[Sca-cooks] Fun Food & Herb Facts

[kingstaste at mindspring.com]

I subscribe to a weekly Food Reference E-Zine, and there were some
interesting bits this week I thought I'd share.  I especially like this
first quote, considering our recent conversations!
Enjoy!
Christianna

-----------------------------QUOTE------------------------------

"Cannibal: a gastronome of the old school."
Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914) 'The Devil's Dictionary' (1911)

-----------------------------QUOTE------------------------------

"Be careful not to be the first to put your hands in the dish. What you
cannot hold in your hands you must put on your plate. Also it is a great
breach of etiquette when your fingers are dirty and greasy, to bring them to
your mouth in order to lick them, or to clean them on your jacket. It would
be more decent to use the tablecloth."
Desiderius Erasmus, Dutch priest and scholar (1466?-1536). In his 'Treatise
on manners' published in 1530

----------------------TRIVIA-----------------------------

Some of the edible varieties of flowers include herb flowers, cloves,
capers, roses, safflower, violets, chrysanthemum, nasturtium, marigold,
jasmine, hibiscus, elderflower, hyssop, ratafia; orange, peach, plum and
squash blossoms; red poppy, honeysuckle, mimosa, lemon flowers, garlic
flowers, forget-me-nots, primula, lotus blossoms, primrose, pansies, pinks,
daisys, rocquette flowers, fuchsias, carnations, chive flowers, hollyhock,
gladiolus, tulips, yucca, mustard flowers, bean blossoms, and dandelions.
Use caution however, as there are also many flowers which are poisonous.  If
you are not sure, do not try it!  Don't eat flowers from a florist, many
have been sprayed with pesticides.

So called seeds derived from plants in the carrot family are not actually
seeds at all, but rather complete fruits that are dried. These include
anise, caraway, coriander, dill and fennel.

Some varieties of chervil also have edible roots which are like small
turnips. Turnip-rooted chervil was enjoyed by the early Greeks and Romans,
and in England during the 14th to 17th centuries.


-----------------------------(Selected) TRIVIA-----------------------------

2) These trees are members of the cypress family, and are found throughout
the Northern Hemisphere. An essential oil is obtained from the wood, and is
used in perfumes and medicines. The fruit have a  fragrant, spicy aroma but
are too bitter to be eaten fresh.  The dried fruit are used in cooking, soft
drinks, and the manufacture of wine and spirits. Tea made from the dried
fruit is an old folk hangover cure.
Galls produced on the trees by a fungal infection are commonly known as
cedar apples.  Name this tree and its fruit.

3) What transparent, pure form of gelatin was obtained from certain aquatic
vertebrates, and was used to clarify wine, in jellies and as an adhesive.

4) This bushy, aromatic plant is native to southern Europe and Asia, and has
a pungent, spicy-minty taste. Both the leaves and flowers can be used in
salads, soups, fruit salads and teas. It is also used in the production of
cordials and liqueurs such as Chartreuse. It is widely grown as an
ornamental garden plant, and attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.
The name is mentioned in the Bible, (1 Kings 4:33, Psalms 51:7 and John
19:29) but it is most likely a different plant then the one we now know by
this name. Name this plant.

7) This plant is native to Central Asia, and is used to make flour, and
beer, but most of it is used for livestock and poultry feed. It is most
popular in Russia, but nowhere is it a major crop. Honey from this plant's
blossoms is dark and highly flavored. It is not a cereal grain, but is
actually an herb related to rhubarb. Name this plant.

10) This is an ancient dish mentioned in Greek and Roman literature, but the
modern version from Spain contains 2 ingredients from the New World which
did not arrive in Spain until the 16th century. It's classified as a salad
in Andalusian cookbooks, but Americans call it a soup. What is this
confusing dish, AND what are the 2 New World ingredients?



(answers below)



2) Juniper and Juniper Berries.

3) Isinglass, obtained from the swim bladder of sturgeon and certain other
fish.

4) Hyssop.

7) Buckwheat.

10) Gazpacho, tomatoes and green peppers.

From:
Food Reference Newsletter  ISSN 1535-5659
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