"Food ways" is an expression that dates back to 1946. It refers to the eating habits and culinary practices of a people, region, or historical period. Food Ways Presented by Everyday Exotic Spices: Food finds for foodies and food lovers - curated content from around the web, sharing the ways we all like to enjoy our food! Food history, recipe sharing, and all things food-related. This foodie blog is aimed at newbie cooks or beginners. But everyone is welcome!
My youngest child is practicing (and hopefully improving) her writing skills. She picked a random topic and did some research. The topic was British desserts, a subject matter which she definitely had to find out about on her own because: (A) Her American mother was clueless. (B) Even though her late father was from The Bahamas, which at one time was beholden to the Queen of England, Bahamian food is in no way a reflection of British cuisine. In other words, he was also clueless.
(Arctic Roll)
I was pleasantly surprised with the results of her search. Has anybody ever tried any of these treats? Can you name 5 more British desserts? ☺
(Supplied a link below if you can't think of any.)
Learning about the medicinal uses and benefits of flowers and plants has become my new passion. It grew out of concern for not only my own health and well-being but mainly the health and wellness of some of my children. Some of them do not like going to the doctor and prefer to search out natural remedies for whatever is ailing them.
My late mother rarely went to see a doctor. She believed in herbal medicine and treated herself as much as she could before finally being persuaded to seek the advice of a medical professional. I have to say that many times her natural remedies really did work. Unfortunately, I did not pay attention to the various concoctions she used to mix when I was growing up, and so none of her knowledge was transferred to me.
When my children started strenuously objecting to visiting the doctor’s office and opted instead to find alternative health practitioners, I decided to do research. I started studying on my own because I wanted to know about the various remedies that were being suggested to my children. I say “children” as if they are minors, even though they are past 20 and 30 years of age. My late husband also began to use herbal remedies in addition to his prescribed medications for his health condition.
Please note that I am not a healthcare professional and when I speak about using these remedies I am only talking about my personal and family experience. You should always seek professional medical advice if you have an ailment. Don’t play guessing games with your health.
In this article, I want to share a summary of what I have learned about four (4) flowers or plants used for medicinal purposes:
Many people grow honeysuckle flowers in their home garden because not only do they have a wonderful fragrance but they attract hummingbirds and butterflies. There are close to 200 different varieties, but the most common is the Japanese honeysuckle. This variety grows profusely in Japan and Korea. Other varieties grow in China, Europe, and North America. They remind me of the hibiscus flower because you can suck the sweet nectar from the tubes. Since the Middle Ages, people in Europe would eat the stems to treat dysentery, for infections in the upper respiratory tract. The ancient Chinese used honeysuckle for snake bites. Be careful which variety of honeysuckle you pick because some are edible and some are toxic. Botanists say the ones that grow in Europe are usually poisonous. You are also advised not to go by the taste. Sometimes the sweet tasting berries are toxic, and the berries that are not sweet are not toxic at all.
Who says watching TV for entertainment isn’t educational? The first time I ever heard the word “hawthorn” mentioned, I was watching a Korean drama about a vampire. They didn’t use crucifixes in Korea to repel vampires. They used hawthorn. Interesting huh? The hawthorn berry grows in Asia, Europe and North America. Good to know! Suppose you’re in Europe or North America but you get attacked by an Asian vampire. It’s just humor. On a more serious note, hawthorn berries have many health benefits. To name a few: they can lower your blood pressure, reduce blood fats, and treat digestive problems. Is it any wonder it is used with traditional Western medicine to treat heart failure? You can make a tea using the entire plant: the flowers, the dried berries, and the leaves.
This perennial plant has been called the “immortality herb” Some say it’s the “new ginseng”. Ginseng, as you probably know, is credited with making you strong, smart, and sexy. The gynostemma plant is a climbing vine that grows in southern China and other parts of Asia. It grows and grows and grows. The Chinese simply chew the leaves, serve them in a salad, or make tea to drink. Advocates claim that this plant can improve your cardiovascular health. They say it enhances the “yin” and supports the “yang”. In Vietnam, they are researching to determine if traditional medicine and Western medicine can be integrated, and this plant can be recommended in mainstream medical practice to treat diabetic patients.
The sophora flower is often used as a Chinese herbal remedy, and that’s why whole, dried flowers and the flower buds can be found in Asian markets. They treat headaches, high blood pressure, and even bleeding hemorrhoids. Be warned. It may be an effective herbal remedy but an overdose can prove fatal. Women who are pregnant or lactating should not that not take any medicines that contain the sophora flower. It’s also called the Japanese Pagoda Tree. Those who practice Western medicine are also familiar with this flower, but say that even though people use the flower for such ailments as hemorrhoids, menopause symptoms, and vomiting, there is no reliable scientific proof of its efficacy.
