You may be as surprised as Hyacinth was to discover just how long it has been since the world has been able to enjoy the latest edition of "Hyacinth Whines and Dines". I do hope that your life has been filled with excitement and adventures during this time, as it would definitely have helped pass the time waiting for word from moi!
Although I have been busy developing new product lines for my wildly successful partnership under the Maiden America label, I have not been so busy that I couldn't entertain the Ladies of the Garden Club with a lovely luncheon at home last week. It was the highlight of the social week here on Hidden Glen and I do hope that you were invited.
Part of the discussion at the meeting which followed concerned the facility of blogging. While Hyacinth is LOATH to proclaim that something she excels at is EASY, if such an admission would give confidence to an otherwise reticent blogger-to-be, then Hyacinth declares that blogging is indeed easy. Of all the trials and tribulations associated with blogging, Hyacinth would have to admit the most stressful of all is remembering the precise NAME of your blog, and of course, the password. Definitely more on that later!
Do look forward to Hyacinth's next blog, where Hyacinth will wax poetic about the joys of blogging - so until that next time rolls around, remember, a day without Hyacinth is just not that fun!
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Monday, May 3, 2010
Welcome to the New Millenium, Hyacinth!
Greetings to one and all! Hyacinth here about to embark on a new adventure! I have procured a new mobile device which promises to deliver me into the information highway in style. Welcome Android Incredible to the world of Hyacinth!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Hyacinth Does Pumpkin Pie in Moderation
Good morning to you all!
If you are bored with the same old tired routine of carefully culling through your heirloom pumpkin seeds each Spring, sowing them in your compost-enriched meticulously laid-out garden beds and carefully nurturing the darling behemoths until harvest, then you know how refreshingly simple and liberating it can be to take a run to the market, grab a can of LIBBY'S tinned Pumpkin off the shelves and turn out a scrumptious pie in the twinkle of an eye! There isn't much one can do to improve this delightful secret that has been hiding in plain sight on your grocer's shelves for years - with the EXCEPTION of a bit of bourbon or Jack Daniels in the mixture before pouring into your pate brisee'. Never fails to bring accolades from young and old!
Speaking of the youngsters, I do like to give them a bit of a treat just before Thanksgiving - so I take the aforesaid mentioned prepared pumpkin mixture and pour into individual buttered souffle dishes and bake along with the pies. It makes them feel so special and does seems to take the pressure of those lovely pies just sitting in the pie cupboard until Thanksgiving.
Ah yes, Thanksgiving is almost upon us , so do keep polishing those special silver pieces - and praticing your perfectly turned out pate brisees ......until next time - when I share my brining secrets with you all!
Remember------ a bit of Hyacinth in your life is a Good Thing!
XO Hyacinth
If you are bored with the same old tired routine of carefully culling through your heirloom pumpkin seeds each Spring, sowing them in your compost-enriched meticulously laid-out garden beds and carefully nurturing the darling behemoths until harvest, then you know how refreshingly simple and liberating it can be to take a run to the market, grab a can of LIBBY'S tinned Pumpkin off the shelves and turn out a scrumptious pie in the twinkle of an eye! There isn't much one can do to improve this delightful secret that has been hiding in plain sight on your grocer's shelves for years - with the EXCEPTION of a bit of bourbon or Jack Daniels in the mixture before pouring into your pate brisee'. Never fails to bring accolades from young and old!
Speaking of the youngsters, I do like to give them a bit of a treat just before Thanksgiving - so I take the aforesaid mentioned prepared pumpkin mixture and pour into individual buttered souffle dishes and bake along with the pies. It makes them feel so special and does seems to take the pressure of those lovely pies just sitting in the pie cupboard until Thanksgiving.
Ah yes, Thanksgiving is almost upon us , so do keep polishing those special silver pieces - and praticing your perfectly turned out pate brisees ......until next time - when I share my brining secrets with you all!
Remember------ a bit of Hyacinth in your life is a Good Thing!
XO Hyacinth
Monday, November 23, 2009
The End of the Blah Blog and Carrot Ginger Soup!
Good evening, dear friends, followers, fellow bloggers and Twits (Hyacinth is not quite sure if people who tweet are twits, but that's what she'll call them)!
