Byron Yankey's blog

Holiday recipes

Over the next four weeks I will increase the number of recipes on my blogsite.  I will still write about other topics, but you should see two or three recipes per week.  All will be tasty.  Some will be vegetarian many will not. Some will be family recipes and some will be just fun to make. Let me know if you want a special recipe. 

"Must be global warming..."

I talked to my Mom this afternoon.  She lives in an assistive living home and prides herself in going outside by herself for a walk every day she can.  This afternoon she had been out for a walk twice and had enjoyed sitting in the sun.  While we were talking she marveled how warm and sunny it has been recently.
"It must be that global warming I see on tv all the time."  

I guess it could be...

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

Recently we saw the movie, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.This incredible movie will never make it to the big multiplex theaters and will only be seen at movie theaters like the Flicks.  It is a shame that so often the best movies made never achieve the commercial appeal that gets them shown to a wider population. 

The previews we had seen several weeks before were enticing.  I love a historical story line and I was drawn by curiosity to the title.  We arrived just as the previews had begun and there are few things I dislike more than trying to find movie seats in a totally dark theater. (It reminds me of an old I Love Lucy show where she ends up sitting on a stranger's lap.) We successfully found two seats and settled in.

From the moment the movie began, viewers were taken on a remarkable journey by a story line that alternated between the innocent point of view of a little boy and the complex,complicated, ever darkening perspective of adults. An unlikely friendship develops between a Jewish boy prisoner in a work camp and the son of the camp's commander. The innocence of the two boys seems to grows ever greater as the true nature of the camp and the cruelty of the adults is revealed.

Every frame of this picture, every measure of the musical score, every line of the script builds to a never to be forgotten conclusion.   SEE THIS MOVIE!

Call us Optimists

The editorial board for the Idaho Statesman today asks us all to join in their optimism.

Call us optimists, but we think citizens run to serve in a citizen Legislature because they care about making sure their communities have a healthy economy, a reliable road system and high-quality public schools and universities. We also believe elected officials respond to what their constituents want. If constituents expect results in the next two years, on the wide variety of issues facing the Valley, we think elected officials will get the message.

Let's all do more then hope they "get the message."  Whether you are an informed voter, or an unsuccessful candidate like I am, our responsibilities to our community did not end the day after the election. We must make calls, write emails, and visit the legislature to ensure our voices are heard louder than party leadership.  We must hold our legislators accountable to actively seek our input and to thoughtfully respond to our concerns.  If we do not, in the words of my father, "we get what we deserve."

Pumpkin Bread Pudding

If you like bread pudding your will love this. Bread pudding is an old fashioned way to use stale bread.  I generally do not have stale bread so I use whatever bread I have, tear it up into pieces and I pop it in a warm oven to dry out the bread and toast it a little.

Add the following ingredients to a bowl
1 1/2 cup milk
1 15oz. can of pumpkin
3/4 to 1 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 tablespoon vanilla
3 eggs

Beat with a whisk or electric beater until all ingredients are thoroughly mixed.

Place torn and toasted bread into a 9 X 13 pan. Pour the pumpkin egg mixture over the bread.  Mix until the bread is coated.  You can add nuts or raisins for extra flavor.  Let everything sit in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes and up to over night.  Bake in a 350 degree oven for 45 to 50 minutes.  Serve warm with your favorite topping.

Cooks Notes: I like the flavor of evaporated milk in this recipe.  You can also use flavored soy milk if you wish.  The texture is a little different unless you add an additional egg.  For a rich treat use prepared eggnog and reduce the sugar by 1/4 cup. Sitting overnight produces a very smooth creamy result.  Really, you can use any kind of bread,except rye.  I have used raisin bread, sourdough,french bread,and black bread. My favorite topping is almost sinful.  Empty one can of sweetened condensed milk into a small pan. Add 2 teaspoons freshly grated nutmeg. If you only have prepared nutmeg use 1 1/2 teaspoon. Turn the burner on medium heat and stir occasionally for about 5 minutes.  The mixture will burn quickly, so watch carefully.  Bring to a boil and turn off the burner.  Continue stirring as the mixture will thickens for another several minutes.  Use this topping warm over the pudding, or other things like ice cream, cooked apples, or quick bread.

More State Budget News

Betsy Russell of the Spokesman Review reports:

Gov. Butch Otter has called a press conference on the state budget for Tuesday at 1 p.m. This is when he’s likely to announce the next round of holdbacks, or mid-year state budget cuts. In September, Otter trimmed 1 percent out of the current year’s state budget due to tumbling state tax revenues, and asked state agencies to hold another 1.5 percent in reserve in case more cuts are needed. With continuing bad economic news, it’s likely now that he’ll cut that additional 1.5 percent – and maybe even more.

While the first cuts were across the board, let's all hope that these future cuts will be targeted.  Across the board cuts ignore the reality of state budgets.  They are not all created equal.  Cuts in the Department of Health and Welfare, for example, will be particularly problematic.  In these tough economic times, requests for food and medical assistance are dramatically increasing.  Let's not forget also, that the frustration of unemployment, the inability to pay bills, and homelessness can mean an increase in domestic violence.

