Peasant's Feast

[arienette]

I best be invited to this. I'll cook stuff, I swear.
Perhaps this will take place when I invite myself over for a few days?

 

[Aurora Black]

Blood sausage. Mouahaha! MOUAHAHA!

*shuts up and leaves*

 

[SeaCat]

Trinique,

BTDT

The first year we lived in Florida we were Homeless for roughly three months. We lived in a tent in a state park. We were caught in a Catch-22. (Here in southern Florida you need to have an address to get a job, but you need a job before you can rent a place.) Due to some fast talking we were finally able to get both a place and jobs.

We had shit for pay and were in debt way past our eyeballs. We had no phone and could barely afford enough electricity to keep the fridge going. Thankfully we lived in shitsville so no one complained about wood smoke. I cooked over an stove I made from bricks I had scrounged up and the grate from an old abandoned fridge.

What little leftover meat we had was tossed in a bag and frozen.

My parents came down to visit us, so I had to make dinner. I grabbed the meat from the freezer and threw it into a pot. (A lot of chicken laced with some truly fatty pieces of Beef and a couple of pieces of Ham.) I splurged and picked up some fresh veggies from the local Grocery, from their almost gone bins. Onions, Carrots and several potatoes. I found some Garlic, and even a couple of Peppers. All of this along with a cup or two of water was tossed in the pot. Just before I served this concoction I added some Flour and a touch of milk to the mix to thicken it.

There was enough in there to serve the four of us and have plenty of leftovers. Our table was a piece of Plywood I had picked up from the side of the road and placed on stacks of Cinderblocks. Our chairs were also Cinderblocks. (Our beds were mattresses on the floor.)

My parents knew better than to offer us money even though they knew we were hurting. They knew I wouldn't accept it.

My wife and I fought our way out of that situation. We worked and we scrimped and we saved. We damned near killed ourselves. (A big night out for us was to go downtown. Free parking and a cheap dinner at Taco Palace where the tacos were two for a dollar.) Four years later we had payed off our credit card bills and had found a slightly better place to live. We even had Internet access.

Now after six years we are debt free, (Other than our car payments.) and have bought our own place. The funny thing about it is we haven't really changed the way we live. We still save up the money and do our shopping twice a month. We still save our leftovers and make our meals from them. If we buy something extra it is only after a lot of soul searching and a lot of research.

Cat

 

[Aurora Black]

Wow, Cat. That's great.

 

[arienette]

Trinique,

BTDT

The first year we lived in Florida we were Homeless for roughly three months. We lived in a tent in a state park. We were caught in a Catch-22. (Here in southern Florida you need to have an address to get a job, but you need a job before you can rent a place.) Due to some fast talking we were finally able to get both a place and jobs.

We had shit for pay and were in debt way past our eyeballs. We had no phone and could barely afford enough electricity to keep the fridge going. Thankfully we lived in shitsville so no one complained about wood smoke. I cooked over an stove I made from bricks I had scrounged up and the grate from an old abandoned fridge.

What little leftover meat we had was tossed in a bag and frozen.

My parents came down to visit us, so I had to make dinner. I grabbed the meat from the freezer and threw it into a pot. (A lot of chicken laced with some truly fatty pieces of Beef and a couple of pieces of Ham.) I splurged and picked up some fresh veggies from the local Grocery, from their almost gone bins. Onions, Carrots and several potatoes. I found some Garlic, and even a couple of Peppers. All of this along with a cup or two of water was tossed in the pot. Just before I served this concoction I added some Flour and a touch of milk to the mix to thicken it.

There was enough in there to serve the four of us and have plenty of leftovers. Our table was a piece of Plywood I had picked up from the side of the road and placed on stacks of Cinderblocks. Our chairs were also Cinderblocks. (Our beds were mattresses on the floor.)

My parents knew better than to offer us money even though they knew we were hurting. They knew I wouldn't accept it.

My wife and I fought our way out of that situation. We worked and we scrimped and we saved. We damned near killed ourselves. (A big night out for us was to go downtown. Free parking and a cheap dinner at Taco Palace where the tacos were two for a dollar.) Four years later we had payed off our credit card bills and had found a slightly better place to live. We even had Internet access.

