Hurray for Christmas Gingerbread Houses Large or Small

Nothing heralds the arrival of Christmas like the appearance of gingerbread houses.

And although there are two forms of gingerbread (a soft form called Lebkuchen and a harder form), it is the stiffer dough that is associated with constructing gingerbread houses).

This firmer German style gingerbread has long been linked the sweet-covered witch’s house in the fairy tale of Hansel and Gretel. The Brothers Grimm were the first to write down the story of the brave witch-battling brother and sister in 1812.

But the story did not begin there. Folk historians believe the events that prompted the fairy tale sprang from the tragic days of the Great European Famine of 1315–1321 when massive famine caused desperate parents to abandon their young children in the hope the children could find food elsewhere.  Sadly most died wandering lost in barren drought-striken landscapes.

This tragic tale is so closely associated with gingerbread that the story’s evil child-eating witch is named “Frau Pfefferkuchenhau”.  Her name actually means "gingerbread house" in German.

Later these houses, covered with a stunning array of colorful candies and decorative icings were built in surely happier times to reassure both parents and children that such dark days would never return again.

Today children around the world delight in making and visiting gingerbread house collections. In the United States one of the most elegant is at the White House. Indeed it is a model of the White House itself, complete with a healthy kitchen garden and a model of the Obamas’ beloved pet dog, Bo. 

In London it is the grand Dorchester Hotel that elicits cries of delight. And why not - their gingerbread 'house' captures the essence of their grand structure. Afternoon tea anyone? Say yes - say yes!

But it is in Bergen, Norway that you will find an entire city made of gingerbread houses. Each year the city sponsors Pepperkakebyen, the Norwegian name meaning "Gingerbread City".

It is the world's largest such assemble of gingerbread houses with each child in the town (under the age of 12 please) entitled to make their own house for what must be one of the world’s sweetest Christmas cities’.

So take heart - it’s not too late to found your very own town. After all, Santa Claus has had his very own town for centuries! What would you name your's? 

Post Note, November 30, 2012: If you're wondering what the rest of the White House decorations look like, take a fun walk-though with Bo, the First Family's beloved pet dog.

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2012

Fortnum & Mason Gets Ready to Set Christmas Holiday Decorating Trends

Thanksgiving is only a few days away which means that the Christmas season will soon be upon us. But have no fear - Fortnum & Mason is near.

For whether you live in London (lucky you!) or anywhere else, London's legendary store is close at hand, thanks to the Internet and the international post and, of course, the original founders William Fortnum and Hugh Mason. 

From candles and tea to the Scotch Eggs (which they invented), everyone every where, who enjoy the best, love the robin blue boxes that have been a hallmark of style for over 300 years.

Among those who have relied on Fortnum & Mason for the best in gourmet delights are Queen Victoria, Oscar Wilde, Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra - even explorers on Mt. Everest and weary soldiers in distant battle zones. 

And this year Fortnum & Mason has created holiday treats that will be equally treasured.

From traditional English Christmas crackers (the pull apart type) to elegant tree trimmings, Fortnum's has it all and this year they are celebrating all things London.

And why not - London has just completed a wonderful year that's includes the Queen's Diamond Jubilee AND the stunning Summer Olympics! Congratulations to all in London on a job well done!

Post Note, November 16, 2012: As the Lord Mayor of London says, " No one does Christmas like Fortnum's." And just to prove his point, here is the open of Fortnum's 2012 Holiday window displays...

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2012

Raise a Toast to the True History of Thanksgiving

Holidays are interesting events. Often their original meaning and even purpose is lost over time. This is especially true of Thanksgiving, an American holiday celebrated on the next to last Thursday in November.

It’s true that since colonial times various states and cities had held harvest celebrations but there was no national holiday called Thanksgiving on the calendar.

Sarah Josepha Hale was the first figure to seriously urge that a national day of giving thanks be established. Beginning in 1827 and continuing for the next 36 years (!) she used her position as editor of the influential Godey’s Lady’s Book magazine to press governors, senators, and presidents alike to create such a day of gratitude and reflection.

As a member of Boston literary elite (and a working mother) she also spoke against racial inequality – an issue it seems America is still struggling with as evidenced in our last national elections.

At the same time there was another younger person working in a distance frontier tavern, serving shots of applejack brandy to all who’d listen to his folky but pointed stories.

And he too was questioning the injustice of inequality.

In 1863 that same man would make Hale’s dream of a national Thanksgiving holiday a reality.  

He did so to remind the nation during the darkest days of the Civil War that there are some truths and values so universal that they are worth fighting for no matter the cost or the time it takes… thoughts captured so well by the Union Colonel Joshua Chamberlain as he spoke to his men on the eve of the critical battle of Gettysburg.

Yes, the person who created Thanksgiving as a national holiday in the U.S. was Lincoln. His courage and strength saved a nation. His fight to do so was not easy as shown in Steven Spielberg’s new movie, Lincoln.  He never gave up. There is a lesson there.

