August 30th, 2010
I have already written the other day how all my figs were ripening at once. You can’t keep up with them. I decided to invent the following recipe. I thought the pork loins came out great but do not do justice in the picture. The taste was sweet and tangy at the same time.
Pork Loin with Fresh Figs
1 package pork tenderloins (2 in a package)
Rub:
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. Mrs. Dash onion and herb
1 tsp. Mrs. Dash Italian Medley
2 tablespoons or a bit more of olive oil
juice of one lime
Prick the pork loins and rub the seasonings all over. Place in refrigerator at least 1 hour but the longer you let it marinate the better.
Brown pork loins on a skillet on all sides and while doing so then prepare the rest.
7 figs, chopped
10 shallots, chopped
1/4 cup of caper berries, stems off and cut in 1/2
1/4 cup of White Balsamic Fig Infused Vinegar. I used Alessi and you can get it in the vinegar section of a good supermarket.
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup of Chutney. I used Crossed & Blackwell (any chutney)
1/2 teaspoon pepper
salt, optional
1 tblespoon chopped cilantro, optional
Take about 1/4 cup of the chopped figs, the vinegar, oil and chutney and process in the blender. After blending then set aside.
Line a cookie sheet with heavy foil, enough of it that you will be able to make a canopy over the pork loins.
After browning the pork loins place on the cookie sheet and arrange with the rest of the figs, shallots, caper berries, salt and pepper. Drizzle some or all of the blended figs/vinegar/chutney and sprinkle with cilantro, if so desired.
Bake at about 45 minutes to 1 hour in a pre-heated 350 degree oven.
Slice thin and make sure you put a couple of spoonfuls of the vegetables and juice on the sliced pork.
Serves 6.
Please note that I really do not use salt in my food so that’s why the Mrs. Dash is mentioned in the recipe. Fresh herbs and anything else you would like, would do just fine. I was just experimenting to see how the figs would do with the pork.
I decided that a Plantain Mash (Mofongo) would be good with it. The problem was that I had never made Mofongo. I decided to use my mortar and pestle. I would have to agree that if you do not have one, it would be hard to do in a bowl, not impossible, but hard.
The other problem I encountered with the mofongo recipe was that I thought it was a little dry. I need to experiment and see what else I can do to make it just right. Maybe someone from the Dominican Republic will give me a hint.
Plantain Mash (Mofongo)
3 green plantains
1 quart or 4 cups of water
1 tablespoon salt (optional) I put a tiny bit of salt.
2 large garlic cloves, peeled
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 lb. of pork crackling (Are you crazy? I don’t have that here. I used bacon.)
vegetable oil for frying
Best way to peel the plantains is cut the 2 ends and put in microwave, one at a time for 1 minute. Cut with knife lenthwise and peel.
Cut into 1 inch diagonal slices and soak for 15 mintues in salted water. Drain well.
Heat oil to boiling point and add the plantain slices. Fry for about 15 minutes or until golden but not browned. Drain on paper towels and reserve.
In a mortar (or heavy bowl), crush cloves well, add olive oil and mix. Remove from the mortar or bowl and reserve.
Crush in the mortar part of the fried plantain slices together with part of the bacon. Add some of the mixture of crushed garlic and olive oil and mix thoroughly. It is tricky, believe me.
You are supposed to shape into balls. I just let the shape of the mortar do it and turned it over. It was good, just a little dry; great taste, though.
Make them your own, that’s the pleasure of cooking!!
 My serving of Pork with Fresh Figs and a Plantain Mash (Mofongo)
P.S. “There is no love sincerer than the love of food.” george bernard shaw
Talk to you later….
August 26th, 2010
I remember the first time I tasted a fresh fig. Well, there is nothing better. Fig Newtons? No way, not even close. I instantly became a fan.
Purplish brown, greenish yellow, and deep burgundy; the colors that are so characteristic of fresh figs.
 My Fig Tree Their season? August through early Fall. If you have a fig tree like I do and all of a sudden there are so many of them ripening at the same time, then be sure to keep them in the refrigerator because they can spoil quickly.
