Losing my 4th of July virginity!

                                                                                                                                                                               Saturday 3rd July

Dear Diary,

After years of trying, I'm going to lose my 4th of July virginity! How exciting for me, a European, to be in America for this National holiday.  I hope it's going to be like it is in the movies!  There's going to be fireworks, right?  

Tuesday 6th July 

Dear Diary,

There was so much alcohol involved that I hardly remember a thing!  Sure, there were fireworks but the event was a washout.

On Sunday morning we looked at the program of events in Delray Beach and it was boasting a Beautiful Baby contest, so we decided to get out of town and come back for the highly anticipated fireworks show at night. 

Our day trip took us to Fort Lauderdale with the promise of a barbeque and beers on the beach.  We arrived in Fort Liqourdale just as a monsoon was driving everyone from the beach and into the nearest bar for shelter.  We ducked into a jam packed Dirty Blondes bar, for a bucket of cold beer and plenty of people-watching.  This was my first time in Dirty Blondes and I'd describe it as "unique" and not the kind of wholesome all-American scene that I had mentally envisioned for the 4th of July.  It was like a college party meets a wet T-shirt competition.  Wait a minute, it was just like Spring Break! 

Girls were exchanging bikini tips, parading their wares, and eating vodka-soaked gummi bears in the ladies toilet, and guys were slamming Jager bombs and chanting "FSU!" at the bar.  We left Dirty Blondes as the storm was subsiding and were led up a back alley, past statues of pirates and into the rain soaked Pirate Republic bar and grill.  A group of girls that looked like the reserve team from a Victoria Secret campaign were ably amusing the crowds in their star-spangled bikinis and guys were practicing their punches on a Boxer machine.  Drunken scrawls are plastered all over the walls and pirate paraphernalia hangs from the ceiling but the barmaid was friendly and pouring glasses of something that resembles sake.  Before we knew it, the hours were creeping on, we had not eaten a thing, and we were thumping our fists on the bar and slamming back shots.  

Well, my 4th of July cherry has been popped and it wasn't quite what I had in mind.  I thought that the streets would be awash with red, white and blue and that we would all be singing the National Anthem. But the reality is, I drank more than I should have, the weather was uncooperative and once you have seen one set of fireworks, you have seen them all.

Here's to next year! 

My original post can be found on The New Times food site, Clean Plate Charlie. Click here 

Diners, Tigers and Tourists

In an increasingly globalized world, few things are more American than the local diner, it is an institution and the imitators rarely compete with the authenticity of the real thing.  A stalwart in any good neighborhood; these family friendly dining spots are wallet friendly and the perfect cure for the dreariest of hangovers or long drives.

My sister was in town visiting me and her checklist of things to do whilst in South Florida was meager to say the least: sunbathe, eat some authentic food and have fun.  In fairness, she has been in Florida countless times so she is terribly low maintenance and easy to please.  On past visits we have always made a trip out for breakfast, the kind that involves lashings of maple syrup and crispy bacon so I was sure that we would have at least one early morning, or late night visit to a diner.  Coincidentally, the May edition of Vanity Fair magazine featured an article on the women that exposed the kinks in Tiger Wood’s reputation.  One of the ladies, Mindy Lawton the Orlando based waitress from the Perkins Restaurant and Bakery chain was photographed for her Vanity Fair debut at our local diner, Ellie’s 50s Diner in Delray Beach, South Florida.  Naturally, we could not resist a visit to Ellie’s for the inside scoop, a spot of breakfast and a slice of fifties America.    

As we each tucked into our substantial breakfast, our waitress gave us her views on the Vanity Fair shoot: a whole lot of cleavage was on show in Ellie’s diner until staff intervened, and certain liaisons between Ms Lawton and Tiger did, indeed, happen in the back of his car, in the local car park.  Not to be put off by this information I heartily devoured French toast, bacon and maple syrup and reenacted Ms Lawton’s milkshake and cherry pose.  Ellie’s 50s Diner is a great place, it’s like sitting on the movie set for Grease and harks back to the 1950s diner hey days, before fast-food establishments hustled in and took a big part of their market. 

