Foodies Unplugged: Restore Your Faith in the Restorative Power of Foo...

Foodies Unplugged: Restore Your Faith in the Restorative Power of Foo...: I've been neglecting my writing lately as it has been a tough few weeks at work. Losing my job, filling open posts, standing guard for 13 ho...

Restore Your Faith in the Restorative Power of Food

I've been neglecting my writing lately as it has been a tough few weeks at work. Losing my job, filling open posts, standing guard for 13 hours, for four whole days. Just a bit out of my comfort zone, to say the least.

You might wonder what this has to do with food, but as with most other things in life, food turns out to be an integral part of all that is going on. For the four days of standing guard duty, my teams of 4 per day were 'treated' to catered lunches at a downtown convention center. Normally that would actually considered to be a treat, except I was surprised at how salty and fatty the offerings were. Don't get me wrong, the catering crew did a great job with what they had to work with. I suppose that they have to use certain cuts of meat and quality of vegetables, etc. in order to maintain profits. After eating only one meal in the middle of the day, it was certainly enough to keep me from needing anything additional for the rest of the day. Certainly not a positive notable experience for this foodie anyway.

One bright spot in the middle of the 4 days was Sunday when I visited my parents and was reminiscing with my mom about cardamom ice cream that I had the privilege to taste. That lead our conversation to a family favorite recipe that is also flavored with cardamom. The family favorite, from my paternal grandmother is "Fuchens" These are German style deep fried goodies that are so delightful and bring back memories from childhood. Here is the recipe for all you adventurous types who enjoy special treats around Thanksgiving or Christmas.

6 eggs - separated

1/2 gallon milk

6 Tbls cornstarch

1 cube butter

1 cake or envelope of yeast

1 pound sultana raisins

1 tsp. cardamom seed-crushed

Flour enough to make sticky (about 8 cups,+)

Powdered sugar for serving

Cook milk & cornstarch in a large pot on medium heat until thickened.

Add 1 cube butter and let stand until cold.

Add flour & other ingredients, including the 6 egg yolks.

Beat egg whites & fold into mixture.

Drop from a spoon into hot grease or oil, frying until golden brown.

Remove from oil and drain and immediately roll in powdered sugar.

 

They can be stored in an airtight container to re-heat later, before doing the "sugar roll" if you do not plan to serve them right away.

 

These will restore your faith in the restorative powers of food.

 

Let me know if any of you take the time to make these and provide your feedback.  My daughter and I have begun discussions around making these for this Christmas season.  Since she has a four month old baby boy, I will not be holding my breath on this, but sure look forward to it, if it actually does take place.