Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Butterfly Ginger - Hedychium Coronarium

My friend Martina has a DARK GREEN THUMB. She grew this Butterfly Ginger. It is called butterfly ginger because it resembles a butterfly.

photo credit: Martina Goscha

 
photo credit: Martina Goscha

It’s technical name is Hedychium Coronarium and it is the most fragrant of all gingers. Having this plant in your home is better than any air freshener you can buy!








They need light shade, soil that is high in organic matter and must be kept moist at all times.  It’s not uncommon to have the pot submerged to the crown in water. Ginger is a tropical plant so even a light freeze will kill it so make sure to bring it in for the winter.

photo credit: Martina Goscha



Ginger essential oils are great for Headaches, Arthritis and Nausea as well as Digestive Issues.
Here are a few more photos from Martina’s garden.





photo credit: Martina Goscha

Saturday, November 7, 2015

Meatloaf

So, you think meatloaf is an American invention? Not so fast!

There is a recipe found in a cook book called Apicius published in Ancient Roman times that calls for chopped meat combined with spices, bread soaked in wine and pine nuts mixed and formed into a patty. That could be considered the very first meatloaf recipe.

photo credit: Wikipedia

In Medieval times chopped meat combined with spices, fruit and nuts were formed into a pie shape called Pastez.

The French shaped loaves out of chopped meat, entrails and internal organs.  Layers of gelatin were added to preserve it.

Meatloaf (as we know it today)  became easier to make due to the invention of the meat grinder in the nineteenth century.

Photo credit - Wikipedia

American meatloaf was first created by the Pennsylvanian Dutch who mixed pork meat, lungs, liver and heart with spices and cornmeal. They called it Scrapple.

Meatloaf became more popular during the depression where you could take a small amount of meat and stretch it with fillers like crackers, rice, tapioca and moisturizers such as eggs, mustard and ketchup.

In the 50’s and 60’s meatloaf became fancier. You could frost a meatloaf with whipped potatoes and broil it for a golden brown crust. Or stuff it with mushrooms sauteed in Sherry. It was simple and easy way for a new bride to impress her husband.

photo credit: MermaidsOfTheLake.com

These days you can order meatloaf at a restaurant and pay up to $20 for two slices because it’s considered comfort food. This can contain anything from beef, pork, chicken, turkey or even ostrich. There are vegetarian meatloaf recipes as well. Talk about a contradiction of terms.

Here is a meatloaf recipe that I got from my Mother-in-law. She made this recipe for 55 years. I make it for friends and family alike and everyone agrees that it’s the best meatloaf they have ever tasted.

Now I’m going to share this old family recipe with you. Enjoy.

photo credit: CK Worley


Meatloaf Recipe Ingredients:

1 1/2 lb. ground beef
1/2 cups bread crumbs
1 onion finely chopped
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 8 ounce cans tomato sauce
1/2 cups water
1 TBSP vinegar
2 TBSP Frenches mustard
3 TBSP brown sugar
2 tsp. Worcestershire

Mix meat, onion, beaten egg, salt, pepper, crumbs and 1/2 can tomato sauce. Form into a loaf and put in pan (7X10)
Combine rest of ingredients to make a sauce - pour over loaf. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Baste occasionally. Make sure you put the sauce over the meatloaf and potatoes. YUM!

photo credit: CK Worley
photo credit: Shelly Kidney