Coffee Recipes for Coffee Lovers

My mother and her siblings (her brothers and sister, my aunts and uncles) have all passed away. All I have now are my memories. One fond memory that I have of one of my aunts is that her favorite way to drink coffee was a tall glass of iced coffee. My sister always loved iced tea. I had no idea people could drink iced coffee. Imagine my surprise! She didn't make it fancy. Just some coffee, cream, sugar, and lots of ice. If you happen to be an iced coffee lover, I found some recipes to take your coffee-loving to another level.  I want to try the Iced Caramel Latte. Although? I've heard a lot about how delicious Vietnamese coffee is. I might try that too!  

Link to the recipes are below following my blurb about the history of coffee and coffeehouses.

Image Credit:  Coffee Mug Warmer

Starbucks Flavored Ground Coffee — Mocha — No Artificial Flavors — 6 bags (11 oz. each) https://t.co/QYuBf4ausx via @amazon #coffeedrinkers #coffeelovers #giftideas #grocery #gourmet #foodanddrink @EverydaySpices @goshoppingbees pic.twitter.com/yJQhWn9ysL

— Treathyl Fox (aka cmoneyspinner) ~ #Freelancer (@cmoneyspinner) December 15, 2021

☕ History of Coffee and Coffeehouses

My research on the history of coffee was surprising.  Did you know its origins are traced back to Ethiopia? I grew up in the generation where Juan Valdez from Columbia was in your kitchen cabinet. Ethiopia? Not Columbia? It was quite fascinating. There's even an Ethiopian legend. 

• A goat herder named Kaldi discovered coffee after noticing his goats became energetic after eating the berries from a certain tree. He shared this discovery with a local monastery, and the energizing drink quickly spread among the monks.

From Ethiopia it spread to Arabia and by the 15th century, coffee plants were cultivated in Yemen, and Sufi monks used coffee to stay awake during their night prayers. Coffeehouses started showing up in cities across the Near East. People gathered there for fun and intelligent banter, kind of like Mars Hill. Only on Mars Hill the intellectuals and philosophers probably drank wine instead of a cup of coffee.

Around the 17th century, thanks to the trade routes, coffee made its way to Europe. Coffeehouses began dotting the European landscape and were used for socializing and intellectual discussion.

18th Century and beyond? Coffee was being cultivated in the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Brazil became the world's largest coffee producer by the mid-19th century. In the 20th century Colombia, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, and Vietnam emerged as major producers.

Caffè Florian, one of the world's oldest coffee houses, opened in Venice on this day in 1720. pic.twitter.com/J0u3Lkll2U

— Wanted in Rome (@wantedinrome) December 29, 2024

☕ Fun Notes About Coffeehouses:

• Kiva Han, is a coffeehouse which opened in 1475 in Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul, Turkey). Turkish coffee was served strong, black, and unfiltered, brewed in an ibrik (a small pot with a long handle, specifically designed for brewing Turkish coffee, buy on Amazon).

There are two (2) famous coffeehouses in Europe:

1. Caffè Florian in Venice, Italy, was established in 1720. Notable figures such as Lord Byron, Goethe, and Charles Dickens hung out there.

2. Les Deux Magots in Paris, France, founded in 1822, was known to be a favorite spot for Hemingway, James Joyce, and F. Scott Fitzgerald. La dee dah!

Inspirational Coffee/Tea Cups ... Set of Four Rustic Stoneware #Coffee/#Tea #Mugs w/#BibleVerses ... Colors: Sage Green, Ivory, Paprika Red, Pumpkin Orange https://t.co/t8CGyjVdlp via @amazon #homeandkitchen #kitchenanddining #gifts #giftideas #holidays #autumn @EverydaySpices pic.twitter.com/gTLILzCVbG

— Treathyl Fox (aka cmoneyspinner) ~ #Freelancer (@cmoneyspinner) October 31, 2022

Today coffee beloved drink served worldwide, hot or cold. I can't tell you how many Korean dramas I've watched where the characters order “Iced Americano”. Coffee is one of the world's most popular beverages, and it's enjoyed in various forms and preparations, from espresso to cold brew.

