A few months ago, My Life Runs On Food’sFacebook fans were asked to describe their favorite Fall recipe. Of course, it was Apple Pie.
“Ooohh! I remember going to the apple orchard with my grandmother! Picking the apples, watching them make fresh apple cider and then bringing home all those baskets of apples! She would make apple everything! But my favorites were apple pancakes and pies! Mmmmmmmm! That was the best! Reminds me of those candy apples too, the ones with the red, hard, cinnamon candy! Gotta love the Fall!” – Monique Foley
For the past couple weeks, instead of planning an elaborate Thanksgiving meal, the only concern was choosing a dessert for kids to enjoy. We all know there are many sweet recipes in the universe, but feeding kids is a finicky situation. A cake seems like an easy choice, but it’s difficult to transport. Cookies became the obvious answer.
There are many types of cookies, but a cookie sandwich made from scratch is completely unexpected for many kids. What flavor would kids prefer? There are many flavors, but two choices became clear. It was either the classic Chocolate Cookie with Peanut Butter Cream or an exotic Orange Cookie with Pomegranate Cream sandwich. The question was posted on my personal Facebook page. Everyone said Chocolate Cookie with Peanut Butter Cream. Kids are simple, for the latter choice is too complex. A friend said a kid eating an orange cookie would scrunch up their face in disgust. I faintly envision hearing a whiny “ewwww” from a child’s mouth as they tasted a buttery citrus cookie. My heart sunk at the thought. Another friend mentioned every kid loves chocolate. I wanted someone to say the exotic cookie, because it’s more enticing to make. For a while, everyone’s advice was ignored. A girlfriend suggested if the orange cookies are made, don’t tell the kids about the flavor until they’ve tried and finished it. That sounds fair to me. Read more →
One day, a full Thanksgiving meal will be my personal responsibility. Until then, my friends rely on the sidekick dishes I contribute to their menu. And, if I’m feeling truly lazy, a good bottle of red wine is a peace offering to a disappointed host for not making a dish. Here’s another secret: This Sweet Potato Bread recipe makes two loaves. One loaf is immediately enjoyed, while the other is tightly wrapped in plastic wrap and zip loc for the freezer waiting to defrost after accepting a last minute holiday invitation. Read more →
Someone said, “There goes the neighborhood’s intelligentsia,” upon hearing about a bookstore closing in the neighborhood. It was a quaint shop of diverse — mostly African-American — literature, music, and small gifts. The book store owner gladly ordered any book upon request, and she welcomed suggestions about upcoming books and authors. When I first moved into the neighborhood, seeing a book shop prominently display African-American literature, from the Nobel Peace Prize to the urban world fiction authors, warmed the heart. The shop had a cozy atmosphere with stained wooden shelves, framed autographs from notable authors, a painting of an angel reading a book that doubled as the shop’s logo, a play corner for young kids, and a long comfortable window seat. It was difficult to not stop in to say hello on the way to the coffee shop. Other times, a cup of coffee was enjoyed in the shop. Not only was the shop a place of literature, for it supported the community. It sponsored poetry events for young adults, introduced new authors, held reading workshops for children of various ages, and organized book clubs for adults. Read more →
Watching geese* fly south for the winter, feeling temperatures decline, orange monarch butterflies fluttering by, and biting into a tasteless nectarine is Mother Nature announcing Fall’s arrival. Who knew the nectarines from the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) share would be one of this summer’s last soulful sweet? Read more →
