Cooking companion, pt. XIV

From original intention this sequel was to contain various foods that can be prepared from the 'Natures offerings'. Means in this case that I considered it to consist recipes from (smth like) berries, salads, mushroom, etc, a stuff possible to pick by oneself ...But it then turned out that finding anything suitable maybe needs a bit more experience than I probably find myself mastering. Also, for comparison, the cultivated plants often are more easy prepare – after all, they were taken on cultivation and bred by the people in the pasts from plenty of reason, not the least that many are good and tasty. And, soforth this provides recipes from a favored plant, namely beetroot. ...Has nice English name besides, that a lot resembles this populous insects order (meaning the Beetles.)

Anyway, beside beets,  Rowan also has place on this,
So here's nice late Summer pic from the Tree and it's Berries...

We've probably already prepared several recipes from beetroot, so here's just some simple varieties, only. Root is most commonly known, but there's a place in the kitchen for other parts as well. First a recipe for salad, this is pretty good acc. my judging;

Mixed salad

Ingredients; Beetroot leafs (a single bunch, about); Any other (preferred) salads; Seeds - at least Sunflower-, Pumpkin-, and perhaps also (fx) cashew-nuts; Some pepper slices; And some slices of cooked eggs /or Feta (crushed). Sauce: Vinegar; Olive oil; citron-pepper; garlic (a few pieces); mustard ...and a little citron-juice poured over ready-made salad.

Recipe: Just mix them in bowl, make a sauce from vinegar, oil and spices. Lastly add egg slices and/or feta.

Sliced fried pieces (in the sauce)

Ingredients; 1-2 beets (sliced); Olive oil; Vinegar; Fresh herbs (I used tarragon, citron-thyme, and whatever else...rosemary?) ; salt; Black pepper (fresh, crushed); Citron juice

...The beets should be sliced rather thin,
although not quite like Capt. shows w. sausage on this picture...

Recipe: Beets are often cooked (unpeeled, to guarantee the vitamins remaining), then offered as appetizer with fx butter. It's quite possible to fry them on pan, also (peeled and sliced for pieces first). They can be soaked in the sauce overnight first. Recipe is actually simple, just mix the ingredients together and pour it over beet-slices (which are placed in a deep plate). Fry them for a time that feels suitable, with sauce they don't burn too easily and (I guess) the proper is about 8-12 minutes...

"Kvass" (from the beets)

Ingredients/Recipe; …. I guess Kvass the name of this, don't know if that even has any term on English... Peels from beetroots (fx about 2 kg, it is mentioned typically prepared of remainders when making pickles (However as I had not that purpose I made a smaller amount of it.) ...But the peels should be carefully washed and cleaned prior the cooking); (about) 5 l water ...After cooking them about 45 minutes remove the peels and pour for water little sugar (if wish); About 1 kg of dark bread (Rye) is sliced to a larger metal kettle and the water poured over that. One can also grate some beet slices to that. That covered with cloth and let be couple days (in warm), occasionally mix it with a juniper twig (or a regular wooden cookery stick, but cause it's a minor trouble I brought actual juniper-stick; that can later be reused on any other cookery). After couple days the drink is bottled on glass-bottles/cans. (Use a thin cloth or smth else to distil the juice from remainder of bread-pieces, etc.) Ready on the next day. Not bad, perhaps little unconventional on these of the ready-made foods in the ready-made world...

...Even me, such a great fan of beetroot, probably has to admit that you can't quite use them on every-day basis, beets also contain quite much nitrate, so recommendation is to prepare them just every once in a while. This last recipe represents alternative selection, it's made purely from the Rowan-berries. (...As an additional mention we can reveal - w. the highest probability, most presumably, very certainly – that this is actual recipe for that 'Devil's Resin Jelly' which Larkie Inez prepares to Scrooge McDuck on 1960s Carl Barks drawn comics story 'The Golden Fleecing', even if being named differently in that serie...) But, believe me it's really tasty, if you happen to prefer the little bitter taste of Rowan-berries, of course. Berries contain also lot C-vitamins so it's quite healthy delicacy as well. Personally, I also have not any difficulty of believing that Robin Hood and his Jolly companions enjoyed this with the deers (and other wild game) they might have harvested from King's forests in their times... (G.U.J.)

Rowan-Berry Marmalade

Ingredients; Rowan-berries (about 1 kg/4 dl water, ...Acc. The original recipe; 'cause I had little shortage from them available, I actually prepared a lot less) ...and about 9 dl sugar for each litre juice made.

Recipe: After picking the berries remove any bad or spoiled and place them in the freezer overnight (unless very late on Spring when they're already frozen). Boil them then in the kettle (covered with lid) for about 20 minutes and occasionally press berries on the sides to squeeze the juices off better. Next let that pour for bowl through the cloth (but don't press the berries this time). After washing the kettle boil the juice at it a little time and in parts add sugars, then boil that again. Only stir very little, and remove any foam that emerges. After it thickened you can pour the result to prewarmed (and desiccated) cans, close them tightly.

-----------

...Unless I'm not completely mistaken,
This is a (female) specimen from Scorpion Flies,
Small species...but how nice patterns/colours.