REFERENCES:

“The History of Coffee.” National Coffee Association of U.S.A., Inc., https://www.ncausa.org/About-Coffee/History-of-Coffee. Accessed 3 Jan. 2025.

Myhrvold, Nathan. “History of Coffee.” Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 May 2021, https://www.britannica.com/topic/history-of-coffee.

Paajanen, Sean. “The Evolution of the Coffee House.” The Spruce Eats, 4 Mar. 2009, https://www.thespruceeats.com/evolution-of-the-coffee-house-765825.

MacDonnell, Kate. “The History of Coffee Houses: Centuries of Cafés!” Corner Coffee Store, 24 Feb. 2021, https://cornercoffeestore.com/history-of-coffee-houses/.

Lush, Emily. “17 Historic European Cafes Worth Travelling For.” Wander-Lush, 11 Sept. 2020, https://wander-lush.org/beautiful-historic-european-cafes/.

Sophie. “11 Coffee Houses in Europe with a Classical Taste for Culture.” Tourism on the Edge, 19 Nov. 2024, https://www.tourismontheedge.com/coffee-houses-in-europe-with-a-classical-taste-for-culture/?form=MG0AV3.

• Would you like to know how to brew coffee with an ibrik?  Click here.

9 Easy Iced Coffee Recipes to Elevate Your Morning Routine

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☕ ☕ Here are some more coffee recipes.  I love cheesecake! But the strawberry cheesecake latte is a bit too much for me. I won't be trying this coffee recipe.

7 #HomeCafe Coffee Recipes On TikTok That Will Make You Feel Like A Barista

15 Holiday Coffee Recipes That Will Keep You Warm This Winter

☕ Do you have a favorite way to enjoy your coffee? ☕

I asked the ChatGPT AI assistant about the different or "unusual" ways people drank coffee instead of the typical cream and sugar.  This was the response.

1. Kopi Joss (Indonesia):

   • This is coffee with a twist—literally. A piece of burning charcoal is dropped into the coffee, giving it a unique flavor and reducing acidity.

2. Egg Coffee (Vietnam):

   • Known as Cà Phê Trứng, this concoction blends coffee with a creamy mixture of egg yolk and condensed milk, creating a rich, custard-like topping.

3. Cheese Coffee (Sweden):

   • Called Kaffeost, it's coffee poured over chunks of cheese called juustoleipä. The cheese softens and absorbs the coffee, making for a unique, chewy treat.

4. Cascara Coffee (Global):

   • Made from the dried husks of coffee cherries, this drink is brewed like tea and has a fruity, slightly sweet flavor, different from typical coffee.

5. Civet Coffee (Kopi Luwak, Indonesia):

   • This controversial and expensive coffee is made from beans that have been eaten and excreted by civet cats. The fermentation process in the cat's digestive system is said to enhance the flavor.

6. Bulletproof Coffee (Global):

   • This high-calorie coffee is blended with butter and medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, popularized by the ketogenic diet for its purported energy-boosting effects.

7. Lemon Coffee (Italy):

   • Known as Espresso Romano, this involves serving espresso with a slice of lemon, which is believed to enhance the coffee's flavor.

8. Mazagran (Portugal):

   • An iced coffee drink that combines coffee with lemon juice or lemonade, sometimes with a splash of rum.

9. Soya Sauce Coffee (Japan):

   • In some regions, coffee is flavored with soy sauce to add a savory twist to the drink.

10. Spiced Coffee (Middle East)

    • In countries like Saudi Arabia and Turkey, coffee is often brewed with spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves for a rich, aromatic flavor.

Coffee is a versatile beverage that can be enjoyed in countless ways. 

