ENGLISH TRADITIONS AT CHRISTMAS!

ENGLISH TRADITIONS AT CHRISTMAS!

ENGLISH TRADITIONS AT CHRISTMAS!

NORTHERN FESTIVITIES

As church bells ring out across the land on Christmas Eve, the doughty citizens of Dewsbury in West Yorkshire brace themselves...  Local knight Sir Thomas de Soothill paid for a new tenor bell for the church in 1434 - now Dewsbury Minster - to atone for his sins, and the practice of tolling the Devil's Knell on Christmas Eve began - one toll for each year of the Christian era, to proclaim the defeat of evil and forgiveness of all sins.  That makes 2,016 tolls this year, finishing exactly on the stroke of midnight.  "We do allow visitors (in the minster bell tower), but they must not distract the ringing or counting," says the tower captain, Derek Johnstone.

On Christmas Day in Yorkshire, Lancashire and Derbyshire, after tackling the turkey, foggy pudding and mince pies, the custom is to pair a chunk of zesty cheese with Christmas cake to cut through its fruity richness.

ENJOY!

MERRY CHIRSTMAS!

THANK YOU ENGLISH HOME MAGAZINE

FROM BERNADETTE

ENGLISH TRADITIONS AT CHRISTMAS!

ENGLISH TRADITIONS AT CHRISTMAS

CORNISH CUSTOM

Visit a home in Cornwass and you may well find a Christmas Bunch hanging from the ceiling - two hoops of greenery, looped together and decorated with ribbon, fruit and possibly a candle, plus mistletoe to set lips aquiver.  'Nadelik' - Cornish for Christmas - is full of such quirks.

"The use of Cornish recipes at Christmas has increased hugely in the last ten years, especially Mahogany," says Simon Reed, director of the Cornish Culture Association.  Mahogany is made from warmed treacle and gin, and can be dangerously moreish.  Cornish Shenagrum will bring colour to the cheeks, too.  This drink consists of warmed dark beer sweetened by two spoons of demerara sugar, fortified with rum and topped with a twist of lemon and some cinnamon.

For the peckish, there is Stargazy Pie, which was created in the fishing village of Mousehole in honour of a brave fisherman called Tom Bawcock.  Legend has it that he sailed out into a violent stormy sea to fish when the village was facing starvation.  He returned with seven types of fish which were made into a pie and shared amongst the townsfolk, thus saving them from famine.  To this day his heroic deeds are celebrated every 23 December in the village.  Made with potato, egg and pilchards, their heads poking through the crust, the pie has the potential to alarm unwary diners.

Montol - Cornish for Midwinter Solstice - is a festival that takes place in the streets of Penzance, culminating on Montol Eve, 21 December, with night-time processions and 'guise dancing' that harks back to the medieval custom of people visiting homes on special occasions to perform in disguise.  Hundreds of people dress up in colstumes following prescibed rules, and a 'Mock' or Cornish yule log, with a stickman chalked on it, is burned to symbolise the death of the old year and the birth of the new.

ENJOY!

MERRY CHIRSTMAS!

THANK YOU ENGLISH HOME MAGAZINE

FROM BERNADETTE

HOLIDAYS ARE COMING - YOUR PRIVATE LIFE...

Since the holidays are coming, I thought I would share some social customs and helpful information.

Living Harmoniously as a family

The family can be a great joy, a loving refuge from a difficult world.  But it can also be the sourse of great stress.  The tone of a household is determined by the people who run it; in a traditional one, that means the mother and the father.  Today it may also mean a single parent, occasionally a gay couple, or two adults of either sex who simply opt to live together.  Luckily for us, we have been raised in a society in which democratic principles filter down to the private level.  Most heads of American households operate not as dictatorial autocrats but more as chairpersons who help guide the family toward order, stability, and harmony.  You and your spouse can create a home that is pleasant to live in and a joy for friends to visit by keeping three things in mind:  Maintain your mutual respect.  Keep communication lines open.  And never, ever, lose your sense of humor.

More helpful information coming through the holidays...

TEA TIME MAGAZINE

Featured in Tea Time Magazine

November/December Issue

I am thrilled to be a part of Tea Time Magazine.  Each time I recive my magazine in the mail, I sit with a cup of tea and enjoy all of the fabulous articles.  