The moral of this tale is, maybe you’ll never be whisked off your feet and into the back of a waiting car by a pro-athlete but at least you’ll always be able to count on a hearty meal and friendly service at the local diner.  

Recipe: Cinnamon Almond French Toast 

French Toast recipe for 2:

• 4 slices of your chosen bread
• 3 large eggs
• 2 Tbsp milk
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 3/4 cup or large handful of sliced almonds
• Bacon or fruits such as blueberries and strawberries work well

Directions:

• In a bowl whisk the eggs, milk and cinnamon together.
• Lay the sliced almonds on a plate.
• Dip the slices of bread into the egg mixture then the sliced almonds.
• Cook the toast for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown (keep an eye on the French Toast so the almonds don't burn)
• Place 2 slices of French toast on each plate and top with crispy bacon, or your desired fruit topping and serve with lashings of maple syrup! 

Seafood and Tiki Bars: South Florida Living!

I moved to South Florida a little under a year ago and it is a funny old part of the world, not least because the heat never gets turned down and the median age is close to that of a retiree home but there is also a dichotomy between shirtless, casual and sculpted perfection that somehow manages to reside side-by-side.  One of the trials of living in a vacation-centric part of the world is the strong urge to hit up Happy Hour, night after night, though I admit that reality tends to kick in around the time your credit card bill comes through and your bikini body starts to go south.

There also comes a point when you stop walking around with your mouth wide open and you start looking for a little reality and sanity around you.  I have found that reality in some of the best little hole-in-the-wall, dive bars and local dining spots around.  The kind of place where style does not matter, the drinks and food are honest and no one is pouting at the bar.  I should mention that I have spent years enjoying those types of bars back home but the heat and the laid back vibe of Florida begs for a different type of social life.

I was at one of my particular favorites last weekend, The Whale’s Rib in Deerfield Beach, South Florida.  Deerfield is cramped full of vacationers and 1970s architecture and it is a great little spot on the weekend; the beach is beautiful and the residents are less showy than in other parts of South Florida.   The Whale’s Rib was featured on the popular Food Network show on American TV: Diners, Drive-ins and Dives; it has been open for nearly 30 years and the menu has hardly changed over time, the prices have not changed a lot either.  The fish is ultra fresh and the drinks are cold.  Perfect!  A house favorite is the Key West Dolphin sandwich: fresh filet of mahi-mahi, purple coleslaw and swiss cheese that drips down your arms as you are eating it.  The rock shrimp, seafood platters, whale fries (fresh potato chips/crisps) and the Bloody Mary crowned with a huge shrimp are all top notch and wallet friendly.  Over on the Gulf coast of Florida I can not get enough of Stan’s bar just off Marco Island.  The place is barely describable: billionaires and bums rub shoulders at this wild, indoor/outdoor joint that is basically up a dirt path.  If I were going to name the ten most random drinking holes in the world, this bar would make the list.  I swear it is the heat and the alcohol that does it.  The menu consists of fresh and fried seafood and at the weekend there is a huge barbeque though the primary focus is on hard drinking and dancing and frankly, what could be better at 2pm on a Sunday afternoon when you are giddy drunk?

These are the bars I’ll remember best, forget the ‘style’ bars and the chi-chi hotel bars, it is all about Tiki huts, dive bars and honest dining spots.  Scraping your hair back, throwing on shorts and a T-shirt and grabbing a cold drink, some fresh seafood and a little shade from the heat.  For me, that is one of the great joys of South Florida living and that experience is always “enhanced” thanks to the people watching. 

What truly unique spots have you visited around the world that you can share with everyone? 

The World Cup and the South African limelight

As the crowd’s roar and the deafening drone of thousands of vuvuzela play wildly, a sea of yellow is dancing the Toyi-Toyi and singing the Waka Waka.  It can only be the World Cup, and this can only be South Africa! 