Now after six years we are debt free, (Other than our car payments.) and have bought our own place. The funny thing about it is we haven't really changed the way we live. We still save up the money and do our shopping twice a month. We still save our leftovers and make our meals from them. If we buy something extra it is only after a lot of soul searching and a lot of research.

Cat

Congratulations, Cat! Not many people would have such happy stories...That's great.

 

[3113]

Dessert?

As for sweets, I haven't thought about that. Anything too sweet seems mildly inappropriate with the spread you've created here for me. Something with just nuances of sweetness...sugary goodness.

Seasonally appropriate and fun--get a big bag of apples at Sam's Club (or wherever) and caramel. Make caramel apples.

Alternately, try this (by the way, how many people are you cooking for?):

Baked apples:
BAKED APPLES

Makes 8
8 apples, cored with bottom intact
16 small sugar cubes
Julienned zest of 1 grapefruit
Juice of ½ grapefruit
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1. Place apples in a microwavable plastic container filled with ½-inch water. Place 2 sugar cubes in each apple. Evenly divide the cinnamon, zest, and juice among apples. Microwave on high for 6 minutes or until the apples are cooked through and the juices begin to run.

 

[Roxanne Appleby]

Baked apples - fantastic idea.

Alternative recipe: Find neighbor with apple tree and ask for some apples (or perform midnight requisition.) Peal (does not need to be thourough) and cut into sections. Put in a bowl with some sugar and cinamon and stuff, maybe a little liquid as needed. Bake or Nuke per 3113s instructions.

Here's the key element: Instruct a friend to get a bottle of that el cheapo "Amarito" for $6-$8. Pour a little bit over each serving of hot apples. Mmmm-mmmm.

 

[cloudy]

Baked apples - fantastic idea.

Alternative recipe: Find neighbor with apple tree and ask for some apples (or perform midnight requisition.) Peal (does not need to be thourough) and cut into sections. Put in a bowl with some sugar and cinamon and stuff, maybe a little liquid as needed. Bake or Nuke per 3113s instructions.

Here's the key element: Instruct a friend to get a bottle of that el cheapo "Amarito" for $6-$8. Pour a little bit over each serving of hot apples. Mmmm-mmmm.

Pears would work for this as well, and the trees are LOADED this time of year...at least ours is - the branches are falling over, they're so full.

 

[3113]

Peal (does not need to be thourough) and cut into sections. Put in a bowl with some sugar and cinamon and stuff, maybe a little liquid as needed. Bake or Nuke per 3113s instructions.

Here's the key element: Instruct a friend to get a bottle of that el cheapo "Amarito" for $6-$8. Pour a little bit over each serving of hot apples. Mmmm-mmmm.

Oh, that's an excellent idea. Apple brandy is also a nice way to go.

The more I think about it, the more I think apples (or pears, or both mixed!) are the way to go. Cheap, sweet/tart, and you can dress them up inexpensively to taste even richer with that splash of liquor and a little whipped cream.

Here's another thought: Apple Crumble (baked apples with a crunchy topping)
2 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 1/2 cups (packed) golden brown sugar
1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup (2 sticks) chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
Nonstick vegetable oil spray
4 pounds large Granny Smith apples, peeled, halved, cored, each half cut into 6 slices
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Mix oats, 1 cup sugar, and flour in bowl. Add butter; rub in with fingertips until topping comes together in moist clumps. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill.)

Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish with nonstick spray. Mix apples, lemon juice, cinnamon, and 1/2 cup brown sugar in bowl. Transfer to dish. Sprinkle topping over.

Bake crumble until apples are tender and topping is brown and crisp, about 55 minutes. Cool slightly. Spoon warm crumble into bowls.

Serves 10-12

I think you could add that splash of liquor to these as well, by the way. The smell of baking apples/pears and cinnamon makes a kitchen so seasonal. Even more so than the fragrance of roast turkey. A delicious conclusion, and very rustic and peasant-y.

