Monthly Archives: July 2012

Ingredient: Little coosa, little summer squash

Posted on July 30, 2012 by Maureen Abood
Little coosa POST

It’s true that the Lebanese love to stuff it—grape leaves, cabbage, coosa. The coosa refers to a particular light green, medium-sized squash that is sweet, tender, and so good. But they’re difficult to find, so we turn also to traditional … Continue reading →

Posted in Ingredients | 8 Comments

Postcard from Up North

Posted on July 27, 2012 by Maureen Abood
Painter on the waterfront POST

When I examine myself and my method of thought, I come to the conclusion that the gift of fantasy has meant more to me than my talent for absorbing knowledge. ~ Albert Einstein (Birch tree and painter on the waterfront. … Continue reading →

Posted in Picture Postcards | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Garlicky Cabbage Rolls, some little gems.

Posted on July 26, 2012 by Maureen Abood
Cabbage rolls with labne POST

My name is Arikhia, not Rita, she said. They say Rita in this country. That was the first thing my Aunt Rita said when I interviewed her one afternoon several years ago. I was there to ask questions, to listen. … Continue reading →

Posted in Stories and Recipes | Tagged , , | 14 Comments

Technique: How to blanch cabbage for rolls

Posted on July 25, 2012 by Maureen Abood
Cabbage head blanching with colander POST

Cabbages, like onions, are made of tightly wound layers. Leaves of cabbage want and need to be softened so that they are pliable enough to be pulled off of the head and rolled up with stuffing. Here’s the simple blanching … Continue reading →

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Ingredient: Cabbage

Posted on July 24, 2012 by Maureen Abood
Head of cabbage closed in light POST

This was supposed to be a week of brilliant red bell peppers here on Main Street, a week of shiny patent-leather red vegetables and a simple recipe to make and to love. That, however, was not meant to be. Rita … Continue reading →

Posted in Ingredients | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Postcard from Up North

Posted on July 20, 2012 by Maureen Abood
Walloon sunset POST

Those who wish to sing, always find a song. ~ Swedish proverb (After the rains, on Walloon. The water and sky sing together always here, beautiful songs.)

Posted in Picture Postcards | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Chocolate-Covered Raspberries. Razzle-Dazzle.

Posted on July 19, 2012 by Maureen Abood
Chocolate berry wet POST

When we were out picking in the raspberry fields last week, our shout-outs to one another included what to make with all of the berries. From the youngest to the eldest among us, there were some darn good ideas: meringues … Continue reading →

Posted in Stories and Recipes | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Technique: How to clean and keep raspberries

Posted on July 18, 2012 by Maureen Abood
Raspberries in two baskets POST

The technique for cleaning raspberries is very simple: don’t do it. Even when raspberries are coated with a bit of dust from the field, it’s better to leave them alone or just rub off what you see than to clean … Continue reading →

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Ingredient: Raspberries, U-Pick

Posted on July 17, 2012 by Maureen Abood
Raspberries POST

On the way into town up here on M-119, there was for many years a sign at Emmet Heights road, hand scripted in red paint: Raspberries U-Pick We waited for it every year, and didn’t hesitate to scream it out … Continue reading →

Posted in Ingredients | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

Favorite Things: A candy thermometer

Posted on July 16, 2012 by Maureen Abood
Candy thermometer POST

This past weekend thermometers both failed me and came through for me. My instant-read thermometer met its maker in a melt-down accident when the poor guy was left in a gorgeous cut of tenderloin on the grill—with the grill lid … Continue reading →

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Postcard from Up North

Posted on July 13, 2012 by Maureen Abood
Bales of hay POST

If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced. ~ Vincent Van Gogh (Bales of hay with barn, Fletcher Road. Local color.)

Posted in Picture Postcards | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Maître d’hotel butter, with best-meal-nostalgia

Posted on July 11, 2012 by Maureen Abood
Filet with compound butter POST

One of the favorite questions of food-focused people is: what’s the best meal you’ve ever eaten? I hate questions like that because I’ve never been good at favorites, which is probably why I like Neapolitan ice cream. Yet I love … Continue reading →

Posted in Stories and Recipes | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Postcard from Up North

Posted on July 6, 2012 by Maureen Abood
Breakers sunset POST

In order that people may be happy in their work, these three things are needed: they must be fit for it; they must not do too much of it; and they must have a sense of success in it. ~ … Continue reading →

Posted in Picture Postcards | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Gotta love winning!

Posted on July 5, 2012 by Maureen Abood
Curd spreading POST

I’m not a big gambler, though I have to say the first time I played roulette in Vegas was a thrill. But when it comes to food, and a contest comes my way, I’m in. The contest that came to … Continue reading →

Posted in Stories and Recipes | Tagged , , , | 13 Comments

Happy 4th of July!

Posted on July 4, 2012 by Maureen Abood
FIREWORKS THREE

Go to foreign countries and you will get to know the good things one possesses at home. –Goethe (An early fireworks display on the lake, with a photo shared with us by my friend and excellent photographer, Steven. May your … Continue reading →

Posted in Picture Postcards | 6 Comments