THURSDAY 474 - IS IT SPRING YET? (or fall, for our friends south of the equator)

[catland]

You wouldn't know it in Orygun - we actually had snow last night! Snow in spring? I need something warm until spring arrives. Good thing I had a spare key to the bar.

What's your pleasure?

[cassiesmom]

It's mild out in Chicago! 75 degrees! How about iced tea, I will put the water on to boil and put the tea in the pot.

[Karen]

It has been spring a month or so early here in the Boston area - 80 degrees or high seventies all week! It's just odd, and I do not trust it one bit!

I'll make you some hot cocoa with cinnamon, cat land, and have some of that iced yes for myself!

[Queen of Poop]

It has been snowing off and on all day today and expect more of the same tomorrow. Think I'll snuggle up beside the fire with a cup of tea and lavish some pets on Lady.

[pomtzu]

Way too warm too early here - been in the upper 70's (but back to the 50's-60's next week), and I've been in capris and sandals all week! The state is already spraying for mosquitoes and Sparky is not happy that the big noisy bird (helicopter) has been buzzing around here for a couple of hours.

I made potato salad - Pennsylvania Dutch style - if anyone would care for some, and help yourself to the raspberry green tea too. Summertime cuisine!

[Pinot's Mom]

Way too warm too early here - been in the upper 70's (but back to the 50's-60's next week), and I've been in capris and sandals all week! The state is already spraying for mosquitoes and Sparky is not happy that the big noisy bird (helicopter) has been buzzing around here for a couple of hours.

I made potato salad - Pennsylvania Dutch style - if anyone would care for some, and help yourself to the raspberry green tea too. Summertime cuisine!

I'm with you! Same weather here, but we don't have the whirlybird, though. Can I add PaDutch Macaroni Salad? Love that stuff!

[pomtzu]

I'm with you! Same weather here, but we don't have the whirlybird, though. Can I add PaDutch Macaroni Salad? Love that stuff!

I'm with ya' - love PA Dutch food. Growing up in RI I never heard of it, but my ex's mother was from PA and I quickly became acquainted with it! Now I want some Shoo-Fly Pie............

[momoffuzzyfaces]

It's been raining all week here with temps in the 50s and 60s. Quite a change from the 80s we had last week. The weather people probmise we will have sunshine and 70s Saturday and Sunday.

In the meantime, can I have some of that hot chocolate?

[catland]

momo - hot chocolate - DONE

iced tea? hot tea? all sounds great. Potato salad sounds yummy. What exactly is Pennyslvania Dutch style? Is it anything like hot German Potato salad?

Hot, cold, inbetween - good thing the bar is well stocked.

[pomtzu]

.What exactly is Pennyslvania Dutch style? Is it anything like hot German Potato salad?

The Dutch and Germans had large settlements in Pa, so I would suppose the food would be a combo of both.

Yes similar, only served cold. Not made with any mayo - it has a cooked dressing of sugar, vinegar, yellow mustard, eggs, and it takes on the yellow color of the mustard. A lot of people use bacon & drippings in it, but I don't. I always stayed with my MIL's recipe, and she didn't use it. I figured she knew more of that style of cooking than this old Italian gal from New England!

[Pinot's Mom]

For your reading pleasure (thank you Wikipedia):
Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine is the typical and traditional fare of the Pennsylvania Dutch, and it has had a considerable influence on the areas in which they originally settled, Central and Southeastern Pennsylvania, as well as the neighboring areas that they have migrated to over time. Though its base strongly reflects their German heritage, it has developed into a distinctly different cuisine over the centuries that they have lived in America; it also manifests their simple, largely agricultural lifestyles, the resources made available to them in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, as well as the various regional and religious backgrounds from which they stem. As they hated to waste anything, Pennsylvania Dutch cooks often made use of food parts otherwise discarded, including pig organs and scraps and watermelon rind. Even today, Amish diets are considerably low in processed foods.

A common aspect of Pennsylvania Dutch meals, especially maintained by Amish families today, is a centuries-old emphasis on the seven sweets and seven sours, stemming from archaic European custom and the belief that everything should be properly balanced. Before the typically large families, and especially in the presence of company, seven various pickled foods, relishes, and spreads were laid out on the table alongside the starchy, hearty, filling dishes as part of the evening meal. These delicacies were enjoyed as accompaniments or by themselves. In the absence of refrigeration, they could be prepared in the summer and preserved in jars through the winter months. Beyond the home, some tourist-oriented restaurants and annual festivals in Pennsylvania Dutch Country celebrate this tradition.

[pomtzu]

Yup - pig organs! How about some hog maw, Maggie? I refused to eat that, and MIL just modified New Year's dinner to pork and sauerkraut.

[Queen of Poop]

As the snow begins again (and is supposed to continue all weekend) I'm making yet another cup of tea. Anyone else?

[catland]

oh my - its starting to finally warm up around here - <sigh> - nevermind, just another hot flash.

QP - I'll have some of that tea. Wait - its Friday now at Thursdays - I think its time to dust off the blender and make some slushies! any takers?

[Karen]

I'll have a cup of tea with you, it was lovely here today, but not so hit that iced would be in order. Anyone up for some cookies with their tea? I've got some blueberry ones to share.