Made in California! My 15th Book! Peanut Butter Brittle Chunk Cookies /  by George Geary

My newest book is out. But First: I have had a love affair with See’s Candies my entire life. When I was little I recall my aunt being able to pick out the caramel for me. The candy was special, unlike the boxes of chocolates sold at CVS that had the “map” of each chocolate on the inside lid of the box so you knew what you were eating. But once a few chocolates were devoured, the candy code was broken! This year is the 100th anniversary of See’s. It started on Western Ave in Los Angeles. Recently, I was able to obtain the historical plaque the location deserve.

My new book Made in California is my first without any recipes. Food History of the places we all grew up eating, that started in the Golden State. Lots of fun facts, like who created the first Bacon CheeseBurger? Why did Swensen’s Ice Cream go for 600 locations to the 3 of today?

If you would like a personalized copy, you can PayPal ggeary@aol.com for $40 per book (same price as Amazon, but you don’t get those personalized). Tell me whom you would like it personalized to.

Now, back to See’s. I was just on ABC7-El Paso, TX promoting the book. I have been booking many shows that I decided to create a handful of recipes from some of the companies items they sell. Try these cookies out!

Also, Check out the story of the book in the upcoming August Issue of LA Magazine.

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Made in California Book Promotion from ABC7 - El Paso, TX (KVIA)

Made in California Book Promotion from ABC7 - El Paso, TX (KVIA)

Chris Nichols of the LA Magazine reading my latest book here is his story: August LAMag

Chris Nichols of the LA Magazine reading my latest book here is his story: August LAMag

Today, With the Cultural Heritage Sign installed

Today, With the Cultural Heritage Sign installed

1921: The first See’s Candy Kitchen and Shoppe. 135 N Western Ave, Los Angeles

1921: The first See’s Candy Kitchen and Shoppe. 135 N Western Ave, Los Angeles

Taliesin West ~ Frank Lloyd Wright's Winter Home ~ Arizona Biltmore /  by George Geary

Today on the monthly Zoom with the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation I was the mixologist. I recreated the Catalina Spritz that I made in honor of Marilyn Monroe and the Catalina Pool found still at the Biltmore (she used to swim in it). You can see the pool, and the recipe below. If you are interested in the Winter Home of Frank Lloyd Wright and tours in Phoenix, check it out here: www.franklloydwright.org

Arizona Biltmore (1927) www.arizonabiltmore.com

Arizona Biltmore (1927) www.arizonabiltmore.com

The Catalina Pool (One of Seven). I feel the best and more serine.

The Catalina Pool (One of Seven). I feel the best and more serine.

The Biltmore Blocks! Here are the ones that the breeze can go through.

The Biltmore Blocks! Here are the ones that the breeze can go through.

Strawberry Shortcakes 🍓 /  by George Geary

Oh the season! Most of you know in the 90’s I worked for Driscoll Berries as their corporate chef. I created packaging recipes, recipe booklets, website recipes and more. Here is a great easy shortcake to make. The only setback is that you need to eat the berry mixture within 48 hours as it has not been cooked. After you break down the walls of the berries they tend to start fermenting. I hope you enjoy the recipes!

The recipe makes 6 large shortcakes.

The recipe makes 6 large shortcakes.

Pickled Jalapeños 🌶 /  by George Geary

You will find so many uses for these sweet yet spicy chiles! From topping a burger to a spicy margarita!

What is great is Jalapeños do not have a season. This recipe makes 4 jars and if you find you use them up faster than a year, you can make another. When I can/preserve, etc I can enough for one year and check to see if I need to can more for the following year. Last year, because of COVID and being home, I canned enough of everything for 2 years! Here is my normal canning/preserving list:

Jams:

            Strawberry

            Rose Petal

            Raspberry

            Blackberry

            Tri-Stone Fruit

Marmalades:

            Orange 

Pickled:

            Dill Pickles

            Garlic

            Onions

            Jalapeños

Liqueurs

            Blood OrangeCellow

            Limoncello

            CaraCara Cello

🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹Life Changing Pasta with Diane Phillips and Tucci! 🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹 /  by George Geary

Lets face it.. We need “life-changing” recipes. a colleague, author, and friend Diane Phillips (www.dianephillips.com) posted a recipe on her website referring to Stanley Tucci’s new show “Searching for Italy” on CNN. I have read so many rave reviews on the show. We all miss traveling and adventure. So I thought I would post this recipe from Diane. I added a little more garlic than she called for. But, you do what you like. It is very flavorful and simple to put together.

