Dec 18th 2019
The history of fruitcake :
The name "fruitcake" dates to ancient Egypt and the Roman Empire with a recipe that included pomegranate seeds, pine nuts and raisins in barley mash. These fruitcakes were often left on the graves or buried in the coffins of friends and loved ones as food for the afterlife.
Spices, honey and fruits transitioned fruitcakes into rich desserts. According to What's Cooking America, crusaders and hunters were able to sustain themselves on fruitcakes during long periods away because the high levels of sugar content prevented the dense, hearty food from spoiling.
1400s The British began their love affair with the fruitcake as dried fruits were imported from the Mediterranean.
1700s Ceremonial fruitcakes were baked throughout Europe during the 1700s at the end of the nut harvest. The cakes were saved and eaten at the opening of the next season in hopes of another good nut harvest. Officially labeled "sinfully rich," fruitcakes were outlawed throughout Europe in the early 18th Century. The law was loosened by the end of the century, restricting its making to holiday and wedding celebrations.
Victorian Tea Time Fruitcakes were an important part of English tea time from 1837 through around 1900. Topped with a savory spread, Queen Victoria herself was known to wait a year before eating a fruitcake in show of moderation, though many people agree that fruit cake tastes better with age.
Variations There are two basic types of fruitcake: light and dark. Dark fruitcakes are made from molasses, rum, brown sugar, cherries, prunes and walnuts - darker ingredients. Light fruitcakes are made with granulated sugar, pineapple, raisins, apricots and lighter fruit and liqueurs.
The name "fruitcake" dates to ancient Egypt and the Roman Empire with a recipe that included pomegranate seeds, pine nuts and raisins in barley mash. These fruitcakes were often left on the graves or buried in the coffins of friends and loved ones as food for the afterlife.
Spices, honey and fruits transitioned fruitcakes into rich desserts. According to What's Cooking America, crusaders and hunters were able to sustain themselves on fruitcakes during long periods away because the high levels of sugar content prevented the dense, hearty food from spoiling.
1400s The British began their love affair with the fruitcake as dried fruits were imported from the Mediterranean.
1700s Ceremonial fruitcakes were baked throughout Europe during the 1700s at the end of the nut harvest. The cakes were saved and eaten at the opening of the next season in hopes of another good nut harvest. Officially labeled "sinfully rich," fruitcakes were outlawed throughout Europe in the early 18th Century. The law was loosened by the end of the century, restricting its making to holiday and wedding celebrations.
Victorian Tea Time Fruitcakes were an important part of English tea time from 1837 through around 1900. Topped with a savory spread, Queen Victoria herself was known to wait a year before eating a fruitcake in show of moderation, though many people agree that fruit cake tastes better with age.
Variations There are two basic types of fruitcake: light and dark. Dark fruitcakes are made from molasses, rum, brown sugar, cherries, prunes and walnuts - darker ingredients. Light fruitcakes are made with granulated sugar, pineapple, raisins, apricots and lighter fruit and liqueurs.
Alrighty.
Today was a real "move it" kind of day.
Bank
Dollar Tree
WalMart
Dollarama
And then home to finish getting
All the presents for tonight wrapped,
And the cooking I said I would do done.
Suddenly realized I forgot
2 things for the food
And 1 of the gifts!
Out of the house by 2pm
And off to Giant Tiger.
Lots of time so I looked around...
Oops! Found more than planned.
Dollarama for a bag.
Oops! Found more again.
Off to Inn out of the Cold for 3pm
To donate a tablet finally.
Matching up 3 schedules was hard.
Off to Mom's to unload.
She amused herself with the foods
And I got the gifts all out.
Dad was looking good tonight.
And supper was great.
Unwrapped gifts
And taught 2 of the kids to play pool.
I got home at 8 and although
All I wanted was bed,
I stripped the bed and put on
The nice new aqua set and
Our holiday pillowcases.
Good night from John Street
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