The More You Learn About Coffee, the More You Love Coffee https://t.co/jdofe5t29C

— Everyday Exotic Spices Presents Food Ways (@EverydaySpices) January 4, 2025

☕☕☕☕☕

Perfect Gift for the High School Graduate Who is Off to College - A Cookbook!

A Cookbook? For a college student? Am I nuts?

No. No, I am not. During my freshman year or first year at university, I was fortunate because I had a meal plan. As long as I got to the cafeteria before closing time, I didn't starve! However, for my remaining three years at the university, I lived in an on-campus apartment, and my roommates (friends I made as a freshman who also lived in the apartments) loved to cook. The Chinese-Jamaican guy who lived in the apartment above ours always had a good smell coming out of his kitchen! His specialty was curry chicken. 

But before I get too far down memory lane and forget why I am writing this post, let me get back on track. The purpose of this post is to recommend a cookbook for a student you know who is heading off to college, already in college, or getting ready to graduate from college. In fact, these cookbooks are great for anybody!!!

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FIVE (5) Practical Reasons to Gift an Easy Recipe Cookbook to a College Student

1. Learning to cook empowers them to take care of themselves, reducing reliance on takeout or dining halls.
2. Cooking at home can be Budget-Friendly and friends might enjoy your culinary creations. (OK! They'll be your “test subjects”. It's a free meal. They probably won't complain too much.)  [P.S. Could also be figure-friendly.  I ate a lot of pizza at the university.  My weight went up and down.  LOL.😁]
3. Depending on what you cook and how you cook, home-cooked meals tend to be healthier, because you control the ingredients and portion sizes.
4. Learning simple and easy recipes is a valuable life skill during and after college. First, you learn to balance college-life; then you balance work-life, and then probably work-and-family-life. Cooking is a lifelong skill that will serve you well beyond college—into adulthood and family life. AMEN?
5. Customizable Diets – Learn to tailor meals to your dietary needs or preferences (vegetarian, gluten-free, etc.)

🎁 🎁 🎁 🎁 🎁

The 5-Ingredient College Cookbook: Easy, Healthy Recipes for the Next Four Years & Beyond by Ellgen, Pamela  

The Easy Three-Ingredient College Cookbook: 100 Quick, Low-Cost Recipes That Fit Your Budget AND Schedule!

Related articles

• 15 things college kids should do now to be successful in the future(businessinsider.com)

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• 4 FOOD BLOGS THAT ARE PERFECT FOR STUDENTS(studybreaks.com)

Celebrating International Tea Day! (Round-Up)

Today is May 21^st, and tea lovers around the world are celebrating. 

Even though I am a loyal coffee lover, tea holds a special place in my heart because of my big sister. He made the tea in the world. Iced tea or hot tea, whenever we spent time together, tea was her drink of choice. I was so happy to be spending time with her, I drank the tea any way she served it – hot or cold. My tea memories are under “precious moments in life to appreciate FOREVER!”.

Image credit

Tea has a rich history, cultural significance, and there are countless varieties or flavors. I used to think there was only one flavor, i.e., black tea. Later on in my adult life, I discovered all kinds of herbal teas. My Chinese friend often drank rice tea. My daughters drink everything from chamomile to matcha to … the list is too long!

At any rate, this blog post is a round-up of my various posts about tea.  You probably think: 'For a person who loves coffee, you're sure do talk a lot about tea.'  All I can say is:  "Yeah! I do!" (O.o)

Enjoy International Tea Day! 🍵✨.

Sip a cup solo or share a pot with friends!

***

BLOG POSTS ROUND-UP:

Food and Drink History : The Evolution of Tea 

My Favorite Two (2) Fruit Teas: Cranberry and Black Cherry 

Autumn is here! Is a Season Your Reason to Drink Tea? 