For the first time in the history of the tournament, the world’s most followed sporting-showdown is being hosted on the African Continent, a momentous feat after a long journey that was started many years ago by Nelson Mandela.  251 countries and over a billion people will tune in to the month-long tournament, time zone differences mean that we are kicking off the opening game in the early hours of a Friday morning with a bacon roll in one hand and a Bloody Mary in the other.  Let the games begin.  

I should tell you now that I am not a particularly vigilant football fan, nor do I have any desire to watch any regular football matches.  I am however, a huge fan of international frenzy and nail-biting competition and the World Cup, much like the Olympics, brings out a certain sense of merriment in me.  This World Cup also gives me a chance to see a Country that I’ve come to love, have their time in the limelight.  Ten months ago, when I moved to America, I started working on an initiative called The 46664 Bangle (copper, silver, gold and platinum bracelets that raise funds for the Nelson Mandela Foundation and provide opportunity for those affected by HIV/AIDS) the numbers relate to Nelson Mandela’s prisoner number: 466, and year of imprisonment, 64 and together they are now his global symbol for humanitarian work.  The 46664 Bangle is a perfect antidote to this blog; one focuses on food and culture and the other reminds me that finding enough money to feed a family, is a daily struggle for some communities across South Africa and throughout the world.   

That’s the thing about South Africa, its history and struggles are omnipresent but they should never overshadow the natural beauty and pride of the people and the place.  As countless braais (barbeques to you and I) are sparked up tonight and thousands of people pop open a bottle of prized South African wine or a cold beer in celebration of the post-game draw against Mexico, they will inevitably congratulate themselves on a good match and a spectacular opening ceremony.  Which brings me back to the World Cup, for me, it is not about the football; it is about the host Country showing eager audiences around the world what they are capable of.  Cheers to South Africa!  


Recipe Idea
If you fancy cooking up a South African feast this weekend then Bobotie could be the dish for you (pronounced Buu Boo Tee), this is a spiced meat dish (not a curry) made from ground beef or lamb that is a contender for South Africa’s National dish.  With a spicy influence and a custard top similar to a Mousakka it sounds like the perfect antidote to the ecstasy and agony of the World Cup. 


Recipe links: 
BBC Good Food 
Epicurious 

Feasting on Sex And The City

I have been dreaming in Manolos and Middle Eastern Delights after watching Sex And The City 2 last night and now I am suffering with a one-too-many-Cosmopolitan-head, but a girl’s gotta do, what a girl’s gotta do!  You have to hand it to Sex And The City (SATC), love it or loathe it, it is a phenomenon and for many it has shaped fashion, friendships, and how we spend our free time. 

I was in New York recently with a group of friends, all seasoned tourists of the Big Apple, and on more than one occasion the motivations that drove us around Manhattan had less to do with guide books and more to do with Sex And The City.  From cupcakes at Magnolia Bakery in the West Village to SATC style dining at Buddakan in Chelsea.  If you are a fan of the show and you have visited New York then I am certain that at some point in your trip - most likely when you have a Martini glass in your hand and the New York skyline behind you – you have uttered the words: “This is so Sex And The City”.  It is impossible not to.   

Yet it is not just the city that is synonymous with the show, it is the style, the culture and the social life that is integral too.  Prior to going into the movie last night I started to think about the role that food and drink has had in SATC and without giving away too much, the Cosmopolitans are the same, the brunch is ever present and dining out on a nightly basis is a central feature of the whole movie.  The brunch has been a staple of the show since it started and it has acted as the backdrop for glistening one-liners, shared secrets and harsh truths.  Arguably, what is on their plate tells a story too: Charlotte eats fruit and counts her calories when she’s feeling threatened by another woman.  Samantha pigs out when she thinks she has lost her mojo and Carrie simply can’t eat after she has been left at the altar.  The beauty of it is, we can relate to it.  What is more, these girls can eat: pizza slices, cupcakes, hot dogs, frozen yoghurts – the star power of these food items and the restaurants that they are devoured in are boosted each time we see them eating something on-screen.  Then there is food and sex: most memorable of which involved Miranda, a glazed Krispy Kreme donut and the guy from her Weight Watchers class.  Need I say anymore?  And would the show be so much fun if it wasn’t for all of those Cosmos?  That single cocktail has become a bar staple the world over, thanks to four well-heeled ladies. 

