Task 64 - Create a Cookbook

While working on my family tree and attempting to compile some family history I knew I wasn’t capturing everything. There is always more to a person than the history books and records can collect. They don’t capture the essence or the personality of a person. Those details are often hard to remember and often forgotten from generation to generation. Sometimes the greatest gifts a person has isn’t something that is recognized as an inheritance because it isn’t monetary. I struggled for a way to try and piece some of those details together but the idea struck me as I sat down for dinner at my parents. 

My mom had made her amazingly delicious corn pudding. While it isn’t a fancy dish it is always included in every holiday meal or special event. I know I had asked my mother before for the recipe but it wasn’t until recently that I discovered its origin.

She hadn’t dreamed it up or adapted it from a cookbook as I had expected. Instead I learned that it was a side dish her mother had always made for her. While my grandmother passed away when I was only four and I don’t remember her I came to the realization that a little piece of her personality and spirit is on the table each and every time my mom makes that dish.

It was then I realized that like my mother I too had memories of meals that she made for me. Those meals where made with love and she has spent countless hours nurturing my body and mind with those delicious dished. 

I decided that before it was too late and those meals were lost or forgotten I would collect and combine those recipes into a family cookbook. I asked my mom for both of my grandmother’s cookbooks and learned that they too had written down recipes from past generations. 

I have digitized and printed a copy for myself, my mother, and my brother so that they those recipes will live on for more generations to come. Rather than have it bound I opted to go with 3 ring binders so that recipe’s can be added.


 

Task 29 - Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

Task 29: Go to 5 Museum's (1/5)

What makes the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum special isn’t just the incredible collection of European, Asian, and American art but more importantly a private collection whose owner decided to share it with the public long before her death. She was a great collector who understood  the cultural value of her collection and wanted the masses to be able to enjoy these important paintings, sculpture, tapestries and decorative arts as she did. Unlike most collectors she didn’t hoard them for her own private enjoyment.

How she decided to display them makes the collection even more impressive. She built a Venetian palace inspired by a 15th century Palazzo Barbaro in Venice that she and her husband had visited.  She hired Willard T. Sears to build her palace. She participated in every aspect of the design and integrated pieces she collected into the building where and when possible.  She then personally positioned each and every piece of art in her collection. When completed in 1903 the public was invited to enjoy her collection. Today each and every room is exactly how she had envisioned it would be for those who visited what she spent a lifetime collecting.

The 4-story building is 3 stories of galleries surrounding a covered garden courtyard where the seasons are represented with an ever changing selection of flowers and other lush foliage.  The building was constructed for the sole purpose of being a museum and the 4th floor was home to Isabella during the remainder of her lifetime.

The center garden courtyard is a work of art in its self and is a quiet sanctuary in a busy city. It is my favorite part of the museum. While the collection is impressive the building and the courtyard was Isabella’s vision and her addition to the collection.

When Isabella Stewart Gardner died in 1924, her will created an endowment of $1 million and outlined stipulations for the support of the museum, including the charge that her collection be permanently exhibited “for the education and enjoyment of the public forever” according to her aesthetic vision and intent. Gardner stipulated that if her wishes for the museum were not honored, the property and collection were to be sold and the money given to Harvard University.

The collection was thrust into the history books on March 18, 2990 when thieves disguised as Boston Police Officers gained entry and absconded with 13 works of art including The Concert by Vermeer considered the painting that inspired Isabella to begin her collection. None of these paintings have yet been recovered and the empty frames still hang on the walls where they once were.

Today they have made some recent additions to the property while maintaining the integrity of her vision. They have added a modern building designed by Renzo Piano to house special exhibits, concerts, and educational programs to further Isabella Stewart Gardner’s legacy. The purpose of the new building is to reduce the strain on the palace and the collection from foot traffic generated by such activities.

(Please note that there is no photography allowed in the Mansion. I learned that the hard way and was yelled at by a guard. Unfortunately for him I had already taken the following photos at that point. I am not sure that I understand the reason for the ban at least of the courtyard. Knowing a little about artwork I can appreciate the reason for no pictures of the art work since flashes actually degrade the varnish over time and require costly cleaning and harm to the artwork. The courtyard however is constantly drenched in sunlight and is magnificent and no harm would be done by taking a picture sans flash. The other possible reason I came up with for the ban of photography is security but again the courtyard is an internal space and no security concerns are present from a picture of that. Unless the thief attempted a Thomas Crown Affair style heist. Either way I apologized for my indiscretion. Interestingly upon leaving I heard the ticket taker instruction guest of the photography ban. I sure didn't hear that when I entered.)



Task 80 & 82 - Mama Louise's Chicken Piccata

(80) Make Someone Special Dinner
(82) Try 10 New Recipes
Recipe: Mama Louise's Chicken Piccata

Last night in honor of Valentines Day I decided to make dinner for someone special to me. I chose one my mom's best recipes for the occasion and took the opportunity to take pictures of the whole process to share here on my blog.

The recipe is very easy and it takes roughly 1 hour from start to finish to make the meal. The shopping list is as follows:

• 4 halves chicken breasts, skinned and boned
• 1 egg
• 3 tablespoons real lemon juice from concentrate, divided
• 1 lemon sliced thin
• ¼ - ⅓ cup sifted flour
• 2 tablespoons capers.
• ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
• ⅛ teaspoon paprika
• ¼ cup margarine or butter
• 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon cubes
• ½ cup boiling water
• 2 servings of angel hair pasta 

So timing is everything and where I have the most trouble when I cook big meals. Last night I managed to get everything timed perfectly and I attribute that to having laid out everything I would need to cook tonight.

Step 1: Tenderize the Chicken. Before tenderizing the chicken I trimmed away any residual fat from the meat. Once I was satisfied I using the textured side of the meat tenderizer I pounded the chicken on both sides. 

Step 2: In a medium bowl beat 1 egg and 1 tablespoon of from concentrate lemon juice.

Step 3: Using a mandoline cut lemon into thin slices.

Step 4: In a different medium bowl mix flour, garlic powder, and paprika. (prep for step 5 by putting margine or butter in the skillet to melt)

Step 5: Dredge the chicken first in the egg/lemon mixture and then in the dry ingredients and coat well.

Step 6: In the skillet brown the chicken in the margerine or butter.

Step 7: In the microwave boil water and chicken bouillion cubes. Once the chicken is browned mix chicken stock and remaining lemon juice and cappers into the skillet. Add a few lemon slices. (Save some to garnish at the end)

Step 8: Cover and let simmer for roughly 20 minutes or until chicken is tender.

Step 9: Start pasta. Angel hair pasta takes rougly 5-7 minutes to cook.

Step 10: Place pasta in a serving plater and dress lightly with olive oil. Place chicken on top and pour remaining liquid from the skillet over the chicken and pasta. Garnish as desired with lemon slices.