First Food and Drink Experiences: Chai Tea 

Four (4) Medicinal Flowers and Plants (to make tea) 

5 Unique Caribbean Teas and Herbal Benefits (Guest Post)

Food and Drink History Lesson: English Tea (Guest Post) 

How to Cook Everything (Emphasis on the Greens)

Mark Bittman, is one of America's best-known, most widely respected food writers. Happy to suggest two cookbooks written by him. One for those who want to learn how to cook and the other for those who have a goal to eat healthy with an emphasis on consuming green leafy vegetables (that would be moi!).

How to Cook Everything The Basics:All You Need to Make Great Food -- With 1,000 Photos
This book offers a collection of delicious recipes, from fried eggs to steamed mussels, along with practical tips and helpful photos. Learn fundamental techniques and variation ideas for modifying or customizing recipes. Available in Hardcover and Kindle edition.
This cookbook has been recommended by some as "the new kitchen bible".

Leafy Greens: An A-to-Z Guide to 30 Types of Greens Plus More Than 120 Delicious Recipes is one of Bittman's books which is sure to delight both vegans and non-vegans. From arugula to kale to wakame (a sea vegetable), Bittman offers 120+ healthy recipes to make it easy to go green. Delicious anti-oxidant-packed recipes for salads, soups, stews, stir-fries, etc. Also, nutritional information, advice on buying and cooking greens, and which greens make good substitutes for one another.
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Cooking Basics ~ How to Cook Everything - Emphasis on the Greens

Related Links of Interest
♦ Green Leafy Vegetables: On a Roll With Escarole
♦ Healthy Eating Tips: Eat Your Greens! Drink Your Carrots!
♦ YAPAS (Yet Another Post About Spinach)
♦ Health and Wellness: Where to Find Advice on Healthy Eating and More!


Source: Webnuggetz.com

NOTE: Content previously published elsewhere on the web, however, the site shut down. 

World Cuisine: Indian Food - Myth or Fact

Do you like Indian food? I do! Although I must admit, I had to acquire a taste for it. My first time trying a so-called authentic Indian dish was at one of those American mall-type food courts, where there are all kinds of restaurants for you to choose from. That probably wasn't the best place for me to get my first taste. I was taken aback by some sort of flavor or spice that my palate was clearly not expecting. It threw me off!

Later on, when cooking channels became so popular on television, started learning how to prepare Indian dishes. There was one lady who referred to herself as a “spice goddess”.  Because really, it comes to cooking, Indians do know their spices.  No argument.  Her recipes always seemed so simple, easy to prepare, and she explained the herbs and spices she used for flavoring and showed you how to incorporate them into the recipes.  Crush these seeds.  Warm this spice in the pan.  Sprinkle these herbs.  Decided to try Indian food again and was very pleased with the tasting tests.

Below is a link to a blog post that eliminates common myths about Indian food. Didn't know there were myths but good to know they can be ignored. What were some of the myths?

• All Indian food is spicy.
• All Indian food is vegetarian.
• All Indian food is overloaded with curry.

Discover the Truth behind the Indian Food Myths

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Content first published Mar 21, 2015 via Persona Paper

5 Things You Thought You Knew about Indian Food

5 Things You Thought You Knew about Indian Food

By Petrina Verma Sarkar Come on, be honest. What are the first things that come to your mind when you think of Indian food? Hot, spicy, oily, rich, fatty, bad for you, difficult and time-consuming to cook, curry powder....

15 Interesting Facts Related To Indian Food You Should Know

15 Interesting Facts Related To Indian Food You Should Know

Facts that will blow your taste buds

20 unbelievable facts about Indian food

20 unbelievable facts about Indian food

Before it turned into an art that involved culinary expertise, food in India was about rasas and doshas. Taste or rasa in Sanskrit guides the tongue and it is a balance or misbalance of these rasas that cause or correct the doashas in body.

Known and unknown facts about Indian cooking

Known and unknown facts about Indian cooking

It is about experimenting with different spices and ingredients and to come up with your own secret recipes. Then just go for it, Visit Masala Fry! Enjoy!

