~ French Fry Day ~

Thomas Jefferson had "potatoes served in the French manner" served at a White House dinner back in 1802. The expression "French Fried Potatoes" first occurs in print in 1856. A literary work titled "Cookery for Maids of All Work" by E. Warren. It instructed: French Fried Potatoes - Cut new potatoes in thin slices, put them in boiling fat and a little salt; fry both sides of a light golden brown colour; drain." The J. R. Simplot Company is credited with successfully commercializing french fries in frozen form during the 1940s. Subsequently, in 1967, Ray Kroc of McDonald's contracted the Simplot company to supply them with frozen fries replacing fresh cut potatoes. So how do you like your fries ... Shoestring, Crinkle Cut or Thick-cut Steak Fries? For me ... all three are fantastic! ~ Chef ~

*~* A Great Way to Cool Off *~*

~ Chef ~

~ It is National Blueberry Muffin Day ~

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4 eggs
2 cups white sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups sour cream
2 cups blueberries
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Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Grease 24 regular muffin cups or line with paper muffin liners. In a large bowl beat eggs, gradually add sugar while beating. Continue beating while slowly pouring in oil. Stir in vanilla. In a separate bowl, stir together flour, salt and baking soda. Stir dry ingredients into egg mixture alternately with sour cream. Gently fold in blueberries. Scoop batter into prepared muffin cups. Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes. Simple, yet oh sooooooooooo delicious! ~ Chef ~

~ Let's Talk ... Garbage ~

How many of you compost? It's not as easy as one would think. I didn't know ... not all "trash" items belong in a compost. Acidic items like citrus fruits, grapes, tomatoes and tomato products, pickles, orange juice, etc. shouldn't be used in a compost pile. These items can kill the bacteria that a compost pile accumulates over the course of the breakdown. Some plants aren't good to put into a compost pile. Plants that are diseased or weeds that have gone to seed aren't a good mix for the compost. The heat radiated throughout the pile may not reach temperatures that will kill the weeds or the disease and thus infect other plants or put new weeds in your garden. Although biodegradable, cooked vegetables, meat, dairy items, bones, fish, bread and grains, should not be put into a compost pile. These items will produce odor and will attract night time critters to your pile. Compost, even while decomposing, shouldn't have a bad odor, and if it does it could be from what you're putting into it. Composting is trying to achieve the blend of nitrogen and carbon items (termed "green" and "brown") so that you get good bacteria, plenty of earthworms, and other things that will improve your soil's texture and nutrients. Layering brown and green items with a thin layer of soil is the best way to compost. As for containers there seem to be many different items that can be used. As for me I used a simple blue barrel. So if you like me have lots of vegetable peelings "Go Green"! ~ Chef ~

~*~ National Fried Chicken Day ~*~

Everyday is "Fried Chicken Day"

~ Chef ~

~ National Turnover Day ~

~ Chef ~

~ Happy 4th of July Weekend ~

Whatever your plans are this Holiday weekend remember to ...

Honor the Soldiers who Gave you your Freedom!

~ Chef ~