Did You Know…
…German chocolate cake is not from Germany?
Like chop suey and chili, it is an American creation. In fact the correct
name for the cake is “German’s Chocolate Cake”. At
some point the “s” and the apostrophe were dropped. It is
a rich, chocolate cake covered with a wonderfully gooey, sweet, coconut,
caramel and pecan topping. Made from German’s sweet chocolate
– a division of Baker’s Chocolate Company founded in 1765,
which is now owned by Kraft Foods. In 1852 Samuel German developed a
mild, dark, sweet baking chocolate bar and the product was named in
his honor. A Texas homemaker purportedly developed the first recipe,
which was printed in a Dallas newspaper in 1957. So you see, a German
chocolate cake is just a chocolate cake unless it is made with “German’s
Sweet Chocolate”.
Source: Baker’s Chocolate Information at Kraft Foods &
German Culture
www.germanculture.com.au/library
…dried herbs are more potent than fresh herbs?
It is logical, since drying concentrates the flavor of any food by
removing the water content. There is a misconception that herbs, once
dried, lose their potency. Dried herbs are 2 to 3 times more flavorful
than their fresh counterpart. Sage is the exception, use 4 times as
much as dried or rubbed sage. Of course, the freshness of dried herbs
has much to do with potency. To test the freshness of an already-opened
container. It should release a lively aroma from the concentration of
volatile herb oils. If the aroma is mild, consider of dried herbs you
may have on your shelf, crumble a small amount between your fingers.
Inhale the fragrance using more to attain the same results in cooking.
If there is no fragrance or a musty odor, discard and buy a new supply.
Old dried herbs can ruin an otherwise good recipe.
…oversized zucchini contain a lesser amount of flavor?
Baseball-bat-sized zucchini is cottony and loaded with woody seeds.
Watch garden zucchini closely as it can go from too small to overgrown
in a matter of days. Medium zucchini weighing about 8 ounces is ideal
– about 7 to 8 inches in length, and, do not peel zucchini; nutrients
and flavor are concentrated in the green peel. While it is on the low
end of the nutrition scale, peeling them will further reduce the fiber
and vitamin A content. Zucchini is also extremely high in water –
95%. Fresh zucchini slices benefit from a generous sprinkling of salt
and about 30 minutes standing time to pull off some of the water. This
process does not reduce flavor. Rinse, blot with paper towels and proceed
with the recipe. Delicious sautéed in olive oil with garlic or
grilled.
Summer 2003
Hort Shorts | Hort
Tips | Did You Know… | Did Winter Kill My
Trees? | Unlocking the Medicinal Secrets in Plants
| Herb of the Year 2003: Basil | Bug
Bites: Carpenter Ants in Trees | Cybergarden Sites
| Lawn Care Calendar | Tomatoes:
Can, Freeze or Dry | Fruits With Bad Seeds
| Trans Fat on the Food Label | Health
& Household Tips
Index
| Feedback