A special thank you to Ms. Lorna Reeves, Editor, Ms. Betty Terry, Associate Editor, and of course the darling Brian Hoffman, CCO!

An incredible group to work with.

POTS DE CRÈME

POTS DE CRÈME
History, Recipe, & Dining Instructions

HISTORY

Following the introduction of European Meissen porcelain in the eighteenth century, sets of china tableware became highly sought after by anyone who could afford them.  Sometimes comprising more than two thousand pieces, porcelain dinner services were a symbol of wealth and power – Catherine the Great, of Russia, was said to have owned several sets, each with enough pieces to serve sixty guests.

At a regal European dinner feast, especially in France, it was not uncommon to see twenty or thirty dishes for each of seven or eight courses.  Among these courses was consommé, a rich reduction of the stock from a roast, which was served in individual pots a jus – tiny, lidded cups with a single handle.  The lid kept the broth hot, while the handle allowed diners to drink directly from the cup.  This flavorful bouillon was a popular element of formal French dinners.

However, when members of the British aristocracy began to import elaborate china dinnerware in the early nineteenth century, the consommé course was unfamiliar to them, so the use of the pots a jus was unknown.  Many collectors and historians believe that the Brits instead used the pretty porcelain vessels to serve sweet custard during the dessert course.  

It is not known whether the change of function for these diminutive pieces truly originated in Great Britain, but, in time, their sole purpose switched from holding broth to holding custard, or crème, and their moniker became pots de crème.  Pieces dating back to the early- and mid-eighteenth century were almost certainly crafted to be pots a jus and usually have a delicate handle, as well as a lid with a small finial.  Cups produced in the 1800s sometimes have handles and lids, but many have neither, signifying that they were made specifically for custard.

Although pot de crème cups date back a few centuries, luscious custard has a much longer history.  The use of eggs and cream as a dessert can be traced back to the Middle Ages, when custard was most commonly used as a filling for tarts.  In fact, the word custard is derived from the Middle English word crustarde, “a tart with a crust.”

BAKING DIRECTIONS

This silky dessert is a big step up from your basic pudding - it eats more like the center of a really good chocolate truffle.

2  (4-ounce) 70% cacao extra bittersweet chocolate baking bar (240 grams), finely chopped

l/2  cup (92 grams) sugar

2  2/3  cups half-and-half

6  large egg yolks

4  tablespoons (24 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder

3  tablespoons hazelnut liqueur

1  teaspoon vanilla extract

Pinch of salt

Chocolate Whipped Cream (recipe follows)

1.  Preheat oven to 300 degrees.  Place chocolate and sugar in a medium glass bowl.

2.  In a small saucepan, bring half-and-half to a boil.  Pour over chocolate, and let stand for 5 minutes.  Whisk until smooth.

3.  In a medium bowl, whisk together egg yolks, cocoa, hazelnut liqueur, vanilla, and salt.  Whisk in melted chocolate mixture until smooth.  Pour through a fine-mesh sieve into a glass measuring cup.

4.  Place 8 (4-ounce) custard cups or ramekins in a 13 X 9-inch baking pan.  Pour hot water in pan halfway up sides of ramekins, making sure not to get water in chocolate mixture.

5.  Bake until custard centers are slightly set, about 30 minutes.  Carefully remove from water.  Let cool completely; cover and refrigerate overnight.  Serve with Chocolate Whipped Cream OR Serve with plain Whipped Cream.

Chocolate Whipped Cream

l/2  cup heavy whipping cream

2  tablespoons (20 grams) confectioners' sugar

2  tablespoons (12 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder

1.  In a medium bowl, whisk together all ingredients until fluffy.  Serve immediately with Pots de Crème.

DINING INSTRUCTIONS

Scoop the pots de crème with a pots de crème spoon (shown in picture).  You may also use a demitasse spoon or a teaspoon.  Scoop from side to side moving from the right to the left side of the bowl.  Scoop in small amounts and insert spoon into mouth with tip first.  Put the spoon down each time you take a spoonful, or you may hold it for short periods of time.  Using a "clock" as your guide, when you put the spoon down, place it in its' resting position which is in the bowl at 5 o'clock with spoon bowl facing up.  The finished position for the spoon is 5 o'clock on the plate with spoon bowl facing up.  If there is no plate underneath the bowl, leave the spoon in the bowl at 5 o'clock.

