Old Recipes in the Kitchen - Los Angeles - Sat, May 8th

Old cookbooks are filled with history and deliciousness. When I open an old cookbook, I instantly think about the people who created the meal. How in the heck did they do this without a Kitchen Aid? Did they wear a frilly apron? Did the children help? And, how did it taste?! Los Angeles peeps, I hope you can make it to this discussion on Saturday! - mary

This Saturday, you can explore the world of antiquarian cookbooks with a program of the Culinary Historians of Southern California.

Here are the details:

Culinary Historians of Southern California (CHSC)
present Ann Willan
Old Recipes in the Kitchen

Saturday, May 8th, 10:30 a.m. at the Los Angeles Public Library
Downtown Central Library, 630 W. 5th St. - Free and open to the public

Internationally renowned cooking authority Anne Willan and her husband Mark Cherniavsky have been collecting antiquarian cookbooks for many years, and theirs is a vibrant working collection. Speaking at the Los Angeles Public Library on May 8th, Anne will bring these cookbooks and their recipes to life, discussing how she tests historical recipes and adapts their instructions for the modern kitchen. Old cookbooks “are windows into the kitchens of great lords, kings, even popes,” Anne says. “Recreation of these recipes in a modern kitchen can bring many delights. The dishes are often delicious but sometimes disastrous; usually quite strange, and fascinating.”

A reception with refreshments will follow the talk at approximately 11:30.

The Culinary Historians of Southern California (CHSC) is a not-for-profit organization that supports the culinary collections at the Los Angeles Public Library.

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Iron Maiden - 1980

I had heard of the band Iron Maiden but never had given them much thought. This was back in 1982 when a friends introduced me to their third album, The Number of the Beast. It was love at first sight. I played that album to death.

Of course, I had to check out their previous two releases, Iron Maiden and Killers. I was originally disappointed. While the latest record was powerful and well produced the first two sounded more like a garage band. At the time I remember wondering if this was even the same band. And where was that singer with the huge voice whose opening on Beast blew me away?

After a couple of listens, my opinion slowly changed. The first release by Maiden has since become one of my favorites.

Prowler – This song open with such a basic guitar riff it is almost comical but it is a great tune. I energetic and powerful opening to the album

Sanctuary – A Maiden classic. The fast-paced energy continues with this one. The one problem I've always had with this song is the constant panic when I'm driving and I hear those police sirens.

Remember Tomorrow – The album slows down a bit with this one which words well after the two before it. I love how this tune goes from almost a ballad to a classic rock and roll guitar solo in the middle and them back to the ballad.

Running Free – Come on now, nothing needs to be said about this one. From the bass-drums opening to the lines “Just 16, pick up truck, out of money, out of luck” I believe this song has never been out of their liv set. I'll just that word again “Classic”

Phantom of the Opera – This tune could have probably held up as an instrumental. When Paul does begin to sing, it is right along with the guitars. About two minutes in, The song changes style completely and after a few more vocals goes into a long and fantastic guitar instrumental. Love this tune!

Transylvania – Speaking of instrumentals, this is something I always wished the band would do more of. I dare you not to crank this one! Four Minutes of Rock and Roll heaven!

Strange World – Transylvania goes right into this one. A slower tune, one of the weaker tunes on the album but a nice break from the none stop heavy metal energy the last three tunes. Great guitar work as always.

Charlotte the Harlot – The first of four tunes using the leginary “Charlotte”. Of course most Maiden fans remember her from 22 Acacia Avenue. This song is similar as it changes tempo in the middle of the song; Hard Rock, slow down to ballad style, and them kick-ass with some great guitar work.

Iron Maiden – If you don't know Iron Maidens theme than why are you reading this. Still in their live set and a classic Maiden tune!

It should be noted that by the time of The Number of the Beast, only three of these members would still be part of the band and only two, Dave Murray and Steve Harris by the time of Piece of Mind.

Jeff's review for this album 9.5 out of 10!

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Condemned To Live – 1935

“I swooned” That phrased is is again and again in this film. No one ever faints, they swoon.

We begin in a cave. A young pregnant women is sick or something and the beating of tribal drums can be heard in the distance. She is with two men, one is her husband. “I can't stand it,” she says, “If you love me, kill me, kill me now.” As it turns out that the cave is is the home of bats, vampire bats, and when the men are discussing this very subject, one of the bats besides to have a suck on the mother-to-be's neck.

Cut to many years later and a small village, the type were people still run around with flaming touches, has a problem with a killer who tears open the throats of his victims and only kills in the dark. Many superstitious people believe the killer is a bat but the tall, good looking hero says, “No bat could tear their throats as if with teeth and drag their bodies to the cave.”

“There are stranger things upon this Earth than you could know of, Davis.” replies Doctor Bizet.
This film has all the essentials, a beautiful young girl who plans on marrying, the handsome man, the strange doctor, a hunchback, and many creepy villagers. “It's well to be afraid when the devil has spewed such a lonesome creature as this upon us!” one old lady says.


At only 66 minutes long, there is barely enough plot for in length. I can only describe this film and a Jeckle and Hyde vampire film. It really doesn't hold up very well. While watching, I kept feeling like I've seen this film before. In fact, add a few jokes and it could almost be a parody of 1930 horror films.

Condemned to Live was directed by Frank R. Strayer who went on to direct all those Blondie films of the late 30 and early 40. Really, there is not much to say except the child of the pregnant girl at the beginning might have something to do with the killings. (Hope that didn't spoil anything).