In a continuing effort to keep up the appearance of the blog, I have decided to enroll in a course at the local BOCES (no comments on this one, please - and you know who you are)! The Winter catalog course listings included six courses in their IT Academy (and IT stands for........?) promising to teach one skills that would prepare one for "a career in business communications, or just edit and adjust your own photos"! Hyacinth should have taken a hint from just that bit of course description and placed the entire catalog in the recycling bin! But- hope, after all, does spring eternal and the thought of being able to master Photoshop was too tantalizing to resist. Can you imagine all of the photos of my candle light suppers right here on the blog!?? The catalog stated that the course was "five sessions, 1/11-2/17/2010. Days M,W". Hmmmmmm.....a quick look at the calendar confirmed my suspicions that there was something not quite right with the scheduling. There are certainly more that 5 Mondays and Wednesdays between those dates - even allowing for a state holiday every now and then. And why did it clearly state DAYS, when the course meets from 6-9PM? The first nice lady who eventually answered the phone (and no, I do not wish to press NUMERO SIETE POR ESPANOL, thank you very much) agreed with me in principle, that there were too many days listed in the catalog, and promised to get right back to me. When she did not, of course, we were silly enough to try again. The next charmer confirmed that the class met on Mondays and Wednesdays and also agreed that there were too many days listed for class in the course description, and she would have the administrator who sets up the classes (and just conveniently stepped out of the room) call me immediately. It was been one week - ----perhaps Photoshop at the IT Academy is just not in the cards for me........I shall endeavor to keep you posted so to speak. On my next call to the dear people at said IT Academy, I shall personally volunteer to rewrite the entire catalog - it will probably boost enrollment by 1000%.
At any rate, dear readers, I do hope that you will be satisfied with the sparkle and pizazz of my prose until such time as I can manage to Photoshop my face onto the blog!
I have had SO many requests for my famous Carrot and Ginger Soup Supreme that I must add it to this post. It has been the start of many a candle light supper and has never failed to wow my guests! Do be sure to print it out as you will no doubt have countless requests for this recipe! I usually quadruple it as a double batch is never enough! I do recommend using organic root vegetables as they really do taste better! Using baby carrots is not encouraged - and do not substitute anything for pure maple syrup!
Ingredients for a SINGLE BATCH
Makes 4 6oz servings, 60 calories each
3 TBSP diced onion
1/2 tsp olive oil
1 TBSP maple syrup
1/2 tsp honey
1 TBSP grated fresh ginger
1 cup chopped carrots (about 6 ounces)
3 cups vegetable stock
1/4 cup diced peeled sweet potato
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1.4 tsp thyme
1/4 tsp minced garlic
In a continuing effort to keep up the appearance of the blog, I have decided to enroll in a course at the local BOCES (no comments on this one, please - and you know who you are)! The Winter catalog course listings included six courses in their IT Academy (and IT stands for........?) promising to teach one skills that would prepare one for "a career in business communications, or just edit and adjust your own photos"! Hyacinth should have taken a hint from just that bit of course description and placed the entire catalog in the recycling bin! But- hope, after all, does spring eternal and the thought of being able to master Photoshop was too tantalizing to resist. Can you imagine all of the photos of my candle light suppers right here on the blog!?? The catalog stated that the course was "five sessions, 1/11-2/17/2010. Days M,W". Hmmmmmm.....a quick look at the calendar confirmed my suspicions that there was something not quite right with the scheduling. There are certainly more that 5 Mondays and Wednesdays between those dates - even allowing for a state holiday every now and then. And why did it clearly state DAYS, when the course meets from 6-9PM? The first nice lady who eventually answered the phone (and no, I do not wish to press NUMERO SIETE POR ESPANOL, thank you very much) agreed with me in principle, that there were too many days listed in the catalog, and promised to get right back to me. When she did not, of course, we were silly enough to try again. The next charmer confirmed that the class met on Mondays and Wednesdays and also agreed that there were too many days listed for class in the course description, and she would have the administrator who sets up the classes (and just conveniently stepped out of the room) call me immediately. It was been one week - ----perhaps Photoshop at the IT Academy is just not in the cards for me........I shall endeavor to keep you posted so to speak. On my next call to the dear people at said IT Academy, I shall personally volunteer to rewrite the entire catalog - it will probably boost enrollment by 1000%.
