Thanksgiving conjures up images of a large beautiful family gathered around the table dressed in their holiday best, smiling while Dad stands at the head of the table carving a perfectly golden turkey on a platter surrounded by grapes and fig leaves, Mom sitting next to him in her flounce apron looking up at him smiling. The children are sitting patiently with their cloth napkin tucked into their collars, waiting to be served, while colorful leaves gently falling from the trees outside can be seeing through a foggy window. Not! That Norman Rockwell scene may be a reality to some but that's not how it played out in my house.
My Dad never carved a turkey a day in his life. That job went joyfully to his brother, my Uncle Joe. He would pull out that electric knife like Arnold Schwarzenegger and take it to that bird in two minutes flat. It was never carved at the table in front of everyone either because for sure the greasy shrapnel would have landed in someone's hair. We always knew when we heard the knife rev up it was time to go to the table.
Mom wasn't an apron kind of girl. She much preferred the dish towel thrown over her shoulder because it did double duty as a pot holder AND a sweat rag. Our little apartment kitchen would get so hot we would have all the windows cranked completely open and we'd still be dying! "Holiday best" didn't mean crisply-starched dress shirts or pretty autumns sweaters, rather it meant short-sleeved cotton tee shirts and plenty of 'em! There were not children in fancy clothes, either. Actually, I always remember each year at least one of us being sick and to this day we still get a chuckle looking back at old pictures and seeing who was in their bathrobe at the table that year.
And who could forget the year Dad was asked to take the bird out of the oven and lost his grip on the disposable aluminum pan it was in, dropping it and spilling turkey grease all over the inside of the oven, setting off the smoke detector for 20 minutes. I'm sure Norman Rockwell's six grandchildren never fled his house covering their ears while running out on the front lawn in the freezing cold because they thought the house was burning down!
Ah, Thanksgiving and all the wonderful memories. Here's hoping your Thanksgiving is full of memories you will carry with you for a lifetime.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Sunday, October 11, 2009
A Slice Of Nostalgia
There is nothing that awakens the senses more than the smell of apple pie baking in the oven. It's aromatherapy at its best. We've all had the experience where a particular smell has brought us back to a time and place of memory and the smell of apple pie baking transports me back to when I worked in a small town bake shop. Although famous for their raisin pumpernickel bread, marble cake rings and fancy butter cookies, it was their apple pie that always made me weak in the knees.
As you can imagine, holidays at the bakery were always extremely busy, crazy times. Yet each year at Thanksgiving, when customers were lined up out the door waiting to purchase their holiday goodies, my boss would use one of the ovens to cook the staff a complete thanksgiving dinner - turkey, sweet potatoes, stuffing, veggies, rolls and ... apple pie. Unfortunately we had to eat it while running back and forth into the back of the shop taking bites in between waiting on customers. But it was well worth it.
By the time the mad rush was over up front, the apple pies had cooled down enough to be eaten and we could actually take a seat on an upside down milk crate to enjoy it ... and enjoy it I did. The filling was warm and silky, perfectly seasoned with cinnamon and nutmeg and just a hint of lemon juice. The crust was browned to perfection, flaky and tender - pure heaven.
I have baked alot of apple pies since those days and have yet to come close to the taste of that bakery pie. Perhaps it's just because it's not being thoughtfully served to me after having been awake since dawn or that my feet aren't throbbing as much after eight hours of running around on them.
What I can say about my apple pie is the aroma that fills my kitchen is as wonderful and comforting as that bakery pie, and each time I bake one I am reminded of the years of special times I spent there with good friends. The memories are the experience. Eating the pie is just the bonus.
As you can imagine, holidays at the bakery were always extremely busy, crazy times. Yet each year at Thanksgiving, when customers were lined up out the door waiting to purchase their holiday goodies, my boss would use one of the ovens to cook the staff a complete thanksgiving dinner - turkey, sweet potatoes, stuffing, veggies, rolls and ... apple pie. Unfortunately we had to eat it while running back and forth into the back of the shop taking bites in between waiting on customers. But it was well worth it.
By the time the mad rush was over up front, the apple pies had cooled down enough to be eaten and we could actually take a seat on an upside down milk crate to enjoy it ... and enjoy it I did. The filling was warm and silky, perfectly seasoned with cinnamon and nutmeg and just a hint of lemon juice. The crust was browned to perfection, flaky and tender - pure heaven.
I have baked alot of apple pies since those days and have yet to come close to the taste of that bakery pie. Perhaps it's just because it's not being thoughtfully served to me after having been awake since dawn or that my feet aren't throbbing as much after eight hours of running around on them.
What I can say about my apple pie is the aroma that fills my kitchen is as wonderful and comforting as that bakery pie, and each time I bake one I am reminded of the years of special times I spent there with good friends. The memories are the experience. Eating the pie is just the bonus.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
It's Monday Night, Are You Ready for Some ... SOUP?
While Monday nights in September bring football fans back in front of their TV sets, they bring MY family back to the dinner table. After a summer of flying by the seat of our pants, grabbing dinner out on our way home from the beach or throwing something simple on the grill, the fall months trigger my nesting gene to kick into action and start cooking my brains out.
