Meandering and cooking around the world channeling Julia Child: Dr. Donna B. Curin

Friday, April 12, 2019

Blog Milestone: Guess the Most Popular Post?

Thanks to all of you, my blog has been viewed 1,000 times!

I thought it would be a perfect moment to let you know a little bit about the community of readers that have found this cyber spot. Viewers are from 10 countries around the world with the USA being the largest contingent. More than half of the viewers use an iPhone which is why I chose to use a dark background with white text. This color scheme helps reading in sun light, and it also limits blue light.

The most popular post was the Baileys Irish Cream story about the production in Ireland, places to stay in Cavan County, and the two easy recipes using the product. It had twice the number of views as any other post. Since that original posting, I added more photos.

I also renamed one of the recipes. . . Bailey-os . . . take another peek! It is delicious, easy, and an attractive presentation using Baileys, Cool Whip, and Oreos. It is MY completely original recipe. As you will see in the photos, the mixture of Baileys and Cool Whip by itself can be used as a topping to fruit, ice cream, pound cake, or as a light version of Irish Coffee by adding dollop to a cup of coffee.

You may be looking for a great adult Easter Dessert. It needs to sit overnight for the cookies to meld into a soft cake-like texture. Truly magic and delicious! Click the link below to go directly to that post.

Finally, thank you very much for taking the time to follow my Meandering blog and for the positive, clever comments you have shared with me along the way! Please continue voting with your fingers by sharing this blog with your friends and family. Let's cook!

Baileys blended into Cool Whip - add a dollop to coffee for Light Irish Coffee!

Click here to go to:

Baileys Irish Cream Blog Post

Sunday, April 7, 2019

Must Have $1 Kitchen Tool: Thanks to Julia Child

Julia Child gets much credit for bringing cooks into the kitchen in a period of time when frozen convenience cooking was popular in the 1960s. I believe her greatest introduction was the use of handy tools to make cooking less intimidating. She was known to be quite the gadget collector, a habit I, too, have picked up over the years.

During one of her early The French Chef series Julia shows the audience how to use a French pastry scraper OR she suggests picking up a putty scraper at the local hardware store for about $1! She shows the audience the two scrapers, and they are similar. In the 1960s, I am certain few kitchens stocked a traditional French scraper. I received my scraper shown here as a gift 45 years ago, and it has held up. Today, the tool can also be called a bench scraper, bench knife, or dough scraper.

This is such a handy device that can be used for pastry, bread dough, or cutting brownies, Rice Krispies treats, and bar cookies. The best part is you do not have to spend $25 + on this JC recommended tool. You can find an all steel version, which you can run through a dishwasher, for only $1 at the Dollar Tree store! If you are not near this store (a little gem of hidden gourmet finds) you can order a case of 24 on line delivered to your home at the link below. After keeping a couple for yourself, you can make 20+ friends and family members very happy by gifting them this must have tool, along with the Julia Child story. Easter basket stuffer?

While you are shopping at Dollar Tree, not just for their amazing selection of balloons, check out this imported Basil Pesto made in Italy that is delicious on pasta or gnocchi. It is great served on top of breaded chicken cutlets or as a condiment on grilled panini sandwiches. It's only $1.

Another great find is this Himalayan Pink Salt, at 7.5 ounces it is packed in South Africa and can't be beat for $1. Both of these items I have given as unique and useful hostess gifts.

Bottom line, if Julia Child could send cooks to the hardware store for a pastry scraper, let's not be uncomfortable heading to our local dollar store for some great kitchen devices and random, unexpected surprises along the way!

Bon Appétit!