Hot Buttered Rum Recipe & The History Of The Drink

January 17th is National Hot Buttered Rum Day. We’ve always been piqued about why Colonial Americans put butter into a mug of hot rum, so we drilled down. First, what is hot buttered rum? It’s a toddy with butter. What’s a toddy? A toddy, or hot toddy, is a warm cocktail concocted to add a…
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Stash Tea Varieties, Specialty Tea For National Tea Month

We were quite young when we first learned about Stash Tea. It was in the early 1970s, and in those days, in the Northeast, there were few natural food stores. Yogurt was still a cult food eaten by “health nuts” and people in Greek and Middle Eastern communities. In these days of the hippie, we…
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Oh Give Us A Figgy Pudding Recipe (aka Christmas Pudding, Plum Pudding)

[1] Figgy pudding, a.k.a. Christmas pudding and plum pudding (photos #1 and #2 © California Figs). [2] Dried green and purple figs. [3] California dates (photo © Bard Valley Natural Delights). [3] Caramel sauce (photo © Yulia Khlebnikova | Unsplash). [4] For dramatic effect, you can flambé the pudding with warmed brandy, before garnishing with…
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Apple Cider Recipes & Apple Cider History For National Apple Cider Day

[1] Pour yourself a glass of apple cider…or turn it into an apple cider cocktail with your favorite spirit (photo © Bonnie Kittle | Unsplash). [2] Add club soda for an apple cider spritz. You can add just a splash, or use mostly club soda for a type of apple cider club soda (photo ©…
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Cinnamon Raisin Bread Recipe For National Raisin Bread Month

[1] The recipe for this cinnamon raisin bread is below (photos #1, #2 and #3 © King Arthur Baking). [2] A different take on raisin bread has a cinnamon swirl running through the loaf. [3] Raisin bread makes truly delicious toast. [4] This raisin cheese bread is an Easter special at St. Pierre Bakery. Here’s…
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