Food Names & Terminology

It occurred to me a few weeks back that there are a lot of foods and food terms that are not familiar to many of us cooks. Even the name of a dish can be confusing if you don't know what it means. So I have decided to dedicate at least one day a week to learning new words related to food. I hope you'll enjoy this segment each week and I welcome suggestion of words that you would like to know about and all of your comments.

Today's Words Are:

Fromage Blanc: This is a simple uncooked, unmolded, unripened cheese. The original is made with no fat but some makers use fat to increase the texture and taste. It has a smooth, thick, creamy texture like sour cream. It has a tart taste. Fromage Blanc is used in cooking, as a spread or over fruit. Using herbs in it make for a great spread on breads.

Coq Au Vin: Classic French dish consisting of chicken pieces, mushrooms and onions cooked in salt pork fat or bacon fat, then simmered in red wine with herbs.

Dacquoise: A dessert of rounds of baked, nut flavored meringues, stacked and filled with sweetened cream or buttercream icing. It's mostly served chilled, often with fruits like peaches or apricot. (Also know as or similar to Marjolaine)

To Mount: (French) "Monte` au beurre" (to lift with butter). A cooking techique using small cubes of cold, unsalted butter whisked into a sauce just before serving to add flavor, texture and gloss.

Preparing for The Weddings

Kristen & Eric
Melanie & Paul (standing in front of the marsh where they are getting married)

Getting Overwhelmed..............Have my regular caterings going on, preparing for the 2 daughter's showers, wedding "To Do" stuff, having flooring replaced in family room, making wedding attire for one flower girl & grand daughter, trying to decide on centerpieces for each girl's table, haven't even given thought on my outfits (4) that is (weddings & rehearsals), I HATE TO SHOP FOR CLOTHES!!!and I'm taking over at our church as the charge person for the Wednesday night meals, all this while keeping my sweet little angel (HA!)...................PRAYER is needed ....................keep me going Lord.

DIET STILL ON

I am on a food specific diet (Michael Thurman's 6 weeks Body Makeover) and I'm finding new ways with the foods I'm allowed. There are a LOT! Although I'm really not suppose to be eating the wrap, I had it with things I could eat. It is stuffed with poached chicken breast, a crisp red apple sliced thin, cucumbers and watercress. It was so refreshing! This is a typical breakfast. Egg white omelet with homemade salsa (salt free) and oatmeal. Most of the time I forgo the oatmeal and eat either a grapefruit or cantaloupe. Breakfast is the least favorite meal of the day.

I would recommend this diet to everyone. It is specific to each person's body type and it really works. The pounds literally drop off! The hardest part is all the food you HAVE to eat. Imagine, eating food to lose weight. REALLY! Good food too. I even get to eat potatoes! (Just can't have the butter- LOL!)

MORE Great Finds.......

While shopping at TJ Maxx (of course) I spotted these plates and almost bought them for my oldest daughter's wedding shower party. But I really didn't think she would like them. To my surprise SHE bought them and brought them to me. Aren't they the cutest things? Cheap too.

Now these, are MY great find from the antique store. They have no markings but I really could care less- I think they are so pretty. And can you believe $3.00 for 2! I think I may go back and see if the casserole dish and platters are still there. I don't know why I didn't just get them at the same time. (Ugh!)

If any of you are familiar with this pattern I'd love to know more about it.

All these colors match my home so nicely.

A TERRIFIC LITTLE FIND

While running errands around town last week, I took a quick peek at the local antiques mall in town and found some very nice finds and this is one of them. Although in the picture it looks like a set it's not! But the two pieces were priced as a set and I loved both of them and for $5.00 I was not leaving without it! The bottom piece is Noritake as you can see in the next picture. The bottom of the cup says Gold Castle with a beautiful Japanese structure on a green hill top and Made in Japan on it- I couldn't get a good picture of that inscription though. I love the cup because it has just the right curve on the edge and sits just right on your lip while sipping.

New Serving Platters- WhooHoo!

There are advantages to owning your own catering business, like getting to buy things you love and telling the DH "Well I HAD to have them for catering" That was kinda the case this week. I found these great pieces at TJ Maxx of course on sale!! Fortunately for me the DH LOVES them all. And he even commented that we could use them for the daughter's weddings too, which I was planning all along. Isn't that funny?

Starting a New Eating Plan

Uuugh! It's time for me to get my head together and face the fact that I am FAT! I have 2 daughter's getting married and helping in planning (from the sidelines) for those wedding as well as catering them, running my own business, keeping up with a 3 year old grand daughter, or rather trying to keep up that is and running a house. I'm just out of breath! So I have made up my mind to get healthy for them and for me. So I've got to get back to healthy eating and yesterday was the beginning. It started with a lovely lunch and I know that I will love eating like this and will feel so much better when this weight is off.

Poached Tilapia over Basmati Rice with Watercress, Cilantro & Arugalu covered with fresh HOT salsa. It was really good.

Wish me luck!

Blessings From a Catering

I had the privilege of catering this weekend for the sweetest newlyweds and their families. It was not only a privilege but a blessing. This young couple met while in school in Africa with their missionary families. He from Canada and She from Alabama. (This was a celebration of their marriage- they had previously had two weddings in Africa before coming back to the states and then on to Canada to live. )Both had family members from all over in attendance and it was such a pleasure to listen to stories, hear them all
catching up on each other's lives and knowing that they all were Christians and included our Lord Jesus in every aspect of their lives. It was a small intimate affair and I am so glad that I was a part of it.

A beautiful arrangement compliments of a friend from her home church First Baptist Church of Talladega Alabama Cakes prepared by her aunt, Rebecca Walton of Mills Chapel Baptist- my church
A close up of one of Rebecca's cakes- it was as good as it looks, too!

The Buffet was a simple menu of Chicken salad croissants, fresh fruit & dip, guacamole & chips, and tri-colored tortellini pasta salad and wedding punch.

American vs British Food Terminology

A few blogs back I showed a lovely new book that has all British cooking recipes. A lot of the terminology was unfamiliar to me as I'm sure is the case with most of my readers. So, I thought I would show what each term means in American terms and add a few more as well.

British to American
1 cup = 1 1/4 cups
strong flour = bread or hard- wheat flour
icing sugar = confectioners sugar
mixed spice= apple pie spices
double cream= heavy cream
banger= sausages
caster sugar= super fine granulated sugar
breakfast cup= 1 1/4 cups
cornflour= cornstarch
dessert spoon= 1 tablespoon
treacle= molasses
sultans= golden raisins
teacup= 3/4 cup
vegetable marrow= summer sqash

Now isn't that interesting. I have a lot more so if you have one you need defined let me know, maybe I'll have the answer.

Melissa Bailey Wedding Display

Sorry with the quality, I forgot my camera and had to use a disposable one, oh well at least I did get a few. It really was a pretty table.

The Grand daughter is Three Today!

"I'm 'Thwee' Nana"

Munchkin Makes The Front Cover!!

Thank you to Newnan Coweta Magazine (and Angela, Bob & Deberah). We had a fun day at the pool and even more fun with the photo shoot. Samantha was a real trooper and cooperated pretty well for a 3 year old. Plus she was given all the Popsicles she could eat!