Monthly Archives: May 2013

May 13, 2013

Muffin Monday: Bread Pudding Muffins

By ritalovestowrite

Bread Pudding Muffins

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Ingredients:

  • 1 cup Chopped Dry Dates
  • 1 cup Water

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  • 1/2 cup Slivered Almonds

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  • 6 cups Bread Cubes (you can use any kind of “bread” you have around the kitchen, including cake or muffins that are past their prime.)

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  •  2 Eggs

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  •  2/3 cup Dry Milk
  • 1 cup Warm Water
  • 1/4 cup Butter

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  • 1/4 c Demerara Sugar (or Brown Sugar)

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  • 1/4 c Maple Syrup

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  • 1/2 teaspoon Nutmeg
  •  1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
  •  1/2 teaspoon Salt

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You’ll need a 12 count muffin tin and a roasting pan that is about the same size.

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Thoroughly butter the bottoms and sides of the muffin cups in the muffin tin.

2. Combine the Dates and the warm water and set aside for 5 minutes.

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3. Grind the Almond Slivers in a blender, food processor or nut mill until you get an almond meal.

4. Shred the bread into 1/4″ chunks. You don’t want the bread cubes to be too big.

5. In a 2 cup liquid measuring container add 1 cup of warm water to 2/3 cups of dry milk. Stir until the dry milk is liquified. Drain the juice from the dates into the milk. Top off with additional water (so you have 2 cups of liquid) and stir.

6. Transfer the milk mixture to a large bowl.

7. Put the butter in the measuring cup and melt the butter in the microwave.

8. Add the butter into the milk mixture.

9. Add the sugar, maple syrup to the liquid.

10. Crack the eggs one at time into the measuring cup and beat slightly then add to the liquid.

11. Add the softened dates, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt and ground almonds to the liquid and mix thoroughly.

12. Slowly incorporate the bread cubes until they are completely saturated.

13. Prepare a water bath for the muffin tin. To do this place a couple of cups of water in the roasting pan and test by putting the muffin tin inside. When the water comes about 2/3rd’s the way up the sides of the muffin cups you have enough water in the pan. The muffin tin should sit on top of the roasting pan, so there is water at the bottom and sides of the muffin cups.

14. Fill the muffin cups with the bread pudding mixture. Using a spoon press down on the mixture to compress it into the muffin cups. (I had more than enough for 12 muffins.)

15. Carefully put the muffin pan into the water bath and place both into the center of your hot oven.

16. Bake for 25 minutes. The Bread Pudding Muffins will start to pull away from the sides of the pan when ready.

17. VERY CAREFULLY remove both pans from the oven and let rest 5 minutes. Remove the Muffin Tin from the water bath and let rest another 5 minutes.

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18. Place a tray over the muffin tin and invert to release the muffins. If they stick run a knife around the edge of the muffin cups and try again.

19. Let cool an additional 5 to 10 minutes before enjoying. These are moist and dense so refrigerate any leftover Bread Pudding Muffins. (Reheat for 30 seconds in the microwave to rewarm when you’re ready to eat them.)

These are great for breakfast instead of french toast of pancakes or as a dessert. You can serve plain or with a touch of whipped cream or a splash of maple syrup.

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8 Comments   |  tags: , , , | posted in Baking, Muffins, postaday, Thought of the Day

May 12, 2013

Katharine Hepburn 5.11.13 Thought of the Day

By ritalovestowrite

“. . . as one goes through life one learns that if you don’t paddle your own canoe, you don’t move.”–Katharine Hepburn

From Woman of the Year [Image courtesy: Wikimedia]

From Woman of the Year [Image courtesy: Wikimedia]

Katharine Houghton Hepburn was born on this day in Hartford, Connecticut, USA in 1907. Today is the 106th anniversary of her birth.

She was the second of six children born to Thomas and Katharine Hepburn. Her father was a urologist, her mother was a suffragette. Her parents “encouraged her to speak her mind, develop it fully, and exercise her body to its full potential.” [IMDb] She decided to become an actress while attending Bryn Mawr College.

Upon graduation  in 1928 (she got her degree in history and philosophy) she went to Broadway  where she got a number of small roles before starring as Antiope, the Amazon princess, in A Warrior’s Husband in 1932. The same year she made her first film A Bill of Divorce with John Barrymore. She won her first Academy Award for 1933’s Morning Glory.