Perhaps when we celebrate Thanksgiving this year we should do more than remember Pilgrims in funny hats. In addition to giving thanks for the turkey and dressing, perhaps we should also give thanks for the many brave men AND women who have throughout history fought so bravely with words and deeds for the human rights that should belong to all people.  

That feast should belong to us all everywhere.

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2012

Anti Vampire Garlic Wreaths Make the Perfect Culinary Halloween Gift

Soon it will be Halloween and, excluding candy corn and pumpkin flan, that means it’s time for the ingredient that all vampires dread – garlic!

But did you ever wonder how garlic (that fantastic and noble vegetable) ever came to be associated with this fearful demon of the dark?

It all has to do with the lowly mosquito. Garlic, you see, is a natural mosquito repellent. Eat it, wear it and/or handle it and one doesn’t get bit by the pest (at least most of the time).

One or two hundred years ago when the legend of the vampires was first circulating, conservative Christianity was also flourishing in Europe. The social mores of the time required individuals to cover almost every part of the body except their necks.

Without garlic as a repellent, people could easily be bite by mosquitoes in the only available area, i.e. the neck, leaving small ‘bite-like ‘  red marks.

If the mosquitoes carried malaria, the person bit soon became exhausted, feverish, anemic, pale, with swollen red marks – resulting in what appeared to others to be a lingering near-death condition.

Since scientific knowledge was often in short supply in remote rural areas and the symptoms matched so closely with rural legends, well, let’s just say the vampire got the blame, sine garlic. And that is how garlic became the preferred anti-vampire protection system.

So what’s the absolutely perfect Halloween gift for a chef or gourmet enthusiast? Why, a garlic wreath, of course.

It will keep the unwanted away and can later enhance a nearly endless array of winter dishes. And be assured, not a single vampire will bother you during this hauntingly delightful season!  

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2012 

The History of Halloween Jack o' Lanterns

Many Americans are surprised when they learn the jack-o'-lanterns are actually a British tradition. And this fact is borne out by the fact that each year London's legendary store, Fortnum & Mason, holds a pumpkin carving contest.

But the story doesn't start there. Back in the mists of pre-Christian days, the Celts of Scotland and Ireland repeatedly told each other the story of Stingy Jack.

Now Stingy Jack was always playing tricks on everyone, including the Devil himself. Once he tricked the Devil into climbing an apple tree on the pretense that the Devil should prove he did not fear this controversial fruit of self knowledge from the Garden of Eden.

Jack then hurriedly placed crosses all around the tree and made the Devil promise not to take his soul when he died as the term of releasing him from the hostage tree.

When Jack finally did die, he was, of course, denied entrance into Heaven because of his many mean deeds. He also found, because of his bargain with the Devil, he was not welcome in Hell either.

The Devil, still resenting the trick Jack had played on him, condemned Jack to roam the earth at night without friends or comfort.  But the Devil, who was once an angel, was not without sympathy for the errors of humanity, so he tossed Jack a hot coal from the eternal fires of Hell to light his path on the darkened earth.

Jack’s soul fell back to earth, without form. At first Jack tried to enter homes but he only scared people. Then one lonely night, he remembered that he had once carved turnips and gourds into scary faces and hung them from trees to frighten people in the night.

Jack found an old one he had once made still hanging from a tree and there he put his coal and soul, far from the freighted villagers.

Knowing a good thing when they saw it, for no village wants lost souls wandering about at night, the local folk carved and hung more turnips and gourds 'lanterns' in the other trees - just in case there were any other additional spirits needing a welcoming home.

And these lanterns, came in time to be called “Jack o’ Lanterns” after, you guessed it, Stingy Jack himself.

Scottish and Irish immigrants brought this custom of carving a turnips and gourds to the United States along with many other lovely customs (such as whisky/whiskey). 

But when they saw the gigantic pumpkins offered for sale in America’s rural farmers’ market – well, who wants to carve a little turnip when a huge pumpkin would be so much easier. 

The early American writer Washington Irving combined all the bi-continental story elements, added a touch of Dutch New Amsterdam, and created the unforgettable tale of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow – complete with flaming pumpkin heads and lost souls in the night.

Today, Halloween wouldn’t be Halloween in either the U.S. or Britain without pumpkins. So, whether you carve or bake, be kind, be generous or Stingy Jack just might visit you!

Post Note: Oct 20, 2012: It seems a love for pumpkins is now going international because Burger King outlets in Japan are offering the BK Pumpkin Burger and the Pumpkin Bomb Burger from October 26 through November 11 this year.

Both burgers come with beef patties, fried kabocha pumpkin slices, bacon (is the combination of 'bacon and pumpkin' to be our newest food fab?), and, of course, lettuce. They're topped with a nut sauce made from sesame seeds, peanuts, almonds, cashews, and hazelnuts. Oh, yes, they do come with pumpkin fries for those in the true 'spirit' of the season. 

 Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2012