Showing posts with label peach. Show all posts
Showing posts with label peach. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Celebrating National Pie Championship




By Chef Diane

Pie
Pie
Me oh my
Nothing tastes sweet, wet, salty and dry
all at once o well it's pie
Apple!
Pumpkin!
Minced
an' wet bottom.
Come to your place everyday if you've got em'
Pie
Me o my
I love pie

This is a little song that was sung in the movie Michael, a movies with John Travolta, who played an angel whose job was to introduce two people for the purpose of falling in love.  The woman, was an aspiring song writer, and came up with this song while the group had stopped at a restaurant.  This little tune has always stuck in my head to be pulled out on days like today.

If you are a pie lover, and happen to be around Florida this weekend, you are in luck!  For the twelfth year in a row, the town of Celebration, Florida will become the Pie Capital of the World on April 27th and 28th, 2013 when thousands of pie lovers, tasters and bakers gather together the Great American Pie Festival sponsored by Crisco®. The highlight, as always, will be the Never-Ending Pie Buffet, featuring award-winning pie, ice cream, toppings, cheeses and beverages from some of our fine sponsors!
While it may be too late to enter a pie in the contest, its not to late to sample the many different types of pie, and even get ideas for your own pie at home.  The first place winner will bring home a $5,000.00 check for their efforts, not to shabby for baking a delicious pie.
If you are not fortunate enough to be in the Florida area, never fear, you can just stop by a local diner, and order up a slice of your favorite pie.

If you will be in the area, don’t miss this opportunity to check out the pie contests, and maybe even think about entering your own pie next year.  For more information, click here: http://www.piecouncil.org/2013AmateurRules

(All images from Google) 

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

National Apricot Day


(Google Image)

Chef Diane

Apricots are one of the oldest fruits known, being introduced to Greece by Alexander the Great in 106 B.C.  The fruit, which reminds me of a peach or nectarine, is actually part of the plum family.  Due to its extensive cultivation process, it is one of the earlier fruits produced, available in early spring, and most of the ones in the United States are grown in California.
(Google Image)
Not only is the fruit tasty, it also has medicinal purposes such as relief of constipation or inducing diarrhea, the same as the effect of prunes.  Apricots have also been considered an aphrodisiac, or inducer of childbirth.  In Chinese Medicine, apricots are considered helpful in regenerating body fluids, detoxifying, and quenching thirst.  They are good for a quick energy source, and contain Vitamin A, C beta carotine, and Iron.
(Google Image)
You can find packages of dried Apricots on the canned fruit aisle at your grocery store, and I have seen some sugar coated dried rings in the candy section.  My husband loved those because of their sour and sweet taste.
(Google Image)
Apricots are also used in cooking; there is apricot nectar in the juice section that can be used for baking cakes, making glazes for meats, and jelly for your morning biscuits.  Below is a recipe I found on cooks.com for making an apricot cake using baby food.  So, today, on apricot day, why not try some delicious apricots, fresh, dried or nectar They are good for your health, and a treat for your taste buds!
(Google Image)
APRICOT BABY FOOD CAKE

Ingredients
2 c. sugar
3 eggs
2 jars Gerber apricot baby food
1 c. chopped pecans
1 c. cooking oil
2 c. self rising flour
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground cloves

Directions
Mix all ingredients together thoroughly with electric mixer. Bake in greased and floured tube for 1 hour at 350 degrees.

Happy Birthday Dad!

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