My First Cooking Demonstration

It's rare of me to make personal journal posts on Simple Daily Recipes, however, I REALLY wanted to share some photos with y'all.

A few weeks back the City Manager of Sulphur Springs, Marc Maxwell CALLED ME asking if I would do a cooking demonstration for our local Main Street Farmer's Market.  As maturely and calmly as I could, I said "YES!" It wasn't until I hung up with Marc that I remembered - I can't cook and talk at the same time!  Oh pickles!

Marc asked if I would bake Spinach Feta Bread on location and fill the air with fresh baked bread.  This particular recipe would bring attention to the vendors selling spinach and homemade feta cheese.  Again, I said, "Sure!"

This was such an opportunity for me and SimpleDailyRecipes.com.  You see, YOU know of me, but my own home town doesn't have a clue I'm here.  This was my chance to get the word out around town.

Seeing how I've NEVER cooked in public before, especially baking bread outdoors, I called on my facebook friend and cookbook co-author of Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day, Zoe Francois, for help.  Zoe was a real sweetheart, giving advice and support with every question that came to my mind.  Zoe advised me to bake loaves ahead of time, then warm them on location to have ready to give out as samples.  She's so smart.

Four days before kick off, I quickly learned how to calculate large amounts of ingredients and determine my expenses.  I created a classy looking flyer that promoted Simple Daily Recipes and sent it off for printing.

Three days before, I made all the doughs.  Besides Spinach Feta Bread, I prepared the Onion Rye Bread on page 63 of Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day.  (That was an excellent choice!)

The day before the cooking demonstration was baking day.  I started at 7:30 in the morning and finished packing up everything by 8 0'clock that evening.  I ended up with 18 loaves of Spinach Feta and uh, I think 14 loaves of Onion Rye.

Packed and ready for the Main Street Farmer's Market.

I can confidently say that I can make bread with my eyes closed now.  And it's no problem Showing others how easy it is to make Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day.

I had a wonderful time at the Main Street Farmer's Market.  My dearest friend, Kim Sellers (shown in first photo), stayed by my side.  Kim was an excellent promoter.  She's the Nutritionist at the local hospital and knew most of the people walking by.  When I would finish demonstrating the bread, Kim would step in and talk about the food blog.  It was as if we rehearsed, yet we had not considered one word. Totally smooth, full on smokin'!

Folks crowded around the booth, drawn by the aroma of fresh bread, excited to taste the crispy loaves.  I talked and baked and talked and baked and talked some more.  So many good people, friendly faces, and all happy to learn of SimpleDailyRecipes.com.  It was a fantastic experience that I will never forget.

I cannot close without saying thank you to Charles and John, our dear husbands.  They took turns watching all the kids while Kim & I rocked the farmer's market.  THANK YOU Charles & John!

Sulphur Springs Texas Farmers Market is NOW OPEN

Folks!  I can hardly express the excitement and hope for prosperity I have for Sulphur Springs (Texas) Farmers' Market.  I just about came out of my shoes when I heard there would be locally grown foods for sale just five minutes from my home!

Herbs, fruits, vegetables, organic-free-range eggs, fresh breads, fresh cheese, fresh salsas, gourmet cookies and patio plants & flowers.

Downtown Sulphur Springs is working hard to revitalize this historic area by bringing in new shops and fine dining.  Last year, Main Street was the first to get an extreme makeover with new red brick pavement, lamp posts, flower beds, water fountain, and jazz music floating through the air.
Remember when I told you about the ribbon cutting of the new Main Street last October?  Read it here: A New Main Street and Chili Dogs

SO WHO WAS THERE? Well, just to name a few...

Be ready to stock up!  Juarez Chile Co. makes delicious salsas, sweet-n-hot jalapenos pickles and more! It's  Impossible to decide which ones to bring home first.

CiboVino restaurant is the BEST, MOST FABULOUS, OUT OF THIS WORLD, I-Could-NEVER-Make-This-AT-Home fine dining experience in ALL of Texas.  Yes, I said "all of Texas".   CiboVino's Italian menu is loaded with incredible foods ALL made from scratch.

The gentleman in black in the photo above is Rick Murray, owner of CiboVino restaurant.  Rick has big plans and he's not stopping with Italian dining.  In the works and COMING SOON is ciboBQ in Winnsboro, Texas and ciboVino Steaks will open in 2010 in downtown Sulphur Springs Texas. I can't wait!

You can find ciboVino Italian restaurant at 218 North Main Street, Winnsboro, Texas 75494, See Google Map link.

SW Farms is new for me.  I don't have much to report, except that they make a tasty homemade ricotta cheese.  I will keep you posted as I come to learn more.

And finally,

Webb really knows how to put on a spread and works endlessly to put out fresh vegetables.  I was glad to see him at the farmers market.  Webb doesn't have a website; you'll just have to come to Sulphur Springs Farmers' Market EVERY SATURDAY 'til October from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. to meet him yourself.