There are so many recipes. I love just eating them off the tree. Added to salads, broiled with feta or mascarpone cheese on top, muffins, sauces, in ice cream, the possibilities are endless.
The following recipes are easy and delicious.
Fig Muffins
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 tsps. baking powder
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 cup milk, divided
1 cup chopped fresh figs, divided
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Take 1/4 cup of the milk and 1/4 cup of the figs and blend together in the blender. It will be used when ingredients need to be added to the muffin mix.
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition
Combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and cloves; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk, stirring just until moistened.
Stir in the blended fig mixture, pecans and chopped figs.
Spoon muffin batter into greased and floured muffin pans, filling three quarters full.
Bake 18 minutes if you are using the mini-muffins or for 20 minutes for regular muffins.
They are best served warm. It will yield 40 mini-muffins or 20 regular muffins.
A Fig Cobbler
5 cups fresh figs, halved
2 tsps. lemon juice
3/4 cup sugar
3 tblsps. all purpose flour
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
Cheddar pastry
Arrange figs evenly in a lightly greased 10 x 6 x 2 inch baking dish
Sprinkle with lemon juice
Combine sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir well, and sprinkle over figs.
Dot with butter.
Roll Cheddar Pastry out to 1/8 inch thickness on a lightly floured surface; cut into 10 x 1/2 inch strips.
Arrange in lattice fashion over the figs.
Trim edges.
Bake at 350 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes.
Cheddar Pastry:
1 cup all purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/3 cup shortening
1/4 cup or 1 ounce shredded Cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons of cold water
Combine flour and salt; cut in shortening with pastry blender or fork until mixture resembles coarse meal.
Stir in cheese.
Sprinkle cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, evenly on top.
Stir with a fork until dry ingredients are moistened.
Shape dough into a ball until ready to use.
Enjoy it and make it your own. Reduce sugar, if you want or use different flours for baking if you have a gluten allergy. Eliminate the nuts if you have that allergy, as well.
Talk to you later….
August 22nd, 2010
 Four wheels move the body. Two wheels move the soul. I decided to go to Lewes, Delaware, yesterday afternoon and meet my friend, Shelley. The coastal towns in Delaware are busy and crowded. Summer, as we know it, is coming to an end.
We were walking right in front of Cafe Azafran and behind Half Full when we stopped to gaze at the motorcyle, just parked there. The Indian Drifter.
 Never trade the thrills of living for the security of existence.  If you don't ride in the rain you don't ride. Two helmets and no riders around. But, look at it. It looked amazing. Beautiful and I am not a rider.
 Only a Biker knows why a dog sticks his head out a car window. As I started taking the pictures, the riders came out laughing. It was that laughter that got my attention. They were definitely having fun.
I did not know them. They allowed me to take their picture and they were from Milton, Delaware, just north of Lewes. Locals? Natives? Don’t know either.
 Young riders pick a destination and go...Old riders pick a direction and go. It was a couple enjoying their time together….priceless!!
August 16th, 2010
 Al Fresco I was taking, Addy, my dog, for a walk early this morning. It was humid. So much more than yesterday and I started to wonder what would I want for dinner tonight. I have not had anything for breakfast yet, and already dinner was on my mind.
I think dinner is my favorite time of the evening. Having it al fresco makes it even better.
The following 3 recipes would be perfect for a day like today. They are easy too.
Flank Steak Wrap
1 beef flank steak – 1 to 1-1/2 lbs.
4 cups pre-cut coleslaw mix
1 cup chopped green onions
salt and pepper to taste
8 medium flour tortillas
1/2 cup honey roasted peanuts, coarsely chopped
Dressing:
1 cup rice vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
2 tablespoons sesame oil
For the dressing, just combine the rice vinegar, honey and sesame oil in a jar and shake vigorously.
Place beef steak and half of the dressing in a plastic bag. Close bag securely and marinate in refrigerator for 1/2 hour.
Pour other half of dressing in a large bowl and toss with coleslaw, green onions, salt and pepper.
Place steak on grill over medium coals and cook 17 to 21 minutes for medium rare to medium doneness. Let it rest on a cutting board for a few minutes and sprinkle with salt (optional) and pepper. Slice into thin strips on the diagonal.