Indian ladies: glitter-graphics.com

Healthy Eating Tips : Eat Your Greens! Drink Your Carrots!

Growing up, people used to always say to me: “Eat carrots! They're good for your eyes.” I believed what they said. Not dissing carrots, but they were and are not my favorite veggie. So, coming up with creative ways to enjoy them to receive the health benefits and to boost my health naturally was always a challenge.   What's the best way to respond to a food challenge?  COMPROMISE!  😋 

Now in my adulthood, come to find out that according to experts in diet and nutrition, zeaxanthin and lutein, which are the forms of beta-carotene that boost eye health, are found in high levels in green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, kale, romaine lettuce, and Swiss chard. That's fantastic! Because for me, greens are the best veggies!! Although, in defense of carrots, the juice mixes well with various other fruits and makes for a delicious, healthy drink!

RE:  Carrots - DID YOU KNOW?

• A carrot is not a vegetable. ...
• The root is not the only edible part of a carrot. ...
• Plant an actual carrot in the ground and it will make seeds. ...
• Carrots are one of the best plants for pollinators. ...
• Carrots were not originally orange.

Source:  Snake River Seed Cooperative

RE:  Green Leafy Vegetables - DID YOU KNOW?

• Packed With Vitamins &Amp; Minerals
• Good Source Of Fiber
• Keeps The Brain Young
• Low In Salt And Fat

Source:  All Women's Talk

Greens Glorious Greens!: More than 140 Ways to Prepare All Those Great-Tasting, Super-Healthy, Beautiful Leafy Greens

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

7 Creative Carrot Juice Recipes

♦♦
 Carrot Juice Recipes | Juicing Carrots Carrot juice recipes are simply wonderful. If you've never had it before, you'll be surprised how sweet it is. It tastes NOTHING like you think it will taste. Its sweet, creamy and delicious. It has a milky texture and has no bitterness.

Related articles:

• 7 Food items that can boost your kid's immune system
• Quick Note on Mustard Greens and Recipes

Foodie Nuggets: Strawberry Chocolate Cake

I watched this time travel Korean drama where an acupuncturist from the past (Joseon, 400 years ago) traveled to the future and met a lady doctor, a heart specialist. They fell in love and in one of the scenes, they were at a restaurant in Seoul. She told him to try the strawberry chocolate cake. She said it was one of the most popular desserts.  I have never had a strawberry chocolate cake, so that comment sent me searching for a recipe. Found one very easily published at one of my favorite food blogs. This looks like a dessert that should be made for a holiday or a special occasion.

Strawberry Chocolate Cake Recipe | two peas and their pod

Have you ever had strawberry chocolate cake?

Was it a holiday or special occasion? 

Were you dining out or dining in?

RELATED POST: Korean Drama TV Series: Live Up toYour Name (2017)

While you're here, check out some of my other food blurbs:

Japanese Fun Food

Zucchini Flowers

Who Invented Chicken Nuggets?

What Should Kids Drink?

WARNING: Delicacies Can Be Dangerous!

Five (5) healthy and holistic ways to get more energy

My Favorite Two (2) Fruit Teas: Cranberry and Black Cherry

According to available information, tea was discovered accidentally. It seems that some guy in China was preparing a meal and had a pot of water boiling. It was a windy day, and leaves were blown into the pot of hot water. To the cook’s surprise, the water turned into an amazing drink. That’s how brewing tea began. The versions of this story or legend vary, but it sounds believable to me. Weren’t many of the wonderful things we enjoy in life discovered accidentally?  Everybody knows tea is delicious and has great medicinal value. I want to talk about two of my favorite fruit-flavored teas: cranberry and black cherry.

AI_Generated Art Created With DreamUp, a free tool

Why cranberry tea?

