Weekly Cooking (and related issues) Thread

[Jamestown1630]

Back in the 1970's-80's our family had a friend, a young Naval officer, who traveled all over the world and frequently came home with exotic gifts for everyone.

I remember a Summer when he visited and brought us a big bag of what must be one of the loveliest soaps ever made - Macedonia Soap, from Spain. It had a light, citrus scent and a kind of 'fizzy' spirit; I always felt effervescent after showering with it, and the memory of that soap still epitomizes Summer for me.

I've tried for years to find it again, even to stamping my foot and demanding that friends traveling to Spain look for it there; but I've had no luck, and don't think it's being made anymore.

However, in the process of searching I learned how it got its name: the soap - a clear glycerin bar with brightly-colored chunks of milled soap captured inside - is named after the Italian fruit-and-wine dish 'Macedonian Salad'.

Here is a short article, and a recipe for Macedonian Salad; it would be wonderful for a Summer evening party on the lawn or porch:

http://www.divinacucina.com/2014/02/macedonia-italian-fruit-salad/

I think my favorite fruit salad is the Waldorf Salad as we know it today, with walnuts, grapes and sometimes raisins in it. The original recipe, created at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in the late 1890s, contained only apples, celery, and mayonnaise on a bed of iceberg lettuce. At some point, walnuts were added; and over the years many other variations developed. (I've also found some recipes that use candied walnuts, and that would be a great tweak.)

Here is the version I like, from 'The Joy of Cooking':

Waldorf Salad

1 cup diced celery

1 cup diced cored, peeled apples

1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts

1/2 cup seedless red grapes, halved, optional

1/2 to 3/4 cup mayonnaise

Combine celery, apples, walnuts, and grapes in a medium bowl. Stir in mayonnaise.

Serve at room temperature or chilled.

-JT

[kalee]

http://www.cooks.com/recipe/ei5iv1qd/grape-salad.html

This is pretty in a crystal bowl at Christmastime. Use red and green grapes and make sure grapes are seedless.

[kalee]

Does that have Coke in it? When I was growing up an aunt always brought a cherry pecan salad to Christmas dinner. It had Coke in it.

[samiam1972]

My family is beginning to make our own soap. We’re hoping to get some goats and expand to goat’s milk soaps, too. We are also planting our garden this year with soap additions in mind. Lavender, lemon balm, etc. It’s a great chemistry lesson for the kids and a way for my daughter to earn money to support her angora rabbits.

We have a store in the KC area called The Tasteful Olive. The most amazing oils and vinegars there! www.thetastefulolive.com

[Jamestown1630]

Soapmaking looks like great fun; we’ve got a local lady who makes divine soaps and sells them at the Farmer’s Markets - I’m addicted to her patchouli soap:

http://www.mysticwatersoap.com/

Lately I’ve been collecting perfume oils, to practice making solid perfumes.

-JT

[Liz]

Haven/t checked the recipe-—posted for JT/s new jello mold.

[Jamestown1630]

The one Liz posted the pic of doesn’t have soda in it; it’s a Duff Goldman recipe, with sherry and orange juice:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/duff-goldman/cherry-walnut-gelatin-mold-recipe.html

Here’s the one with Coca Cola; there are others on the web (seems to take quite a while to load, on my end):

http://www.coca-colacompany.com/stories/food/2012/recipes-coca-cola-cherry-salad/

[kalee]

thanks! I have my aunt’s recipe somewhere but I have never made it.