Personally, I would like to see an episode that discusses a hangover cure for a Cosmopolitan induced headache but I guess that is why brunch is so necessary…

Carrie: There are very few things this New Yorker loves as much as Sunday brunch. You can sleep until noon and still get eggs anywhere in the city, alcohol is often included with the meal, and Sunday is the one day a week you get the single woman's sports pages: the New York Times wedding section.

                                                          Images from HBO

Taco-licious treats on a Tequila hazed night!

Like many a good idea, this one took shape on a grey afternoon that was lit up by a stiff drink and a good plate of food.  The idea was simple: friends, a casual gathering in our courtyard and a Mexican theme in honour of *Cinco de Mayo. We were kindly rewarded with a star lit, steamy night that ended some time around 3am in the Atlantic Ocean with a bottle of tequila.  More on that later…

With around 25-30 guests having RSVP’d we opted to serve up tacos and all the fixins’.  Not only are they relatively easy to do for a big group but the fact that people can assemble their own taco means that everyone can create something delicious for themselves.  My friend, the talented chef, John Paul from John Paul Custom Cuisine, kindly gave me a huge platter of pulled pork and that became the centrepiece of our taco-feast.  Proper pulled pork is a labour of love and 30 hours of cooking and smoking transforms pork (the shoulder or butt are the most commonly used cuts) into tender, fall-apart-meat.  The pork was an absolute treat and worked perfectly in a warm taco with all the other fillings on offer.  Also on the menu: fresh corn on the cob with chipotle butter and melon and mint salad to cleanse the partygoers palate.  The food was delicious and perfect for soaking up the margaritas, beer, wine and shooters.  (Note to self: a combined shot of tequila, beer and a squeeze of lime does not constitute a new cocktail creation no matter how much you try and convince your guests). 

Just after the party I read an article in Food and Wine magazine claiming, first it was burgers. Then pizza. Now, American chefs are obsessed with tacos. Not only was it a reason to believe that our recent gathering had been “on trend” but I also love tacos.  From childhood memories of Old El Paso corn tortilla shells that mum would fill with chilli, cheese and salad, to the roadside taco huts we grabbed sustenance at when we were partying in Mexico.  I simply can’t get enough of them.  And I’m not the only one.  Professor Jeffrey Pilcher, one of the world’s leading authorities on Latin American foods and food migration, believes that the taco is one of the most globalized foods in the world with tacos being found in locations as diverse as “…outer Mongolia - to - outer space (the latter thanks to NASA)”. 

For some of the most interesting and cheapest eats in America, look to LA and the taco truck culture that’s been booming there since the 1950s.  For as low as $1 people can grab a whole range of taco toppings on freshly made tortillas.  I’m delighted to report that taco trucks have been spreading across America and steadily into other parts of the world though unfortunately the price isn’t always as competitive as it can be in LA. 

As for our party, I believe our pulled pork tacos were as good as anything sold in LA but I’m biased like that.  For a large party a taco-centric menu worked really well, not only is it fairly economical but also people get to create their own thing so it keeps those fussy eaters happy.  And what about that 3am tequila party on the beach?  Well dear reader, that’s a story that’s better told in person…  


Extras

• Thank you to my friend and neighbor Nancy Dockerty, for her Queso dip, eye for detail and a bucket load of alcohol that kept the party swinging all night long!   
• Thank you also to Stephanie Miskew, a fellow blog-enthusiast that brought her delicious Firecracker Chili Cheese Pie.  For the recipe check out her delicious wine and food blog here
• If you're inspired to make tacos this weekend then I love this selection from Food & Wine magazine and you'll also find a recipe for making your own authentic corn tortillas which is handy if you live in the UK as they're hard to come by.  
• If you are in America and looking to hunt down a taco truck near you then check out this link
• * May 5^th, Cinco de Mayo, often cited as Mexican Independence day is in fact a commemoration of Mexican forces over the French in 1862

