[caption id="attachment_1532" align="alignnone" width="802"] Beignets New Orleans[/caption] Beignets are commonly known in New Orleans as a breakfast served with powdered sugar on top. They are traditionally prepared right before consumption to be eaten fresh and hot. Variations of fried dough can be found across cuisines internationally; however, the origin of the term beignet is specifically French. In the United States, beignets have been popular within New Orleans Creole cuisine and are customarily served as a dessert or in some sweet variation. They were brought to New Orleans in the 18th century by French colonists, from "the old mother country", and became a large part of home-style Creole cooking, variations often including banana or plantain – popular fruits in the port city. Today, Café du Monde is a popular New Orleans food destination specializing in beignets with powdered sugar, coffee with chicory, and café au lait. Beignets were declared the official state doughnut of Louisiana in 1986. Equipment to make Beignets: Box of Cafe Du Monde Beignet Mix Temperature Controlled Frying Pan/Frying Skillet works best Fry Basket (to retrieve the finished Beignets) Spoon (to stir the water and mix into a dough) Mixing Bowl Measuring Cup Rolling Pin (to roll finished...Read More
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Hushpuppies
[caption id="attachment_1529" align="alignnone" width="802"] Hushpuppies[/caption] Guess where the best hushpuppies in the world are? [caption id="attachment_1530" align="alignnone" width="802"] Catfish Galley[/caption] Catfish Galley in Jackson, Tenn. Native Americans were using ground corn for cooking long before European explorers arrived in the Americas. Southern Native American culture (Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek) was one of the main contributors to Southern cuisine. From their culture came one of the main staples of the Southern diet: corn (maize), either ground into meal or limed with an alkaline salt to make hominy, also called masa, in a Native American technology known as nixtamalization. Corn was used to make all kinds of dishes from the familiar cornbread and grits to liquors such as whiskey and moonshine, which were important trade items. Cornbread was popular during the American Civil War because it was very cheap and could be made in many different sizes and forms. It could be fashioned into high-rising, fluffy loaves or simply fried for a quick meal. The first recorded reference to the word "hush-puppy" dates to 1899. Hushpuppies are a food with strong ties to the Southern United States, although they are available in many areas of the United States on the menus of...Read More
Lionel 817 Caboose Project
[caption id="attachment_1524" align="aligncenter" width="399"] Lionel 817 Caboose Project[/caption] Lionel introduced the 817 caboose in 1926. The first version had peacock sides and a dark green roof. The earliest versions came with short wheelbase frames, and are the hardest cabooses to find. By 1930 Lionel changed the windows on the caboose from orange painted to brass plated. In 1933 the caboose got a new color scheme. Red with peacock roof. In 1934 the color changed again to all bright red. The earliest bright red 817 cabooses had brass trim and latch couplers. These brass plate cars usually have a slightly darker shade of red. In 1935 the bright red got a little lighter, and nickel plates and end railings replaced the brass trim. This version is found with latch couplers or box couplers. By 1937 the nickel railings were replaced with painted railings. The box coupler version ran until 1940 and was then discontinued. A rubber stamped version was not made. I picked up a 817 on eBay for 5 dollars and decided to make it my first restoration project. It appears I have the 1933 version, red with peacock roof. Here are some great instructions on how to restore a Pre-War...Read More
Steeler Draft 2015
The Steeler Draft 2015 [caption id="attachment_1483" align="alignnone" width="148"] Steeler Draft 2015[/caption] The Grades from the media seem quite good. With the loss of a number of Steeler Defensive players to retirement, it is not a surprise that 6 out of the top 8 are defensive team members. Steeler Draft 2015 From NFL.com The Steelers skew toward the conservative side on draft day, valuing productive players with size and athleticism. This has been the formula for the team since the Chuck Noll era. Defensively, the Steelers plucked Alvin "Bud" Dupree to give the team a much-needed pass rusher with speed and quickness. He isn't a polished player, but has tremendous potential as a DPR (designated pass rusher). The Steelers also landed a pair of cover corners in Senquez Golson and Doran Grant. Golson is a bit of a question mark based on his diminutive physical dimensions -- in addition to potentially struggling against bigger-bodied receivers, he could have some trouble against the run. Receiver Sammie Coates is a "boom or bust" prospect with enticing physical tools who needs to develop better consistency as a pass catcher. 2015 will no doubt be a transitional year. But with the addition of these new...Read More
Christmas 2014 in Delmont
The Gingerbread House that Wendy and Austin Built Link to a Christmas 2014 Picture slideshow [caption id="attachment_1490" align="aligncenter" width="576"] Christmas 2014 in Delmont[/caption] The exchanging of gifts is one of the core aspects of the modern Christmas celebration, making it the most profitable time of year for retailers and businesses throughout the world. Gift giving was common in the Roman celebration of Saturnalia, an ancient festival which took place in late December and may have influenced Christmas customs. On Christmas, people exchange gifts based on the tradition associated with St. Nicholas, and the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh which were given to the baby Jesus by the Magi.