September 30, 2011

Something New From Gramma Agoo....
                        AKA  MARY PELZEL

Boiling without Water

Most of us are very familiar with the term boil as it is used in a cook's kitchen.  It refers to heating a liquid until bubbles break the surface.  A "full rolling boil" is one that cannot be dissipated by stirring. 

Most of us also know what an ant is.  Webster's New World Dictionary states that it is any of a family of insects, generally wingless, that live in complex colonies. 

Now let me tell you what most of us don't know.   Ants boil without adding water.  Over the last few days, I'd been noticing some sawdust type material at the base of a wall in the mudroom.  Didn't think too much about it, just kept sweeping it up.  This was a big mistake.  Yesterday that same area turned into a large, black, "boiling" ball of winged ants.  The complex colony they chose to live in was MINE. 

As I watched, they appeared as a huddle of football players on the field.  One of them must have yelled "Break" and hiked the ball for suddenly the ants broke formation and began scurrying frantically.  They were everywhere, up the walls and  all over the floor.  I even picked one out of my hair.  EEUU!  (It had flown in.) 

Armed with the Raid, a broom and wearing army boots it was my job to find, spray and squish every ant.  The first thing I did was turn all the lights off and grab a flashlight.  Hey, I watch CSI and this is how good investigation is done - in the dark.  Mountain woman that I am, of course I had a very successful hunt.  My home is once again ant free.       

In many countries, ants are an important source of protein and are included routinely in cultural dishes.  I'm not moving there.  No ants will ever appear on my plate.

Eggs, I like eggs.  This recipe is something for the kids, or the kid in all of us.

Eggs in a Frame

You will need one slice of bread and  one egg for each frame and butter.

Create your frame by pulling the center from a slice of bread, or cut out the center with a biscuit cutter.  Butter bread generously on both sides.  Brown bread "frame" on one side in moderately hot skillet.  Turn it over.

Crack open the egg into a small bowl.  Pour the egg into the center opening that you have made in the bread frame. Lower heat, and cook slowly until egg white is set or to desired doneness.  Cover pan until white starts to set.  Your egg will cook faster that way.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.  Remove from pan with a pancake turner.  If you have a sweet tooth, a little pure maple syrup drizzled over the top is yummy or just add some fresh berries.  If you prefer food on the spicy side, add jalapeno slices to the egg in your frame.

As always, I welcome your questions and comments.  If you have cooking questions, send them to me. If I don't have the answer, I'll find someone who does.

Mary

marysplace1st@yahoo.com
www.marysplacegifts.com
509-658-1057

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