At any rate, dear readers, I do hope that you will be satisfied with the sparkle and pizazz of my prose until such time as I can manage to Photoshop my face onto the blog!
*******************************************************
I have had SO many requests for my famous Carrot and Ginger Soup Supreme that I must add it to this post. It has been the start of many a candle light supper and has never failed to wow my guests! Do be sure to print it out as you will no doubt have countless requests for this recipe! I usually quadruple it as a double batch is never enough! I do recommend using organic root vegetables as they really do taste better! Using baby carrots is not encouraged - and do not substitute anything for pure maple syrup!
Ingredients for a SINGLE BATCH
Makes 4 6oz servings, 60 calories each
3 TBSP diced onion
1/2 tsp olive oil
1 TBSP maple syrup
1/2 tsp honey
1 TBSP grated fresh ginger
1 cup chopped carrots (about 6 ounces)
3 cups vegetable stock
1/4 cup diced peeled sweet potato
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1.4 tsp thyme
1/4 tsp minced garlic
- In a medium saucepan, saute onions in olive oil over low heat until they are translucent. Add maple syrup, honey and ginger. Cook until the onions turn golden brown, about 10 minutes.
- Add remaining ingredients and simmer for 10 minutes, until carrots are soft.
- Transfer to a blender in small batches and blend until smooth.
- Soup can be made ahead to this point and chilled. Simply return to a saucepan to warm over medium heat before serving.
- Transfer to a seasonally appropriate tureen and carfeully ladle into matching bowls. Enjoy!
********************************
I do hope that all of your silver has been polished by now and that your linens are freshly pressed - if not, what are you waiting for??!! Thanksgiving is on Thursday!!! Do have a good evening - and remember, a day without Hyacinth just isn't that much fun!
Friday, November 20, 2009
It's never too early!
Good morning to you all!
You do remember my telling you last time how architect daughter Amy has taken a slight bend in her path to winning the coveted Pritzger Prize? Well, to all of my fans in Beverly Hills, DO take a few minutes on Sunday to visit the Sprinkles bakery on North La Cienega and purchase some of their delectable delights - and with any luck, you will be waited on by Amy- the newest Sprinkles girl of Beverley Hills!! Yes, I can hear some of my friends harrumphing about my use of the word "Girl" - and my response is - "Get your own 'Whine' blog - we will not have our blog ruined with unnecessary and unscripted harrumphing!"
Have you started your Thanksgiving culinary preparations yet? You can start today! I will share with you one of my favorite THREE INGREDIENT recipes that will bring applause and accolades from all of your guests. I call it "Hyacinth's Sparkling Cranberry Orange Relish" - a tart and refreshing relish that shouldn't be confined to Thanksgiving as it is a perfect companion to meat or fowl! And it may be made days in advance. It actually MUST be made at least two days in advance and refrigerated. It makes about 2 1/2 cups of relish, so remove it from your frig just before serving, spoon it out into a most festive container and let the compliments roll in! (Heavens knows how "the Joy of Cooking" printed this in its cookery book years ago, when it is clearly a Hyacinth original recipe.......)
You do remember my telling you last time how architect daughter Amy has taken a slight bend in her path to winning the coveted Pritzger Prize? Well, to all of my fans in Beverly Hills, DO take a few minutes on Sunday to visit the Sprinkles bakery on North La Cienega and purchase some of their delectable delights - and with any luck, you will be waited on by Amy- the newest Sprinkles girl of Beverley Hills!! Yes, I can hear some of my friends harrumphing about my use of the word "Girl" - and my response is - "Get your own 'Whine' blog - we will not have our blog ruined with unnecessary and unscripted harrumphing!"
*********************
- Pick over one 12-ounce package of cranberries.
- Cut into eighths and remove the seeds from one orange.
- Place half the cranberries and half of the orange in a food processor fitted with a steel blade and pulse until the mixture is evenly chopped but not pureed. Transfer to a medium Tupperware storage container. Repeat with the remaining cranberries and orange.
- Stir in one cup of sugar.
- Cover and refrigerate at least 2 days or up to 2 weeks. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
- Receive your compliments with grace and humility (and remember to tell your guests that you got this recipe from MOI'!