The place of the (Fennoscandian) insect selection/example at this sequel is from the Mecoptera ie it's a Scorpion fly. Albeit it's mentioned that the Mecoptera are believed quite old group from earliest origin, they seem placed rather close to Diptera (Flies) on their classification at the insect orders. (Feels little odd, since the Flies are usually said being advanced, relative late evolved insects ...But who knows, for I merely consider myself as a layman from this insect biology, not any professionalist, guess there's some sound explanation for that. However, the insect evolutionary history seems goes far in the past, the Diptera being 'lately evolved' only means that they appeared only some (couple) hundreds of million year ago...)


Mecoptera, precisely from their habits and adaptations in Nature may feel a little repellent (from some view-point...) - for they are scanvengers. They take benefit from the dead animals, of any kind; insects, mammalians, ao, can do. Mecoptera also have an elongated snout (not visible on this pic) which they use to digest liquids of carcasses. Further yet, they're even told to steal prey from the spider webs ! ...There's only about half a dozen different Mecopteran species on Finlands Natures, although most appear quite common and are not scarce to encounter. (But globally on those distant pasts, they're said have consisted closer 10 per cent from all of the insects. Nowadays, the Mecoptera only make about less than half a per cent, in total. So they're kind of relics, as was discussed on this. )

...I've also noticed that they usually are encountered from a places of some dense vegetation, fx meadows and small coppices with bushes. The species in the pic has a lovely colours and pattern. (I guess) it's probably commonest of Scorpion flies on Fennoscandia.

The New Power Generation...

; Mulskinner Hi-Tec Review XV ; [ V / 2011 ] :

 Re-chargeable Batteries 
[Gp 2500 & Moixa USBCell 1300 Ni-MH]

It's probably true that every new invention brings along both benefits and (some) negative consequences, even if for the latter usually is given less thought. (Always is also not too clear how those two balance). Of course, any new invention tends at begins be loaded with positive expectations, assumed soon to replace any former technology, etc.

According my memoirs, 'break-through' of the rechargeable batteries - them been adopted in common use - took place about some 10 years ago, mostly within the new 'computech era' and the increase on amounts of hi-tech electronic bought for homes by people. (At least here on MSW; Perhaps the re-chargeables, like inventions sometime do, were taken at someplaces more commonly used even prior the early 2000s.)

The advantages from rechargeable batteries are very obvious: You can reload them innumerable times (producers seem promise about 1000 cycles, but in practice the figure is perhaps more often counted in hundreds... either way, for consumer that anycase appears lot cheaper in the long-run than buying new case of batteries each time). Also, the environmental aspect is indeed significant, the extra waste from batteries is minimized considerably. 

So ...inspired by the emerging new hi-tech world and the countless adverts from big savings (for me and the Natures) I bought those rechargeables and charger for them around that time. Later, having noticed that there also was batteries reloadable via USB-port (or, if wish to use the charger that goes too, USB-charging is little slower, but permits leaving charger at home when on the move). So I bought some those too. And - I cannot avoid mentioning - that the decision was by no means based on coincidence that the earlier bought some (those reloadable only by charger) happened to resign their contract a lot before than the assumed (about) 100s rechargings. (...After all, that felt so usual in this MSW-world - where nothing ever was been allowed as unproblematic as it in the normal circumstances would - And so I was merely surprised that them weren't been completely forbidden from us because of his Ungracefullness unmercyfull demand...)

...However, it's of course quite as well recognizable that not before the emerging appearance of power-consuming products and devices, Ie before the early 2000s (about), this kind of batteries weren't very popularly at any wider uses. But then there started to appear devices like digicams, game-consoles controllers, etc., ...to name a few.  There had been some re-chargeable batteries on market already prior that, although probably lot less commonly, (and them also were still less durable and less practical earlier.) As often the case, new inventions gain wider acceptance only when they meet the actual need from majority of consumers. Or something like that,  main point at this is that anyone from this can clearly notice a certain similarity on the typical manner on human made inventions and their relation for the environmental questions. (Often) new  inventions - no matter if there's any technical burdens needed solved prior their breakthrough or not - only gain acceptance on markets (and of the consumers) when their shown beneficial for the people, or when the people notice having some use of them by themselves. That's of course quite obvious - would be rather contradictional sell people new devices and advertise them consuming less energies and at the same time to advice people not to use them because of general increases on energy consumption. However, the fact is, that the rechargeable batteries (an environmentally recommendable alternative) probably wouldn't yet still be so commonly acquired and found of uses by peoples unless there weren't nowadays increased amount of techs and devices having use for those.

Whether that's just a part of the truth on this is naturally question open for argumentation; ...But quite much the human energy uses follow similar problematics, and in any case them are tied to a question from how it is hoped most effectively reducing the actual energy-consumption. If one just seeks to find some compensations to the projected increases on energies used (and, to the uses of Natural resources) that not showing any actual answer(s) for the original problem. 
(Or, so I see that, the comparison in this case maybe is little 'far fetched', or it's not too relevant a case example on this; Re-chargeable batteries are of course more recommendable alternative to non-rechargeable some, simply from reason of reduced waste generated from used batteries.)   (W-G.)

-------
( The latest posts! - @ Mulskinner Blog @ )


----------
Powered by ScribeFire.