Warm tortillas 10 to 15 seconds in the microwave.
To assemble: Place beef slices, some coleslaw mix and peanuts on a tortilla and roll tortilla. Garnish with green onions and peanuts.
Note: Allergies? To make it gluten free, then you will need to find corn tortillas and read the ingredients on the peanuts. Peanuts are usually dusted with wheat. Crazy, isn’t it? Peanut allergy? Then you know what you need to do. But maybe you can give it a little “cha-cha” by adding chopped jalapenos instead of peanuts.
Raspberry-Lime Agua Fresca (Non-alcoholic)
If you like raspberries, then you will probably like this refreshing drink; definitely, better than soda.
3 cups or a 12 ounce bag of frozen raspberries
1/2 cup sugar (you may use sugar substitute, please adjust)
1/2 cup lime juice
ice cubes
fresh mint sprigs
lime wedges
Place raspberries, sugar and lime juice in a blender along with 2 cups of cold water. Puree, and then pour the mixture into a large pitcher.
Sir in 6 cups of cold water. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 2 hours.
Stir well before serving. Pour the agua fresca over ice and garnish with mint sprigs and a lime wedge.
Note: If you would like to spike it, then white rum or tequila would be the liquor to add.
White Sangria
There is nothing better than a good Sangria on a hot summer day. I will admit that my favorite is the traditional red one but it also good to alternate and serve a white one on a warm day.
1 green apple, cored and cut into 1 inch chunks
5 strawberries, hulled and thinly sliced
1/2 cup canned pineapple chunks with 1/2 cup juice
2 limes, thinly sliced
one 750 ml. bottle of white wine
1/4 cup triple sec
1 cup orange juice (4 oranges)
1/2 cup lemonade
ice cubes
Combine all ingredients except the ice cubes in a large pitcher and chill for at least 2 hours or up to 2 days. Serve the white sangria in glasses filled with ice, being sure to include a selection of the fruit in each glass.
Makes about 8 cups. Can easily be doubled.
Enjoy it and make it your own!!!
Talk to you later…you know I will…
August 15th, 2010
Discovering new beach towns!! It has been a lot of fun. Last week I stayed in Atlantic Beach, but right next to it, in the next block is Neptune Beach.
I found a cluster of shoppes at 200 First Street. There are 7 businesses located at this location. What’s unique about it, is that they are all own and operated by women.
Some of these women have been born and raised in this community. Yes, those locals and natives I have talked about in past posts. They contribute to the community by working together and they support each other.
If you find yourselves in this area on a Friday night stop by because there will be music in the courtyard until October from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m.
I spent time checking Red Daisy, one of the stores at 200 First Street. The owner? Tracy Raymond. The address is 201 Lemon Street, Suite 304, Neptune Beach, FL 32266. Tel. 904-339-0137. E-mail thereddaisy@comcast.net.
At first I thought it was just for outdoor decor, you know patio, etc. etc. As I came in I discovered that there is so much more. Actually, the store is pretty big.
Tracy was so nice and full of information. She is a native and this store reflects her passion for antiques; Florida vintage items and the contemporary designs, as well. She likes to mix things up.
The stores has paintings, flower arrangements, linens, towels, jewelry and those vintange items I have been mentioning.
During the 1940’s and 1950’s it was a time when the U.S. interstate system came about. People took to the roads and states wanted to capitalized on tourism. They made easily packable souvenirs. One such souvenir was a tablecloth that showed the tourist areas of that particular state. Those vintage tablecloths are now sought after.
Red Daisy has several of them. One that caught my attentions was all in red with the alligators around the edge. Others have different colors. Some people use them as such, frame them or even make pillows out of them if they are not in the best condition.
Here, have a peek to Red Daisy – classic, home, fun.
The Beaches Town Center is the heart of Neptune Beach and Atlantic Beach. It is where Atlantic Boulevard meets the ocean and just 12 miles east of downtown Jacksonville. It is a pedestrian friendly area, full of restaurants and shops; a destination appealing to tourists, locals and natives.
If you want to know what’s going on, please visit www.beachestowncenter.com.
Have a great day!!!!