The phone is ringing - and I am sure it is someone important - so a good day to all and REMEMBER....a day without Hyacinth simply cannot be that much fun!
Love from Hyacinth
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
SPRINKLES in MY LIFE
We are excited about daughter Amy's possibility of employment with THE haute cupcake purveyor on the planet - the ever popular SPRINKLES of Beverly Hills - that's BEVERLY HILLS..........
One can imagine that this is the perfect part-time pairing while waiting for the current architectural recession to recess and revive itself out of its present detestable and tiresome slump (slump? more like an abyss....but I digress.....). Yes, Amy has been baking from ol' Mumsy's cupcake recipes since she was a wee child - hardly out of diapers and yet baking Buche Noels in between practicing her violin and reading Dante (in Italian of course). So it comes as no surprise that possibly soon Amy will embark on an interim career as an architect of delectable and delightful cupcakes. I do believe Sprinkles would be the perfect place to pause in between museums and places of cultural enlightenment while visiting Beverly Hills. I have already added it to my itinerary for my next visit!
Do stay tuned for further updates - and remember - a day without Hyacinth can't be that much fun - no matter what!
One can imagine that this is the perfect part-time pairing while waiting for the current architectural recession to recess and revive itself out of its present detestable and tiresome slump (slump? more like an abyss....but I digress.....). Yes, Amy has been baking from ol' Mumsy's cupcake recipes since she was a wee child - hardly out of diapers and yet baking Buche Noels in between practicing her violin and reading Dante (in Italian of course). So it comes as no surprise that possibly soon Amy will embark on an interim career as an architect of delectable and delightful cupcakes. I do believe Sprinkles would be the perfect place to pause in between museums and places of cultural enlightenment while visiting Beverly Hills. I have already added it to my itinerary for my next visit!
Do stay tuned for further updates - and remember - a day without Hyacinth can't be that much fun - no matter what!
I am Hyacinth - Day 1
Since my kids are likely the only followers right now (with apologies to good friend LizzyLu- the Pearl Mesta of South Balmville) - it's official, kids - ol' mumsy is officially Hyacinth - doing what I do best - whining and dining - as only Hyacinth would!
Follow this blog and you'll get my secrets for brining the perfect turkey in mumsy's champagne bucket - as well as the latest dirt from the Adventures of the Blossom Broads - and you know who they are! (Imagine Hyacinth's distress at being 2nd out of TWO in the horticultural exhibit yesterday - one would be better off being DQ'ed for being unable to read both rules and rulers than coming in last!). Fortunately, Hyacinth did not bother listening to the public critique, because of course, she did not think the critique applied to her!!!! And that's only the beginning!
Lest Hyacinth miss a golden opportunity to put in a good word for her friends and sponsors, do take a look at my past life as a blogger in CURTAINCALL.blogspot.com (I actually fiured out I couldn't log on becasue I had forgotten the exact name of the blog - honestly - and they say computers are so smart - everyone else knew what I meant....) as well as LIZZYLU.wordpress.com - and last but certainly not least, http://www.quikcurtains.com/
Ok - then - that's it for today ----- Do look forward to my next post..... and remember, a day without Hyacinth can't be as much fun as a day with Hyacinth!
Follow this blog and you'll get my secrets for brining the perfect turkey in mumsy's champagne bucket - as well as the latest dirt from the Adventures of the Blossom Broads - and you know who they are! (Imagine Hyacinth's distress at being 2nd out of TWO in the horticultural exhibit yesterday - one would be better off being DQ'ed for being unable to read both rules and rulers than coming in last!). Fortunately, Hyacinth did not bother listening to the public critique, because of course, she did not think the critique applied to her!!!! And that's only the beginning!
Lest Hyacinth miss a golden opportunity to put in a good word for her friends and sponsors, do take a look at my past life as a blogger in CURTAINCALL.blogspot.com (I actually fiured out I couldn't log on becasue I had forgotten the exact name of the blog - honestly - and they say computers are so smart - everyone else knew what I meant....) as well as LIZZYLU.wordpress.com - and last but certainly not least, http://www.quikcurtains.com/
Ok - then - that's it for today ----- Do look forward to my next post..... and remember, a day without Hyacinth can't be as much fun as a day with Hyacinth!
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