Hepburn was always her own woman. She wore pants, but didn’t wear makeup. She spoke her mind and she certainly didn’t fit into the Hollywood starlet mold. That made for a difficult road for the actress in the mid to late 1930’s. Although she had a few stage and screen successes  she struggled until she starred in The Philadelphia Story on Broadway in 1938.

Cropped screenshot of the film The Philadelphi...

Cropped screenshot of the film The Philadelphia Story (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

She quickly bought the film rights, and so was able to negotiate her way back to Hollywood on her own terms, including her choice of director and co-stars. The film version of The Philadelphia Story (1940), was a box-office hit, and Hepburn, who won her third Oscar nomination for the film, was bankable again. For her next film, Woman of the Year (1942), she was paired with Spencer Tracy, and the chemistry between them lasted for eight more films, spanning the course of 25 years, and a romance that lasted that long off-screen. (She received her fourth Oscar nomination for the film.) Their films included the very successful Adam’s Rib (1949), Pat and Mike (1952), and Desk Set (1957). [Ibid]

Cover of "The Hepburn & Tracy Signature C...

Cover via Amazon

By the 1950’s she was pegged for more mature roles like Oscar nominated role opposite Humphrey Bogart in The African Queen.

She won her second Oscar opposite Spencer Tracy in Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (Tracy’s last movie) in 1967. And repeated the walk down the red carpet to pick up Oscar #3 the following year for The Lion In Winter.

Hepburn added more TV work to she schedule in the 1970s, but still found some plum film work  including Rooster Cogburn and On Golden Pond. She won her 4th Oscar for Golden Pond.

From On Golden Pond [Image courtesy: The Hairpin.com]

From On Golden Pond [Image courtesy: The Hairpin.com]

Katharine Hepburn died on June 29, 2003. She was 96 years old.

2 Comments   |  tags: , , , | posted in Broadway, Film, Katharine Hepburn, postaday, Theatre, Thought of the Day, Today's Birthday

May 11, 2013

Secondary Character Saturday: Sean Bean: Ian Howe

By ritalovestowrite

————–

Today we celebrate the second saturday in the merry month of May, AKA Sean Bean month. Click HERE  to see last week’s blog on Boromir
————–

[Image courtesy: Wikipedia]

Bean as Ian Howe [Image courtesy: Wikipedia]

WHO: Ian Howe

FROM: National Treasure

BY:  Jim Kouf, Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio, Cormac Wibberley, and Marianne Wibberley

RELEASED: 2004

PROS: Ian has nearly unlimited resources, and he’s smart.  He can be charming. He’s crafty. Oh, and he looks great in a white parka.

[Image courtesy: Ponderings]

[Nick Cage and Sean Bean look at map on the back of the Declaration of Independence. Image courtesy: Ponderings]

CONS: Cunning, ruthless, greedy, driven, sociopath.

QUOTE: “You know the key to running a convincing bluff? Every once in a while you have to be holding all the cards”

MOST SHINING MOMENT:Well, he is a villain, so it is tough to find a “shining moment” for Ian Howe. I’d like to think he feels remorse when his side kick Shaw dies. But…hmmm… not so much.

LEAST SHINING MOMENT: Kidnapping the heroes and stranding them beneath Old North Church in Boston (essential burying them alive).

WHY SEAN BEAN IS SO GOOD IN THE ROLE: For the record if I’m every going to go on a treasure hunt with a sociopath I’d really prefer it be with Sean Bean. Sure he’ll step over your dead cold body to get what he wants, but he probably wont kill you if he doesn’t have to.

Bean straddles  the line between being charming and being creepy all through this movie. And he’s a ton of fun to watch. You never root for him, but it sure is fun to root against him.

I like how the movie takes a history field trip and turns it on its ear. Even though the whole thing is fiction it is fun to think that some one might have left all those clues and that they (the clues) are still out there waiting to be discovered.

(Thanks to my buddy Tom B. for contributing tho his blog.)

