confections

The South /  by George Geary

Food wise I think of pecans, peaches and peanuts. The three “P’s”.  This past week while teaching in Birmingham Alabama I came across a historic peanut roasting plant. I enjoy history, food history and plant tours! (I also snuck in a tour of The Golden Flake snack factory before my flight home).

 

Along the brick lined Morris Street and red brick buildings that dated into the late 1880s and early 1900s I came across the Peanut Depot, which began, roasting these legumes in 1907. Prior to that the building was a printing facility. They have 3 large roasters that can hold 100 pounds each, and these are made of cast iron with a manufacturing date of 1900 made in Peoria, IL by the Bartholomew Company.  100 year old roastersThey also have a newer (75 year old) smaller roaster that looks more like something you would use for coffee beans for when they only need a small batch.

 

Peanuts come in Salted, Raw and Cajun styles. You can also enjoy a southern treat of boiled peanuts. Bags come in a variety of sizes and the burlap gift bags are the best! 

 

Peanut Depot

Since 1907

Lex Legate ~ Owner

2016 Morris Avenue

Birmingham, LA 35203

205-251-3314

www.peanutdepot.com

 

If you want to see the roasters in full force, I suggest that you arrive before 9am early in the week. 

 

Recipe: Here is my Old Fashion Peanut Brittle 

Smiles Service Samples… The Three “S’s” /  by George Geary

See’s Candy makes it the fourth!

The three S’s has been a motto for years. If you have ever walked into the See’s candy stores around the west you will always see a older lady in a black and white picture on the wall. That’s Mary, mother of the founder Charles. After his father had passed in 1919 in Canada, his mother Mary came out Pasadena to live with he and his wife Florence.  462 South Marengo Avenue, Pasadena, CA.

 

Charles started experimenting with his mothers candy recipes. Some of the original candies are still sold today. Chocolate Walnut Fudge, Victoria Toffee, Hand Dipped Bon Bons and Maple Walnut Creams.

 

Researching where the first candy factory/store was I found the address. 135 North Western, Los Angeles, CA. Close to the old Bullocks Wilshire. They first had Indian then Harley's outfitted special for delivery of the boxed chocolates. The driver looked a little bit like a off-duty LAPD officer.

Checking on google.maps I found it was still there and the conservancy was trying to have the city grant it historical status. Looking at the building I was saddened. I thought that if it was still standing I could maybe take pictures and send them to the CEOs office to get them to save it from the wrecking ball. (The owners wanted to put a strip mall in).

Here is the dilapidated building from google.maps. May 2011. You can see the decorative "tooth" work above the windows and those 4 windows how they curve in at the top.  


The other day I drove past the address to find what I was expecting to be a torn down building as nothing in the news stated that the city had grated historical status. I found to my surprise a Tom N Tom Coffee. It’s one of the largest coffee houses in Korea. They had taken the entire two-floor building and converted it about 3 months ago. I still would love to see a plaque outside of it. One of my favorite things of Europe is that where ever you walk they have plaques saying what happen at that site or who lived at the location etc…

2009: LA Times Article to designate the building a landmark

http://articles.latimes.com/2009/feb/06/local/me-sees-candy6

2012: Fortune Article on Warren Buffett and See's

http://management.fortune.cnn.com/2012/08/22/sees-candies-buffett-berkshire

New Orleans Culinary Tour 20122 /  by George Geary

New Orleans 2012:

Last weekend was a little wet from Tropical Storm Lee, in New Orleans.. But it did not stop me from eating and touring the “Big Easy” I finished putting together the 20th anniversary of the New Orleans Tour. Check out all of the excitement we have planned. We have two tours scheduled a two and a three night tour for those that want to stay longer or have time restrictions.  Dinners, tours,, hotels, cooking classes and more are all included in the tour price.

Here is the information:

2012 New Orleans : Full Itinerary

2012 New Orleans: Signup Forms

 

New Orleans area is packed with regional foods One is sugar and pecans. Here is a recipe of Pralines that you can make at home.

Recipe for :

 Pralines of New Orleans

 

If you have any questions about the tour please fell free in emailing us at ggeary@aol.com.