the Rib and the Rib

I’VE MOVED!!

I have a new & improved blog on wordpress, which will go deeper into food history, etc. 
http://misanthropichumanitarian.wordpress.com

I’ll probs continue to post some photos here though, so look out.

This little beauty is a Blood Orange Margarita! DEEELISH.

Jeanette Winterson, Lighthousekeeping

Since this is an Early American blog, I’m spared the labor of having to go too far into the history of Roman Catholicism (cringe) + St. Valentine. I’ll keep it simple with an interesting fun fact that actually doesn’t include food consumption, but merely a charming food-related ritual. 

Enter: the bay leaf. Am I talking about a sexy beef stew? A quirky, spiced pastry? Neither! Apparently, if you’re looking for a saucy revelation on that Day (or eve rather) of Love, affixing bay leaves to one’s pillow is the way to go! Now, I don’t know if pinning 5 bay leaves to what you’re sleeping on (if you’re single and looking for love) will actually produce any results, but many young women in Early America had faith that while asleep, this Laurel leaf would produce a dream-vision of their future lover (more often, spouse). Literally, “Man of their dreams.” Yup. Apparently this custom was christened during the Elizabethan era; yet another Old World ~> New World transplant. Interesting, no? Perhaps worth a try if you’re skeptical or…single? Or…particularly fond of the smell of bay leaves? 

The second order of business is certainly more contemporary, but rest assured that I’ll somehow tie it into history. Here we go! Exploitation of international labor is an inevitable and despicable byproduct of globalization. Globalizationnnn, I would assert, is not a 20th century neoliberal success story, but instead a byproduct of centuries of imperialism that is best exampled during the Age of Exploration, the Columbian Exchange, the Slave Trade, etc. (See what I did there?!) Bringin it back: Nowadays American holidays largely revolve around consumerism, which Fuels the Pistons of globalization. Valentine’s Day, being one such holiday, is almost as egregious as Halloween because the majority of the products that people are consuming contain… Chocolate! And I should also include Flowers! (A lesser known demon.)

Here’s where it gets easy for you to make a Just decision in the days/weeks leading up to ourCatholic Holiday of Love, February 14th:

FT Chocolates:

Sweet Earth

Divine

Sjaak’s Chocolate Cherry Hearts (other options on the site, including vegan)

Equal Exchange (Cards+Candy Set)

FT Flowers:

FT FELT(!) Flowers (They last forever!!)

One World

1-800-Flowers (if you must)

InBloom (check for label)

FT Gift Baskets:

EE Sweet & Spicy 

Heart Shaped Gift Box w/ Divine

Cards:

Pretty much any handmade Etsy love card made from 100% recycled materials, blah blah blah. This is a cute history of them. Also, Esther Howland clearly would’ve had her own Etsy shop. (I couldn’t help myself.)

More:

Stellar Organic Winery

One World Wine

FAIR Spirits

EE Organic Love Buzz Coffee

Fair Trade USA’s Gift Guide

Take Action or read up w/ Global Exchange or the Organic Consumers Assoc.

Global Exchange FT Valentine’s Day Gift Membership Package

*As with all of the links above, you should double check that the certification is there. Of course there are flaws in the fair trade system, but by supporting a fairer alternative, you’re flexing your power as a consumer and sending the message to exploitative corporations that they need to shape the fuck up! Also, note: organic ≠ fair trade. 

“One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.”
- Virginia Woolf

And dear readers, good luck with the bay leaf.

Inspired by my previous update (and perhaps in response to its lack of historical significance), I present to you yet another reason why we should be thanking the Dutch for their culinary legacy in the New World:

DOUGHNUTS. (These beauties are from Doughnut Plant in NYC. [Photo])

In fact, we should be bowing at the feet of both Dutch colonial women of the kitchen and Dutch bakers for more than just cookies (koekje) and dough-nuts (oliebollen) and apple pies with sugar, cinnamon and lemon juice (appelgebak)! (Among other savory delicacies as well, of course.)  What we should really be thanking them for—that which resurrected the dreaded lead-sinkers of English baking: the biscuit, the scone and shortbread—is, dear readers, the introduction of…

Chemical leavening agents! 

Hooray for the Early American Dutch kitchen!

Made my original & outstanding Peanut Butter Cookies w/ Chocolate Chunks & Cashews for my girlfriend & sister! 
Believe me, the cashews are worth it. 
So is storing them in the freezer. 

I can’t wait to own every single one! Quick, anyone owe me a lifetime of birthday presents?

My take on the Nicky Finn cocktail, which is itself a take on a Mickey Finn cocktail. The Mickey Finn, named after a Chicago bartender of the pre-Prohibition era, referred to both a specific cocktail (the recipe changes depending upon the source) and generally a drug-laced drink*.

—V’s Nicky Finn—

Brandy 1.5 oz
Cointreau 1.5 oz 
Fresh Lemon Juice 2T+1t 
Creole Bitters 4-5 dashes

1. Combine all in shaker w/ 5-6 ice cubes.
2. Shake vigorously for solid 30 seconds.
3. Pour drink (w/ ice) into tumbler, serve.

You’re welcome.

*Drug-laced cocktails are not ok, unless consented to in a responsible state of mind.

Janet Theophano, Eat My Words: Reading Women’s Lives through the Cookbooks They Wrote

American Cookery, or the art of dressing viands, fish, poultry, and vegetables, and the best modes of making pastes, puffs, pies, tarts, puddings, custards, and preserves, and all kinds of cakes, from the imperial plum to plain cake: Adapted to this country, and all grades of life. By Amelia Simmons, an American orphan. (1796)

French Toast Bread Pudding w/ Maple-Candied Pecans for my sister’s birthday!

Janet Theophano, Eat My Words: Reading Women’s Lives through the Cookbooks They Wrote

Homemade Whoopie Pies w/ Cream Cheese Buttercream filling.

Oven Smores with my sister!

Potato & Brie Gratin.