 

[FallingToFly]

You can also take one section of the bread dough and divide it into three sections. Melt a stick of butter, throw some cinnamon, a dash of pumpkin pie spice or ground cloves, and a handful of brown sugar into the butter, stir well. Rollout the three section into long 2 inch wide (thicknes varies) strips, spoon the butter/brown sugar mixture in generously, fold each section and pinch the edges sealed, then braid them together. Alternatively, chop some apples and throw them in instead of the brown sugar (Red delicious apples are cheap individually, and you only need two or three). Instant slicable sweet treat, and you don't have to make an extra mess.

 

[glynndah]

Bread pudding might also be a good dessert. Tear up day old bread, bagels, donuts, etc., into a large bowl. Pour beaten eggs, milk and sugar over it. Allow to set for about 1/2 hour. Pour mixture into baking dish and bake until set.

 

[FallingToFly]

I've never baked my own bread before. Is it fairly easy?

Bread-making is great stress relief- you can beat and twist and fold bread dough a million times, and the worst that happens is that it comes out a little chewy. Just make sure that you flour the surface for kneading very thoroughly, and add more as needed. The end result of kneaded dough should feel smooth and silky under the hands, with no lumps, and should be pleasantly elastic. rather than ripping chunks off, use a sharp chopping knife to slice it into divisions. It saves you from having ugly bumps and ragged edges. OH! Don't forget to prick the top of each loaf, just before it goes in the oven, a few times with a fork.

Approach bread kneading one of two ways, like a really good massage or as a beat-down for the enemy of the day. Either way, the reptition seems to be relaxing for most people.

 

[Roxanne Appleby]

I've never baked my own bread before. Is it fairly easy?

No, it's hard - to get it perfect, that is. It's easy to make something that will make you and your guests swoon with ecstacy, though. Unless you burn it whatever comes out of the oven will be delicious. Who cares if it kind of flopped and is dense and chewy - you're peasants! More important, it's still delicious, and the aroma - ah, the aroma.

It's time consuming but satisfying.

 

[arienette]

Bread pudding might also be a good dessert. Tear up day old bread, bagels, donuts, etc., into a large bowl. Pour beaten eggs, milk and sugar over it. Allow to set for about 1/2 hour. Pour mixture into baking dish and bake until set.

Oh my, that sounds good. I also like rice pudding, but do peasants eat that?
I love freshly baked bread, it's amazing. My grandmother used to make it all the time when she got a bread machine...She messed it up a few times and I was the only one who would eat it -- It was still very delicious!

 

[Aurora Black]

God, I'm starving. Everything sounds so good.

 

[3113]

Carb Heavy!

The problem I see with bread pudding for dessert is that a peasant feast is already going to be carb-heavy. With bread/pasta/rice/potatos/dumplings.

Better to make dessert more fruity and less bread-y in order to balance out the meal.

As for making bread...it is time consuming as you have to let the bread rise, punch down, rise again over several hours. As said, it's very theraputic...but you might want to save this experiment in bread-making for when you have time to enjoy it, rather then when you're making stew, dessert, etc., as well as setting the table, making sure you have enough drinks, etc., for however-many-people at the same time.

You might consider buying bisquick and making biscuits, or buying bread dough ready made--all you have to do is toss it into the oven.

 

[glynndah]

The problem I see with bread pudding for dessert is that a peasant feast is already going to be carb-heavy. With bread/pasta/rice/potatos/dumplings.

Better to make dessert more fruity and less bread-y in order to balance out the meal.

As for making bread...it is time consuming as you have to let the bread rise, punch down, rise again over several hours. As said, it's very theraputic...but you might want to save this experiment in bread-making for when you have time to enjoy it, rather then when you're making stew, dessert, etc., as well as setting the table, making sure you have enough drinks, etc., for however-many-people at the same time.

You might consider buying bisquick and making biscuits, or buying bread dough ready made--all you have to do is toss it into the oven.

That's very true. Save the bread pudding for the next morning and any overnight guests. It makes a great breakfast.