Related links

3 Comments   |  tags: , , | posted in fictional character, National Treasure, Sean Bean, Secondary Character, Thought of the Day

May 10, 2013

Bono 5.10.13. Thought of the Day

By ritalovestowrite

“Music can change the world because it can change people.” — Bono

Bono [Image courtesy: Club Fashionista.com]

Bono [Image courtesy: Club Fashionista.com]

Paul David Hewson (aka Bono) was born on this day in Ballymun, Dublin, Ireland in 1960. He is 53 years old.

Paul was born to Bobby Hewson and Iris Rankin. He is the second of their children, his brother Norman is eight years his senior. His parents were unusual in their Dublin neighborhood as his father was Catholic and his mother was Church of Ireland (Protestant). He walked the fence between the two religions, attending services with his mother and brother and starting his education at The Inkwell (a Protestant school) before transferring to the Catholic St. Patrick’s Cathedral Choir School. His tenure in the Catholic school was not long as the “precocious, outspoken” [atu2.com] boy acted up once too often and was asked to leave after “throwing dog feces at his Spanish teacher.” [Ibid] He found his feet at a non-denominational, co-ed high school, Mount Temple Comprehensive.

At 14 Paul’s mother died of a brain hemorrhage. Life with his father was difficult.

Despite his father’s attempts to hold the family together, Bono claims that he and Bob Hewson “didn’t get on very well.” As a result, father and son never enjoyed a particularly close relationship. In fact, Bono would later claim that the inarticulate Bob Hewson’s unspoken message to his children was “to dream is to be disappointed.”[Ibid]

Paul rebelled against his father by dreaming big and trying everything.

At Mount Temple “he had a flair for history and art, and became a keen and expert chess player” [Ibid]. It is there that he met his wife to be Alison Stewart, his eventual U2 band mates, Larry Mullen, Dave Evans (aka The Edge), and Adam Clayton, and picked up the name Bono.

At first the group did covers, but then they started to write and perform their own music. Their first album was 1980’s Boy. The LP featured the post-punk Twilight and I Will Follow.

October  came out  in 1981 and touched on the band’s spiritual side, especially with Gloria, Tomorrow and With a Shout (Jerusalem).

1983’s WAR reached #1 in England and  #12 on the US charts. Bono said of the recording: “‘More than any other record, ‘War‘ is right for its time. It is a slap in the face against the snap, crackle and pop. Everyone else is getting more and more style-orientated, more and more slick.” [U2.com Discography]  Stand out tracks (on a very strong album) include 40, New Year’s Day, and Sunday Bloody Sunday.

U2’s fourth album, The Unforgettable Fire was produced by Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois. Pride (In the Name of Love), one of the groups biggest hits, came from The Unforgettable Fire.

[As much as I love the bass and drums on the earlier stuff — and I do — the guitar on this one just kills.]

If you STILL haven’t found what you’re looking for… maybe you need to pull out 1987’s The Joshua Tree. [Because, frankly, I’m about to give up being an objective blogger and just gush with fan girl admiration…With OR Without You.] Here’s Where The Streets Have No Name…

Rattle and Hum came out in 1988. It combines covers, new original music and concert recordings of some of their most famous songs. A documentary film directed by Phil Joanou  was released at the same time as the album.  Here’s All I want is You [My personal favorite U2 song.]

Achtung Baby was the band’s 7th release. It saw a shift to a more industrial rock and electronic dance music. Zooropa (1993) and Pop (1997) followed.

2000’s All That You Can’t Leave Behind marked a return to a lyric/melody driven style. It boasted successful singles Beautiful Day, Elevation, Walk On and Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of.

Bono said of How To Dismantle an Atom Bomb  “‘It’s just such a personal record. It may just be our best.'” [Um yeah!] This time Vertigo, All Because of You, Sometimes You Can’t Make It on Your Own, City of Blinding Lights, and Yahweh stood out.

No Line on the Horizon came out in February of 2009 along with the companion film Linear. Get on Your Boots and Magnificent both charted in the US (Boots, with its awesome bass and guitar riffs, was #1 in Ireland) Here’s the band playing  Magnificent on Letterman:

Bono is still writing, recording and performing. If you are in the New York area and have a cool $3000 to donate to a good cause you can see him on Monday (May 13)  as part of the Robin Hood Foundation Gala at the Javits Center.  A more affordable option may be a trip your local movie theatre to see U2-3D, a concert film that comes out May 30th.