21 Little Things Americans Do That Non-Americans Actually Love. 🇺🇸 /  by George Geary

I have visited 118 countries and every continent. For over 30 years I have conducted tours of Europe. I always say, that walking the streets of France, you don’t look at someone walking towards you and smile as they will think you are crazy! Us Americans also tell too much. The French don’t engage in too much “chatter”. Here is a great list from AskReddit. Let me know what you think.

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Recently, u/etlifereview asked the AskReddit community: "Non-Americans, what's something Americans do that you love?"

The responses ranged from heartwarming to hilarious, and they'll make any US resident recognize the little things we do right. Here are some of the most upvoted responses:

 1. Our enthusiasm:

"When they do something, they go all out and really commit to it. Very enthusiastic people." —u/wolffgangg78

2. Our hash browns:

"The fuggin' hash browns in diners. I just love them. And even when I find grated hash browns outside of the US, it's never quite as good."—u/dumbdoogy

3. Our hair stylists, apparently:

"Haircuts, barbers. A majority of hair professionals are very much above average. Never had a bad haircut there. Never."—u/HeavyReverb

4. Our response to a hearty "yee-haw":

"The fact that yelling 'yee-haw' in a country setting will almost always be met with whooping, hollering, and other yee-haws. I live in the US but am from Ireland."—u/that_one_alistair_1

5. Our fast food: 

"Fast food. There are many places and even US-only franchises that are heavenly good." —u/HeavyReverb

6. Our gift of gab:

"Americans I’ve met are usually a delight to talk to. Very upbeat and talkative from my experience. I still remember a conversation I had with a small family who were on holiday where I live. They basically told me their life story and what they were up to that day. Didn’t know them, but it made my commute home more interesting."—u/Elderlico

7. Free refills:

"Free soda refills at fast food [restaurants]."—u/lickmyfeet14

8. Our love of hugging:

"This depends a bit on where in the US you are and also in the pre-COVID times, but Americans hug a lot compared to Asians, and it makes me feel really fuzzy on the inside 😊."—u/blueberrisorbet

9. Our sausage gravy:

"Sausage gravy at breakfast."—u/CalmingGoatLupe

10. Our milkshakes (and our Oreos):

"For me, hands down, it has to be milkshakes. Oreo milkshakes are the god damn best thing that I have experienced when I came to America (I’m from Mexico). It can be midnight and I can just go to a fast food place and order any milkshake I want. It’s so simple, but it sure is amazing."—u/Darkspeed-96

11. Our restaurants and amazing food service workers:

"Such amazing food, and even better food service. The American restaurant experience is truly heaven."—u/ShrekTheHallz

12. Our "go for it" attitude:

"What I loved about Americans I met is the encouragement to try new things.

Like: 'Just go for it. If it works, great. If it doesn't, you gained experience.'

Here in Germany, it's more: 'Nah, rather be careful. If you dare to fail, you are a loser that we won't ever trust with responsbilities again.'"—u/MammothMarv

13. Our school extracurriculars and teachers:

"For me personally? The schools and the school system. I moved here about 12 years ago from SA when I was still a kid, and yes while the education (meaning: what you learned in class and how strict rules were) was much better where I’m from IMO, I was so shocked that schools here had soooo many clubs and after-school programs/activities and even classes! I can’t imagine taking theater as a 12-year-old over there!! 

