Friday, September 17, 2010

Cherry Mango Salsa


Salsas are a wonderful way of spicing up foods and creating dips. Tastes & Treasures has Cowboy Caviar, page 180, and Corn Salsa, page 33.

Cherry Mango Salsa from Coup des Tartes Restaurant in Phoenix adds a new dimension with fruit.

½ pound pitted and coarsely chopped sweet or sour cherries
½ lime, juiced
½ red onion, minced
1 tablespoon finely chopped jalapeno pepper, seeds removed
1 tablespoon finely chopped cilantro
1 mango, diced
salt and pepper to taste
Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl. Stir until blended. Cover and chill for 1 to 2 hours.
Makes 2 cups

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Grilled Tuna Jalapeno Sandwich





This tasty grilled sandwich was served at the historic Cozmic Cafe in Placerville, California (aka Hangtown). Whole wheat bread was loaded with tuna, tomatoes, monterey jack cheese, red onion and guacamole; then grilled to a golden brown. Shelley and Candice enjoyed the stop outside Sacramento built in an old gold mine carved inside the mountain. The National Historic Registry building gets cold as you walk back into the mine. Kids love it. Just remember that it takes a while for your order to appear. The staff work at their own pace but worth it.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Historymakers Gala Work

Thanks to a wonderful staff at the AHS Museum (photos of Megan Gately and Jeff Hotchkiss) for their help with the preparations for Historymakers Gala and Recognition Program. Jeff has spent hours researching, documenting and editing photos of our honored Arizonans. Zona and I were thrilled to get the CD for volunteer Joan Robinson-Blumit to upload to the website and to use in the upcoming Gala Centennial book. This enables teachers, students, researchers, family historians and more to access the information about some of Arizonans most celebrated people.

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Culturekeepers Award goes to Reba Wells Grandrud


It is no surprise that Historical League member Reba Wells Grandrud will be honored this year for making a positive impact on the state's history. Arizona Culturekeepers are a varied group and they all support the state's culture, environment, history or economy. Reba is a past National Register of Historic Places co-ordinator and has taken an active role in researching, preserving, teaching and publishing state, local and regional history in Arizona and New Mexico.

She will be in good company with former Governor Rose Mofford, theater owner Dan Harkins, historian Frank Barrios, cowboy artist Bill Owen, the Scottsdale Charros, historian Aaron Cohen, performer and songwriter Sue Harris, Tohono O'odham basket weaver Annie Antone and cultural preservationist Roxanne Knight.

The inductees will be honored at noon on September 19 at the Westin Kierland Resort and Spa. $45 per person. Proceeds benefit the Arizona Historical Society and Sharlott Hall Museum in Prescott.

For more information 480-624-1356 or RSVP info@kierlandresort.com

Saturday, September 11, 2010

AZ History Convention proposals


October 1 is the deadline for 2011 Arizona History Convention presentation proposals. The Tastes & Treasures cookbook has submitted a proposal about historic recipes, historic hospitality venues and Historymakers food memories.

The program committee for the Arizona History Convention is inviting proposals for presentations on any aspect of Arizona history for delivery at the 52nd Annual Arizona History Convention, which will be held April 28 - 30, 2011, at the Hilton Garden Inn & Pivot Point Conference Center, Yuma. We encourage both individual submissions and proposals for complete sessions. Proposals must be submitted by October 1, 2010, to Bruce J. Dinges, c/o Arizona Historical Society, 949 E. 2nd St., Tucson, AZ 85719. Only one proposal per presenter. Include name, address, phone number, and biographical information, along with title of presentation and no more than one page of description.
Information on convention meals, tours, and lodging will be mailed in February, 2011. For more information, contact Bruce Dinges, AHS Publications Director (phone 520-628-5774; email bdinges@azhs.gov ), or visit the convention website: www.arizonahistory.org.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Yorkshire Pudding or Popovers?

In Wisconsin, they call these delicious yeast rolls Popovers but our Canadian friend remembers his mother baking them as Yorkshire Pudding. Either name, they were yummy. The recipe for Popovers calls for butter in baking while Yorkshire Pudding uses lard.

Every day at the Dalles House in St Croix Falls they serve Yorkshire Pudding with a different flavored butter. Ours was Applesauce blended with softened butter and a hint of powdered sugar added to make it spreadable. Another flavored butter is made by combining raspberries and lemon with the butter.

Tastes & Treasures recipe for Refrigerator Rolls would be a nice comparison to these and very easy to make.

Refrigerator Rolls page 170
2 envelopes dry yeast
1/4 cup lukewarm water
2 cups milk
1 cup (2 sticks) butter
4 eggs
3/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons salt
7 cups all-purpose flour

Dissolve the yeast in the lukewarm water in a bowl. Let stand for 10 to 15 minutes. Scald the milk in a saucepan. Add the butter to the hot milk and stir until melted. Beat the eggs in a mixing bowl until blended. Beat in the sugar and salt. Add the milk mixture and beat until combined. Add the yeast mixture and flour and beat until a dough forms.
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead several times. do not allow the dough to become too stiff. Place the dough in a greased bowl, turning to coat the surface. Chill, covered for 2 to 10 hours. Shape the dough as desired and arrange on a baking sheet. Let rise until doubled in bulk. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until light brown. Decrease the sugar to 2/3 cup for a less sweet dough.
Makes about 2 dozen rolls depending on shape

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Corn Salsa from El Tovar luncheon menu


Ready to add tomato and vegetable juice cocktail, this salsa is so easy and a popular item for a party. Black beans are a favorite extra to add lots of color and taste.

Corn Salsa from page 33 Tastes & Treasures
1 or 2 jalapeno chiles, seeded and minced
1 ½ cups roasted corn (about 2 large ears)
¼ cup finely chopped green bell pepper
¼ cup finely chopped red bell pepper
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
½ red onion, finely chopped
1 tomato, chopped
1 tablespoon sugar
½ cup vegetable juice cocktail
1 tablespoon lime juice
salt to taste

Combine the jalapeno chiles, corn, bell peppers, cilantro, onion, tomato, sugar, vegetable juice cocktail, lime juice and salt in a large bowl and toss to mix.
Makes 3 ½ cups