 

I could write another 500 words on Bono’s charitable works, but that would put me over the limit.

Related articles

1 Comment   |  tags: , , , , , , | posted in Bono, Ireland, Music, Thought of the Day, Today's Birthday, U2

May 9, 2013

Billy Joel 5.9.13 Thought of the Day

By ritalovestowrite

“If you are not doing what you love, you are wasting your time.”– Billy Joel

Piano Man: The Very Best of Billy Joel

Piano Man: The Very Best of Billy Joel (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

William Martin Joel was born on this day in The Bronx, New York City, New York, USA in 1949. Today is his 64th birthday.

Billy Joel is the oldest child of Karl and Rosalind Joel. He was raised in the Levittown neighborhood of Hicksville, Long Island. Karl was a classical pianist and both parents insisted that Billy take lessons on the instrument. For his part he would have much rather been playing sports. He was bullied for playing piano rather than playing a sport. As a teen he remedied that situation by taking up boxing. Joel was an amateur Gold Glove winner — winning 22 bouts — before giving up the ring when his nose was broken.

He went to Hicksville High School, but by then his parents had divorced and Joel was playing piano at bars to help make ends meet at home. So he didn’t always make it to school the next day. The results being he didn’t have enough credits to graduate.

Instead he followed his dream and began his musical career in earnest. He started with the cover band the Echoes. Then through the mid to late 60s he worked with a number of bands (or reworking of bands) including: the Emeralds, the Lost Souls, The Hassles and Hour of the Wolf . In 1969 Joel and Wolf drummer Joe Small broke away to form Attila. Attila  focused on a heavy metal sound  and had some traction in the music scene. They and pressed an album in 1970 before Joel launched his solo career a year later.

His first solo album, Cold Spring Harbor  came out in 1971. The album had problems, not the least of which was it was recorded at the wrong speed so his voice seems shaky, strange and too high. The record contract also heavily benefited the producer, Ripp’s Family Productions, and Joel got little of the money made from the record.  But regardless of the problems there are some lovely songs on this freshman offering, like She’s Got A Way and Tomorrow is Today.

He toured and landed on the West Coast. (Where he played at the piano bar in The Executive Room and met the real life inspiration behind the song Piano Man.)  But it was a Philadelphia radio interview and in-studio recording of Captain Jack that  really launched his career. The radio station promoted the song (and singer) and Joel suddenly had an underground following. Columbia Records came calling at The Executive Room and signed him  to a contract.

His first album with Columbia was Piano Man. The title song became his signature song, and the song he ends almost all his live performances with. The LP was his first gold album.

He’s won six Grammy Awards (including 5 on a hot streak from 1978 -1980) and has 16 Platinum records.  An Innocent Man, Glass Houses and 52nd Street garnered  7x Platinum status. The Stranger nabbed 9 Platinums. His Greatest Hits Volume I and II  earned a whopping 20 x Platinum rating.

Rolling Stone calls him the  “bard of everyday suburban dream and disappointment” adding that “his forte is the romantic ballad, epitomized by his signature tune, Just the Way You Are.” [Rolling Stone.com]

He now writes both jazz and classical music as well as rock and roll, and was most recently in featured at April’s  New Orleans Jazz Fest.

Billy Joel performing in Jacksonville, Florida...

Billy Joel performing in Jacksonville, Florida, United States (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

And so it goes (on)…

Related sites:

http://www.billyjoel.com/news

Leave a comment   |  tags: , , | posted in Billy Joel, Music, postaday, Thought of the Day, Today's Birthday

May 9, 2013

Harry S. Truman 5.8.13 Thought of the Day

By ritalovestowrite

“If you can’t convince them, confuse them.”” Harry Truman

Harry S. Truman (1884 – 1972), 1945 – 1953 the...

Harry S. Truman (1884 – 1972), 1945 – 1953 the thirty-third President of the United States Deutsch: Harry S. Truman (1884–1972), 1945 bis 1953 33. Präsident der Vereinigten Staaten (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Harry S. Truman was born on this day in Lamar, Missouri, in 1884. today is the 129th anniversary of his birth.

He was the eldest of three children born to John Anderson Truman and Martha Ellen Young Truman. Father was a farmer and his family was of modest means. The family moved to Independence Missouri when Harry was six.

