Niagara Fruit Bread

Big crop of Bartlett pears to use up. I'm starting with a couple loaves of the fruit bread for the freezer and then trying other recipes. :) 

Niagara Fruit Bread 
http://www.foodland.gov.on.ca/english/fruits/pears/recipes/index.html


Ripe Ontario Pears give an incredible natural moistness to this aromatic fruit bread. Spread with cream cheese for breakfast, sandwich Havarti cheese between slices for a portable lunch, or simply serve with tea. An added bonus: This is a fast stir-together version -- no mixer needed.


Preparation Time: 20 Minutes 
Cooking Time: Not Available 
Baking Time: 55 Minutes 
Servings: 16 slices


Ingredients:


2 large ripe Ontario Pears
2 cups (500 mL) all-purpose flour
2 tsp (10 mL) baking powder
1 tsp (5 mL) baking soda
1/2 tsp (2 mL) each salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice
1 1/2 tbsp (22 mL) finely chopped crystallized ginger
2/3 cup (150 mL) granulated sugar
1/2 cup (125 mL) butter, melted
2 eggs
1/3 cup (75 mL) milk
1 tsp (5 mL) vanilla


Preparation:


Oil or butter 9-x 5-inch (23 x 13 cm) loaf pan. Peel pears; coarsely grate and drain well. In bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and ginger until evenly blended. Make a well in centre.


In medium bowl, whisk together sugar and butter; whisk in eggs until evenly blended. Whisk in milk and vanilla. Pour into flour mixture; stir until moistened. Stir in 1 cup (250 mL) grated pears until evenly distributed. Pour into prepared pan and smooth top.


Bake in 350°F (180°C) oven 45 to 55 minutes or until cake tester inserted in centre comes out clean. Let cool in pan on rack 10 minutes. Turn out of pan and let cool completely on rack. Store well wrapped in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or freeze. Makes 16 slices.


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Simple harvest pear recipes from Canadian Living:


http://www.canadianliving.com/food/menus_and_collections/simple_harvest_pear_recipes.php




and from Simply Recipes:


Pear Butter
http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/pear_butter/


Preserved Pears
http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/preserved_pears/


Pear Ginger Maple Pie
http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/pear_ginger_maple_pie/

Pull

it's nothing we could forsee
so each of us could be
at the time, through the black,
playing with sparks of
fire

floating on air
melting on skin tasting in hair
right in the belly
right to the core
the pull that wants more

The Flood - Robert Frost

The Flood

Blood has been harder to dam back than water.
Just when we think we have it impounded safe
Behind new barrier walls (and let it chafe!),

It breaks away in some new kind of slaughter.
We choose to say it is let loose by the devil;
But power of blood itself releases blood.

It goes by might of being such a flood
Held high at so unnatural a level.

It will have outlet, brave and not so brave.
weapons of war and implements of peace
Are but the points at which it finds release.

And now it is once more the tidal wave
That when it has swept by leaves summits stained.
Oh, blood will out. It cannot be contained.

(From West Running Brook, 1949)

Georgia Nicols Sunday July 28 2011

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

Not since early 2008 has your ambition been so aroused. Throughout August and September you will be unusually gung ho to get ahead and make a name for yourself. You will politely (or not so politely) shoulder your way to the front of the line because you have that do-or-die feeling. (Jaw firmly set. "This is it.") Accompanying this will be a burst of popularity because everyone wants to see your face! Clubs, groups, associations and casual get-togethers will combine to make demands on your time. Artistic pals will really want to see you. Meanwhile, your ability to research anything is excellent this summer. Maybe the first thing you can answer is "Where did the summer go?"

Blueberry Ice Cream

Prep Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

1/2 cup sugar
2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. ground coriander
Pinch of salt
2 cups heavy cream
Preparation:

1. Dissolve sugar in 1/4 cup water in a medium sauce pan over low heat.

2. When sugar is dissolved, add berries, lemon juice, vanilla extract, coriander, and salt.

3. Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until berries begin to burst.

4. Remove from heat and mash berries.

5. Cool to room temperature, then chill in the regrigerator.

6. Thoroughly combine berries and cream. Pour into ice cream maker, and follow manufacturer directions.

Note: You can subsustitute half and half for the heavy cream.

I may regret knowing how to make this ...

Crunchy Pecan Nut and Maple Syrup Ice Cream Recipe

Ingredients:
4 oz (100g) pecan nuts chopped
2 oz (50g) butter
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons maple syrup
3/4 (375ml) pint milk
3/4 pint (375ml) double/heavy cream

Using a frying pan, slowly melt the butter then add the chopped pecan nuts. Sprinkle on the sugar, stir and cook on a medium heat for approx 3-4 minutes until the nuts are crisp.

NB. Cooking on too high a heat will burn the pecan nuts and render a bitter taste.

Remove from the pan and place to one side to cool. In a separate mixing bowl, pour in the milk, stir in the cream and then add the fried, chopped pecan nuts. Still stirring add the maple syrup until blended in.

Transfer the complete mixture into an ice cream maker and follow the manufacturer's instructions.

One Headlight - The Wallflowers

"One Headlight"

So long ago, I don't remember when
That's when they say I lost my only friend
Well they said she died easy of a broken heart disease
As I listened through the cemetery trees

I seen the sun comin' up at the funeral at dawn
The long broken arm of human law
Now it always seemed such a waste
She always had a pretty face
So I wondered how she hung around this place

[сhorus:]
Hey, come on try a little
Nothing is forever
There's got to be something better than
In the middle
But me & Cinderella
We put it all together
We can drive it home
With one headlight

She said it's cold
It feels like Independence Day
And I can't break away from this parade
But there's got to be an opening
Somewhere here in front of me
Through this maze of ugliness and greed
And I seen the sun up ahead
At the county line bridge
Sayin' all there's good and nothingness is dead
We'll run until she's out of breath
She ran until there's nothin' left
She hit the end-it's just her window ledge

[chorus]

Well this place is old
It feels just like a beat up truck
I turn the engine, but the engine doesn't turn
Well it smells of cheap wine & cigarettes
This place is always such a mess
Sometimes I think I'd like to watch it burn
I'm so alone, and I feel just like somebody else
Man, I ain't changed, but I know I ain't the same
But somewhere here in between the city walls of dyin' dreams
I think her death it must be killin' me

[chorus]