August 14th, 2010
Finding little eating gems is what I love the most. The first time I visited Atlantic Beach, Florida a few weeks ago, I kept eyeing a bright shack across the parking lot of my hotel.
Even though I was on Atlantic Beach, by the time you cross to that parking lot, then you are in Neptune Beach.
Last week I was back again on that beach, and this time I was definitely having a taste of that cuisine.
The owner of the Bar-B-Q Sticks is from the Philippines. Her husband, I think helps, as well. The address is 120 1/2 Lemon St., Neptune Beach, FL 32266. Tel. 904-247-7180.
So polite and friendly; but not just them. I found out that in that whole area people were genuinely friendly and full of information.
The basics of Philippine cooking is that it is basic; no special skills are needed. Most dishes are either sauteed or stewed; others are boiled, braised or fried. Not too many baked dishes are found. Due to is tropical climate, it is really too hot to bake.
Some of the ingredients used are coconut milk, anatto seeds known as achiote, banana blossoms found inside the banana pods, shrimp paste, chorizo, bean curd, and Chinese cabbage, among others.
I decided to get the daily special which was the Bar-B-Q Sticks. You could get chicken or beef. I also wanted to try the lumpias.
Lumpias are considered pastries even though the filling is meat, and vegetables, if available. They are from Chinese origin, similar to spring rolls, but the pastry is much thinner. They are served with a sweet and sour sauce.
Both dishes were so good that I went twice to their place. It is a best kept secret in Neptune Beach.
Even though that is the only thing I tried, other patrons were getting rice noodles, sauteed vegetables, and even the ever present hamburger was on the menu. So, really, a little bit for every taste.
What’s not to like? Beach block, parking, outdoor seating, cheap and the food is delicious!!
Talk to you later…you know I will….Gorgeous day in the Delmarva Peninsula!!
August 13th, 2010
I cannot believe I have put so much thought into the superstition of Friday the 13th.
No nothing happened, in this unluckiest day on the calendar. Nothing was done that could have compromised my well being. Am I crazy?, I just actually took two airplanes. Other than the airport in Charlotte being packed, piercing screams from two of our younger passengers on US Airways Express; it was smooth landing.
I was a little worried about my suitcase. You know, this company is notorious for misplacing luggage on a non stop flight and I had changed planes. The luggage made it, as well.
Regarding this superstition, the New York times has quoted in the past that people “would no more buy or sell a share of stock today than they would walk under a ladder or kick a black cat out of their path”.
Millions of dollars are lost every Friday the 13th because people refuse to travel, purchase major items or even conduct business.
And listen to this. The dealiest associations with the number 13 are the facts that there are 13 stairs leading to the gallows; the blade in a guillotine fell from a height of 13 feet; and a hangman has 13 knots in a hangman’s noose. I knew you could use this information.
Otis Elevator Co., which is the world’s largest elevator manufacturer says that 90% of U.S. skyscrapers do away with floor #13.
And, Jack the Ripper and Charles Manson? Yes, 13 letters in their names.
To give you more info. than you would want, there are 13 witches in a coven.
But, do not worry because for 2010 Friday the 13th is only happening once.
The evening is almost over….talk to you tomorrow…about a better topic, I hope…
August 12th, 2010
I had not thought about this superstition for a long time. Today it came to mind when I realized that I would be traveling tomorrow, Friday, the 13th. Even though I don’t believe that it’s an unlucky day to do anything risky like flying, I cannot help to wonder.
Fear of Friday the 13th is calleld friggatriskaidekaphobia. Frigga is Friday and triskaidekaphobia comes from a combination of 2 Greek words attached to phobia.
In the Gregorian calendar this occurs at least once a month, but at most 3 times a year. Any month’s 13th day will fall on a Friday if the month starts on a Sunday.
Before the 19th century no written evidence for that superstition existed. But in numerology, the #12 is considered the number of completeness; 12 months of the year, 12 signs of the zodiac, 12 hours of the clock, 12 tribes of Israel, 12 Apostles of Jesus, 12 god of Olympus and on and on.
The #13 is irregular, Remember Black Friday?
Just a thought; Superstition, forklore?…..
Talk to you later…..
Information for this post taken from Wikipedia.
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