Table Talk

[Blade]

Originally Posted by Orema

1. Finish this sentence: To me cooking is a chore. I only do it because I have to and any skills I have were learned/copied from my mother and sister.
2. What is always in your fridge? Eggs, butter and olives.
3. What is your kitchen tool that you can't live without? Cutting boards. Just bought a vegetable tub that collapses into a cutting board.
4. Did you discover any new techniques or foods during the lock down? No, but I gained a lot weight at the beginning of the pandemic from eating white beans. They were so comforting during the early madness.
5. What food says "home" to you? Collards, sage, grits, smothered cat fish, red beans and rice, okra, unsweetened corn bread.
6. What is your if- I-only-had-one-left meal? White beans seasoned with ham and sage over rice with unsweetened cornbread and a glass of white wine.
7. What is your favorite style of cooking do you use the most? Sautéed. Food slice thin and cooked quickly. Second favorite is slow cooking on low heat.

Collards grits catfish rice and cornbread now that's sounds mighty Southern right there. I'd be happy to have your last meal with ya 😁

[Orema]

Originally Posted by Blade

Collards grits catfish rice and cornbread now that's sounds mighty Southern right there. I'd be happy to have your last meal with ya 😁

And I'd be happy to share. I'd like a little tomato salad or slices of tomatoes with a couple drops of vinegar on the side, too.

[Bèsame*]

Almost summer!

It's time for snacks/treats to cool us down. I recently bought a popsicle mold, the shape of watermelon slices. First time I made some, they were as solid as an ice cube. I wanted a fruit bar!

WHY IS IT CALLED A POPSICLE?
It seems so fitting that the first popsicle was invented by an 11-year-old boy, Frank Epperson. In 1905 he left a cup filled with water, soda powder, and a wooden stick for stirring, outside on his porch. It was a very chilly night in Oakland California and he woke to a frozen treat! The rest is history!


FRUIT BASED POPSICLES
Choose ripe and juicy fresh fruit and berries to puree in a blender. Make your own fun flavor combinations! Here are some suggestions.

Mango
Pineapple
Strawberries
Blueberries
Raspberries
Honeydew
Cucumber
Orange
Banana
Watermelon
Papaya

Add in a liquid and a sweetener. Juice or water both work as a liquid for fruit-based pops. For sweetener, add honey, sugar or stevia to the mix

CREAM BASED POPSICLES
Cream-based pops are also delicious. Use a base like heavy cream, yogurt, almond milk, or coconut milk.

FREEZING
Popsicles will take about 8 hours to fully freeze. It’s best to leave them overnight to have enough time to properly freeze.

HOW TO UNMOLD A POPSICLE
This part can be a little tricky and the last thing you want are broken popsicles after you have waited all night for them to freeze!

The best way to remove the popsicles is to run the bottom of the mold under warm water for about 2 minutes.

Gently pull on the popsicle stick to remove. If it still feels hard to get out, run the mold underwater again. It will come out pretty easily when it’s ready.

I'm going to try this blueberry creamsicle.
My version:
Heavy cream, honey, a little vanilla. Swirl that up in my smoothie maker. Pour into molds and drop in (lots) blueberries.

[Bèsame*]

A cup a joe is good for more than just a pick-me- up. New studies from the American College of Cardiology show that drinking two to three cups of coffee a day may benefit your heart too. Plus, coffee beans contain compounds that can boost metabolism and improve insulin sensitivity. So go grab a refill!