When he was eight he began his formal schooling. He liked music and took piano lessons. He also loved to read and enjoyed history. Truman was always interested in politics, and was a page for the Democratic National Convention in 1900. He graduated from Independence High School in 1901.

The Trumans didn’t have the money to send their children to College — Harry Truman is the only US President in the 20th Century with out a college degree — so Harry worked after graduating from high school.

“He worked a variety of jobs after high school, first as a timekeeper for a railroad construction company, and then as a clerk and a bookkeeper at two separate banks in Kansas City. After five years, he returned to farming and joined the National Guard.” [Biography.com]

In 1905 he joined the Missouri Army National Guard. He served in the Guard until 1911. After a few years break he rejoined the Guard to fight in World War One. He served as an Captain in the 129th Field Artillery.

At the end of the War Truman came home to Independence, and married Elizabeth (Bess) Virginia Wallace and opened a haberdashery with his fellow soldier, Edward Jacobson. Although the clothing shop failed his relationship with Jacobson lasted for decades.

“Active in the Democratic Party, Truman was elected a judge of the Jackson County Court (an administrative position) in 1922. He became a Senator in 1934. During World War II he headed the Senate war investigating committee, checking into waste and corruption and saving perhaps as much as 15 billion dollars.” [White House.org]

Franklin Roosevelt choose Truman as his running mate in 1944. Truman served as Vice President less than 12 weeks before Roosevelt died of a massive stroke. Roosevelt had kept him largely in the dark. He didn’t even know about the Manhattan Project.

Presidential portrait of Harry Truman. Officia...

Presidential portrait of Harry Truman. Official Presidential Portrait painted by Greta Kempton. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

He said when he assumed office “I felt like the moon, the stars and all the planets had fallen on me.”

While the war in Europe was winding down — he proclaimed “V-E Day” on his 61st birthday — there seemed no end in sight with the war with Japan.

“An urgent plea to Japan to surrender was rejected. Truman… ordered atomic bombs dropped on cities devoted to war work. Two were Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Japanese surrender quickly followed.” [White House.org]

Post war accomplishments included:

  • Witnessing the signing of the charter of the United Nations
  • Expanding the Social Security system (the Fair Deal),
  • The Truman Doctrine  (aimed at thwarting Soviet aggression)
  • The Marshall Plan (helping to rebuild the European economy)
  • The Berlin Airlift
  • NATO
  • Recognition of Israel
  • Integration of the Armed Forces

Challenges included:

  • Demobilizing the military while maintaining a healthy economy
  • The cold War
  • Labor disputes, especially with the Steel industry
  • Korean War
  • McCarthyism

Truman survived an assassination attempt on November 1, 1950. The first family was staying in Blair House — the White House was undergoing major renovations — when two Puerto Rican nationals attempted to enter the house and shoot him. There was gun battle outside Blair House, resulting in the death of a White House police man and one of the conspirators.

In 1952 he decided not to run for a second term (He has served most of Roosevelt’s’ final term and one full term of his own.) He supported Democrat Adlai Stevenson against Dwight Eisenhower.

He wrote his memoirs back in Independence. He worked to establish a presidential library. He toured the country with Bess in his Chrysler New Yorker.

Harry Truman died at the age of 88 the day after Christmas, 1972.

“My choice early in life was either to be a piano-player in a whorehouse or a politician. And to tell the truth, there’s hardly any difference.”

English: US Postage stamp: Harry. S. Truman, I...

English: US Postage stamp: Harry. S. Truman, Issue of 1973, 8c (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Leave a comment   |  tags: , , | posted in American History, Harry S. Truman, History, postaday, President, Thought of the Day, Today's Birthday, World War One, World War Two

May 8, 2013

5.7.13 Johnny Unitas Thought of the Day

By ritalovestowrite

“There’s a big difference between confidence and conceit.”– Johnny Unitas

00930 Golden Arm

00930 Golden Arm (Photo credit: nickhall)

John Constantine Unitas was born on this day in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1933. today is the 80th anniversary of his birth.