The Undesigned Chapter, Part V

;”No passion for fashion”

[Book recommendation 30½]

”I say, beware of all enterprises that require new clothes, and not rather a new wearer of clothes. If there is not a new man, how can the new clothes be made to fit? If you have any enterprise before you, try it in your old clothes. All men want, not something to do with, but something to do, or rather something to be. Perhaps we should never procure a new suit, however ragged or dirty the old, until we have so conducted, so enterprised or sailed in some way, that we feel like new men in the old, and that to retain it would be like keeping new wine in old bottles. Our moulting season, like that of the fowls, must be a crisis in our lives. The loon retires to solitary ponds to spend it. Thus also the snake casts its slough, and the caterpillar its wormy coat, by an internal industry and expansion; for clothes are but our outmost cuticle and mortal coil. Otherwise we shall be found sailing under false colors, and be inevitably cashiered at last by our own opinion, as well as that of mankind.

We don garment after garment, as if we grew like exogenous plants by addition without. Our outside and often thin and fanciful clothes are our epidermis, or false skin, which partakes not of our life, and may be stripped off here and there without fatal injury; our thicker garments, constantly worn, are our cellular integument, or cortex; but our shirts are our liber, or true bark, which cannot be removed without girdling and so destroying the man. I believe that all races at some seasons wear something equivalent to the shirt. It is desirable that a man be clad so simply that he can lay his hands on himself in the dark, and that he live in all respects so compactly and preparedly that, if an enemy take the town, he can, like the old philosopher, walk out the gate empty-handed without anxiety. [...]

I cannot believe that our factory system is the best mode by which men may get clothing. The condition of the operatives is becoming every day more like that of the English; and it cannot be wondered at, since, as far as I have heard or observed, the principal object is, not that mankind may be well and honestly clad, but, unquestionably, that corporations may be enriched. In the long run men hit only what they aim at. Therefore, though they should fail immediately, they had better aim at something high."

(From Walden, or Life in the Woods.)

Above words, loaned from the famous book by Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862), serve as a possible, alternative view-point for the wear and purposes of clothing. Todays mass consumption market and existent social systems are of course separated by centuries and decades lenght of years from Thoreau's era. Yet, a very unprejudiced observer easily finds a lot similarity in between, fx from the customs developed for manufacture, wearing and buying of the clothes. 
(For to underline Thoreau's own dislike of his own times popular fashion, his 'observations' even go as far as to comparing for monkeys the keen followers of fashion that say 'Hurrah' and adjoin for any new change of mind by their worshipped style-forming idol. But I'm only presenting his views on this from the reason they seem very sensible and, also, very idealistic attitudes to this aspect, clothing. Considering that a bit more precisely, it's also merely so that most monkees - close relates of humans - actually change their 'natural garment' lot less noticeably than various other species that seasonally do. Birds and frogs, fx.) 

From a very strickt environmentalist point-of-view, (...For Thoreau's Walden is a classic among environmentalist books of the modern times, in fact it's often mentioned as the very first environmentalist writing that ever was published) ...it can be noted that not much any fashionable clothes or the usual house-hold designs succeed meet even any lower ecological criteria or 'standards'. From the same view-point them both – more often than not – represent just an excess production created for to satisfy the excess needs by the people accustomed for their overwhelmingly rich life-styles. 

I also agree with the sentences that it's often better to mend the old clothes (with piece of fabric, fx) than buy new, but I cannot help from also notice that because of the availability of shops and clothes these days the choice by consumer more easily goes for to prefer the latter alternative. In spite of that, and in particular because of that, a choice for organic and controlled manufacture of clothes (fx) is always also an act of opinions-giving. [...Opinions-forming, more correctly the word we meant use at this, I suppose... ; W-G.]  Additionally it could be noted – as the foothold and basis of the most ”regular” clothes production today is on the chemial pollution of waters, low-income jobs (in the developing countries, mostly) and in overall a careless consumption of materials – that choosing not to buy can be at least as important ecological choice. (What said at the preceding sentence, of course, not expressed as any straightforward answer to the problems addressed, but just is an attempt in favour of responsibility on consumer behaviours, etc., ) On the other hand, it's also probably quite as much sensible notice that there's also nowadays great differences between, say, moderate and excessive sums that can be/are spend on the clothes (fx). 

(As a direct following of my own dislike to all that useless spending on fashionalized clothing, also as the expression against manufacture of intentionally made bad consumer stuff, I often wear my sneakers – metaphorically said - to the pieces. ...In other words until the need of constant washing of socks becomes a larger ecological burden. :) 
But, where in the world could a buyer find a usable and durable pair of those shoes these days? (W-G.)

----------

Latticed Moth

The species example on our continuing series from (Fennoscandian) insect for this part is the Latticed Moth (Chiasmia/Semiothisa clathrata). It's a smaller creature from the Geometridae moths, ie belongs for the day-time flying species of moth and most usually is spotted on during the early evening from meadows, haysides, cultural landscape, etc. (...The Geometridae-species also include fx a better known, although controversial, 'case example' on the industrial melanism, Biston betuliaris. The group consists perhaps the 2nd largest group on Lepidopteran species, contains about 21 000 separate species.)


