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By Compiled by JANET K. KEELER © St. Petersburg Times, published December 20, 2000 deconstructingexplanations from the inside out candy canes
If you have ever tried to quiet a child in a place of worship you'll appreciate the story of the German choirmaster of a Cologne cathedral. According to the National Confectioners Association, it was in 1670 that the ingenious choirmaster had small sugar sticks bent into the shape of shepherds' crooks to distract the kids during a living creche ceremony. The candy cane was born. It wasn't until 1900 that the peppermint flavor and red and white stripes became the norm. The process of making the canes was laborious because they had be be pulled, twisted and bent by hand. The association says that Gregory Keller, a Catholic priest, invented a machine to automate production in the 1950s and suddenly candy canes were everywhere. From those humble beginnings in a German church to the panoply of flavors today, the candy cane remains an enduring symbol of Christmas. But honestly, does anyone really eat the blueberry, lemonade, strawberry, orange, pina colada and chocolate versions? cooking classUse your marbles to prevent a pot on the stove from burning. Cook's Illustrated says before steaming foods, place a few glass marbles in the bottom of the pan, then add water and the steamer basket. When the water level drops too low, the marbles will rattle around and remind you to add more water. this web site cooksHanukkah, Christmas and Ramadan recipes are plentiful on this site, which keeps them there year-round. Check here in February for Valentine's Day sweets or in October for Halloween goodies. The recipes, which include nutritional information, can be formated to print on recipe cards and you can scale the ingredient amounts to fit serving needs. Plenty of party ideas and gifts to make from the kitchen, too. constant comment"It is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas." -- Charles Dickens flour powerGold Medal flour is updating its packaging with a new resealable bag. It's the company's first packaging change since 1915, when it traded in cloth sacks for paper bags. The bag is already in some stores, and its wider opening will make it easier to scoop out flour with larger measuring cups. measuring by handTake a hands-on approach to measuring how much you eat this holiday season. Weight Watchers says a closed fist equals about one cup, a thumb equals about 1 ounce of cheese or meat and the tip of the thumb equals about one tablespoon. seasonal colors
turning another pageIf you're a foodie, you always have room for another luscious-looking magazine filled with recipes. So here's Williams-Sonoma Taste, a new quarterly publication. The recipes span the sophistication barometer, from apple, celeriac and chestnut salad from Jean-Georges Vongerichten to pinwheel cookies to make with the kids. Each issue costs $5 at Williams-Sonoma stores and some bookstores. To subscribe ($20 for five issues), call (800) 541-2233.
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From the Times Taste section From the features wire |
Heinz's red and green EZ Squirt ketchups are in grocery stores after an extended period of media buzz. Think of the possibilities this Christmas. The thin nozzles allow kids to draw or write with the colorful condiments. A decorated tree on a hamburger bun? Boughs of holly to dip french fries in? According to Heinz, the novelty ketchup, infused with added vitamin C, is intended to grab the attention of kids. Sales are going well now but want to take bets on how long the green ketchup craze will last? Remember jelly and peanut butter in one jar?