 

[Trinique_Fire]

Trinique,

BTDT

The first year we lived in Florida we were Homeless for roughly three months. We lived in a tent in a state park. We were caught in a Catch-22. (Here in southern Florida you need to have an address to get a job, but you need a job before you can rent a place.) Due to some fast talking we were finally able to get both a place and jobs.

We had shit for pay and were in debt way past our eyeballs. We had no phone and could barely afford enough electricity to keep the fridge going. Thankfully we lived in shitsville so no one complained about wood smoke. I cooked over an stove I made from bricks I had scrounged up and the grate from an old abandoned fridge.

What little leftover meat we had was tossed in a bag and frozen.

My parents came down to visit us, so I had to make dinner. I grabbed the meat from the freezer and threw it into a pot. (A lot of chicken laced with some truly fatty pieces of Beef and a couple of pieces of Ham.) I splurged and picked up some fresh veggies from the local Grocery, from their almost gone bins. Onions, Carrots and several potatoes. I found some Garlic, and even a couple of Peppers. All of this along with a cup or two of water was tossed in the pot. Just before I served this concoction I added some Flour and a touch of milk to the mix to thicken it.

There was enough in there to serve the four of us and have plenty of leftovers. Our table was a piece of Plywood I had picked up from the side of the road and placed on stacks of Cinderblocks. Our chairs were also Cinderblocks. (Our beds were mattresses on the floor.)

My parents knew better than to offer us money even though they knew we were hurting. They knew I wouldn't accept it.

My wife and I fought our way out of that situation. We worked and we scrimped and we saved. We damned near killed ourselves. (A big night out for us was to go downtown. Free parking and a cheap dinner at Taco Palace where the tacos were two for a dollar.) Four years later we had payed off our credit card bills and had found a slightly better place to live. We even had Internet access.

Now after six years we are debt free, (Other than our car payments.) and have bought our own place. The funny thing about it is we haven't really changed the way we live. We still save up the money and do our shopping twice a month. We still save our leftovers and make our meals from them. If we buy something extra it is only after a lot of soul searching and a lot of research.

Cat

*smiles broadly*

That sounds like me...now and maybe forever. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one. I sort of worked my way to the lesser life, though. I wasn't happy with my mother's ideas of riches. Thank you for that wonderful story, Cat. I can't decide which recipe I'm going to use, but I know I'm going to make two stews/soups. Some people I know won't eat red meat (including myself) and some I know are vegetarians. So I'll make a stew and a soup...and bread. I like the idea of baked pears and apples...my mother used to do those.

I promised my friends a sort of Thanksgiving celebration and everyone is looking forward to it. Hope they like what's going to be offered.

More questions now. Plenty of my friends have children. Is this kid friendly food or should I tell my buddies to bring "just in case" food for their kids....?

 

[3113]

More questions now. Plenty of my friends have children. Is this kid friendly food or should I tell my buddies to bring "just in case" food for their kids....?

Better to have a kid's table of food--if too costly, ask friends to help.

But all you really need for that kid's table is some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches cut up into fun shapes, some carrots/celery/chips, and for dessert, buy some Lady Apples (the little ones), dip into caramel and serve up small, personal caramel apples.

You can also serve up some hot cocoa with marshmellows.

 

[Trinique_Fire]

Better to have a kid's table of food--if too costly, ask friends to help.

But all you really need for that kid's table is some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches cut up into fun shapes, some carrots/celery/chips, and for dessert, buy some Lady Apples (the little ones), dip into caramel and serve up small, personal caramel apples.

You can also serve up some hot cocoa with marshmellows.

Children of the Impoverished.

 

[3113]

Children of the Impoverished.

You know, it occured to me almost after I wrote that (pp&j sandwiches) that there are kids allergic to Peanuts.

The important thing is to have a kids buffett on a small table, something special just for them. I'd recommend that you ask the parents each to bring something--like Mac n' Cheese, or Spaghetti-O's, or the caramel/chocolate dipped lady apples--so you don't have to make all that. That way, the kids get a nice little spread.

And if the parents aren't the cook types, then have them bring some kind of game or crayons to occupy the kids. Puzzles, coloring books, etc.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.