thought, "Awesome!" You simply choose from the stock photos already on the website or upload your own personal photos, enter in the specifics of the month you want, then print away! So far, the site is only offering calendars through the year 2011, but if we have the postage money to spare next year, we may very well send out 2012 calendars featuring family photos instead of Christmas cards. Happy New Year!

http://www.calendarlabs.com/photo-calendar.php?photos=animal#animal

Disclaimer: It would only make sense that this website would offer calendar making for personal use only, due to proprietary and legal issues.

Chow Mein Cookies

These cookies are both surprisingly easy and surprisingly delicious. They are a holiday favorite with me and mine, as my mother traditionally made them for special occasions (such as Christmas). Try them for your holiday celebration. You won't regret it!

Chow Mein Cookies (Makes 2-3 Dozen)

2 Five-ounce cans Chow Mein Noodles
1 Twelve-ounce bag chocolate chips
1 Twelve-ounce bag butterscotch chips

Pour both bags of chips into a large saucepan. Melt slowly over low heat, stirring constantly to avoid burning. As soon as the chips are melted, stir in both cans of chow mein noodles. Stir well to coat. Immediately drop by tablespoon onto baking sheets covered with waxed paper. Allow to cool completely. You may store the cookies in the refrigerator, freezer or out in a cool location. Enjoy!

On the Right to Carry

The right to carry firearms is guaranteed by the Constitution so that citizens may be permitted, without interference, to carry their weapons while traversing and otherwise being present on public property. This right does not extend to private property. The Bill of Rights, just as it is expressly designed to protect an individual's right to own, carry, store and operate guns, is also expressly designed to protect the rights of private property holders. Therefore, a person's right to carry ends at the front door of a private residence, business or landholding. Beyond that, it is a privilege, not a right, that is bestowed upon the carrier by the property owner. If I forbid guns in my grocery store, that does not interfere with your right to carry. It only interferes when I go beyond the bounds of my private property onto public property and still attempt to dictate your right to bear arms.

Also, it is not only the weapons operated by the body that can protect us from tyranny in these United States, but also the weapons of the mind. Next time you put your gun down, pick up a book.