The picture below describes the usage of a soup spoon, but the rest and finished positions are the same for a pots de crème spoon or a teaspoon.

WHOLE WHEAT SCONES WITH BLUEBERRIES AND LAVENDER

Whole Wheat Scones with Blueberries and Lavender

My etiquette colleague,  Maura Graber, invited authors Mary Platis and Laura Bashar to her beautiful Graber Olive House for a book signing event featuring their latest book, Cooking Techniques and Recipes with Olive Oil.  Since Maura knows how much I love to cook with olive oil and I truly love scones, she sent me a signed copy of the book and a wonderful bottle of her company's extra virgin olive oil.  I was thrilled!  I therefore decided to share the wonderful nutritious recipe.

Also included are instructions on how to consume these fabulous scones properly.

Recipe

Ingredients:

2 cups whole wheat flour
l/3 cup fresh lavender, loosely packed
1 tablespoon baking powder
l/8 teaspoon salt
l/4 cup raw sugar plus l/2 teaspoon to top scones
l/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
l/4 cup nonfat Greek yogurt, plain
l/4 cup low-fat milk
l large egg
l tablespoon wheat bran
4 ounces fresh blueberries

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or use a silicone baking mat.

2.  In a food processor, pulse to combine flour, lavender, baking powder, and salt.  Pulse l/4 cup raw sugar with the flour mixture.

3.  Pulse and pour olive oil into the mixture until crumbly.

4.  In a small bowl, whisk together yogurt, milk, and egg.  Pulse and combine egg mixture with the rest of the ingredients.

5.  Turn crumbly dough onto a lightly floured surface or silicone baking mat and press dough together to form a circle or rectangle l/2-inch thick.  Press wheat bran onto all sides of the dough.

6.  Spread most of the blueberries onto half of the dough and fold the empty half over it.

7.  Press an runaway and remaining blueberries onto the top of the dough.

8.  Cut into 6 equal pieces, garnish tops with l/2 teaspoon raw sugar, and transfer scones onto prepared baking sheet.  (I used a round biscuit cutter)

9.  Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until golden.  Allow scones to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes.  Serve warm or place on a cooling rack to cool completely.

NOTE:  If you do not have fresh lavender, substitute with dried culinary lavender, available in specialty food stores.

NOTE:  Once you have made these scones and you understand the consistency of the dough, you can make them without a food processor.  

Also, typically scones are made with cold butter and white flour.  These whole wheat scones are not only moist and crumbly, but also bursting with flavor from fresh blueberries and lavender.  They are perfect to enjoy with your morning tea or for an afternoon snack.  And they are so healthy too!

PROPER WAY TO SERVE AND DINE WITH SCONES

Serve scones on a serving plate with a serving utensil.  Along with the scones, serve jams or homemade preserves, fruit butters, lemon curd, and clotted cream.  Scones should be left at the table throughout the meal.

There are several ways to eat scones.  One way is to split the scone in half across the girth with a dessert knife.  Take a spoonful of jam or lemon curd and clotted cream onto the small plate.  Spread a little jam or lemon curd on a bite-sized portion of the scone’s crumb face.  Add clotted cream and eat just that portion.  If you need a cream substitute, you may use freshly whipped cream. 

A second way of eating a scone is to break off bite-sized pieces one at a time with your fingers.  Spread a little jam or lemon curd and clotted cream on a piece and convey it to your mouth with your fingers. 

A third way is to slice the scone in half like a biscuit.  You may spread jam, lemon curd, and clotted cream on the bottom half first.  Pick up the half with your hand and take a small bite.  This might be a little messy, so keep your napkin at your fingertips. 

The last way is quite easy.  You may eat the scone in either Continental or American style.  For Continental style, secure the scone with a dessert fork and use a dessert knife to cut one bite-sized piece at a time.  Convey each piece to your mouth with the dessert fork.  If you choose American style, the dessert fork is held in your right hand and is used to cut one bite-sized piece at a time and convey each piece to your mouth.

