Cathy Burnham Martin's Blog, page 56

Real Truth

“Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters.”

— Albert Einstein  (1879 – 1955)
German-born theoretical physicist; developed theory of relativity

 

Christmas Blessings

 

Christmas blessings were in abundance at Café Martin this year. With a table set for 24 and lots of incredible edibles, including baked ham, roasted potatoes, and grilled fresh pineapple spears, no one went hungry.

 

 

 

 

My favorite goodie arrived during Happy Hour as a friend Toni Sanko arrived with Bacon Bites! (Bacon wins my heart and tastebuds every time!)

 

 

 

Another hit was the sauce for the ham. I had based my recipe on the one my Mom always made for baked ham since the 1950’s.

Mom’s Super Simple Raisin Sauce for Baked Ham
As an adult I still make this but with triple the Worcestershire and none of the sugar. I also do not use a double boiler; simply prepare in a pan over low heat.

1 c seedless raisins
1 c sugar
½ c apple cider vinegar
¼ tsp ground cloves
½ tsp Worcestershire sauce
8-oz jar grape jelly
Pinch salt
Heat together slowly in top of a double boiler, stirring several times.

For our 2023 Christmas dinner, I wanted to zest up the ham’s topping.  So I created the following variation on Mom’s classic. Super Simple Spiced Cranberry Raisin Chutney was a big hit and a new family favorite!

Super Simple Spiced Cranberry Raisin Chutney
This is a sweet and zesty combination that pleases lots of palettes. If the tart tang of cranberries is not to your liking, simply reduce the amounts used.

1 c seedless raisins
½ c apple cider vinegar
½ tsp ground cloves
½ tsp salt
1 tsp dried orange peel granules
2 T Worcestershire sauce
8-oz grape jelly
7-oz jar Biltmore Cranberry, Fig & Merlot Jam
2 c fresh or frozen cranberries, cooked in ¼ c water & mashed
1 c fresh or frozen cranberries, halved

Combine in a saucepan over low heat, stirring now and then until the halved cranberries have cooked to the “smashable” stage. Serve warm or at room temperature. (This also freezes beautifully.)

KISS Variation: For a sauce, rather than compote, stir in 1-1½ c cranberry juice. While we served it with baked ham, it would be equally yummy with pork chops, ribs, or poultry.

KISS Note: The Biltmore Cranberry, Fig & Merlot Jam is available online, along with a couple of their other jams that would also work well in this recipe, like Roasted Onion Fig Jam and their Rogue Pear Cranberry Pinot Noir Jam. But any favorite of yours could be good also, from plum or blueberry to cherry preserves.

Merry, Merry Christmas!

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given.”

— Isaiah 9:6

Merry Christmas one and all!

Christmas Eve Thoughts

“When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things – not the great occasions – give off the greatest glow of happiness.”

— Bob Hope (1903 – 2003)
British-born American comedian and actor

Celebrate!

“The most beautiful things are not associated with money; they are memories and moments. If you don’t celebrate those, they can pass you by.”

— Alek Wek (1977 – )
Sudanese-British model and fashion designer

Beware… Corruption Lurks!

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“Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

— Lord Acton (John Emerich Edward Dalberg-Acton) (1834-1902)
English historian, politician, and writer

Beware Political Corruption

“If you can cut the people off from their history, then they can be easily persuaded.”

— Karl Marx (1818-1883)
German philosopher and revolutionary socialist

Loyalty

 

“The only people I owe my loyalty to are those who never made me question theirs.” 

—Anonymous

Select Steppingstones

 

“One of the secrets of life is to make steppingstones out of stumbling blocks.”

— Jack Penn (1909 – 1996)
South African plastic surgeon, sculptor, and author

Bacon!!!

 

“Bacon bits are like the fairy dust of the food community.”

— Jim Gaffigan (1966 – )
American comedian & writer

 

 

Bacon: the main reason I’m not a vegetarian. I can’t fathom the person who cannot help but smile when they smell bacon cooking! Pop a hot, crispy slice in your mouth, and that smile becomes a satisfied, toothy grin.