A family tradition we've had in our family for years is Soup and Panini Night. Every Monday beginning when school starts I make a soup and some kind of specialty grilled sandwich. My family usually puts in their "orders" the night before for their favorites and I can honestly say that they are usually choices that meet everyone's tastes.
But there are always those times when making a homemade soup is not in the cards because of either a busy schedule or just plain old dinnertime exhaustion. It's then that I turn to my "busy mom's pantry" and pull out a slow cooker soup kit. I add a couple of simple ingredients in the morning before heading out the door and we all come home to a house smelling soooo good and a hot, nutritious dinner on the table. I whip up the sandwiches and we're sitting down to eat in no time.
Sadly, my girls always can't tell the difference between the homemade soup I've slaved over to make or the slow cooker soup. A compliment to the soup kit, yes ... but I do still enjoy making the soup recipes that have been family faves for years. My youngest loves Potato Leek while my middle daughter is a Cream of Broccoli fan, and my oldest will always request Minestrone or Chicken Noodle.
Coupled with a mouth-watering grilled sandwich on crusty bread? Oh yeah. Monday night football is way overrated.
CLICK HERE FOR SLOW COOKER SOUP KITS - http://www.aroundthetablechef.com/special-offer.html
A family tradition we've had in our family for years is Soup and Panini Night. Every Monday beginning when school starts I make a soup and some kind of specialty grilled sandwich. My family usually puts in their "orders" the night before for their favorites and I can honestly say that they are usually choices that meet everyone's tastes.
But there are always those times when making a homemade soup is not in the cards because of either a busy schedule or just plain old dinnertime exhaustion. It's then that I turn to my "busy mom's pantry" and pull out a slow cooker soup kit. I add a couple of simple ingredients in the morning before heading out the door and we all come home to a house smelling soooo good and a hot, nutritious dinner on the table. I whip up the sandwiches and we're sitting down to eat in no time.
Sadly, my girls always can't tell the difference between the homemade soup I've slaved over to make or the slow cooker soup. A compliment to the soup kit, yes ... but I do still enjoy making the soup recipes that have been family faves for years. My youngest loves Potato Leek while my middle daughter is a Cream of Broccoli fan, and my oldest will always request Minestrone or Chicken Noodle.
Coupled with a mouth-watering grilled sandwich on crusty bread? Oh yeah. Monday night football is way overrated.
CLICK HERE FOR SLOW COOKER SOUP KITS - http://www.aroundthetablechef.com/special-offer.html
Friday, August 21, 2009
Tomatoes, Zucchini and Corn ... Oh My!
This is the time of year where fresh produce is its most abundant in New Jersey. I have enjoyed more than my fair share of zucchini this season due primarily to the good fortune of living next to my friend (and store manager) Kathy, who has the most beautiful and plentiful organic garden.
When she is overgrown with cherry tomatoes, a basket shows up at my back door. When her zucchini are multiplying faster than rabbits, four or five are delivered to me at a pop. And her herb garden always produces enough basil to make pesto for a small country. In my humble opinion, these are jewels - gifts that we receive for only a short time each year and I take full advantage of them.
Pasta with Zucchini in Garlic Aioli, Stuffed Zucchini with White Beans, Zucchini Bread - we're having it every which way. Tomato and Cucumber Salad, Pasta with Fresh Tomatoes and Basil and, of course, famous New Jersey Tomato Sandwiches ... it just doesn't get any better. And least we forget ... sweet Jersey corn! If you've never been lucky enough to have it, just imagine biting into the most incredibly sweetest cob of tiny white kernels SO firm they literally pop in your mouth. Pure bliss.
Yes, I do love this time of year and the bounty it provides us. I don't take it for granted for even a minute. It saddens me that soon we will unfortunately be back to pale, wax-like hot house tomatoes which, in my opinion, are a total insult to the real deal. And zucchini will be the size of pencils and completely tasteless, best used as a garnish at that point as far as I'm concerned.
But usually at that point, a chill starts to fill the air, sweaters come out of the closet and so does my apple peeling machine and deep dish pie pan, along with my pumpkin bread recipes and my soup tureen. Hot cups of afternoon tea and a power nap before school lets out are soon in order, too.
Bring it on.
Enjoy the rest of your summer.
Regards,
Chris
When she is overgrown with cherry tomatoes, a basket shows up at my back door. When her zucchini are multiplying faster than rabbits, four or five are delivered to me at a pop. And her herb garden always produces enough basil to make pesto for a small country. In my humble opinion, these are jewels - gifts that we receive for only a short time each year and I take full advantage of them.
Pasta with Zucchini in Garlic Aioli, Stuffed Zucchini with White Beans, Zucchini Bread - we're having it every which way. Tomato and Cucumber Salad, Pasta with Fresh Tomatoes and Basil and, of course, famous New Jersey Tomato Sandwiches ... it just doesn't get any better. And least we forget ... sweet Jersey corn! If you've never been lucky enough to have it, just imagine biting into the most incredibly sweetest cob of tiny white kernels SO firm they literally pop in your mouth. Pure bliss.