Organically Grown Loopholes

There are two things you don’t want to see being made—sausage and legislation. (Otto von Bismark) 

The 22^nd of April is Earth Day, designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's environment.  Yesterday was the 40th anniversary of this movement that was started by the late American Senator, Gaylord Nelson and promoted by a group of eager students, hoping to shape the world from their small office above a diner in D.C.  40 years on and Earth Day is overseen by the Earth Day Network and is observed in 175 Countries. 

One of the most consumer driven aspects of the environmental movement has been the purchasing of organic food.  Market research conducted in 2008 shows that approximately 70% of Americans buy organic food occasionally.  From 1997 to 2008, organic food sales in the U.S. grew around 17-21%.  According to the rules from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), ‘organic’ must adhere to specific and regulated standards: Crops are generally grown without synthetic pesticides, artificial fertilizers, irradiation (a form of radiation used to kill bacteria), or biotechnology. Animals on organic farms eat organically grown feed, aren't confined 100 percent of the time and are raised without antibiotics or synthetic growth hormones.  Sounds good?  But how far can that organic seal of approval be stretched? Large-scale corporations and non-family farms control 75% of agricultural production in America.  Unfortunately research would suggest that a handful of giant factory farms are exploiting loopholes in federal regulations, and this is having an effect on the organic food that’s on our plates because of the sheer size of the market that they control.      

In 2008 the organic dairy watchdog found that two of the biggest players in the organic dairy market were not following strict organic standards.  Horizon Organic (a supplier to Wal-Mart and many health food stores); and Aurora Organic, (a supplier of private brand name organic milk to Costco, Safeway, Giant and Wild Oats, amongst others), are purchasing the majority of their milk from dairies where the cows have little or no access to pasture, the Organic Consumers Association also reports that “the calves have been imported from conventional farms, where animals have been weaned on blood, fed slaughterhouse waste and genetically engineered grains, and injected or dosed with antibiotics”.  Together, these corporations control up to 65% of the organic dairy market in the United States. 

 

Organic meat is another gray area due to legislation that was passed in 2003, that allows producers to give their animals conventional feed and still label the meat organic.  For instance, the legislations allows for a pregnant cow to be fed any type of feed in the first and second trimester of her pregnancy, however the cow must be fed organic feed in the third trimester of her pregnancy in order for her calf to be certified as organic.  As was noted in one report, “you can’t be half organic, you are either all organic or you’re not organic at all”. 

Thankfully for every story of deception there are hundreds of examples of local farmers, cooperatives and advocates that are upholding the correct standards for organic farming and fighting for change across America.  I chose to highlight some of the loopholes in the legislation because I was shocked by it and because I realized that I put my faith and confidence in organic actually being a term that was stringently upheld.  I won’t stop buying organic because I still believe that there are producers out there that have consumers interests, health and taste at heart but I will try and be more conscious of the food that I’m purchasing and learn more about the producers and retailers that are selling it to me. 


My thanks goes to Pat Simpson from Yummy Yard, as a Master Gardener he has spent his life fighting for natural food and teaching people the importance of growing their own produce. It was he that opened my eyes to much of what is going on.  If you're in South Florida and would be interested in hearing a seminar from Pat then visit his site: www.yummyyard.com
If you'd like to learn more, the Organic Consumer Association is a very comprehensive site with a wealth of information: www.organicconsumers.org

Move over Colonel, the Koreans are on the way

If you love fried chicken and can’t wait to sit down to your next plate of it, then you and I are probably not going to be dining out together anytime soon.  Fried chicken in any shape or form, from buffalo wings to chicken fingers, simply do not do it for me.  For others though that crispy skin, moist meat, and inexpensive price tag is dinner heaven. 

