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Showing posts with the label Natural

Maple Foods: Not Just Syrup!

(Click here to jump to the recommended song, Maple by Galgox (Googie on YouTube)!) In New England, maple trees are everywhere. We know them mostly for their sap that’s boiled down into delicious syrup, but they give us other things, too. Yes, other than wood. In fall they drop their helicopter seeds, and in spring they drop red or green blossoms (depending on the species). Spring is also when the seeds grow into little tree sprouts. Recently, I’ve figured out how to take advantage of this. The blossoms can be made into tea and the sprouts can be made into… cooked sprouts. This is a short one. I’m still trying to figure out the Average Joe Rule I talked about in January . Health and safety disclaimer: I highly recommend you wash anything you find in or on the ground. I mean, I’m pretty sure you do that anyway.  Also, I only think these are edible because I’ve eaten them and not died. Eat unfamiliar foods at your own discretion. MAPLE BLOSSOM TEA If you want maple blossoms, now’s the ti

Pineapple Cheese Sleuthing

Welcome to the rabbit hole.                                                                                                                       (Click here to jump to the recommended song, Jesus Lover of My Soul by Brigham Young University Choir!) In August of 2021, I went to a fancy cheese shop and ordered from the ever-intimidating "big girl counter" for the very first time. I didn't know what I wanted, so I ended up with four ounces of Appenzeller, some Gruyere with black truffles in it, and a cast-iron mouse I named Tony Squeak. The Appenzeller took some- sorry, a lot of getting used to. It smelled like cat pee and feet with a hint of jasmine. It's kind of a miracle that humans smell that and think, "edible". But then I got used to it. And boy, did I ever. I went from hating the rind, the smelliest part with all the mold on it, to actively seeking it out whenever I got myself a slice. You'd have to experience it