A nurse once told me cranberry juice would restore the vitamins and minerals I had lost during childbirth. So I thought to myself: ‘If cranberry juice is good, cranberry tea is probably good too.’ Cranberry tea has lots of minerals and Vitamins C, K, and E. There are numerous health benefits, but what I mainly like about it is that it is good for weight loss. It helps burn fat and flushes toxins out of your body. It is considered a detox tea.

Why black cherry tea?

Black cherry juice and black cherry tea are in high demand. I discovered the health benefits accidentally. My late husband had a problem with his big toe. Turns out that it was gout, and eating black cherries helped. Cherry juice is kind of expensive. But the tea is reasonably priced. Cherry tea helps reduce inflammation, eases muscle pain, and decreases pain from gout, arthritis, and headaches. Maybe this is why a lot of medicine comes in cherry flavor. You think? Black cherry tea is also used for detoxification.

Thanks for reading.

Fruits and Veggies : Exotic Fruits Are Wonderful Natural Delights

Tropical fruit must have been abundant in the Garden of Eden. Don't you think? At least, that's how I imagine it anyway. Do you like exotic fruit? My first visit to The Bahamas opened up a whole new world for me. There were so many delicious fruits of paradise that I had never heard of or tasted.

That was more than 30 years ago. These days, the wonderful thing about grocery shopping in America is that you can find foods from almost anywhere in the world. These foods were not always available and so plentiful. It's not my imagination. Even Chef Jacques Pepin mentioned during one of his TV episodes that when he first arrived in the United States to begin his career as a chef, there were many ingredients that he could not readily find at the local grocery store. You had to go to a special market or a gourmet shop. Not so, these days. Thanks to the Internet, it's easy to research and learn more about tropical fruit or “exotic fruit” or “super fruit” or “wonder fruit”, and why they are so good for you. Uh huh. Right. As if people need to twist your arm to get you to eat them. :)

Check these out!

- Acerola, also known as the Barbados cherry, is native to the West Indies, and also to Southern Mexico, and Southern and Central America. They claim this fruit has numerous health benefits, but healthy or not, the taste of this tropical fruit is irresistible.

- Cherimoya tastes like bubblegum. People have even given this fruit nicknames like “ice cream fruit” or “custard apple”, so-called because it has a creamy, sherbet-like texture. But beware of the seeds, as they can be poisonous.

- Dead man’s fingers originated from China. They really do look like fingers and their color is bluish-black. The taste is similar to watermelon.

- Kiwano or the horned melon has many names. It is native to Africa and is called African cucumber. But it is also known as English tomato. (???) On the outside it is yellow and orange, but the flesh inside is lime green. It's been part of African cuisine since ancient times.

- Mangosteen grows in Southeast Asia and is considered a “wonder fruit”. One might think because of the name that it is similar to a mango, but actually it is more like a peach. Research indicates that the mangosteen contains more xanthones than any other fruit. They call it the "X-Factor".

These are just a sampling of fruits. The intent is to whet your appetite and peak your curiosity. There is also dragon fruit, starfruit, Buddha’s hand (citron), cloudberries, durian, moringa, abiu, and more! 

• Additional Information:
  15 Unusual Fruits to Try From Around the World
• Exotic Fruits From A to Z

***  Related articles

• Mangosteen
• African Baobab Tree
• Top 10 vegetables to grow in your garden | Mother Nature Network

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Image credit: Kiwano fruit (Public Domain)
© Photographer: Andreas Fischer | Agency: Dreamstime.com

Content previously published at Literacy Base on Aug 3, 2016.

Read.Cash (Spanish)

Exotic Fruit: Do You Heart Pomegranates?

Do you love pomegranates? I know I do! I would even like to start a movement with the goal of adding pomegranates to the traditional American Thanksgiving cornucopia. 

Pomegranates are so exotic and enjoy an exotic history!   Indeed, it is the food of myth and legends.

They are the wonder food of ancient civilizations like Persia and Israel.  

In fact, in ancient Greece, pomegranates were considered an aphrodisiac.  