Frying foods has a long history and in America the history goes like this: Scottish settlers, mainly in America’s South were keen and able fryers (they still are) and aptly fried-off available meats such as chicken.  The Africans that were brought to work on southern plantations incorporated seasonings and spices that were absent in traditional Scottish cuisine thus enriching the flavor.  People liked this addition and they really liked fried chicken and now billions of dollars worth of fried chicken is sold throughout the world.

Fried Chicken is one of those foods that are synonymous with America, much like Apple Pie and Mac and Cheese, and like those dishes, this one is chic again.  Take the much lauded chef David Chang at Momofuku in New York City; he’s serving up two whole chickens, one cooked Southern style with a buttermilk and Old Bay batter, the other with a spicy Korean-style glaze. The chicken comes with Chinese pancakes, pickled sides and a hefty $100 price tag.  The Korean style of frying that’s used at Momofuku and in an increasing number of other restaurants is arguably one of the most interesting methods of chicken frying.  The Korean technique renders out the fat in the skin, transforming it into a thin, crackly crust that’s glazed with a chili sauce, making it the most beloved of all bar food in Korea.  

Not to be outdone, however, fried chicken hype is back in the hands of the biggest chicken frying empire.  The big wigs at KFC have come up with two major promotions launched days apart. First up, the start of the week brought the launch of the KFC Double Down (launched in North America, April 12):  Essentially a sandwich with two KFC fried chicken fillets acting as the slices of bread, in between are two pieces of bacon, melted slices of cheese and the Colonels special sauce.  Packing 32 grams of fat and 1,380 milligrams of sodium, this big guy is no lunchtime chicken salad sandwich.  Two days later, KFC launches its Buckets For the Cure, a charity effort to raise $8.5 million for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation (the largest, grassroots breast cancer movement in the world).  Sales of Special Pink Buckets of grilled or regular fried chicken will donate 50 cent, per bucket, to the cause for the next 6 weeks.  With my keen eye for the obvious it’s interesting that KFC releases one of their unhealthiest products in years (particularly as they’ve been shifting towards a healthier image) and follows it up, days later, with a shiny corporate drive to support breast cancer survival.  I’m guessing there was some internal fighting in the KFC boardroom between those counting the cash and those controlling the image of the company. 

Personally, I’ll pass on the Colonel’s coronary-inducing-cuisine but I have to admit that I’m almost intrigued by the combination of Korean Fried Chicken and a cold beer, so if you’re paying and the chef’s able, then I’m game!  


* The first photo is from a really interesting Korean blog, Zen Kimchi: www.zenkimchi.com/FoodJournal

Guest Blogging: Trend spotting with the ever ripe and brash, Cherie Tomato

Cherie Tomato may look like any regular tomato to you but this tomato has seen and done it all.  Need the inside scoop?  Need the perfect companion at lunch and dinner?  Need someone who keeps it fresh?  Then Cherie is the tomato for you and you can catch her on this blog, on the second Wednesday of every month. 

Stick a slice of bacon in it and call it a trend.  Please, how 2009.  I love bacon but I’ve seen all the contenders – cupcakes with maple frosting and streaky bacon, chocolate with smoked bacon bits, bacon ice cream.  I was chatting to Gordon Ramsay the other day, “darling” he said “everyone is f**king at it, bacon f**king this and that, learn to cook properly and you won’t need so much f**king bacon to make everything taste good”.  Quite when this trend will end I simply don’t know and goodness knows the effect it’s having on vegetarians, poor things miss bacon terribly and here they are, being teased at every turn.  They’ll be campaigning against ice cream next; the Japanese are leading the craze for curious ice cream flavors with their fish and meat varieties, replete with raw meat and fish swirled in for texture.  Now I did see Mojito and Merlot ice cream the other day which pleased me terribly, goodness knows, mummy needs something to keep her sweet, but meat and fish?