Latticed Moth has a wide appearance accross the Palearctic-ecozone, that - at least by some part - is from the reason it's caterpillars tolerate a range of different feeding plants. They usually feed on Fabaceae, (ie various peas, incl. fx Lathyrys prantensis and Trifolium p.) that also are widespread on larger parts of Europes (ao regions). A smaller species, with wingspan from about 1.8 to 2.8 cm, the Latticed moth is on typical summers found amongst the most common species also on Fennoscandias, flight-time between June-August.


Interestingly, seeing some specimen on the early of Summers (when they are smaller by size) gives a bit different impression of it's looks. That from the reason of those criss-crossing black patterns leaving lesser space for the white areas at it's wings. Either the individuals from 2nd generation (usually flying from mid of July, like the specimen in the picture) grow larger, or slow growth just changes the impression of the earlier flying specimen during summers. 

All in all, represents not any rare or unusual insect although one doesn't so often see them at open areas. ...Also, quite funnily, I notice myself liking the least from so called b/w styled interior decorations but find this little moth an elegant and very stylish species, particularly when it's seen at suitable place w. some contrast of the sunlight and more shadowy areas. (Reassures me at my belief there's nothing much human created which wouldn't already have found a realization in the Nature lot more nicely...)

-------
( The latest posts! - @ Mulskinner Blog @ )


----------
Powered by ScribeFire.

Cooking companion, Pt. XIII

 

This section from the Cooking companion (Pt. XIII) was originally intended contain recipes from some typical harvest foods like the vegetables, roots, (... and berries), etc. But, turned out we had a few recipes (mostly) prepared and so I considered these imported delicatessen (Avocado, Yam) just as suitable harvest offerings at this part.

 ...But the first offering is still from Medieval-cookings (see the others from preceding section). Recipe's mentioned to originate from Royal cook-books (from the 1390s even, prepared on the court of Richard the II...apparently king of Great Britain and Scottland at the time[?]) I guess, the Lamb-pot(/-Casserole) is still cooked lot similarly also elsewhere on various kitchens/places. As I rarely eat lamb, I have not much of a better information/knowledge from that.... 

Herbs are of crucial importance on this, so they should be fresh (/On the other hand, I could imagine this been eaten during the colder winter time ie when there probably wasn't any fresh herbs available but only dried some...) Anyway: must say that this recipe completely changed my opinion from British kitchen. This one's a very delicious meal and makes a best from the ingredients at it. (But, due that it's prepared from meat we'll therefore devote the rest from recipes at this section stricktly for vegetarist offerings...)

 

(English) Lamb-pot

Ingredients: 800-900 g boned (ie non-bone) Lamb; 4 dl water; (some) Chicken-broth; 2 Onion; 1 tsp Parsley; 1 tsp Rosemary; 1 tsp Thyme; 1 tsp Marjoram (...had none so I used Sage, All the preceding recommended of the fresh herbs...); ½ tsp Ginger; ½ tsp Caraway (left that out...); ½ tsp Coriander; (little) Salt; 2½ dl White wine; 2 Eggs; 2 tbs Citron juice

Recipe: Slice the meat for small squares, boil in the water (w. Chicken broth). Cook for a moment, remove the (possible) foam. Add (sliced) onions, herbs chopped and the spices (also add the salt and wine). Lower the heat and let cook about 1½ hours (cover the kettle with lid. Lastly take kettle aside and mix the Eggs w. the citron juice, pour that within while stirring (don't forget to take kettle aside first...). Served. (...And perhaps it should be noted that it's recommended to use the iron kettle).
 ----

...Avocado I didn't use to eat much until the more recent times. When younger, I guess I preferred the more typical fruits (for them are sweeter by taste). But nowadays, as I happened to read about S.American Monkeys (Spider-monkeys perhaps, or some other species) bothering to take the whole trouble from peeling avocados, and also removing the seeds, (Actually it's said there's relative little to eat in a single fruit - On those which grow in the wild on forests even less than at the cultivated some.) ...I've then began thinking that the Monkeys probably know better how to maintain the healthier diets than does the man. 

So, I often fx take some avocados with me while on walkabouts to someplace, they are easily carried and there's also lots vitamin and energy. Because I don't have any especial recipe for avocado, I just prepared this regular soup... (...Also it was considered smthg prepared from the Corn, but -likewise - as I've got not any good recipe, I think some corn grated over this does well too. Makes the soup even little more tastier, I think.)

Avocado-Soup

Ingredients: 2 (ripe) avocados; 2 dl Chicken/Vegetable-broth; (About) 2 dl natural Yog-hurt; 1 tbs Citron juice; 1 tsp Sambal Oelek (spices); salt, sugar

Recipe: Simple. Slice the avocados (peel and remove the seed first). Then mash all the ingredients together, add the spices.

--- 

And, has to say, little similarly for the Yam I only found this recipe. Yam has a rather interesting taste - The root tastes little like flours, perhaps (You probably either like it or not). Spices are the important part on preparation of this too, and as I didn't find a suitable selection available I prepared some mixture of my own (contained at least chili, pepper, black pepper, curry, ao.). Served hot or coollen, but the spices make the taste, I'd say...