♦ What do these 4 flowers and plants have in common? When dried and combined, they can be used to make a medicinal tea that reduces your cholesterol. But, according to health experts, many other foods and drinks can lower cholesterol.
That was news to me. Also learned something else new. Very familiar with the Sandwich Cubano (Cuban sandwich) and Media Noche Sandwich (Midnight Sandwich); but did you know there are several variations of this sandwich? No doubt they’re all delicious! There is a third one called Elena Ruz (Cuban Turkey Sandwich). It has guava jelly as one of the ingredients. If you’ve never tried Cuban food, you must try the Cuban Sandwich. Even the world-famous chef, Bobby Flay has his own variation. Eating food is one of life’s greatest joys. But learning food history is also great fun too! References: Internetwriter62. "The Art of the Cuban Sandwich." HUBPages.com. HUBPages Inc., 17 Sept. 2013. Web. 20 Jan. 2017.
Fuyu persimmon is a fruit that ripens in the fall season and should be included in the American cornucopia or “horn of plenty”. It is sweet and has a beautiful color! It makes for a beautiful ornamental plant. It attracts birds, so you might want to put a cage around it.
According to folklore, if you crack open a persimmon seed from a ripe fruit and the shape inside (called a cotyledon) looks like a fork, winter will be mild; if you see a spoon, there will be a lot of snow, and if there is a knife, winter will be bitingly cold and “cut like a knife.” (Source: Farmer's Almanac)
You can make cookies, pies, breads, and jam with it. Slice or dice tme like apples and you can put them in salads, if you like fruit in your salad. Instead of apples with your roasted pork, substitute persimmons. You can dehydrate them and eat them like chips!
FUN FOOD FACT: You can freeze persimmons whole. Then when ready to eat, take them out of the freezer, let stand for 20 minutes to soften up, cut off the the top, take a spoon and DIVE IN!
Have you ever found a food blogger or food blog that is undeniably magnificent? Several years back, I came across this woman's blog and am so happy to find that it is still being published. Her posts not only have great recipes but great food history, too! jovinacooksitalian
This one that is being shared as a reblog is perfect because it's for the fall season and it's about Italy, one of those places on my bucket list of "Places to Visit". Will likely never realize that dream, but dreaming about it is a wonderful thing.
Dream Italian? Think Italian. Be Italian!
The post begins by giving the reader a quick history of Neopolitan cuisine. Neopolitan is a cuisine? Only ever knew it to be a flavor for ice cream! In 3 short paragraphs, she took me from ancient Greece and Rome to modern-day Italy and the United States. Then she set forth an entire Neopolitan dinner, recipes and all, from the first course to the dessert. Of course, I skipped the courses and went straight to the dessert. But that's just me! :)
This blog post is dated 2013. Liked it then. Like it now! The image from her post is an Italian Apple cake. Isn't it gorgeous?!!
Thank you for stopping by. We apologize but the content you are looking for, though originally published here, was accepted by the Editors at Vocal.Media. Food historians say sugar art dates as far back as 4000 B.C. In the 17th century, Catholic friars taught Mexicans how to use sugar to create ornaments and decorations used in Day of the Dead celebrations. ♦ From 4000 B.C. ... Fast Forward to the 20th Century Michelle Wibowo, took the technique of sugar art to an entirely new level by creating and/or recreating incredible edible sugar sculptures. She recreated Michaelangelo's famous painting, 'The Creation of Adam', using marshmallows and sprinkles. Food Ways thinks she should be called the "Sugar Artist of the Century". Patience, please. One more click.
No offense to all the potato and pasta lovers out there but if I have to choose, I’ll ask for rice dish any day. I love rice like Oprah loves bread! I know I’m not the only one. All around the world people love to share the rice recipes they serve at home. The dishes are so popular, locals will ask for it even when they’re out dining in a restaurant. It doesn’t matter that they can get the same dish at home.
