by B.L. Unkel | Dec 14, 2024 | Baking
Today is National Roasted Chestnuts Day. So, cue the music and let’s sing. Wait. Before we get to the singing, let’s talk chestnuts. The Plant Chestnuts have been around for over 4,000 years. And, as you might guess from the song lyrics, they are edible nuts....
by B.L. Unkel | Nov 30, 2024 | Baking
I’m sure most of you have heard of eggnog. But how many of you have heard of boiled custard? For me, nothing says Christmas like a glass of that creamy goodness. Boiled Custard Every year at Christmas, my paternal grandmother made boiled custard. I made it a...
by B.L. Unkel | Nov 23, 2024 | Baking
You know how memories can be triggered by certain songs or smells? Certain foods can do that, too. For me, one of those trigger foods is Ambrosia. Ancient History Ambrosia. What is it? According to ancient Greek myths, it was food for the gods. It made them...
by B.L. Unkel | Nov 16, 2024 | Baking
Cinnamon was once an extremely expensive commodity. Today, this spice is a staple found in most kitchens around the world. The Food Connection Cinnamon has a long and delicious history. It’s one of the world’s oldest spices. In the U.S.—and much of the...
by B.L. Unkel | Aug 17, 2024 | Baking
I just love nice surprises, don’t you? Recently, my family had an unexpected one. We discovered mustangs in our front yard. No, not horses. I’m talking about wild Texas grapes. The Surprise Because I mow the yard, I knew there were “berries” growing high in a...
by B.L. Unkel | Jun 8, 2024 | Baking
What do you get when you combine and boil variations of two basic ingredients: sugar and butter? Answer: A sweet treat and sweeter memories. The Beginning Invented in the U.S., this boiled candy’s first confirmed written reference as “taffy” is found in the...