Spiced Yam

Ingredients: 45 g butter; 2 Garlic gloves; 1 kg Yam (..but I only used for this about 300 g); Some Tomatoes; Spices (Chili, Pepper, Cinnamon, ...but the recommendation is use some African spices mixture); Salt; ...And for the overs Natural Yoghurt (w. some herb)

Recipe: First peel the Yam, slice for pieces. First fry the (crushed) Garlic in oil (couple minutes). Add the Yam (and still fry a little more). Slice the tomatoes and remove separately the juice. Add spices and (chopped) tomato in the pan. Soon after, add juice and salt. Let be (under lid) for about 15-20 minutes. Served w. Yoghurt and Parsley (pour over yams on plate.)

---

Dessert recommendation; It's also from the Medieval recipes, but I heavily modified that. Fx, I reduced the amounts little and also changed the berries for Cranberry (Original recipe uses Blueberries...). Doesn't seem like too difficult to make, but notice that because I had not time, I didn't experiment with this yet. Therefore, anyone is free to try that at your own risk, (the recipe) could turn out as a complete flat-cake in case the amounts don't mix well, fx... [Prepared that and that made quite a success...I only noticed that the Cranberries aren't so useful for dyeing, so if wish make colourful use some other berries. And...their rather crisp berries, therefore I used quite much sugar, but the taste not shows on plain juice (much), so the amount from sugar can be reduced (a bit), if wish... ; W-G.]

(Twin-colored) Almond-Milk Pudding

Ingredients: 125-150 g Almond (crushed); 3 dl Milk; 3-5 gelatine leafs; 150 g sugar; ½ dl cream; (about) ½ dl Cranberries (...for serving the Pudding can be decorated w. some red berries and leafs of Mint)

Recipe: Milk, almonds and sugar are first put in the kettle together, heat that (while slowly stirring), about 10 min. (Meanwhile) soften the gelatines at cold water. Extra water of them, and then melt gelatines for a few cups of Almond-milk, pour that in the kettle (Stirring). Once coollen the (whipped) cream is added. After that, squeeze the insides from Cranberries to juice. Divide the pudding for two pieces and color the other part w. the juice. Pour the colored part on a plate, and then the other part over that. Let be in the refrigerator for overnight. Finally, on the next day that's turned over still and placed to a serving plate, decorated the way wished.

(W-G.)

---------------

(Some) Mid-Summer Enchantement(s); 

(I guess), We can quite as well continue the series from those little Natures gifts/Wonders also within these Cooking-posts. That so, because the ongoing 'Undesigned chapter'-Series seems appear rather randomly (and unexpectably perhaps).

So, at first here's this lovely and enchanting, a common but historically valued plant - Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria). Belongs to the larger family from Roseceae, which also contains the commonly known Roses. It's known from having had (still has, perhaps) a common usage as decorative flower at the weddings and other social ceremonies - It's cultural history even goes far in the past, from Meadowsweet is mentioned that of the archeological excavations from the (Nordic) Bronze Age (...from 1500 B.C., and until early Christianity or smthg like that...*) on the graves there's sometimes been found it's remains/pollen. (So one could suppose it once had - perhaps - a more religious usage/meanings, like many plants have had in the past.)

The fragnance of the meadowsweet is very nice (perfume-like one could say.) The plant blooms around mid-summer time (onwards from the Mid-summer party) ...So, a bunch of those in the home decoration makes well, and the flowers scent is even mentioned helpful to the headache. It grows commonly on places with enough moisture (at least on Fennoscandia grows on the creeks, roadsides, lakesides, etc. ), so it's not a big harm if picking a few. Also, like one could easily guess, from meadowsweet bloomings it's also possible find a various kinds insect at this time of the year.

From some reason - don't know why, I usually don't devote too much attention for the plants - I've always liked these flowers a lot;  Perhaps I ran to some place growing bushes of meadowsweet and became toxicated by them on my early youth...

The insect (species)  - and not the less respectable creature - on this sequel is the Lesser Marbled Fritillary (Brenthis Ino).  The 'Frits' (If that's any correct term, it probably refers to various quite similar-looking butterfly genera...) are these colourful and occasionally quite large species with some 'dots' on underwings. They (apparently) belong for the group/tribe of the Heliconiinae, ie are believed related to some better known S.American butterflies. And it's said that there appears most species from this group ("Frits") on the whole of Europes at Fennoscandian Nature. ...Even though most of the larger species are quite fast flyers and change places rapidly, so you don't necessary see them so often as some more usual species. Some species which favor marshes environments have also become scarcer at South Fennoscandias due decline of their main habitats (During perhaps some past half the centurys time.)

This one in the pic (Brenthis Ino) is mentioned to belong for the bit smaller species from them (Wingspan around 3.5 - 4.5 cm) and it's also said that - with a few others - being among commonest from the 'Frits', around the mid-summer period when it flies. Typically can be encountered at the meadows, fx. But, what makes it presented on this instance is that caterpillars are mentioned live on Meadowsweet (and, at related plants, as well as on some other like fx the wild Raspberry.) 

So, a few respectable species this time, neither from those possibly is not of a similar ecological importance than our preceding insect example (Bumble-bees)...But they're both some of my personal favorites, so I picked them at this. (And view the recipes section too, if wish...)