It's time for lawmakers to thoughtfully consider using all of their resources to solve a projected budget shortfall.  That includes using money from various "rainy day" funds and the repeal of some of the costly tax exemptions that have been approved in the past as the result of special interest lobbying.

Wouldn't it be great to see the total amount of money available in every rainy day fund and the total amount of money uncollected because of tax exemptions and exclusions!

Let's drive to Lewiston for a tank of gas...

 

Gas slides below $2 again in the Valley. I saw it for myself last night at a Maverick Station (otherwise known as a Palin Station) on the corner of Locust Grove and Overland.  Gas there was $1.99. All of this is amazing to me give the short time ago the price was so much higher.  And to add to my amazement:

A Lewiston Flying J reported one of the lowest prices in the state: $1.69 per gallon.

I know where I'm filling up this weekend.

Vegan Pumpkin Pies Reviewed

After making 4 slightly different pies and having them tasted by willing and sometimes unwilling subjects, here is a review.(Not everyone was thrilled to taste tofu.)

Recipe I is a bolder taste with a thick texture.  People liked the spicy flavor, but sometimes yearned for a more typical texture of "Mom's Pumpkin Pie". For people who eat and use tofu often this pie was a favorite.

Recipe II is lighter in color with a smooth pudding-like texture.  This pie was slightly sweeter and the spices were pleasantly mild.

Recommendation: Recipe II has the widest appeal and will most likely be better received by non-vegans. I personally like Recipe I.

A Thanksgiving Treat...Vegan Pumpkin Pie

The toughest things about making a very popular dessert into a vegan treat is trying to match the flavor, the texture and how it looks. Cooking with tofu to make a dessert is tricky.  To match the flavor not only do you have to use the same spices, but you also have to compensate for the flavor of the tofu.  The texture is also a challenge because to make tofu have a smooth feel, you have to make choice about the kind of tofu you use.  The appearance of this dessert should be easy, but you will never totally match the color because you are missing the traditional look that comes from the custard filling made with milk and eggs.

Given all of the challenges, the results from both of these recipes will surely please the most ardent vegan. It will also become a healthy no cholesterol alternative for everyone else.

If you are using a pastry crust, you will need to "blind bake" it.  What does that mean? It simply means you bake the crust to a golden brown Before you add the filling. ( You can also use a crumb crust made from graham crackers or your favorite cook.)

After you put the crust into a pie pan, bake at 400 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes.  I always use a glass pie plate because the results are more predictable.  If you use a metal pie pan, reduce the heat by 25 degrees and watch carefully.

You will also need a sweet potato for each of these recipes.  To cook the sweet potato, make a cut in the skin and microwave on high for 7 to 8 minutes.  Remove from the microwave, cool slightly and scoop out the sweet potato from the skin.

To make the filling, a food processor works best.  The high speed and sharp blades help to make the texture smooth and creamy. You can use a mixer, but you will need to beat on high speed for a very long time.

Recipe I

Into a food processor add:
1 can of pumpkin (15oz)
about 12 oz of firm tofu drained and dried with a paper towel
1/2 can coconut milk ( Shake the can vigorously before you open.  This will blend the coconut milk that can sometimes separate.)
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup cooked sweet potato
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon cloves or allspice
1 Tablespoon vanilla
2 tablespoons molasses
Mix in the food processor for 5 to 8 minutes.  I always taste at this point to adjust the flavors.  As the pie cooks the flavors will become slightly more mild so adjust the sweetness and spices now if necessary.

Bake on the bottom rack of your oven at 400 degrees for 15 minutes.  Reduce the heat to 350 and bake for 45 minutes more.  The filling should be set, but it will never become firm until completely cooled.  If you wish you can cook up to another 10 minutes to get the color you desire.  Cool the pie completely at room temperature before serving.  Refrigerate the pie if needed, but the taste is better when served at room temperature.

Recipe II

Blind bake the crust

Into a food processor add:

15 oz pumpkin pie mix ( This has been sweetened and spices added.)
12 oz soft tofu
 3/4 cup cooked sweet potato
1/2 can coconut milk
1 tablespoon vanilla
1/2 sugar
2 tablespoons molasses
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg or cloves, or ginger

Mix in the food processor for 5 minutes and taste.

Bake on the bottom rack of the oven at 400 degrees for 30 minutes.  Reduce the heat to 350 and bake for another 40 minutes.

The pilgrims seldom cooked with tofu...

Good job Kuna

From today's Idaho Statesman comes this story about the once small town of Kuna.

Kuna government officials are flexing some municipal muscle these days.

The city, they say, is tired of being known as a sleepy little bedroom community and is demanding the same respect developers and the Ada County Highway District seemingly have for Boise, Meridian and Eagle.

 A strong local response resulted in Walgreen's needing to do an architectural redesign before approval was granted for new construction. Local citizens across the valley need to learn from this and realize they don't have to immediately accept new development without consideration of the impact new businesses will have on neighborhoods and communities.

Frankly, a drive through the valley will find Walgreens popping up all over.  Most of them are the same cheap and quick to build, boxy, cookie cutter clones of each other.  (Can you tell this is an issue with me.) It is sad to me when I drive some of the back roads to see such treasures as old barns and farm houses being replaced with grand entries to subdivisions,strip malls and Walgreens.