I'll see you there!

Check out the NEW WEBSITE: Main Street Farmers' Market

Ruth Macy’s Apple Butter

For anyone has met my friend Ruth Macy, check out this video.  She's known as the Apple Butter Lady during the annual Heritage Folk Festival, here in Sulphur Springs.  Her recipe is easy to bring together and it's wonderful on hot biscuits or whole wheat toast.  This recipe is for making a large batch to share and put up.

HERE'S ALL IT TAKES

• 1 gallon apple sauce
• 1 quart of sugar
• 1 tablespoon nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon cloves

Combine all ingredients in a large kettle and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently till thickened and it will be translucent.

Sugar may be varied to taste and depending on the tartness of apple sauce.  If too sweet, add a little lemon juice.

To can, process in  boiling water bath, using new flat jar lids, about 20 minutes.

A New Main Street and Chili Dogs

The city of Sulphur Springs renovated downtown Main Street and held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate.  It was literally the street that got the facelift.  From tired concrete pavement to red brick pavers, landscaping, and ornate lamp posts, the new Main Street is now ready to welcome in upcoming dress shops, an art gallery, a winery, a sports bar and much awaited ciboVino restaurant.

The kiddos & I headed down to join the fun and hang out in the middle of the street before it was officially open to car traffic.  We had a great time chatting with friends, listening to live music, and checking out the existing antique shops and the first new dress shop.  Soon, it was time to cut the ribbon.

Next came the parade of the first cars to drive down Main Street.

Everybody sing, "MUSTANG SALLY! You betta slow yo'r Mustang down..."

Just as soon as the last car went by, I heard,

The celebration offered free food, too.  However,  I already had a batch of homemade chili keeping warm on the stove back at the house.  I'd planned chili dogs for dinner.

Just follow my Fresh Beef Chili recipe, toast your buns & wieners, open a bag of Fritos (there is no other chip better with chili), chopped onion, shredded Gouda or cheddar cheese.

You are ready to CHOW DOWN!

Hopkins County World Champion Stew Contest Video

To play the video, simply click on top of the player window.

Well folks, I survived the stew judging and I HAD A BLAST!

Saturday morning, Sulphur Springs was filled with smoke from all the campfires burning at the festival.  I kid you not.  I live 2 minutes from the festival grounds and our neighborhood looked like heavy fog had set in.  It was good smellin' fog though.

I had the good fortune to be a judge for the chicken stews. (Nothing against the beef stews, I just like eating chicken.)  The stew contest officials divided the judges into a beef and chicken group.  Each with their own room that came equipped with all the drinks, cheese, crackers, napkins and spoons we would need.

The experience was fun and scary all at the same time! As large, nameless cups of boiling hot stews were passed down from judge to judge, we each observed, sniffed, grabbed a fresh spoon, took a dip, sniffed again, poked, blew the hot off the stew, and finally, took the bite.

It was up to the stew judges to decide on a scale from 0 to 10, how the stew ranked in color, aroma, texture and taste.  One score to say it all.  I believe our group had 39 chicken stews to sample, then we had to re-taste the top ten. We were all full by that time, pretty darn full.

The judges, had no idea who won.  We had to wait it out just like everyone else.  So while the officials tallied the scores, I went around the festival and captured music, photos and video of the great spirit of this East Texas experience.

I found myself fascinated with all the styles and functions of the steel frames that held all those heavy cast iron pots.  All ages participated.  I witnessed stew making being passed from one generation to the next.  Folks dressed up in their favorite Western attire and lookin' fine.

The sounds of laughter, the music of the Sulphur Springs High School Drum Line, the aroma of campfires and stew filled the air, I couldn't help feel proud and honored to be part of such an event.

For more information about this festival, read World Champion Hopkins County Stew Contest, Sulphur Springs, Texas

World Champion Hopkins County Stew Contest, Sulphur Springs, Texas

I can't tell you just how excited I am about this year's Hopkins County Stew Contest. Ever since we've lived here, I have completely enjoyed our own Hopkins County Fall Festival and the opportunity to eat as many bowls of fresh hot stew as I can eat for just 5 dollars! The Fall Festival begins on the second Saturday of September, each year, with the Stew Cook-off always on the third Saturday.

And y'all, this year, I will be participating as a "Celebrity Judge!"
That's what the letter said, "Celebrity Judge."
I get to taste & judge ALL THE STEWS FOR FREE, YEEE-HAW!

Let me just say, although Sulphur Springs may be a small East Texas town, there's a whole community of foodies and great cooks here that KNOW how to put on a spread.

You see that man in the above photo? Does he look like he's playin' around?
NO sir'ee!  He camped out overnight on the Fall Festival grounds, woke up BEFORE DAWN, stoked his cooking fire and started building his stew from scratch when the sun broke the dark sky.  He's been peeling, cutting, stoking and stirring all morning long.  And why?