* - Note: ...But, at the Northest from Europe that would be somewhat later timing/periods, since (as I recall that...) there actually wasn't so called Bronze ages, and the first (modern) human settlers are believed arrived at some significant later period of time. However...I don't bother check for the precise (assumed) timing from this. ; (W-G.)

-------
( The latest posts! - @ Mulskinner Blog @ )


----------
Powered by ScribeFire.

Cooking companion, Part XII

 (Medieval Recipes) 

...I believe I must have been around twelve by the time I read Walter Scott's (1779-1832) Ivanhoe (1819). Probably that experience, almost instantly, made me to years onwards a keen reader of the historical romantic novel (the fiction best renown from period ca early 19th century and following decades). Some years older I read Mark Twain's (1835-1910) A connecticut yankee in King Arthur's court (1889), a book that draws a  little different picture from the medieval era (which commonly, or often, in the popular imaginery is depicted as period of knighthood and the honorable deeds; ie those men dressed to armoury from toe to the crown of the head, maidens weeping imprisoned in their castles, etc). 

F.G. (1936) Mickey Mouse Adventures with Robin Hood

 ... it's (also) a great Middle-Age parody.

 

The period known and referred for as the Middle-ages was sometime from 900 to mid/late 1300s (...About?). In reality, nothing much probably was like presented at either of those books mentioned, but anyway, I still feel like both from those at least give us - fans of the historical novels - a chance for a certain 'imaginary view' to that.

About the same time became I learned from the original Robin Hood and other such good folks-tales from old times. Also later, probably inspired from the regularly returning (and passing) periods of the modern (popular) interest to middle-ages, I took on to read Johan Huizinga's book Waning of the middle-ages (1921). I still think it a very good one (relative aged book that maybe but belongs to some better cultural histories written from middle-ages). Book fx interestingly discusses those famous painted pictorials on medieval church walls (The Dance of death, or Dans de la Mort, or, most commonly known as the Dances Macabre) 
...And so we are probably allowed say, from view-point of our most profane of ages, that we today rather rarely encounter such hilarious depictorials from subject described (Death), if compared for how was the manner on that most religious of ages.  I've also seen those church paintings often compared for modern comics, actually. (And this only said in case we also allow us thinking - quite understandably - the historical continuation of times/these cultural periods solely within limits of our European timescales.)

Anycase, and like noticeable, my own interest to the middle-ages a lot resembles the manner our present days popular culture handles and uses almost any cultural heritage of the past (/or the past historical periods); Frankly noted, it most usually just Goes around/comes around. So...from an occasional interest, and having had chance paging an interesting cultural historic study/cookbook about medieval kitchen and cooking, I naturally picked some recipes from it to this summertime section...

Cover pic from Umberto Eco's 1980s blockbuster Il Nome della Rosa ..Novel makes quite credible, albeit fictional, view from the medieval cultures (Story situated in monastery). 

Recipes:

Soup from the Sweet Potato 

(spiced w. Tarragon)

...This (self-invented) recipe below, however, has nothing to do with the medieval kitchen. I just placed it within this 'cause I noticed tarragon very well spicing the sweet potato soup... And, actually neither of the mentioned ingredients wasn't even known or used in during the middle-ages. But, in fact, it's pretty tasty soup I think... 

Ingredients; 1 Sweet Potato; 2-3 regular Potato; (about) 1 tsp Salt; about 1 tbs Tarragon leaves (fresh ...or a smaller amount dried Tarragon); Cocoa milk (small amount)

Recipe: Just prepared as a typical mashed soup; Slice vegetables to pieces, cook and mash them, add the spices, and lastly thicken it little with cocoa milk (/cream). Tarragon is of the main importance for taste at this, but I believe I've also sometimes added some hotter spices for this soup.

------

 

Turnip - Parsnip Soup:

...Unlike the potato, Turnip was very commonly used and therefore here's this tasty alternative (from soup). Try that, I think it resembles porridge somewhat, Almonds give an interesting extra flavour to this. (...From cultural historic view-point it feels quite understandable that the potato soon later replaced the turnip on more modern times - The Foucault-reader probably would find some interesting remarks discussing about that, I'd  guess....)
Turnip - according for my experience - has probably the lowest nutrient-value from any vegetables I usually choose to eat. But it's taste is more luxurious if compared for potatoes. (Parsnip is said been on common cultivation already during antique times.) 

Ingredients; 5 dl Turnip,3 dl Parsnip (peeled and sliced for pieces); 1 l broth; (about) 2 dl Almond crush;  2-3 dl cream; 3 eggs; ½ tsp salt; juice from ½ of Citron

Recipe: Cook parsnip and turnips in the broth until they soften a little. Mash the soup and pour almonds for it. In the separate bowl mix the eggs (the yellow part, first take away yolk) with salt and cream. Pour to that a citron juice, and also add 1 dl from soup, while stirring slowly. Lastly pour that in the soup, let be (on slow heat) couple minutes.

------

Camelina-Sauce:

...The Sauce was selected just from the (particular) difficulty of to choose what should serve as the main dish. (That may have also been from reason we were here provided - right on time for this recipes section, and by his unmercyfulness kind approval, of course -a full bunch of documentaries discussing the darker sides of global foods economics/businesses... ie let that be referred as stories from Salmon, Beef, Hens, all in the name of big profits and the overuse of natural resources (or, you can view that as you like, but I figured the compact message of it as something like that...)  