Unitas grew up in the suburb of Brookline where he played halfback and quarterback at St. Justin’s High School. He became a Louisville Cardinal in college when he attended University of Louisville in Kentucky. In 1952 the school tightened academic standards and reduced athletic aid, so the football team lost players on the roster. The coach changed strategy and went with two-way football, and Unitas stepped up his game by playing both defense (safety or linebacker) and offense (quarterback and special teams).

“In his four-year career as a Louisville Cardinal, Unitas completed 245 passes for 3,139 yards and 27 touchdowns.” [Johnny Unitas.com]

He was the ninth round draft pick of the Pittsburg Steelers, but the team — who already had 3 quarterbacks — released him before the season started. Unitas found himself working construction to support his family. He kept his arm in shape by playing semi pro ball with the Bloomfield Rams (at a whopping $6 a game.)

Baltimore Colts AAFC/NFL logo

Baltimore Colts AAFC/NFL logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In 1956 Unitas and another Bloomfield Ram player, lineman Jim Deglaum, tried out for the Baltimore Colts. He stepped into the role of first line quarterback after George Shaw broke his leg a few weeks into the season. After a rocky start the rookie settled in and took control on the field. Unitas was the Colt’s quarterback for the next 15 years.

If you say the number 19 in Baltimore every one knows you mean the man who led the Colts to two NFL World Championships (58 and 59) and brought home a Super Bowl victory in 1970. It broke many a heart in Charm City when he was traded to San Diego Chargers in 73 (his last playing year.)

After retiring from football he did color commentary on CBS and, when the Colts bolted to Indianapolis, he was leading advocate in getting the city of Baltimore a new NFL team. He was often on the Raven’s sidelines when the team came to Baltimore.

(Sorry Indianapolis)

Unitas died of a heart attack on September 11, 2002.

Rub Johnny U's Shoe

Rub Johnny U’s Shoe (Photo credit: Au Kirk) A statue in honor of Unitas in front of M & T Stadium, the home of the Ravens.

Leave a comment | posted in Baltimore, Colts, Football, Johnny Unitas, postaday, Thought of the Day, Today's Birthday

May 6, 2013

Muffin Monday: Berry White Chocolate Muffins

By ritalovestowrite

Berry White Chocolate Muffins*

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Ingredients:

  • 3 cups White Whole Wheat Flour

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  • 1 cup Granulated Sugar or Demerara Raw Sugar

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  • 2 teaspoons Baking Powder
  • 2 Teaspoons Baking Soda
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Salt

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  • 1 cup Skim Milk

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  • 1/2 cup Yogurt

yogurt

  • 2/3 cup Canola or Vegetable Oil

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  • 2 teaspoons of Vanilla Extract

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  • 1 cup of White Chocolate Chips

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  • 1 cup Blackberries

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  • 1 Cup Blueberries

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Directions:

1. Pre-heat the oven  to 375 f. Spray muffin tins lightly. (This is a large batch so either prepare two 12 muffin pans — for smaller muffins — or one 12 and one 6 muffin pan for larger muffins.)

2. Place the Berries in a blender and process. Add the Sugar, Milk, Yogurt, Vegetable Oil and Vanilla Extract and blend completely, creating a pretty Superbowl Winning BALTIMORE RAVENS purple berry slurry.

Berry Slurry

3. In a large bowl combine the Flour, Baking Powder, Baking Soda and Salt.

4. Pour the berry slurry into the dry ingredients and mix.

The Berry Slurry and the dry ingredients just as I start to hand mix the two together (and remember that I wanted to take a picture.)

The Berry Slurry and the dry ingredients just as I start to hand mix the two together (and remember that I wanted to take a picture.)

What the mixed batter looks like.

What the mostly mixed batter looks like.

5. Fill the muffin tins with the batter (divide evenly into 12 muffin cups if you want smaller muffins, divide evenly into 18 muffin cups if you want larger muffins — I went for larger muffins).

6. Top with 6 to 8 White Chocolate Chips per muffin.

7. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Test with the toothpick test. Remove and let cool for 5 minutes in the pan before turning them out onto a cool surface. Let sit at least 5 more minutes before enjoying.

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These muffins were delicious and not too sweet. They were moist, but not gooey.  Muffin taster Andrew S. liked the way the White Chocolate complimented the berries. My other tasters (fellow members of the contemporary band at my church) were too busy scarfing them down to give me a comment — which I take as a good sign.

