My watermelon whale on blue jello ocean...awesome!

My first jalapeno from my garden!

Tomatoes kicked the Bucket

My tomatoes failed. I think it was from the 40 degree temperatures we recently had here in Texas.  They just didn't make it.  If this was 1800, I would probably be in a lot of trouble.  Crops failing = no veggies for me. I would have to rely on my neighbors for help. Of course, now, my neighbor has been replaced by WalMart.

Colonial/Early America

So my research has been very interesting so far.  I'm learning a lot about women's contributions to American foodways. 

my tomatoes

Vegetable Progress Report

So the onions are still there, and seem to be doing well so far.  I haven't planted the tomato or jalapeno plants yet, just in case it freezes again, but they are also prospering. 

My newest, happiest note is about the artichokes I planted.  These are the only plants I started from seeds. (The others I bought as ready-to-go plants.) I now have at least 3 little sprouts shooting up! I'm so excited! I hope they make it!

Onions planted - 1st ever!

Starting my Vegetable Garden

Bought some Texas sweet onions to plant, a jalapeno plant, and some tomato plants. We already have rosemary growing like crazy out back. I need to learn how to dry it though.

Tomorrow, I will have to buy 2 (40lb) bags of cow manure and 2 (40) lb bags of humas to get the soil ready to plant.

Recipe of the Day - Boston Baked Beans

This recipe requires a lot of time and forethought, so make sure you plan ahead. Enjoy!

*4 cups white beans, picked over and soaked in water overnight in a large bowl
*1 onion studded with 8 cloves
*1/2 lb bacon, chopped
*1 c brown sugar
*1/2 c molasses
*1 Tbls dry mustard
*Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 250 degrees

Drain the soaked beans, transfer to a large pot, cover with water, and cook on medium heat until the skins burst. Drain the beans and place in a ceramic bean pot or other bowl suitable for baking. Press the onion down into the center of the beans. Spread the bacon pieces over the top of the beans. Mix together 3/4 cup brown sugar, molasses, mustard, and salt and pepper in a small bowl, and pour over the beans and bacon. Cover the pot and bake for 4 to 5 hours, uncovered for the last 30 minutes with the remaining brown sugar sprinkled over the top. Stir in water as needed during the baking.

Yields about 12 servings.

**recipe from The Founding Foodies by Dave DeWitt (Naperville, Illinois: Sourcebooks, 2010), pp. 202-203.

Sunday - outside

I hoed my little garden today.  Anyone have suggestions for what I should plant this year? It's only about 5' X 2' big, so it can't be too much. My Dad always had some tomatoes, onions, and such planted in there.

Early American Food

Hey everybody!

This blog is to discuss any and all aspects of Early American food culture.  Post recipes. Discuss historical figures. Go nuts!

I just made Indian corn stew this evening.  I am not sure if it can be considered of colonial origin, but it was good anyway.