Posted on 04/14/2016 3:24:45 PM PDT by Jamestown1630
Long before we had 'The Pioneer Woman', we had a Pioneer Lady: Jane Watson Hopping, who published many cookbooks featuring old-fashioned recipes and reminiscences of country life.
Last weekend, while Liz was posting those beautiful, fresh, Spring-like salads, we were having weather that was very bitter for April - biting winds, low temps, and even some snow. At the thrift store I found Hopping's book, 'The Pioneer Lady's Hearty Winter Cookbook', and it seemed perfect for the strange April day that we were experiencing.
The book is full of recipes; but remarkable for how the recipes are framed by old family photos and memories, tales of country life in a long-gone era, poetry, and reproductions of pretty vintage drawings. It's a book to be quiet with, curled up by a fire; and reminds me somewhat of Gladys Taber's many books and articles from Stillmeadow Farm (q.v.).
(The cover of the book is a detail from Grant Wood's 1934 painting 'Dinner for Threshers' - which is probably what first attracted me, as he is one of my favorite 20th Century American painters :-) - and many of Hopping's books appear to be still available through Amazon:)
http://www.amazon.com/Jane-Watson-Hopping/e/B001HMMP7G
One of the recipes is described as a 'late harvest' dish; but looks good for us now all the year around:
Ida Louise's Late Harvest Jeweled Slaw
6 Cups shredded White Cabbage
1/2 yellow Bell Pepper, cut into slivers
1/2 Cup red Bell Pepper, cut into slivers
1 Cup Pineapple Tidbits, drained
2 T. Chopped Chives or Sweet Onion
1/2 tsp. Salt
Dash of freshly-ground Pepper
1/2 Cup Mayonnaise
1/2 Cup Sour Cream
1/2 tsp. Sugar
1 T. Vinegar
1/2 tsp. Dry Mustard
1/4 tsp. Paprika
In a medium to large salad bowl, combine cabbage, red and yellow peppers, pineapple and chives. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper.
In a smaller bowl, mix together remaining ingredients. Toss the dressing lightly with the vegetables, and chill at least an hour before serving. _________________________________________________________
I promised to try a hummus recipe this week, and I was intrigued by Califreak's post about “Authentic Syrian Kicked Up Hummus”, because the garlic was roasted first, which is very different from every recipe I've used before; and that's the one I tried this week.
I was all geared-up to pick the skins off of those chickpeas, but the brand I used was 'Iberia': much smaller chickpeas and with very little skin, so I didn't bother with that 'peeling' business, this time.
The recipe used a bit more Tahini than I was used to using; and I wondered if that would create the silkiness of my remembered 'Excellent K Street Hummus'.
As it turned out, this is a really good recipe for what I recall as 'Sandwich' hummus - mine came out thick, not silky; might have used a little more salt; and depending on your chickpeas, you might want to add a little more lemon juice, or a little water, to make it better for dipping. Roasting the garlic gives it a more mellow hint of garlic, far less sharp than recipes calling for raw garlic. But overall, an excellent recipe for hummus!
After chilling, we drizzled a little olive oil on top, sprinkled paprika, and spread it on Naan that we found in the grocery. I couldn't find the frozen brand that Miss Marmelstein recommends, but will keep looking (and Miss M. was absolutely right about packaged Naan from supermarket bread shelves - it's gummy, and has an odd flavor.)
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/126786/authentic-kicked-up-syrian-hummus/
-JT
I can see using it as an additive to hype flavors....
But eating it straight on a piece of toast?
Mmmmmmm....no.
I notice Wiki says you can spread it on a cheese sandwich which might help. I think you have to grow up with it. Love the little bottle, though.
We have a ShopRite, and I will look for it. It’s interesting that people seem to especially like it with cheese sandwiches.
-JT
Thanks for the allergy warning....good to know.
It’s that sweet and salty mix. Chutney goes well with cheese too and certainly Branston Pickle is a chutney wannabe.
I don’t have food allergies, thank God. I don’t know anyone who even eats Marmite! But I plan on trying it as it sits on my shelf.
You are very fortunate to not have allergies. They are a pain in the azz!
Doesn’t look very toothsome.
I’m guessing Brits had to eat whatever was at hand during the war years,
brewer’s yeast..develop the taste.
It’s like drinking teriyaki sauce right from the bottle.
Came late to the party, but I saw your comment on Alton Brown & I agree in spades! He is decidedly not funny, has no charm & takes all the fun out of cooking. He seems quite enchanted w/ himself. I have never seen his competition shows because I despise cooking competitions.
Although 2 summers ago I watched the British baking competition & it was low-key & charming. The judges were not attention maniacs.
Came late, but am so hungry reading everyone’s posts.
Yeah, I can’t stand him either which is sad because he knows the science of cookery. Seriously, unfunny.
Chopped is an excellent contest show - the judges are knowledgeable (if occasionally pompous) and the chefs and cooks are fascinating to watch and listen to. I’ve learned a lot about combining flavors. It’s a variation of the old BBC show Ready, Steady, Cook. I like the Great British Bake-off but that’s got two female comedians who make me exhausted. Mary Berry is excellent, though.
Hmm....I DO drink Teriyaki straight from the bottle.
The Marmite jar is charming. It’s based on a real clay pot called a marmite that’s used in French cookery. There used to be a French restaurant in NYC called Marmite. The Vegemite jar is ho-hum!
Marmite is used on breakfast toast. I don’t think it’s related to the war years - people compare it to our love of peanut butter on bread. The Brits hate peanut butter.
Brewer’s yeast is healthy...but the mega-salt content negates any health benefits.
The classic veal chop Normande in a sauce of Calvados and a touch of heavy cream......the poached chicken with truffles ..... the creme caramel...the frozen Grand Marnier souffle.
The epitome of a French restaurant......all gone.
OMG! You either have a great memory or you did a quick history check, lol! I always wanted to eat there - I lived several blocks from the Beekman Towers in the early 2000s but the restaurant was long gone, of course.
You’ve got to buy some old Gourmets on ebay. I have a year’s worth from 1976. I wonder if there’s a review of it? It’s so nostalgic.
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