Only in Bucks County: The Rosina Post

Fluffy, savory Matzo Ball Soup.... sweet Noodle Kugel... tangy Brisket with carrots and onion.... homemade Gefilte Fish... chopped Chicken Liver with celery and crackers on a fancy plate with a sterling silver spreader. And the best apple pie you've ever tried!

These are memories from my childhood- and all the delicious favorites your Jewish Grandma made too... right? You may be surprised that in my family these holiday treats were made by a church-going woman from the South. Yup. The best food I've ever eaten was made by my grandparents' live-in housekeeper, Rosina. These are her recipes. And this is her story.

ROSINA AND HER BELOVED YORKIE, BAMBI OUTSIDE THE FAMILY HOME

Rosina was born in Virginia in 1925. The daughter of a college professor, Rosina also went on to graduate from the University of Richmond. With her degree in English, she chose to teach. But poor Rosina! Her first job was to teach high school students. Teaching kids who were just a few years younger than her, coupled with her mild, almost meek personality, proved to be too much for her. Unfortunately, Rosina failed at her first teaching job and instead of trying again, she packed her things and came to Philadelphia, looking to offer domestic help.

Rosina took a job as a live-in housekeeper with my grandparents when my father was eight years old. She has been a member of, and the guiding light for our small family ever since. My dad loved having her in his family, and I adored every second I spent with her as a kid. Rosina taught me a lot about loyalty, manners, and as I got older, how to be happy. She sacrificed things in her own personal life to remain a part of our family and continued to give us her love through two generations. When my grandfather passed away in 1981, Rosina chose to stay with my grandmom as more of a friend than an employee. They moved from their large house in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, to a penthouse apartment in Wynnnewood PA, and lived together until my grandmom passed away.

ROSINA IN THE 1980's

It's been six years since my grandmother died. Rosina is alive and doing pretty well for her 86 years. She's living in a house that she inherited in Chester County, and she has plenty of support. She probably doesn't have a reason to make her delicious Brisket with Kugel and fancy appetizers any longer, but she is still one of the most cheerful people I’ve ever known, and she’s still baking all kinds of sweet treats, including those wonderful apple pies that I grew up with!



MY POP-POP AND GRANNY, WHEN I WAS
VERY, VERY  YOUNG

OUR 65 YEAR OLD FAMILY KUGEL RECIPE!!

YOU KNOW YOU WANT SOME!

I'VE NEVER MASTERED ROSINA'S APPLE PIE, BUT I SURE LOVE TO EAT IT!

“Dining with one’s friends and beloved family 

is certainly one of life’s
primal and most innocent delights,

One that is both soul-satisfying and eternal.”

~Julia Child

Only in Bucks County: Today I Heart Young Chefs.

I'm very excited about the photo projects I have lined up for the next couple of months!

 Excited to get out and do them, and excited to share them with you. Recently, at a one year anniversary celebration of the launch of  Doylestown Patch  my editor Sarah went around the table

and asked each of us,

"What was your favorite thing that you've covered for Patch so far?

Pictured from top: @CoachKarlPA, @DoylestownPatch, @JKLugar,

@buxmontnews, me, @HatboroPatch

Out of hundreds of stories, two came to my mind. The common thread?
Young foodies of course!

Check out some of my photos of the efficient young chefs at Kid's Cuisine Camp at Bucks County Community College - - and the dueling decorators of Churchville's Cupcake Wars!

Asian Fusion was the theme.

 

 Laughing Sesame Ball Cookies.

Stir Fry Station.



Home-baked desserts.

Decorative straws for Bubble Tea. 

 Campers put on a first-class Luncheon for friends and family.

Hand-rolled crepes for dessert. 

"You will eat good food in this class."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

 CUPCAKE WARS, NOVEMBER 2011.

  

 Council Rock School District Superinendent (and Celebrity Judge!), Mark J. Klein

 Like cupcakes?

Stay tuned for my coverage of Giggleberry Fair's 1st Annual Cupcake Decorating Contest next weekend!

(Think you could win? There's still time to enter!)

 BCCC Kid's Cuisine Camp, 2011.

And remember...

Only in Bucks County: Is That a Brisket in Your Pocket or Are You Just Happy To See Me?

Another New Years Resolution: Learn to Cook a Brisket.

My friends and family know that I cook or grill out practically every day. I have my standards - and I try new things. I've taken classes from Mediterranean small bites and appetizers, to Italian Cuisine with my mentor Lina Pastore; to a Pit Barbecue class where we actually dug a hole in the ground at my old high school and cooked a pig.

Lemon Herb Marinade for Chicken or Fish:

Combine

1/3 c fresh lemon juice

2 TBSP grated lemon peel

2 TBSP Ketchup

2 garlic gloves, pressed

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp dried marjoram

1/4 tsp dried rosemary

In a non-reactive bowl; then whisk in 1/4 c olive oil.

You can set some aside as a finishing sauce.

But I have a secret. This nice Jewish girl has NEVER cooked a Brisket. I've never even attempted to.
I have chicken, pork chops, burgers, and steaks under control, but I've never dared to cook a hunk of large meat in the oven. Which means no Pot Roast, no London Broil, and unfortunately no Brisket for me!

Ah... Summer.

So... who has a good recipe they'd like to share? I need to cook a brisket that can compete with my mom's! And I need to do it fast so that I can cross one more thing off my list of resolutions for 2012.

Salsa Semplice by Lina Pastore

1/2 c olive oil

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 large can crushed plum tomatoes

1/2 c fresh basil, finely chopped

1 bay leaf

Salt and pepper to taste

Sautee garlic in oil. Add tomatoes, seasoning, and bay leaf. Heat and simmer for 20 minutes.

Remove bay leaf. Add fresh basil to sauce.  

Happy New Year!

I'll be sure to let you know how my first Brisket turns out.

 

My Secret Love of Food Photography

Being a photographer who is known for taking pictures of the beautiful landscapes, historic towns, and working farms of Bucks County, many of you aren't aware of another type of photography that I'm passionate about! I really enjoy Food Photography! I love to mix a drink, entertain, and cook, especially on the grill.  Recently I've done some work for local wineries and bakers - and I regularly photograph our family dinners or one-of-a-kind creations such as these. What do you think?