Yes, I do love this time of year and the bounty it provides us. I don't take it for granted for even a minute. It saddens me that soon we will unfortunately be back to pale, wax-like hot house tomatoes which, in my opinion, are a total insult to the real deal. And zucchini will be the size of pencils and completely tasteless, best used as a garnish at that point as far as I'm concerned.
But usually at that point, a chill starts to fill the air, sweaters come out of the closet and so does my apple peeling machine and deep dish pie pan, along with my pumpkin bread recipes and my soup tureen. Hot cups of afternoon tea and a power nap before school lets out are soon in order, too.
Bring it on.
Enjoy the rest of your summer.
Regards,
Chris
Friday, July 3, 2009
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!
Well, we are FINALLY getting some sun in New Jersey and it's so nice to see everyone stopping in for their fourth of July cookout munchies! Our salsas and chips are flying out the door, along with our gourmet barbecue grilling sauces, and apparently everyone is in need of a few cocktails, as our Tea Forte' Cocktail Infusers are following right behind!
This is the weekend I always promise myself that I will take time to relax this summer and enjoy some quiet time for myself. Each year I have visions of stretching out on the chaise lounge out on my deck, under the umbrella, curled up with a good book and sipping a tall, ice cold glass of something ... never happens! It seems I always get caught up in the logistics of summertime ... running the kids around, washing pool towels, weekend cookouts and never-ending runs to the grocery store for ice cream, ice cream and more ice cream that I don't take the time to enjoy the simple pleasures of the summer.
I'm feeling confident, though, that this will be THE year. Our oldest daughter now has her driver's license (gulp) so she will be taking over the "fudge ripple runs," although she doesn't know it yet! Our second oldest daughter has proven her laundry skills when she had to do all her laundry in order to pack for a trip with her friends to Myrtle Beach (hhmm, funny how that works). And our youngest daughter has taken an interest in cooking and baking ... say it with me - ALLELUIAH!
Yes, this is definitely going to be the year.
Happy Summer!
This is the weekend I always promise myself that I will take time to relax this summer and enjoy some quiet time for myself. Each year I have visions of stretching out on the chaise lounge out on my deck, under the umbrella, curled up with a good book and sipping a tall, ice cold glass of something ... never happens! It seems I always get caught up in the logistics of summertime ... running the kids around, washing pool towels, weekend cookouts and never-ending runs to the grocery store for ice cream, ice cream and more ice cream that I don't take the time to enjoy the simple pleasures of the summer.
I'm feeling confident, though, that this will be THE year. Our oldest daughter now has her driver's license (gulp) so she will be taking over the "fudge ripple runs," although she doesn't know it yet! Our second oldest daughter has proven her laundry skills when she had to do all her laundry in order to pack for a trip with her friends to Myrtle Beach (hhmm, funny how that works). And our youngest daughter has taken an interest in cooking and baking ... say it with me - ALLELUIAH!
Yes, this is definitely going to be the year.
Happy Summer!
Friday, June 26, 2009
It's Time to Pull the Elastic Waistband Pants Out of the Closet!!!!
This weekend our staff will be attending the Fancy Food Show held at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City! It is a full weekend of eating, drinking ... and walking, walking, walking! Thank goodness for all the walking because we need to walk off all the calories of everything we will be eating but our feet hurt us for days afterward!!! (Totally worth it!)
I get so excited for this show each year. Not only for the obvious reasons but also because it is where we discover new food sensations and products to bring back to our shop to share with all of you. We take great pride in choosing only the finest gourmet foods to present to you and this weekend is always a critical part of that mission.
So stay tuned and keep checking in for the "sneak peak" of all the goodies we will be bringing to you all very soon!
I get so excited for this show each year. Not only for the obvious reasons but also because it is where we discover new food sensations and products to bring back to our shop to share with all of you. We take great pride in choosing only the finest gourmet foods to present to you and this weekend is always a critical part of that mission.
So stay tuned and keep checking in for the "sneak peak" of all the goodies we will be bringing to you all very soon!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Get Your Kids Out of Your House This Summer and In to OUR KITCHEN!!!
Our Kids in the Kitchen Summer Cooking Camps are hands-on, fun and creative where kids will measure and mix ingredients, use a variety of kitchen tools, follow recipes and expand their culinary horizons while having fun in the kitchen!
The theme for July is LOTSA PASTA! Roll up your sleeves and get ready to dig in flour while making homemade pasta, sauces and other pasta favorites!
Ages 5 to 8: July 13 - 17 from 9:00AM - 12:00PM
Ages 9 to 12: July 20 - 24 from 9:00AM - 12:o0PM
The theme for August is FOOD NETWORK STARS! We're cookin' up recipes from your favorite celebrity chefs life Rachael Ray, Emeril, Paula Deen and more ... so come cook up some fun y'all!
Ages 5 to 8: August 3 - 7 from 9:00AM - 12:00PM
Agest 9 to 12: August 10 - 14 from 9:00AM - 12:00PM
The kids have SO MUCH FUN at these camps. We love getting to know them and watching them try new foods because they made it themselves!
SPACE IS STILL AVAILABLE - Register today by calling us at 609-730-1001.
Can't wait to see you all!
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