Well, this year's cook-off features over 132 cooking teams competing for several thousand dollars in prize money.  Cooking over open wood fires, teams prepare hearty chicken and beef stews in huge cast-iron pots.

BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE! The atmosphere will send you back in time as gingham and calico-clad ladies stir simmering pots and bearded men in denim and homespun digs stoke glowing campfires. Teams compete for prizes for "most appropriate heritage campsite and costumes", as well, in addition to the stew prizes.

We've even been on The Food Network's "All American Festivals" show in 2003, which featured our 2002 World Champion Hopkins County Stew Contest.

WANT IN ON THE ACTION? WELL COME EAT WITH US!

The World Champion Hopkins County Stew Contest is held in Sulphur Springs, Texas.  Right by the Chamber of Commerce and Hopkins County Regional Civic Center, 1200 Houston Street.

View Larger Map

The cost for all-you-can-eat stew and fixin's is $5. Children under 6 eat free.
Stew tickets will go on sale at 9:00 AM
Stew will be served to the public beginning at 11:00 AM.
Service tents will open at 10:45 AM for attendees to obtain stew bowls, cheese, crackers, etc... Judges' samples to be delivered to the judges' tent at 10:45 AM.

COME EARLY and get your bowls. Folks around here don't mosey up to the stew pots, they stand in line when it comes time to eat!  This is the largest event in our county each year with a crowd of 8,000 to 10,000 in attendance.  So when the clock strikes 10:20ish go stand around the best smellin' stew you can find, start looking for the veteren stew makers, you can't miss them.  Then, work your way around.

BIG TIP, don't toss away your bowl & spoon!  You only get one each. As soon as you finish one stew, you go find another to eat.  I ask to have my bowl filled 1/3 of the way, then eat while I'm standing in the next stew line, and get another 1/3, and keep moving until I'm full.

For more pictures from past festivals check out the Hopkins County Fall Festival site.

I'll be hanging around the judges tent, so come find me and say 'Hello!'

Espresso Ice Cream Recipe

This Homemade Espresso Ice Cream is The BEST Ice Cream in the WORLD!!!

I'm not just saying that because I made it and I'm pushing out recipes on this food blog.  NOOOO NO NO!

I'm telling you that you will NEVER EVER taste a more delicious Espresso ice cream than what I have made here.  Oh I know I sound bold, but I'm not boasting.  This is a FACT!

I know there are ingredients here that make or break this recipe.

1. the blend of espresso beans used to make the 5 shots of fresh espresso
2. using a vanilla bean pod and it's beans steeped in whole milk
3. not holding back from using whole milk and heavy cream

HERE'S WHAT I DID

I followed the very same steps and measurements to making the Blood Orange Gelato recipe.  But this time I opened up a vanilla bean pod, scraped out it's seeds, and steeped it all in whole milk for 30 minutes.

Also, I made just over 1 cup of FRESH ESPRESSO, which was about 5 espresso shots.  This went into the cooked egg & milk mixture during ice water bath step, where the original recipe says to pour in blood orange juice.

Halfway through processing the ice cream in the ice cream maker, I added 1 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips.  But I'll tell ya honestly, the chips were too many and too big.  Next time, I'm leaving them out and shaving a dark chocolate bar to sprinkle on top of the individual servings.

The vanilla milk was a very nice touch.  The vanilla did not compete with the espresso, but I believe it added a nice undertone to the smell and smoothness to the espresso flavor.

HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE 2 QUARTS

• 4 cups whole milk
• 1 vanilla bean pod
• 10 egg yolks
• pinch of kosher salt
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup fresh espresso
• 1 tablespoon sugar

In a  medium saucepan, combine milk, vanilla beans and vanilla pod.  Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and remove pan from heat.  Steep for 30 minutes.

Espresso Lovers will totally groove on this ice cream.

I'm not going to say that it's okay to use brewed coffee, because it's not.  Brewed coffee would have too much water and would not be robust enough.  I've never tried instant espresso powders, so I can't tell you they're ok either.  I have an espresso machine and I'm not afraid to use it.

Every year Sulphur Springs holds an Ice Cream Freeze Off.  Thousands of folks from ALL around come to get a taste of homemade ice creams in all flavors.  I've never competed, but I've always wanted to since we moved here.  I'm thinking I'll enter this Espresso Ice Cream next year.

Meet My Friend, Ruth

If you enjoyed yesterday's video, Canning with Linda. Then you should meet my other friend, Ruth. Ruth Macy teaches us how to make homemade Apple Butter outside. Ruth is famous for her apple butter at the annual Heritage Folk Festival here in Sulphur Springs, Texas. For the longest time, I just knew her as the Apple Butter Lady.

Meet Ruth.