Wild game would make a perfect meal w. this. It is mentioned on recipes of those fx the elk, deer, partridge, rabbit, swan, (among others) ...And seems it also fx said that the first mentioned were been hunted to disappearance closer some towns. (After all, it was before our times controlled hunting regulations, etc. ) Anyway, guess I'll have to leave those too out from our cultivated recipes section from that reason. 
I suppose I'll try this with the sheep sometime - From that, see also the followingg recipes section (XIII). The advice, however, says that sauce is suitable either with the fish or with meat. Perhaps best suitable w. some preserved fish. (...And, by the way, it's also said that on middle-ages this was the usual manner for precipiting sauces - fl0urs were not used.)

Ingredients; 1-2 slices of (wheat) bread; 1-1½ dl white wine; 1-2 tbs Vinegar; 1 tsp Cinnamon; ½ tsp Ginger; a bit of Clover; ½ tsp Black pepper (...but I used Citron pepper); a bit Saffron (...didn't have, left that out); 2 tbs Brown sugar; some Salt

Recipe: First toast the breads (on frying pan, fx). On bowl mix wine w. vinegar, then add bread pieces for that. Let be a few minutes and mix them (with electric whipper, fx) for sauce. Add the spices and check taste (according the actual recipe the Cinnamon should appear as the main flavour. Can be served heated sauce, or cold.

------

Fried Fungi (A'la Toscany):

...And last - but not least of course - is this recipe (; I take the liberty from unortodoxically to (re-)christen it for 'Plat du jour Con funghi'...). 
I happened read from some place that Michelangelo [The famous artist/sculptor/architect from the renaissance-era ...but have I mentioned this story before? :] was a (strickt?) vegetarian and often did get by a whole day at his physical tasks - like sculpting must be - with a single loaf of bread and bottle of red wine. Knowing that he lived for fairly old age (99 years), I just wonder if his meals might sometimes included this kind of meals as well.

...The book from medieval kitchens and foods mentions recipe to this originating from an Italian Cook-book (of the 14th century), so at least in theory, recipe might have been at the popular use still on late 15th (Maybe it even today is, doesn't seem too difficult, only the spices used maybe are nowadays little different kind...) 
It is recommended served alongside with fx meat as the main dish, but I only prepared Yoghurt/Tzatsiki with it for not to spoil the combination from spices and fungi. But here's only some recommendations offered, choose what you wish... 

Ingredients; 600 g  some regular (Forest) fungi ...But since them can appear sometimes quite expensive, alternative recommended is to make this partly from mushrooms [means 300/300 g] ; 2 Onions (I bought newly harvested from the market and also used the stalks for this); Some Olive oil; 1 tsp Black pepper [...Didn't have that, so I experimented w. Juniper-seeds. - In case of having any problem with kidneys using those isn't recommended, however...] ; ½ tsp (or less) Nutmeg; 2 tsp Coriander; (a little) Salt 

 

Recipe: Fry the mushrooms/fungi (sliced) in the pan until they dry somewhat. Take them aside and fry sliced onion with  the oil. After a while add fungi. Fry that for a moment, add the spices. Let be (slow heat, put a lid on) about 10 to 15 minutes (and only lastly I added salt on this cooking.). 

Happy cookings! 

; (W-G.)

-------

( The latest posts! - @ Mulskinner Blog @ )


----------
Powered by ScribeFire.

'The Undesigned Chapter' (Part IV)

Quite obviously, we've not very much had time for this chapter lately. Also, during summer - quite understandably, too - these posts are always more random and infrequent. So, this time I'll just devote most of it to gather some memoirs from what the material those disadvantageous and unlimitedly dishonest tactics by his Derpessivousness may have deprived from this page's offerings.

Seems that a few posts from these we've probably mentioned at some earlier posts ...But some probably were left unmentioned until this (that I now sort of recollect been). Nothing very extraordinary, perhaps, but seems that list at least would contain: A few book reviews (A biography, maybe couple those ...but I'll consider that there should be smthg similar on the undecided future); ...And also there was that book from the marine turtles (conservation); ...And a few naturalist classics, too. From fiction (books) there's probably been several too, but I cannot seem now recollect but that book from early romantic literatures and that other one from some 19th century realism/family chronicle (was it the Buddenbrooks? And, I guess there was smthg from Chekhov's short-stories too?). And probably some other books; Perhaps also reviews from some other realism work(s) from that golden century of the literatures? ...or Dante (Alighieri), maybe? Or something from Joyce, Twain or even Virginia Woolf, perhaps? ...Well, anyway, the few additional texts censured from here I recollect been (our) general attempt for to outline the scope of extermination of (some) animal species on Europes within some 1000 years socio-historical framings (about, etc). And then there was that inspired but frank commentary about asphalt, at least as I recall that was...but perhaps also something else which my mind has now skipped over(?).

Anyhow, let's  keep this short and just say that in the summer-time posts will probably be from this chapter and maybe little else. Maybe few comics for a while, or smth... And the above paragraphs only to gather those on some combined list (for later uses, perhaps). (W-G.)