You can download this film free at archive.org and although I have not checked, I bet its available on Youtube

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Burnt Sugar Ice Cream - Tuesdays with Dorie

Burnt Sugar Ice Cream

For this week's Tuesdays with Dorie selection, Becky of Project Domestication chose Burnt Sugar Ice Cream on page 432 of Dorie's book, Baking: From My Home to Yours.

You make a caramel by heating sugar and water until amber. Then you add in milk and cream and trap a huge mass of caramel on your whisk. You wonder if this is a disaster in the making. Then it smooths out like magic. Temper the mixture into eggs, put back on the stove and heat.

Refrigerate to cool down, then whiz in the ice cream maker. Whoo hoo! Ice cream delight!

This glass is super small...the spoon is there for scale.

Thanks Becky for letting me dig out my ice cream maker! Be sure to check out the other Tuesdays with Dorie bakers!

Recipe:
Project Domestication blog, or
Dorie's book, Baking: From My Home to Yours.

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Radiation Song - The Aquabats

This is the song used during the ending credits for last Sundays Coffee With Jeff. It's called Radiation Song by The Aquabats



You can visit their website by clicking here

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Coffee With Jeff - The Atom

This time, Jeff and the gang focus on Radiation.

PART ONE


PART TWO


PART THREE

Radiation Song - The Aquabats!

To Purchase COFFEE WITH JEFF merchandise, click here

Broken Hearted Toy - Terry's Rock and Roll blog

The Free Sound Project - A lot of sounds we use come from here!

Okemos Brewing Internet Radio - Rock and Roll Deep Cuts!

Zecom Radio Internet Rock and Roll Radio with Marty!
.
Enforcer Music - Chicago's Premiere Heavy Metal Band

Slim Rughead and the Texas Hangover - Great Music

Goin' South - Southern Rock and Roll

Willinois Nation

Wicked Whimsy Studios - The Art of Dave Mezger!

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David Lebovitz's Fresh Ginger Cake

Fresh Ginger Cake

Ginger is awesome. It can help prevent nausea, settle your tummy, makes an awesome tea, and is delicious candied. Oh, ginger, you rock.

So, when my Ready for Dessert book by my favorite blogger and pastry chef, David Lebovitz came in the mail, I immediately decided to make this Fresh Ginger Cake first!

The cake uses 4 ounces of fresh ginger. You can chop it by hand, but I pulled out my mini-processor and whizzed it around. I guess that made about 1/2-3/4 cup of fresh ginger.

This is a pretty strong ginger cake. Probably not for children...but great for adults with a taste for ginger.

A nice scoop of whipped cream would be lovely! That would provide a nice balance to the strong ginger flavor.

Epicurious recipe says to use a 9 x 3 inch pan, but David's book says 9 x 2. You need a 9 x 3 or a tall springform. I believe this will come over the edge on a 9 x 2 pan, and you would lose lots of yummy cake. Look how tall this cake is!

I drank ginger tea while eating ginger cake. Yes, I love me the ginger.

Please pick up David Lebovitz's Ready for Dessert, and try this recipe! I have a bunch of other recipes marked and can't wait to try them.

Recipe:
Fresh Ginger Cake
Click here for printable recipe
Adapted from Ready for Dessert by David Lebovitz, page 42, or Epicurious

4 ounces fresh ginger
1 cup mild molasses (I used Grandma's original molasses)
1 cup sugar
1 cup vegetable oil, preferably peanut (I used canola oil)
2 1/2 cups flour (I used King Arthur unbleached AP flour)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (I used Penzy's cinnamon)
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves (I used Penzy's ground cloves)
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper (I used Shillings black pepper rather than fresh cracked pepper because it is finer)
1 cup water
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 eggs, at room temperature

1. Preheat over to 350°F. Put rack in the center of the oven. The Epicurious recipe recommends a 9 by 3-inch round cake pan or a 9 1/2 inch springform pan (bottom lined with parchment), but Ready for Dessert says 9 inch springform or 9 x 2-inch round cake pan. However, based on the size of the cake, I don't recommend a 9 x 2 inch pan...it'll be too small.
2. Peel, slice, and chop the ginger very fine with a knife, use a grater, or food processor. I used my mini-food processor for quick work.
3. Mix together the molasses, sugar, and oil in a large bowl. I used a whisk.
4. In another bowl, sift together the flour, cinnamon, cloves and black pepper and set aside.
5. Bring the water to the boil in a saucepan, stir in the baking soda, and then mix the hot water into the molasses mixture. Stir in the ginger.
6. Gradually whisk the dry ingredients into the batter.
7. Add the eggs, and continue mixing until everything is thoroughly combined.
8. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and bake for about 1 hour, until the top of the cake springs back lightly when pressed or a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. I checked mine after 50 minutes, and it was done at 55 minutes.
9. If the top of the cake browns too quickly before the cake is done, drape a piece of foil over it and continue baking.
10. Cool the cake for at least 30 minutes. Run a knife around the edge of the cake to loosen it from the pan. I let mine cool completely overnight and removed it the next morning. Remove the cake from the pan and peel off the parchment paper.
11. I think a nice dollop of lightly sweetened whip cream would be lovely with this cake. David recommends whipped cream, ice cream or fruit compote. His book has a recipe for a raspberry plum compote.

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