Rice is the King of Crops
You could say that rice is the king of crops. Here’s why. According to historical records and documents, rice cultivation began in China and spread across Asia. As empires expanded and foreigners came to know one another via exploratory travels, the crop made its way to Africa and parts of Europe. The Europeans brought rice to America. Nowadays rice is everywhere. It is a staple food and many populations survive because the people are given a bowl of rice a day. “Rice has fed more people over a longer period of time than any other crop.” (Quote Source)
Bahamian Pigeon Peas and Rice
My family tree is Bahamian. I grew up eating pigeon peas and rice and always thought it was a uniquely Bahamian dish. But then my Puerto Rican friend told me they eat it a lot where she comes from too! The way they make it in Puerto Rico is slightly different but it’s still delicious. It is my all-time favorite rice recipe because it has ties to my heart. Rice and peas or peas and rice is a traditional food in Africa. Everybody knows that Africans were brought to the Caribbean, The Bahamas, and the United States, by way of the slave trade. It makes sense that the people simply adapted and modified recipes they remembered from home, to suit their new environment. In The Bahamas, pigeon pea is a crop that is harvested regularly. Peas n’ rice started out as a one-pot meal, a sort of survival food for the islanders and those who farmed the land. Starch, meat, and veggies were all in one pot. The meat included in the recipe was usually salt pork or bacon. (You can change the recipe and do vegetarian or vegan-style. It’s OK!) Over time, the locals and travelers or visitors to the island country grew to love peas n’ rice and as of today, it has become a common side dish. It almost always makes an appearance at everyday meals served at home and it is expected to be served as one of the sides at any restaurant, much like how American expect their french fries. Would you be interested in trying this true Bahamian “must eat”? It’s easy to make! Bahamian Pigeon Peas & Rice
Other Rice Recipes and Food History
Even though I am familiar with Bahamian pigeon peas n’ rice because that’s my roots, there are other rice dishes I like eating just as much. Chinese fried rice. Paella. Biryani. Persian rice. ALL YUM! No doubt each of these rice dishes have their own similar food history. Similar, that is to say, very likely started out as food for the commoners but tasted so good everybody wanted to eat some ~ the commoners and the aristocrats or rich folks. Below are links to a collection of rice recipes that are sure to please, with a few historical tidbits mixed in to enhance the joy of eating.
Asian Rice Recipes
Chinese Fried Rice ~ You can do vegetarian-style or add small pieces of meat. The recipe actually came about as a way of using up leftover rice. The earliest historical records dates its origination to the Sui dynasty (589–618 CE). Chicken Biryani ~ There are vegetarian versions, but I like the chicken. There are very strong opinions that biryani should be the National Dish of India, even though “biryani” is derived from the Persian word “birian” which means “fried before cooking.” Many give credit to the Mughals for creating the biryani dish, but some say there were similar dishes being eaten in India long before the establishment of the Mughal Empire. So let’s just say they took a common recipe and made it their own once they took over!
European and Middle-Eastern Rice Recipes
Seafood Paella ~ Paella originated in Valencia, Eastern Spain. It is a fusion of 2 cultures: Arab Moors and the natives of Spain. As to its history? One story goes that this rice dish was created by cooks using leftovers to give to the king’s guests to take home from the banquets. Persian Rice ~ Also called Persian Wedding Rice or Iranian Jeweled Rice. It’s made with fruits and nuts. Iran which was once known as Persia, and was at one time an “ancient super power”; meaning the rulers conquered a lot of peoples who had different cultures. Iranian cuisine or Persian food has been influenced by many cultures. Hard to tell what originated from what resulted from the fusion or the blend. “Iran’s food has a rich and illustrious backstory that tells the tale of conquerors, explorers, and merchants all leaving their mark on Persian cuisine.” (Quote Source)
The
last 4 months of the year, September through December, are my
favorite months of the year because of the weather, because of the
holidays, and because it's the only time I allow myself to indulge in
sweet treats. When I hear the word “truffle”, I think chocolate.
I don't think about the truffle that is some sort of fungi, called
Tuber. Even though that type of truffle is highly prized as food and
is used in French cooking and numerous national haute cuisines and
is very expensive.
Nope!
Instead I think of the chocolate truffle which is “a type of
chocolate confectionery, traditionally made with a chocolate ganache
centre coated in chocolate, cocoa powder, coconut, or chopped and
toasted nuts (typically hazel nuts or almonds), usually in a
spherical, conical, or curved shape.” (Description per Wikipedia.)
The
name for this confectionery or delightful sweet treat is actually derived from
the fungi for the simple reason that the confectionery and the edible
fungi LOOK very similar. Even though the really expensive truffle
that is used in French cooking is considered gourmet cuisine, … eh!
I'd rather eat the chocolate truffle.
Did
You Know? There are different types of chocolate truffles: French,
Spanish, Swiss, typical European truffle, American, Belgian, and
Californian. There is even a pot truffle (the recipe includes
cannabis). The recipe varies slightly for each type, but they are all
made with chocolate (or cocoa powder).
So
happy to share this link published via the Tasty Newsletter, which is
a BuzzFeed publication.
(P.S.
If you were hoping these truffles would lift your mood because they
contained cannabis … sorry! But I guess you could add it to the
recipe when nobody's looking. As long as it's legal. LOL.😊 Me personally, I get a buzz out of chocolate. 😊)
Add these truffles to your holiday treats. Go ahead and indulge in this guilty pleasure. You could also make them as food gifts.
