it’s a perfect day for making a marmalade
I’m well aware of the popularity of “Orange is the New Black”. In my case, however, I beg to differ….
Last week I came upon an article about someone who wrote her graduate dissertation on the topic of Marmalade. To me, this was just about the most wonderful idea ever. This stopped me in my tracks and made me wish I had started the NYU program as I’d planned. But, would I actually be able to spend my days writing about marmalade? Well, maybe not, probably best not to second guess…….
Then, I observed a lively Facebook discussion about someone who couldn’t locate Seville oranges for the marmalade they wanted to make and was asking about alternatives. It must be the season of resorting to a steaming cauldron of citrus fragrance, hot glass jars and sugar! I frankly can’t think of a better way to spend a cold and icy afternoon……..
http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/m/marmalade/index.html
Yesterday, I saw that Alex Guarnaschelli was busy making one herself – a Mandarin Orange and Dried Chili Marmalade. I would have loved to be in her kitchen, if not to discuss in detail, to at least inhale the aromas!
I love to go to Dean and Deluca. Yes, it might be one of the most expensive specialty food stores we have in these parts, but I can always say, my senses never fail to be piqued and invigorated by a visit. I think they do a masterful job at visual presentation – which of course is aimed at just about all the impulse-buying they can induce you to do – which, of course is their mission! Most people don’t really “shop” in stores like this, they go on a whim or for a fancy, as I do, for a few items, or, if you are like me, to feast your eyes. I can always count on them to refresh my senses and reset my thought process. Orange is the new black? Actually, orange is the new “color of happy” for me!
When I was doing my “externship” I spent several days cutting out 1″ fondant letters saying “Boo” and ghosts to apply to about 2000 rice crispy treats that my host had contracted with D&D for. Let’s just say that wasn’t the highlight of my interning weeks! So now, every time I visit, I try to spy any other contributions that might have surfaced from other lowly pastry interns……….
We had a lovely Sunday lunch yesterday at The Mercer Kitchen with our kids. And, while I am not one to write much about restaurants, because I consider them to be very personal choices, I have to say that their Steamed Shrimp Salad is one of the best light lunch salads I have ever had. This is a definite go-to for me and fits in perfectly with my current eating regimen. I have to say that while on most days, fighting the crowds in SOHO is not really for me, yesterday’s relatively balmy temperatures (over 30) were a welcomed change of pace as we apparently face another 2 weeks in the new tundra-tormenting-holding-pattern that is the now frozen February in NJ/ New York/New England.
After lunch we trundled together on over to Dean and Deluca, a trip that my kids find superfluous if not totally annoying, even though Ryan spent a great deal of time in the Georgetown version for 4 years. I guess the charm has warn off. Christin took quick leave to visit Lululemon, and while Ryan tried to hurry me along, I basically I was left to enjoy myself for a little sojourn. Being that we have very little “quality” time together with our kids these days, I guess I can see why they aren’t all excited about going there. They quickly disappeared for the day shortly after. George has graciously given up on the “hurry up” part and was unusually engaged and tolerant yesterday – spying this bottle he knew I’d love, which is sporting this lovely quote from none other than Pliny the Elder:
“Nature in her entirety is nowhere more seen than in her smallest creatures”
Dean and Deluca has recently been sold. I hope the new owners don’t make many changes. The store on the corner of Broadway and Prince Street is always buzzing. In fact, I spied Meg Ryan and her daughter there the last time I was there. Yesterday’s visit though, was definitely highlighted by the parade of Winter Citrus, which, for that forever unknown reason, just struck me as wonderful, as I feasted my eyes on the wide array and scored for myself, a nice little supply of Bergamot Oranges.
Anyway, I could go on, but I would like to just leave this little anthology of photos to speak for itself:
I think when we visit our regular supermarkets, we forget the dazzling array of citrus that is out there. This is why I appreciate the efforts of shops like Dean and Deluca. Perhaps, you won’t get quite the swoon out of these that I did, but I think you’ll agree the colors are a beautiful, bright and happy sight for sore eyes! They certainly do open up the much needed potential for a million recipe experiments in the Winter kitchen!
For me, prize of the day was scoffing up the Bergamot oranges – wafting and inhaling the heady fragrance of “Bergamont” aka Bergamot sent me off to more pleasing climes! I am not exactly sure why they used this spelling, but, as always, I can count on David Lebovitz to be “on the scent” of many of my favorite subjects:
http://www.davidlebovitz.com/2011/03/what-is-a-bergamot/
Bergamot has to be one of my all time favorite fragrances, ever and, of course, the flavor key to everything Earl Grey!
So, pull out your copy of Christine Ferber’s Mes Confitures, The Blue Chair Jam Cookbook by Rachel Saunders or the up to the minute, Mrs. Wheelbarrow’s Practical Pantry by Cathy Barrow (whose list of jams is luscious) and have a ball today! (pun intended – get it? Ball jar?)
Here is David’s recipe for Seville Orange Marmalade: http://www.davidlebovitz.com/2007/02/seville-orange/
If nothing else, go ahead and make a simple dinner entree of boneless chicken breasts lapped with a creamy orangey-tarragon-shalloty sauce tonight. All told, it’ll take you about 15 minutes and, if you are anything like me, it’ll bring along a little smile!
Looking for a more crispy orangey treat today? Try one of these:
or, http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/reviews/Cardamom-Orange-Sugar-Cookies-356322
http://fakeginger.com/2009/12/23/cranberry-orange-cookies/
http://movitabeaucoup.com/2012/11/27/orange-sugar-cookies/
http://whatscookingamerica.net/Cookie/MexicanSugarCookies.htm
http://sameatshernutrients.com/2014/07/28/lavender-sugar-cookies/
🙂