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Related articles

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UPDATE: Jenny B. (one of the other members of the  Contemporary Band at my church) has weighed in to say of the muffins that “THEY WERE AMAZING!!!!!!”  Thanks for the endorsement Jenny!

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*I know there should be a comma in the name of this muffin recipe, but I just couldn’t resist. I’m guessing that should Soul/Funk/Disco pioneer Barry White eat one of these muffins he’d probably comment … “I’ve heard people say that too much of a good thing can’t be good for you, baby, but I don’t know about that… I can’t get enough of  these muffins babe.”

Yeah, you’re going to be humming that all day. You can thank me later.

13 Comments   |  tags: , , , , , | posted in Baking, Berries, Berry White Chocolate Muffins, chocolate, Food, Muffins, postaday

May 5, 2013

James Beard 5.5.13 Thought of the Day

By ritalovestowrite

“Food is our common ground, a universal experience.” — James Beard

[Image courtesy: Three Three Five and the James Beard Foundation]

[Image courtesy: Three Three Five. com ]

James Andrew Beard was born on this day in Portland, Oregon, USA in 1903. Today is the 110th anniversary of his birth.

His mother, Elizabeth, was a foodie who ran a boarding house. His father, John, worked at the Customs House. James spent summers fishing, and gathering shellfish at a beach near Gearhart, Oregon. He cooked what ever he harvested from the sea and on  jaunts though near by wild berry patches.

After briefly attending Reed College, Beard wanted to be an actor. From 1923 to 1927 he worked on his craft, he went abroad to study theater and voice, and tried to make a go of the acting biz, but found it difficult to pay the bills, so he turned to he other love, food and opened a catering business. “With the opening of a small food shop called Hors d’Oeuvre, Inc., in 1937, he finally realized that his future lay in the world of food and cooking.” [worldculinaryinstitute.com]

Hors Doeuvre & Canapes [Image courtesy: Amazon.com]

Hors Doeuvre & Canapes [Image courtesy: Amazon.com]

In 1940 the publication of Hors d’Oeuvres & Canapés, his first cookbook, put him on the culinary map. His sophomore publication,  1942’s Cooking it Outdoors,  was “the first serious work on outdoor cooking.” [worldculinaryinstitute.com]

Now based in New York, Beard continued to delight food lovers and crank out cookbooks. He embraced the new media of Television in 1946 when he  hosted TV’s first cooking show.  He wrote prolifically and contributed to countless magazines. By 1954 he’d earned the title “Dean of American cookery” by the New York Times.

In 1955 he established The James Beard Cooking School. He continued to teach cooking to men and women for the next 30 years, both at his own schools (in New York City and Seaside, Oregon), and around the country at women’s clubs, other cooking schools, and civic groups. He was a tireless traveler, bringing his message of good food, honestly prepared with fresh, wholesome, American ingredients, to a country just becoming aware of its own culinary heritage. [worldculinaryinstitute.com]

The James Beard Cookbook (revised) [Image courtesy: Amazon.com]

The James Beard Cookbook (revised) [Image courtesy: Amazon.com]

In all he wrote more than two dozen cookbooks, most notably:

  • Fowl and Game Cookery 1944
  • The Fireside Cook Book: A Complete Guide to Fine Cooking for Beginner and Expert 1949
  • Paris Cuisine 1952
  • Complete Cookbook for Entertaining 1954
  • How to Eat Better for Less Money 1954
  • James Beard’s Fish Cookery 1954
  • Casserole Cookbook 1955
  • The James Beard Cookbook 1959
  • Delights & Prejudices: A Memoir with Recipes 1964
  • James Beard’s Menus for Entertaining 1965
  • How to Eat (and Drink) Your Way through a French (or Italian)
  • Beard on Bread 1973

 

James Beard died  in January of 1985. “He was hailed as “The Father of American Gastronomy” and his name remains synonymous with American food.” [worldculinaryinstitute.com]

[Image courtesy the James Beard Foundation]

[Image courtesy the James Beard Foundation]

One of his lasting legacies is the Award named in his honor. Since 1986 the James Beard Foundation, an NPO started by former student Peter Kump, has honored outstanding chefs, cookbook authors, wine specialists and food writers.

 

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