If you are learning to cook, do you know your caviar?

So tell me. What do you know about caviar? Well? In the old movies I like to watch people usually always have champagne and caviar. Caviar looks like little small beads and comes in different colors. And uumm … only rich people eat caviar because it's really expensive! But if you search online you can find quality but inexpensive caviar that you can give as gift. 

Uh huh.  You know as much about caviar as me.  Cool!  We can learn together.  ☺

Like most foods that we enjoy today, caviar has ancient origins. Of course, the Persians and the Greeks enjoyed sturgeon roe. The word "caviar" comes from the Persian word "khavyar", which means "egg-bearing". And of course, Caviar was once considered a royal delicacy, i.e. food only eaten by the royals and the elites, who had wealth and status. But these days, ANYBODY can order caviar online or shop for it at their local grocery store (it's available at my local grocery stores)

FUN FACTS FOR FOODIES:

Persians created what we now recognize as caviar. They were the first to cure sturgeon roe and also introduced the practice of salting the roe to preserve it.

The Caspian Sea region (Iran, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan) is known for producing some of the finest caviar (Beluga and Kaluga caviar and other type of caviar). Even today it is home to 90% of the world's caviar. Since this area borders Russia, no surprise it became popular in Russia, where it was a staple at royal feasts and banquets.

In the 19th Century, in the USA, sturgeon was abundant in American waters, especially in the rivers and lakes of the Midwest and East Coast. Would you believe that caviar was often served as a free appetizer in saloons and bars? Supposedly its salty flavor encouraged the customers to drink alcohol. A German immigrant named Henry Schacht get credit for making the United States a major exporter of caviar. He started a business in 1873 exporting caviar to Europe. Would you also believe a lot of that caviar shipped to Europe is then re-imported to the U.S. labeled as "Russian caviar"? (Unfreaking believable!)

At any rate, high demand resulted in an environmental impact: overfishing caused sturgeon numbers dwindled, the price of caviar skyrocketed, and it's back to being a luxury item again.

To help meet the demand AND preserve wild sturgeon populations, alternative sources of roe are being used: salmon, lumpfish, and whitefish. In addition, caviar is produced using sustainable aquaculture practices.

Even so, don't even dream about caviar going back to being an available free bar snack. It is a luxury delicacy, enjoyed by people around the world, and can be easily purchased if you know where to shop or buy.

Caviar has a rich history going from ancient delicacy to modern luxury food, with ongoing efforts to balance demand with conservation. 

REFERENCES:

“Caviar Origin: The History of Caviar.” Imperia Caviar, 18 Aug. 2022, https://imperiacaviar.com/blogs/blog/caviar-origin-the-history-of-caviar.

Filippone, Peggy Trowbridge. “What You Didn’t Know About The Quirky History Of Caviar.” The Spruce Eats, 4 Aug. 2006, https://www.thespruceeats.com/history-of-caviar-as-food-1807579.

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Edible Fruit Bouquet Arrangements: Home Made or Ready Made?

Don't know about you but every year one of my Top 10 New Year's Resolutions is to eat more fruits (and veggies; especially the green leafy kind).  But thinking about it.  Not only is it a good idea to eat more fresh fruit, but since there are holidays, birthdays, and special occasions all throughout the year, giving fruit as a food gift is also a good thing.  

Don't you love receiving fruit baskets and edible arrangements?  

Do you prefer to make your own or purchase these gifts ready made?

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Fabulous How to Video: 
Make Edible Fruit Bouquet Arrangements! 

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But if you're still not into making these arrangements or you don't have the time, there is a convenient way to order online and have this lovely edible gift delivered.

Edible Arrangements Coupons

Fruit Bouquets: Deliver delicious fruit bouquets to share!

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Chinese Mooncake Festival (Mid Autumn Festival)

Mid-Autumn Festival, Zhongqiu Jie (中秋节) in Chinese, also known as the Mooncake Festival or Moon Festival, is one of China's biggest holidays. 

For 2023, it will be celebrated on Sep 29, 2023.

Similar to American holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, the Mooncake Festival these days is about family reunions and good eating, where mooncakes are a traditional food gift.  Would just like to point out a significant event that can be traced back to the 14th century when China was ruled by the Mongols.  The event really gives cause for celebration.

"Planning a rebellion against the Mongol emperor, Chinese rebels came up with the idea of hiding a secret message inside mooncakes, which the Mongols did not eat. These mooncakes told rebels to rise up on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival. The uprising was successful, and henceforth the Mid-Autumn Festival was celebrated with mooncakes everywhere in China."  

(Source: Mooncakes in Mid Autumn | Desserts First)

Recycling a post from my lifestyle blog, Joie de Vivre Magazine and embellishing it a little bit more.  There are lots of people participating in the festivities so finding related or similar articles was super easy.  Hope you like the content shared.

