In a World of My Own: February 2013

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Chicken Fricassee

Chicken Fricassee is a meal that has survived many a century, considering it dates back to at least the fifteenth century according to wikipedia. Despite this fact, for me, this was my first time having this particular dish. I found it while going through my cookbooks completely by accident.

This is the cookbook I found the recipe in, 'Scottish Bakehouse Cook Book' by Isabella M. White. I cooked the Chicken Fricassee in my dutch oven.

Chicken Fricassee
Serves 4 to 6
1 frying chicken, cut up
1 cup chopped carrots
1 cup sliced mushrooms (I used portobello)
1/2 cup orange juice (I used orange mango because that is hat I had in the house)
2 tablespoons flour
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup butter (I use unsalted)
2 cups water
2 eggs
salt and pepper
Boiled rice
Paprika

Season frying chicken and slightly fry in butter. Add the cut up vegetables and water. Simmer until the chicken is tender about 1 hour and 15 minutes to a half hour (or however long is necessary).

Remove the chicken from the pot and place on a platter. Check the seasoning and season more if necessary.

Beat the eggs in a cup ahead of time if you wish and add the orange juice. I then added the flour and mixed well. Add this to the stock mixture in the pot. Mix until thickened and of a gravy consistency.

To serve.
Place some chicken on one side of the plate. Place rice on the other side of the plate. Ladle gravy over chicken and rice, and sprinkle with paprika.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Sh-boom, Sh-boom - Life Could Be A Dream

Press Release

February 15, 2013

Sh-boom, Sh-boom - Life Could Be A Dream

The award winning ‘60s doo-wop musical

At The Ivoryton Playhouse

Ivoryton: It’s been a long hard winter in Ivoryton. I think we are all tired shoveling and plowing and we are ready for spring and the first show of our 2013 season. And what better way to open our doors and welcome you back than with a trip down Memory Lane and the great classic doo-wop songs of the ‘50s and ‘60s.

Sh-Boom! Take a trip to Springfield and meet the Crooning Crabcakes, as they prepare to enter the Big Whopper Radio contest and realize their dreams of making it to the big time! Trouble comes in the form of Lois, who arrives to put some polish on the boys. Denny and Wally fall in love, Eugene falls apart, and along comes handsome heartthrob Skip to send the whole situation spinning. The '60s doo-wop songs say it all: "Fools Fall in Love," "Tears on My Pillow," "Runaround Sue," "Earth Angel," "Stay," "Unchained Melody," "Lonely Teardrops," and "The Glory of Love." Winner of the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Best Musical Award, Life Could Be a Dream will leave you laughing, singing, and cheering—let’s hear it for the boys!

Pictured: Sheila Coyle and Christopher DeRosa* Photograph by Anne Hudson

The cast features some exciting young talent – Evan Siegel*, Aaron Catano, Matt Densky* and Rob Rodems as the fabulous boy band - and we are thrilled to welcome back Sheila Coyle* who was such a hit in Ivoryton in last season’s Breaking Up Is Hard To Do. The show is directed by Jacqueline Hubbard, musical director is Jason Wetzel and choreographer is Schuyler Beeman. Set designed by Dan Nischan, lighting design by Marcus Abbott and costumes by Kari Crowther.

Life Could Be A Dream opens in Ivoryton on March 13th and runs through March 30th . Performance times are Wednesday and Sunday matinees at 2pm. Evening performances are Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30pm, Friday and Saturday at 8pm. Tickets are $40 for adults, $35 for seniors, $20 for students and $15 for children and are available by calling the Playhouse box office at 860-767-7318 or by visiting our website at www.ivorytonplayhouse.org (Group rates are available by calling the box office for information.) The Playhouse is located at 103 Main Street in Ivoryton.

Members of the press are welcome at any performance.

Please call ahead for tickets.

*member of Actors Equity

Generously sponsored by Essex Savings Bank

Jacqueline Hubbard

Executive/Artistic Director

Ivoryton Playhouse

P.O. Box 458

Ivoryton , CT 06442

(860) 767-7318

www.ivorytonplayhouse.org

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Breakfast:Silver Palate Thick and Rough Oatmeal

When it becomes cold and snowy outside it is time to have Cream of Wheat or Oatmeal for breakfast as opposed to Cheerios. I enjoy a hot bowl of oatmeal, too. Actually I grew up on Quaker Oats, but I if Silver Palate Oatmeal is on Sale! I'll add that to my grocery basket because I find that just as tasty.

Here is my bowl of oatmeal with strawberries and honey. I sometimes put sugar, milk or blueberries on my oatmeal, depending on what is in season.

I make my oatmeal on the stove. The directions are very simple for the Silver Palate Oatmeal. Put 3/4 cup milk (I use soy or almond milk, or you can use water) in a small saucepan with a little salt and bring to a boil. Add 1/3 cup Silver Palate Thick and Rough Oatmeal and stir and turn the temperature down to low. Let sit on the stove for 8 to 10 minutes watching and stirring every once in a while. Take off the stove and put the cover on and let stir for 2 minutes then serve in a bowl as desired.

I am an oatmeal fan whether it is in a cookie or mush in a bowl. It is hearty breakfast.