Simple Garlic and Basil Pesto Recipe - Allrecipes.com

I also tried this recipe today. Now I need some suggestions on how to use pesto. One way that I know is good is mixed into hot freshly boiled and drained pasta. Makes a nice light and flavorful sauce.

Simple Garlic and Basil Pesto Recipe - Allrecipes.com

Cilantro Jalapeno Pesto with Lime Recipe - Allrecipes.com

Wanted to try making pesto. I had some cilantro and tried this recipe. It tastes great.

Cilantro Jalapeno Pesto with Lime Recipe - Allrecipes.com

Schnitzel Night

I was recently going west on highway 22 and passed a local culinary institution, the Taste of Bavaria Bakery http://www.tasteofbavariarestaurant.com/.  This local gem was opened over 20 years ago by Larry and Mary Alice Larreau (sp?).  An authentic German bakery it has provided area residents and visitors from all over with excellent breakfasts, pastries, and breads.  Every now and then the bakery opens for night for a special occasion like Oktoberfest.  This day the sign stated that it would be open the Saturday night before father's day for "Schnitzel Night".  I immediately was reminded of a recent trip that my mother and I were able to take to visit former exchange students and their families in Europe.  One of the families was the Hoffman's from Bamberg.  They were actually our first stop on a two week marathon.  The first night we were there they took us to a local restaurant known for their schnitzel.  We were very excited (at least I was - my mom is not an adventurous eater). 

My mother and I



My half eaten Schnitzel

Till's parents, Gunther and Selma Hoffman

So when I saw the sign, I decided this would be the perfect way to celebrate Father's Day.  Since my father did not go on the trip with us, we could share a little of the trip with him.  Although both he and my mother weren't thrilled about schnitzel night (mom asked if there were any other choices for dinner that night and I said "no").  I was determined to relive and share the experience. 

We arrived soon after they opened because I wanted to be sure that we got in - surely everyone in Ponchatoula was going to be there for this special night.  Well...apparently everyone in Ponchaotula does not know how good schnitzel is because there was only one other couple in the place when we arrived.  The food was good - not great.  One thing I noticed was that all of the schnitzels on the menu that night were made of pork. In Germany, they make them out of veal, chicken, or pork and they are pounded very thin.  The ones we had at Taste of Barvaria were more like pork chops and not thin at all.  My parents had the traditional version whereas I tried one with a paprika sauce.  I chose that as much for the accompaning spatzel as for the schnitzel. 

traditional schnitzel

Schnitzel with paprika sauce and spatzel

In addition to the entree the price fixe menu included an appetizer.  I chose the potato dumpling.  It was very good and commonly served throughout my trip.  I had it at least three times with various sauces and sometimes stuffed.  They were all uniquely good - we really don't have anything like it in our cuisine. 

Potato dumpling with mushroom sauce at Taste of Bavaria



All in all it was a great time and brought back such wonderful memories of our generous hosts, the Hoffmans.  The only drawback to the Taste of Bavaria meal was the price.  At $25 a person it was a little steep.  Of course I felt it was worth it because of my connection with the food, but that is probably why not many people were there to enjoy. 

Tomato Jam

I have heard Tomato Jam mentioned a few times on some of the cooking shows that I watch so I set out to find a good recipe. The one below is the one that I tried and it turned out excellent. Of course, after finishing- you can follow canning procedures to store. Of course, I have already found a variety of uses and will not need to store much of it. It works on cream cheese with crackers, instead of ketchup on a hot dog, and in some baked beans I am making for the 4th of July. A little sweeter than ketchup - it would probably work as a substitute in many recipes that call for ketchup. One that I think of is a topping for meatloaf - mmm... It is a little spicy so you can control the heat by adjusting the amount of red chili flakes. Enjoy!


Tomato Jam Food in Jars:

"Tomato Jam Recipe
makes 4 1/2 to 5 pints5 pounds tomatoes, finely chopped (don't peel or seed)
3 1/2 cups sugar
8 tablespoons lime juice
2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon red chili flakes
Combine all ingredients in a large, non-reactive pot. Bring to a boil and then reduce temperature to a simmer. Stirring regularly, simmer the jam until it reduces to a sticky, jammy mess. This will take between 1 and 1 1/2 hours, depending on how high you keep your heat."