Holidays and Festivals :
Chinese Mooncake Festival

https://varugab.tumblr.com/post/96456695851/asian-art-history-finals-infographics

Mid Autumn Festival 2017 - 20 Mooncakes That Even Chang Er Will Love

It's almost Mid-Autumn Festival again, the 15th day of the eight month on the lunar calendar (which falls on October 4 this year) when the moon is full. The traditional way to celebrate this festival is by indulging in mooncakes. Every year, we are spoilt for choice when it comes to the mooncake flavours available.

Why Chinese People Eat Mooncake During This Time of the Year
The Mid-Autumn Festival (also the Mooncake Festival or Lantern Festival) is considered to be one of the most significant festivals for Chinese people. Celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month of the Chinese calendar, the 3,500-year old tradition is commonly observed all over the world to worship the moon, celebrate the harvest season, ...

Add These Truffle Recipes to Your Holiday Treats

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.

5 Delicious Truffles to Lift Your Mood

1. Custard Cream Truffles

2. White Chocolate Chip Truffle

3. Salted S'mores Truffles

4. Magic Fizzy Truffles

5. Cookies ‘n’ Cream Truffle

(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.  

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Original source

Mango Plus Rose Water Equal Refreshing Earthly Delight

Almost everyone loves roses. But these flowers have a special meaning to me because of my late mother's rose bush which was the centerpiece of the front yard of my childhood home. Every time I see a rose, it's impossible to disassociate them from this childhood memory. 

My Facebook friend is knowledgeable about holistic health and alternative remedies and she published a wonderful article about rose water which she refers to a Grandma’s Secret Weapon. She explains the benefits of using it for skin care and suggests it be a part of aromatherapy. That sounds fabulous. But did you also know that you can drink rose water?

Following me so far? 

You're probably thinking: 'Hurry and get to the part about the mangos!'

Mangos (or Mangoes)?  Another childhood memory is being able to go out in my backyard or my neighbor's backyard and pick a mango from the tree to enjoy. To this day, it's always a thrill find any kind recipe that includes mango as an ingredient. Sharing the recipe gives me an even bigger thrill.

Here is a link to a quick and easy recipe that is sure to delight you found in the Cooking Section of the New York Times.

• Mango Rose Water Lassi

In case you've never seen or heard of a “lassi”, here is a clear definition found in Wikipedia:

“Lassi (pronounced [ləs-siː]) (la-SEE) is a popular traditional yogurt-based drink from the Indian Subcontinent and originates from the Punjab. ... a blend of yogurt, water, spices and sometimes fruit.”

The definition does not specifically mention “rose water”. But it does say “water” and that's good enough!  :)

Rose Flower Water by Malandel (French) 16 oz

The malandel is a product of France.
Rose flower water is produced by water distillation from rose flowers.

• Not only is it great in a smoothie but can be added to a creamy tapioca or rice pudding and marries well with most ricotta cheese desserts and Italian sponge cakes, cookies and biscuits.

• Sprinkle a few drops into ice water for an amazing transformation.

• In the Middle East, it is used to flavor baklava (or filo desserts) and sherbets, and Turkish delight candies.

Mangos from The Fruit Company

Rose Flower Water by Malandel (French) 16 oz - $15.99 Add a splash of rosewater to a creamy tapioca or rice pudding and sprinkle with chopped pistachios to make a simple dessert elegant. Rose flower water also marries well with most ricotta cheese desserts and Italian sponge cakes, cookies and biscuits. The next time you dollop creme friche over your dessert, add a teaspoon of rose flower water beforehand. Sprinkle a few drops into ice water for an amazing transformation. Add some saffron threads and a couple of drops of rose water. A fantastic combination! It can also be used to flavor baklava and other filo desserts. Used widely in the Middle East especially to flavor baklava and sherbets as well as Turkish delight candies. Rose flower water is produced by water distillation from rose flowers. The malandel is a product of france.

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Cheesecake ... UM? Heaven? Delight? Joy? Who Cares? It's Cheesecake!!!

Cheesecake heaven ... delight ... joy ... 
dressed up or plain. 

No matter.  It's the best dessert on the planet!! 

July 30th is the official date set aside for National Cheesecake Day.  But for me, it's an occasion to extend throughout the entire year. 

Happy NATIONAL CHEESECAKE DAY!

Happy for any excuse to enjoy a piece of cheesecake! :) 

Gourmet Cheesecake is the ultimate dessert gift for the ultimate dessert lover, try these cheesecake gifts. 

There are many wonderful sites where you can purchase these fabulous gourmet food gifts online.

Does a Carrot Spice Cheesecake sound tempting? CRAIG'S CRAZY CARROT CAKE CHEESECAKE is available at The Cheesecake Factory. Also tempting is the classic New York Style cheesecake and a decadent Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake.  Tough decision huh?  Hard to decide if you want to be generous and buy it as a gift OR get it for yourself and eat it all?  I know.  I'm weak too and find it difficult not succumb to the temptation.  :)

Click here for DESSERT GIFTS or on the image below.

 

EES shares recipes, cooking tips and all things foodie!

Everyday Exotic Spices

Thinking of the holidays?
- Easy Eggnog Cheesecake Recipe

glitter-graphics.com

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