Food and Thrift

Sloppy Joes

Research at the Carnegie Library suggests that the Sloppy Joe began in a Sioux City, Iowa, cafe as a "loose meat sandwich" in 1930, the creation of a cook named Joe."

The term "sloppy" comes from the fact that eating it as if it were a normal sandwich often results in the meat and sauce spilling out. It may also be served "open face", with the bun halves or slices of bread next to each other and the meat on top of each. A sloppy joe served with no bun at all is known as a saucy beefeater.

Sloppy joes are also referred to as wimpies in parts of the Northeast USA, especially northeastern Pennsylvania, as "yip yips" in parts of southwestern Illinois near St. Louis, and as slushburgers in parts of the Upper Midwest, including the Dakotas and Eastern Montana.Where did Sloppy Joe or Joes originate from:

If you look carefully, you can see the Red...White...and Blue colors in my photo; and one more interesting fact is that this beautiful Willow pattern china is from England...how apropos is that?! I served this all American comfort food up for myself for the 4th of July...our Independence Day, ...freedom from the British Colonies!

I mean, honestly! How much more American can you get?...Apple Pie and Baseball...Red White and Blue dessert?...its all good! While I was totally all alone...family still away on vacation/holiday, as the British would say...Cherio Jolly Good, and all that stuff!

I thoroughly enjoyed a tall glass of Zephyrhills Sparkling water with the Sloppy Joes...also all American, from Zephyrhills Florida. A slice of lime, and more lime juice...added ice cubes; wow! totally refreshing.

I'm sure there are lots of recipes for Sloppy Joes, but I happen to choose the recipe from

Ree Drummond (The Pioneer Woman) from Food Network

Note: I made this with 1 lb. of lean ground beef, and did not use butter...only extra virgin olive oil. Also used less of the spices, of course...just broke it down to half the amount.

My son use to love sloppy Joes made with Manwich sauce with baked beans when he was little:)

...and later on in the evening, I walked over to the Intracoastal on the bridge and watched the fireworks!

Have a wonderful week ahead, everyone...and thank you for all your kind comments! xo

Lemon Curd

Nothing like homemade Lemon Curd that you so lovingly make...being careful not to let it burn or curdle because after all, you'll be wasting half a dozen egg yolks (save the whites for another use) some precious fresh butter, three lemons, a cup of sugar and all that time you've spent carefully whisking it to yummy perfection.

Don't boy store bought lemon curd because they never can compare to the luscious one you make at home. I love this even more than custard, which actually is, combined with fresh squeezed lemons and grated lemon zest.

Notice the cute wrought iron trivet...shaped like a teapot? A 'thrift find for $1.99; it even has a little hook so you can hang it...gave it to my daughter last year and it is so well made, sturdy, and beautifully glazed. I set the still hot lemon curd after I filled the mason jar that has been sanitized.

Now that its sealed with the lid I'm going to refrigerate it and fill a tart crust, or you can fill a pie crust, and top it with fresh raspberries...or, I could save it in the fridge to use it for another dessert, spread it on freshly baked biscuits. This would make a very special gift as well, for the holidays!

The recipe is found in Martha Stewart Cookbook...collected recipes for every day. This is a fantastic book where you will find your basic recipes at a moment's glance...another 'thrift find' for $2.99...also gave to my daughter.

Lemon Curd
adapted from Martha Stewart

6 egg yolks lightly beaten
1 cup sugar (caster-granulated)
Juice of 3 large lemons, about 3/4 cups
1/4 lb. (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into small
pieces.
1 Tablespoon. grated lemon zest

In a medium stainless steel pot, combine the

egg yolks, sugar, and lemon juice. With a wire

whisk, stir constantly for about 12-15 minutes

until mixture thickens, and coats the back of a spoon. Do not allow the mixture to boil.

Remove from heat and strain the mixture through a mesh sieve into a medium bowl, to make sure that it is completely smooth without any lumps.Stir in the butter, a few pieces at a time and fold in the lemon zest. While still warm pour the mixture into a sterilized jar, and cover tightly. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Yields 1 1/2 cups.

Luscious Lemon Bars...and more of Italy!

The third day I was in Italy, I decided that I want to make something truly American, since the family was asking me to make a Cheesecake...which I was not too excited about making since its so time consuming and their Philadelphia cream cheese is not nearly as good, as ours and it is way more expensive. I had a torn out page from a Southern Living magazine that had the amazing Lemon Bars and since I had the American measuring cup and spoons there I decided to make it...really well worth the short time and effort.

Never, in my wildest dreams did I think that these lemon bars would be such a huge 'hit' with the family. They have never even heard of Lemon Bars...not alone taste it! I tell you, the butter there is superb and so rich, smooth and naturally sweet. I purchased the 'farmer butter' which was in the local supermarket and proceeded to make the crust first...then the filling with the freshest farm eggs, and fresh lemon juice. This is a 'failproof' recipe if you follow it correctly. For all you 'lemon lovers'...this is a huge treat!

Here's the recipe for the Luscious Lemon Bars from Southern Living

Linking to:Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherines Corner

While I was preparing my lemon bars, Teresa was busy making her traditional Italian Sweet Bread

I can't explain...but this really isn't like a Challah bread, its more of a texture of cookie dough when it is done.

Fresh out of the oven...for every day Teresa would have some kind of breads or sweets done homemade...of course.

See what I mean about the texture? Simple, just the right sweetness...so good with coffee or tea!

Isn't this patio the sweetest and most charming?... with all the potted plants and some herbs. Their condo is so awesome, great patio all around, and gorgeous view of the little town.

Teresa just working her 'magic' in her little galley kitchen...but then she has a larger second kitchen downstairs where she makes her homemade salami and cured hams.

I love this photo...a view from their kitchen window...such pretty little curtains, as well!

They even have door-to-door delivery for fresh produce by a local farmer.

...and here's the little open produce truck pulled up to the building entrance.

A gorgeous and serene view from the back of the building...neighbor's tree, huge fern tree which is all over growing so high, and so beautiful.

A short walking distance scene from my daily walks.

The little brook, close up!

Such a pretty scene of the brook!

I snapped this photo overlooking from the little bridge in that same neighborhood, behind is the brook...you can hear the water fall over the rocks...such a soothing sound!

See what I mean?...total awesomeness!

For the 'Love of Foods' in Italy

I did not take a lot of photos of 'foods' ...simply, because the second week when I met up with my daughter. I was the official 'food photographer'...I became the 'annoying paparazzi, and tried to limit my food photos~

nothing like a casual morning walk to the local outdoor market...the freshest fruits and vegetables
grown locally!

Another fruit and vegetable stand at the outdoor market!

This is the local supermarket which is in a mall, and has other great shops as well.

You can try, and win this car while you're vacationing there!

These little mini pull baskets were very convenient!

Awesome seafood section...although I was asked not to take any photos...as in Whole Foods in the U.S. ...so, my store photos ended in the seafood isle; sad to say!