 JAM

Jam is sometimes served from a bowl.  You may leave the utensil (spoon) in the bowl for rest position and for finished position.  If your jam is served from stemware, rest position and finished position dictate that you never leave the utensil (spoon) in the stemware.  Leave the utensil (spoon) to the right of it, preferably on a plate or saucer underneath it.  If there is no plate or saucer underneath the stemware, leave the spoon in the stemware.  (See Sorbet/Soup)  Never use one’s own utensils to dip into the jam bowl.

Marina reading Emma

Katherine reading Emma The Etiquette Cat to her daughter, Marina

Marina really loves Emma!  She asks her mum to read it everyday.  

Nothing brings me more happiness than to see children enjoying my darling Emma.  I would like to take credit for the book but Emma provided the entire story.  She is the most adorable kitty.

Reading Emma...

Emma the Etiquette Cat:  Meet Emma

I love to see children reading Emma.  It brings me so much joy.  

POLITENESS

Politeness

Politeness is very very important.  Politeness makes it easier to make a good first impression in social or professional settings.  Someone who speaks to others in a courteous manner is more likely to make a good impression.  Being polite is especially important when communicating with customers and colleagues.

Confucius emphasized that virtues are not enough without politeness.  He viewed them as inseparable and saw courtesies as coming from the heart and when practiced with all the heart, a moral elevation ensues.

So when in doubt, be polite.  

What is "Etiquette?"

WHAT IS ETIQUETTE

To the French we owe the word etiquette, and it is amusing to discover its origin in the commonplace familiar warning - "Keep off the grass."  It happened in the reign of Louis XIV, when the gardens of Versailles were being laid out, that the master gardener, an old Scotsman, was sorely tried because his newly seeded lawns were being continually trampled upon.  To keep trespassers off, he put up warning signs or tickets  -  etiquettes  -  on which was indicated the path along which to pass.  But the courtiers paid no attention to these directions and so the determined Scot complained to the King in such convincing manner that His Majesty issued an edict commanding everyone at Court to "keep within the etiquettes."  Gradually the term came to cover all the rules for correct demeanor and deportment in court circles; and this through the centuries it has grown into use to describe the conventions sanctioned for the purpose of smoothing personal contacts and developing tact and good manners.  

The Court today has ceased to be the arbiter of manners.  We now focus on moral virtues in general.  In particular - friendships.  So even though it is important to use the correct fork, knife, or spoon, it is just as important to be polite in all circumstances of social intercourse.  Social etiquette as well as professional etiquette are equally important.  Being on time for appointments, not interrupting, listening, dressing appropriately, shaking hands, no arguing or gossiping... are all at the heart of a system of rules of conduct based on respect and self control.  

The Art and Proper Etiquette of Afternoon Tea Book

The Art and Proper Etiquette of Afternoon Tea Book

From the book:

Making A Perfect Pot Of Tea

The round shape of the teapot was designed by the Chinese who used a muskmelon as a model.  The shape is different from a coffee or chocolate pot.  The rounded lower portion or body of the teapot is rounded to insure the tea leaves have the proper room for expansion during the infusion process.  The lower placement of the spout on the vessel allows for the tea to be poured without interfering with the leaves.

The make a perfect pot of tea, boil fresh cold water in a kettle.  Cold water is essential because it has more oxygen content and gives the tea a fuller flavor.  While the water is boiling, warm the teapot with hot water.  Once the teapot is warmed, pour out the water and put in the tea leaves.  Use one teaspoon of tea leaves or one tea bag per cup of tea.  Place measured amount of tea in a tea sock, a basket infuser, or a disposable paper tea filter.  Metal should not be used.  No metal should touch the tea while it is brewing.  Once the water has reached its desired temperature, bring the teapot over to the kettle and pour the water into the teapot immediately.  (Boiling water drops in temperature the moment you lift it from the flame).  Cover the teapot with a tea cozy or place the teapot on a hotplate that is heated by a candle.

Always brew by the clock, not by the color.  Every tea has its own distinct character.  Different teas and herbal infusions require different steeping or infusion times.  White, green, and oolong teas steep for about one to two minutes while black and chai teas and herbal infusions steep for about three to seven minutes.  Steeping time also depends on several factors such as the tea family, the leaf size, and the amount of twist or roll in the leaf.  Most tea merchants include brewing instructions on their labels.  Every tea will taste better if it is "brewed rather than stewed."

Enjoy a fabulous cuppa,