---

And - like now has become for the occasional regular content of these chapters - our spectacular insect 'guest'; this time it will be Bumble-bee. Them are (obviously) noted from being the best adapted species (from bees) to the Northern European Natures and also are - perhaps - the most successfull among (social) hymenopterous insects that we find.

Bombus hypnorum, on garden flowers (Around late March).

They're always on the move already earliest of Spring and practically untiresome - Around mid-summer, when there's adequate light throughout the day (24-hours time), they seem to fly almost 'day and nite'. Goes without sayin that they're among most important species on the pollination of various plants, not least many berries; ...blueberries and probably raspberries, (and others, etc). And - at least seem to me logical supposing - that they're relatively much generalists at their choices from plants (flowers and others alike), even though I've not viewed any particular study about that. Feels difficult to think some other such important insect for the ecology in general (although sure there is, but those many aren' t that so visible and common to see, probably). Not contradicting previously said, but from many (natural) flowers seems it in fact mentioned that they're especially 'designed' in a certain way - in a way that only bumble-bees fit for their pollination (ie they're species large-sized enough to reach for the blooms and to transfer flowers pollen from one plant to another).

Early at Spring there's not so much nectar on flowers,

 and them also seem remain still for while...

...And probably very much more there would be about Bumble-bees (but read it elsewhere). There's about over 10 separate species of Bumble-bees at the N.Europe's, all adapted to a certain kind environments and conditions. The species in the pics is - acc. my guess - Bombus hypnorum. I suppose it's around second most common species, only the yellow-striped some (B. lucorum) are probably more numerous and frequent from see. Not perhaps the most cute (among the insects); Or, not the most impressive from colorations; Or, not some of the rarest ...but they're certainly some from the most diligent. That is, in fact, so apparent and self-evident - from natures 'gifts' we typically tend think they are - that mostly we don't even pay attention for. (...But of course, the Bumble-bees have always had a very popular place on fx the children's literatures, there's numerous characters from them at stories...)

-------

( The latest posts! - @ Mulskinner Blog @ )


----------
Powered by ScribeFire.

My wild bicycle...

; Mulskinner Hi-Tec Review XIV ; [ IV / 2011 ] : Bicycle
  

Biking is (probably) the cleanest man-made invention to movement from since a few past century's history of time.  In the same breadth it can be praised also a healthy and refreshing method for movement (It's also good for the body and mind...at least as long as you don't, from bad luck, happen drive off-side, or the bad weather doesn't appear as particularly troublesome, say...). 

  

Biking also is popular, so one doesn't have to say much more words from it's other good characteristics. The usual preferred alternative (driving cars) of course is so obviously known from it's harmfullness to the environment (Not to mention that it's generally lot more expensive a habit, and will only become more so in the expextable future, no matter from which view you look at that). Walking, on the other hand, is often recommendable but not practical on every imaginable circumstances, fx when you have some stuff to carry along. 

This view-point only becomes more understandable when you think about all that trouble (at any city) when by car ...searching for that parking place, paying for that parking, paying road-taxes [in case there's such], all those bad smelling gases, and all the trouble of driving at a typical street traffic [in Italy that's particularly awful...]). With bike - no such troubles at all, or at least lot less of that.

Bicycle has also changed lot since the earliest around 1870s; 'Whippet' by Lindley & Brigss from 1885. Looks pretty modern..

In fact, it's also quite truly so that those few places in the world where there's (widely) populated regions that still lack the modern roads (carways, or highways), would make a greatest service for both environment and the people from not building some. Or at least for to wait until any better inventions (fuels) for movement would see the day. Roads are usually considered as a ticket to modernization of the country-sides and places, but it's possible to think about the turnsides of that as well. The typical sightings of the animal corpses (of mammals, birds, reptiles as well as the insect), usual view on the roadsides, are not the only aspect that we notice on this. Roads also, more or less, permit peoples increased movement and within increased traffic they usually bring as well  pollution along other typical stresses for the ecology. Where ecology is stressed people usually also get more stressed. 

And, if observed from the life-style or cultural view-points, cars are just as boring as the adverts and sales magazines made to sell them. A common joke, but usually the sole messages they seem say goes like: 'We actually think you stupid enough think that spending such sum of money and changin for this years model would make any big difference (at your own life).' Or, from the ecological view-point; 'Now we're even agreed to make these things a little less pollutive and you should believe it's all for the better of natures and you as well...'

(...Of course, it can very well also be said that I'm probably privileged of saying all this just from the reason that I own and drive a car as well.)

...Cars have changed too. This futuristic "auto" dates back for 1899. Supposedly it was even on real manufacture.(?)

One can't necessary go anyplace or any distances on bike. But (at least on summers),  there's always a good possibility of choosing when to use some. So, as I have only a few kilometres to shops, I nowadays prefer just to take the bike (it's actually even funnier to pack foodstuffs at it's baskets than on a car). On a travel to and from shops one can then enjoy the benefits of that (the landscape, sunshine, flowers, chance of having some exercise, the fresh air, etc, etc.) And not that much waiting on traffic lights, none from the stress that always accompanies driving the gasoline-hungry monster, and even not having to bear behaviours of the equally stressed co-drivers (of cars)... In the ideal world...there would be no cars, only bicycles. (G.U.J.)

--

( The latest posts! - @ Mulskinner Blog @ )


----------
Powered by ScribeFire.