Lew Pitcher's blog

Over the years, I've accumulated a number of recipes that I like. In this installment of "From my Recipe File", I give you my favourite Biscotti recipes.

I started with the Lemon-Cranberry biscotti, using an icing recipe that derived from one that Terry's sister uses for her greek lemon cookies. Later, I reused the recipe for my Chocolate-Orange Biscotti, substituting orange for lemon and iced with my own attempt at a Chocolate/Orange Ganach. Finally, I reused the recipe again, but with cocoa powder and almonds, and no icing, and came up with my Chocolate-Almond Biscotti.

At the start of October, this year, I took a few days to close up the cottage for the 2025 season. I had not used the cottage much this year as other activities and obligations took much of my summertime. However, I needed the getaway, and I needed to close up the cottage before the bad fall weather set in.

We do not back down from bullies.
Put up or shut up.

Over the past couple of years, I've neglected to note my progress at the cottage. Mostly, this has been because COVID-19, and other factors, have occupied my time, and I haven't had much to say. Last weekend, I closed the cottage for the 2022 season. I did not get up to the cottage as much as I had wanted, this past season; other opportunities and obligations took up a lot of my time. But, I did get some things done, some things started, and some things attempted this year.

My soaping journey began with a formulation of Savon de Castile, but I quickly learned that Castille soap was just the beginning. Soaps have many qualities having to do with how well they clean, how well they foam, how well they condition, and how well they keep, and, depending on the oils you use, these dimensions can vary considerably. So, I set out to make a soap that cleaned and conditioned better, had better foam, and kept better than my Savon de Castile.

Ok, so we are socially distancing, wearing masks, and washing (always washing) our hands to keep COVID-19 at bay. Last Christmas was... odd, and with all these COVID precautions, we didn't get to Montreal to visit with Terry's family. But, I sent soap (of course I did). The easiest soap to make, the one I began with, was "Savon de Castile", the same Castile soap I started with last summer.

I grew up in surburban Toronto, in a home that my parents built. I have old black-and-white photos of the construction; my carpenter father framing out what he intended to be his "forever" home, and my mother taking the role of assistant and apprentice. We left that home late in the '70s, after mom and dad divorced, and I understood that the new owner removed the building and transported it Barrie-way to be used as a cottage. I've often thought of that house, and the effort, hardships and sacrifices that my parents made to construct it.

"Give Me That Old Time Contagion"

sung to the tune "Give Me That Old Time Religion"

Give me that old time contagion
Give me that old time contagion
Give me that old time contagion
It is good enough for me

It was good for the Sturgis Rally
It was good for the Sturgis Rally
It was good for the Sturgis Rally
And it's good enough for me

It was good for senior care homes
It was good for senior care homes
It was good for senior care homes
And it's good enough for me