Flag Day and Gelato

Flag Day and Gelato

Flag Day and Gelato

On June 14, 1777, John Adams spoke about the flag at a meeting of the Continental Congress in Philadelphia: “Resolved, that the flag of the thirteen United States shall be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the Union be thirteen stars, white on a blue field, representing a new constellation.”

There have since been 27 official versions of the flag, according to the Library of Congress. The last change was made on July 4, 1960, when Hawaii became the 50th state. The thirteen stripes are emblems of the thirteen British colonies that announced independence from Great Britain in 1776. The fifty stars represent the states in America.

Flag Day is celebrated on June 14. It commemorates the adoption of the official “flag of the United States of America” with its popular nicknames such as:

– Stars and Stripes
– Old Glory
– The Star Spangled Banner
– The Red, White and Blue

Flag Day and Gelato

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Crumpets and Souvenirs

How To Make Perfect Crumpets

Queen Elizabeth Coronation Souvenir

The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II

Well over a century ago, Londoners Jack Hanson and Lucy Robinson were sweethearts. Early in the 1900s, Jack left England for Chicago to follow his dreams. Shortly thereafter and still a teenager, Lucy left her family and followed her true love to America. They married and lived a happy life.

By 1952 Lucy was a widow, a mother of 7 and grandmother of 17 when Princess Elizabeth, while visiting Kenya, received the news of her father’s death and her own accession to the Throne of England.

Lucy decided to take one of her grandchildren back to London to visit the family she hadn’t seen in many many years and to celebrate The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, which was to take place in Westminster Abbey on the 2nd of June 1953.

They boarded the RMS Queen Elizabeth and sailed to England. The granddaughter that accompanied Lucy was my mother. She was 19 years old at the time.

Crumpets and Souvenirs

How to Make Crumpets from Scratch

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Socca (savory chickpea pancake)

Socca (savory chickpea pancakes)

Socca (savory chickpea pancake)

Topped with a Salad of Spring Lettuce
Egg, Feta, Radish, Chili, Olives, Dill, Lemon, Tahini Sauce

Socca, a savory chickpea pancake, is known as Nice’s original street food. Often served au naturel in Provence, cut into shards as snack, pleasantly with a glass of chilled rosé. Socca can also be served with all kinds of toppings for a delightful lunch. It is usually baked on a large round flat copper pan in a wood-burning oven.

In this recipe, nontraditional cumin and smoked paprika added to the batter mimic the smokiness of a wood-burning oven. And a non-stick skillet on the stovetop stands in for the copper pan and makes cooking the socca a breeze.

Socca As A Snack with Rosé

Socca as a snack with Rosé

Socca Recipe

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Caramelized Baby Carrots, Prickly Pear Cactus Syrup

Caramelized Baby Carrots, Prickly Pear Cactus Syrup

Caramelized Baby French Carrots
Prickly Pear Cactus Syrup
Scallions, Mint, Dill, Pine Nuts, Edible Flower Petals

There aren’t many Easter posts on Taste With The Eyes, because, you know, we celebrate Passover here… I’ve already shared my new matzoh ball recipe, and have a fabulous cold poached salmon with 3 horseradish sauces in the wings.

But today, Easter Sunday, I had some beautiful Baby French Carrots on hand, so they were roasted with Prickly Pear Cactus Syrup (we live in the desert after all) and they turned out surprisingly delicious. Sweet, savory, nutty, herby. I dressed them up for Spring with some flower petals, and I think they would make a fabulous Easter side dish.

Extending my best wishes to you, my friends, for a glorious Easter.

Caramelized Baby Carrot Recipe

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Broccoli Cauliflower Soup with Dubliner Cheese

Broccoli Cauliflower Soup with Dubliner Cheese

Broccoli Cauliflower Soup with Dubliner Cheese

Dubliner is a robust aged cow’s milk cheese from West Cork, Ireland with a texture similar to a cheddar. It has nutty, sharp, sweet flavors that come from the milk of Irish grass-fed cows.

Here, the ubiquitous broccoli cheese soup is taken to another level – adding another vegetable profile – cauliflower, and creamy earthy white beans plus Irish cheese for a St. Paddy’s Day celebration!

The silky smooth texture is achieved by the action of a high-performance blender. It is that velvety texture that makes the soup so extraordinary. It could easily be served naked…

…but the blank green canvas begs for something jazzy. Queue up a range of garnishes such as micro greens, super-thin radish, chili oil, shredded cheese, and even a creamy shamrock! Erin go bragh.

A St. Paddy’s Soup Recipe

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