A respected modern publication - The Globe and Mail, “Canada’s #1 national newspaper” claims that pomegranates are a “superfood” that can be proven.

Pomegranate: A ‘superfood’ that goes straight to your heart http://t.co/ALDCAjjmVN

— Globe Health (@Globe_Health) December 4, 2013

Shared the link via my post stream on Google Plus stream, but in case you didn't see it there, view it here. If you are on Pinterest, please visit my pinboard dedicated to POMEGRANATES? Started the board a couple of years ago, and to date, it has 100 pins: recipes (food and drinks), beauty and healthcare products, etc. 

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Related articles

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• 3 wonder sauces you need in your kitchen cupboard right now: from zhoug to pomegranate ketchup(standard.co.uk)
• Pomegranates in Art as Symbol and Metaphor.... Guest Blogger: Deborah Hickey-Tiernan(gailcreativestudies.wordpress.com)

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Blueberry Pomegranate

Green Pomegranate - Award Winning

© Photographer: Svetamart | Agency: Dreamstime.com

Exotic Fruit: Do You Heart Persimmons?

Fuyu Persimmon Diospyros kaki 'Fuyu'
~ Other Common Name(s): Fuyu Kaki

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.

There are two other varieties of the persimmon that I know of: Cinnamon Persimmons (also called Percinnamons); and Hachiya Persimmons. This fruits is native to China and Japan.  But there is also an American persimmon.

• "Putchamin is the Algonquin Indian word from which we get persimmon, and it appears from a report by Hernando de Soto in 1541 that Indians in the Mississippi region made it into “bread”. The variety of persimmon enjoyed by these intrepid explorers and early settlers is what we now call Diospyros virginiana." (Source: Pioneers and Persimmons | The Old Foodie)

• 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)

• In the Buddhist religion, persimmons are a symbol of transformation. In China, they are an auspicious gift to newlyweds to celebrate eternal love. (Source: Real Food Encyclopedia | Persimmons | FoodPrint)

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!

Here are some wonderful recipes collected by Yummy Mummy Kitchen and Martha Stewart.

20 Persimmon Recipes  

12 Persimmon Recipes Everyone Should Make This Fall ~ 

Original source

Oven-Baked Summer Squash Fries (Should Be in Your Winter Recipes)

Summer squash has a strong resemblance, in flavor and texture, to a zucchini. You can, in fact, substitute zucchini in this recipe, but it will probably bake a bit more quickly.

Not sure what the weather is like where you are.  In my city (Austin, TX USA), it's confusingly balmy and breezy, occasionally rainy, comfortably warm with no need for a sweater, and sometimes chilly.  It's climatically perfect! ☺ 

My friends elsewhere around the USA and the world are still complaining that Old Man Winter has overstayed his welcome and refuses to leave!  This recipe is fabulous no matter what the season of the year is or what kind of weather you're experiencing.  Enjoy!

Ingredients:


1 medium summer squash
2 eggs
1 ½ cups breadcrumbs (try panko breadcrumbs for a crunchier texture)
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon mustard powder
Salt and pepper
Olive oil


How to Make It:


Preheat oven to 400 F. Grease a large baking sheet with olive oil and set aside.


Cut your summer squash into wedges. Remove the seeds if they are quite large and set wedges aside.


Whisk the eggs in a dish and set aside.


In another dish, combine the breadcrumbs, paprika, mustard powder and salt and pepper.


Start by dipping the wedges, one by one, into the egg mixture and then the breadcrumb mixture. Place each wedge on the greased baking sheet. Continue until all the wedges are done.


You can bake the wedges as is for about 30-40 (until soft inside and golden brown on the outside) as is, but if you want a more golden texture, drizzle or spray some olive oil on top of the wedges. Flip halfway through baking.


Serve with ranch or another favorite dip.

There are many versions of oven-fried squash recipes?  Find more.

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• My top favourite squash to grow for flavour - and how to cook them(telegraph.co.uk)

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