I’ll tell you what else is wrong, this miserable economy.  Frugality was fun for a week but keeping up my Champagne lifestyle on a Cava budget is horrific for a pampered tomato like me.  Just the other day I had to trade in my cherry red Ferrari for a convertible VW.  Then I find out that the childhood and freshman favorite, the Grilled Cheese sandwich is being given a gourmet twist.  Fancy cheeses, indulgent fillings, artisan breads, honorary grilled cheese month, nods from celebrity chefs and their cronies.  Grilled Divas more like!  Please, this is just a miserable excuse to make us think we’re eating something grander than we are.  I said to Thomas Keller at the French Laundry the other day, “Do not try and pull a fast one on me and replace my foie gras terrine for a couple of slices of toasted bread with some cheese in it”. 

I did see that two delightful gents in LA have found a marvelous use for a double-decker bus - rip out the seats, turn the lower deck into a state of the art kitchen, install a rooftop dining area and serve up inspired dishes, fresh drinks and some LA sunshine.  Between you and I, this is the most fun I’ve had on wheels since I exited the Rolling Stones tour-bus in the 80s…

Anyway darlings, my Italian cousins, the sundried tomatoes are coming in shortly so I must dash.  If you’ve seen any food “trends” that you’d like to share or events that you feel I really must be at, then drop me a line below.

 

Pass Over the Easter Bunny

Spring has sprung, chocolate bunnies are lining supermarket shelves, long weekends abound and a couple of religious holidays make for lots of good food and days out with family and friends. 

I started the week at a Passover dinner - I wasn’t sitting down to the dinner, you understand - I was waitress extraordinaire and budding sous chef; ever ready to fill up your wine glass and field a hundred questions about where I was from and did I know your father’s aunt’s brother-in-law who hailed from Scotland many years ago.  This was my first Passover dinner and on reflection it may have been useful to do a little research on the traditions and etiquette, but I wasn’t that thoughtful; instead, I curiously wondered about the egg, the matzo, the horseradish and the awful looking gelatinous fish.  The experience taught me that there are different ceremonial foods for Passover which tell the story of the Jews exodus from Egypt: matzo, symbolizes the unleavened bread eaten while crossing the desert, horseradish is a reminder of slavery, a roasted egg symbolizes the life cycle and the fish, known as gefilte fish, is for luck.  Who says waitressing isn’t a cultural and learning experience?  I tasted the matzo by the way, I thought it would benefit from a half pound of butter and salt but that raised eyebrows amongst some...  I never gave the gefilte fish a look-in.

Dinner went off fairly smoothly though I inadvertently managed to hold up proceedings by not giving everyone a ceremonial glass of red wine.  Fingers were sharply clicked at me with shrieks of “red wine now” as the table fell into silence and stared at me expectantly.  I was tempted to break the silence by pleading “I’m Scottish, this is what happens when a Scottish lass serves at a Jewish dinner” but good sense washed over me and I stopped my mouth in its tracks. 

Now it’s on to Easter and a holiday that I understand entirely: copious amounts of chocolate, spring lamb, family dinners, chilled wine, hunting for eggs, oh and the resurrection of Jesus and the end of Lent.  Easter is the second biggest candy-consuming holiday in America, after Halloween. This year, leading market research firm, IBIS World, estimates that confectionary and food sales will account for half of the predicted $14.2 billion in very commercial and non-religious Easter spending.  Here in America, the Easter basket is the most traditional gift, introduced by German settlers in the 18^th century.  Typically baskets will be filled with chocolate bunnies, marshmallow confection, Jellybeans and small gifts rather than the large chocolate eggs that we devour in the UK.  I have also been told to look out for Easter Parades, which comprise of people or their pets donning fancy hats and their ‘Sunday best’ outfits.  This is potentially shaping up to be a very good day with an excuse for a new outfit and lots of candy. 

 

It was fascinating to watch the Passover dinner and hear the different traditions take place around the table, particularly as someone that’s never been exposed to Jewish culture.  Similarly, Easter for me has always erred towards family and food rather than a religious holiday so it was interesting to take a step-back this week and consider the significance of the day and the commercialization of it.  I make no judgment call on that other than to say I hope you too enjoy a good meal with your family and friends.