Cook of the Month! That's Me!

I'm Cook of the Month here in (not so) sunny Newburyport! The Daily News featured me in today's newspaper: Inspired to become a Foodie

Yippee!

I'm very happy with the article, but hope that my Mom won't be offended by the few lines mentioned about the cooking I remember from childhood. Loyal readers of this blog know that she is a beloved guest blogger who has posted several recipes here.

(She also gave me the pig plate shown holding braised pork in the picture above.)

As you'll see if you take a read, I focused on cranberry recipes, because tis almost the season. Also because I love them.

It was great to spend time with Features Editor Katie Lovett, and photographer extraordinaire Jim Vaiknoras. They made me feel very relaxed, as if I was merely having a few friends over for dinner.

Thanks Daily News! You made my Wednesday!

Two Super Bowl Menus. One Lesson Learned.

I was told that since I am now a resident of New England, I am required to be a fan of the Sox, the Pats, and the Celtics.

(Celts?)

Given that the Patriots are playing in the Super Bowl this weekend, I figured I should develop a menu which proves my allegiance. Thought it should have an appropriate color scheme and use signature New England ingredients like cranberries, maple syrup, clams, and blueberries.

Here's what I came up with.

Snacky

Ranch Style Oyster Crackers

Patriotic Chips and North Shore Clam Dip

Red, White and Blue Nachos

Meaty

Spicy Cranberry Meatballs

Cranberry Glazed Bacon Jalapeno Bites

Mini Ballpark Dogs

Desserty

Blueberry, Blackberry, and Strawberry Skewers with MapleNilla Sauce

Nantucket Cranberry Pie

Believe it or not, I even considered forcing in some baked beans and brown bread, in the form of a finger sandwich.

And then I realized: No. Just No.

Issues of this great an import need to be left to the experts.

So this is what I'll be serving on Sunday:

• Buffalo Chicken Wings
• Helluva Good French Onion Dip with wavy potato chips
• Some sort of frozen bread pocket appetizer thingy that's supposed to taste like potato skins
• Red, White, and Blue Nachos (These are apparently standard enough to stay on the list.)
• Mini hot dogs in grape jelly and barbecue sauce
• Veggies and dip (as a nod to actual nutrition)

I think even Tebow would approve of the change. Hopefully he prayed for me.

Jell-o Cranberries -n- Cream?

I think I'm going to turn this into a holiday recipe by adding a can of cranberry sauce:

I might substitute raspberry Jell-o though. Or cranberry.

And I don't dig the shape, so I'd probably make them in foil mini cupcake papers instead of an ice cube tray.

Now what could I use as a garnish?

Angel Pie with a Bite

Cranberry that is!

I'm beginning to think the term "Angel Pie" is used for a wide variety of pie types.

This recipe has several of my favorite flavors; orange, cranberry, and walnuts.

Here's a blown up version of the recipe:

When I make this, I think I'll substitute orange juice for the boiling water and added some orange zest to boost the orangeyness. And I'm not sure I'd want to disrupt the filling with the texture of walnuts.

Soaking in Jell-o does weird things to nuts.

I think I'd just work the nuts into the crumb crust instead.

But that's the way I roll; if a recipe ain't broke, mess with it.

Cranberry Delight Pie

While I find many of the recipes in these old books entertaining, there are many more that I'd like to actually try. Here's one on that list. I love cranberries, and have been tweaking several of my own cranberry recipes lately, so this one caught my attention.

Cranberry Delight Pie

Perfect for any holiday party.

8" Baked Pie Shell

1/2 lb. marshmallows

1/2 cup milk

3/4 cup ground fresh cranberries (2 to 2 1/2 cups unground)

1 tbsp. grated orange rind

1 cup whipping cream, whipped

Place marshmallows and milk in top of double boiler; heat over hot water until marshmallows melt. Then chill until the consistency of thick whipped ream. Drain excess juice off cranberries until quite dry. Fold in cranberries and orange rind. Chill until thick (almost holds shape when spatula is drawn through). Fold in whipped cream. Pour into cooled pie shell. Chill until set (about 2 hr.). Remove from refrigerator 20 min. before serving.