I also love how involved parents are in school events and programs. I also really love how teachers decorate their classrooms a lot more. I haven’t been in an actual school in years, but I have the fondest memories of my fifth grade class being so decorated and pretty lol. I'm a cornball but really appreciate American teachers for that."—u/virtuemoir

14. Our spookiest holiday:

"Halloween."—u/PloupiDoux

15. Our greetings:

"As simple as saying good morning when I walk past. Goes a long way."—u/annoyingmoud

16. Our fried chicken, particularly in sandwich form:

"Fried chicken sandwiches, they got it mastered."—u/Puzzled-Rabbit

17. Our national parks:

"Your outdoors.

The sheer size of the country means there are so many national parks with a large variety of sceneries.

That said, the sheer size of the country also means you’ll be putting the same amount of effort getting there compared to me visiting a neighboring country."—u/perfectpubicpimple

18. Our protests against injustice:

"I love the way you've been protesting against police brutality and racism. Solidarity from the UK."—u/xxsignoff

19. Our ability to cause a scene:

"Complain.

I know it sounds weird, but it's something you'll notice when you live in a passive country.

It's normal here to work Monday to Monday, not get paid overtime and work multiple jobs at once, but be paid for the lowest one. It's insane. Americans, at least, make a scene as much as they can when shit seems unfair for them. Even if sometimes it's something stupid."—u/Bossmantho

20. Our friendliness:

"As a European who has done two road trips across the States, the main thing I will remember fondly for the rest of my days is how friendly people in the States are. I talked with busy New Yorkers and with homeless folks, had a fucking BBQ in Detroit with the neighbourhood. I spent the night on a farm in southern Iowa. Clubbing in Vegas, smoking and chilling in LA. I had long conversations with people who are so far apart from each other on the political and financial spectrum that it's harder to get it any wider, but I didn't meet a single person who didn't treat us very nicely."—u/manajizwow

21. And finally, our farewell phrases:

"Visited America with my family when I was 16. Almost everyone who talked to us would end the conversation with 'Have a good one!' It was really nice hearing it all the time and I use the phrase all the time now."—u/bitsmuth

 

Southern Pecan Bars for your Valentine! /  by George Geary

It is the time for love! Here is a very flavorful pecan bar. I used a southern syrup in my recipe, but don’t worry, you can get the syrup on amazon or substitute for another ingredient (see notes in the recipe)

The southern ingredient that I use is Blackburn Made Syrup. You can purchase it online at Amazon. Here is the Link. Check out the recipe for substitutions.

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Citrus Season! Lemons 🍋, Oranges 🍊, & Tangerines Oh My! /  by George Geary

🍋Limonchello Cake and some Citrus History of Southern California

One of the thousands of crate labels from the Groves!

One of the thousands of crate labels from the Groves!

California. At the turn of the 20th-century, easterners flocked to Southern California for the sun, weather, and the movie stars! People still are. Even 20 years ago, Orange County was dotted with groves within an earshot of Disneyland. Today you would be hard-pressed to find one Orange Tree. I live in Riverside County (next to Orange County), and downtown, you will find the original two Navel Orange Trees that all were grafted. 

Winter brings snow and storms throughout the Midwest and East coast, while here in California, we are shipping crates of fresh sun-drenched citrus. On the crates' sides, you would find the beautiful drawing of the orchards, the palm trees around the groves, and maybe a snow-topped mountain in the foreground (yes, we have mountains with snow 1-1/2hrs from Los Angeles.

Here is a great little video from PBS on the Citrus Movement in Southern California.

King Citrus and the California Dream

Orange Groves in the Historical Park

Orange Groves in the Historical Park

When we purchased our home, the land had been groves just the year prior; a few miles away, we had orchards that would permeate the air with the aromas of citrus this time of year. Sadly, they were all bulldozed for housing. Around the city, you can see some areas with mini groves. I tend to drive to the California Citrus State Historic Park in Riverside to get my citrus. Here is the link: LINK

Here are the pans that I used. Pan 1 Pan 2

In the orange groves in 80F weather this past weekend.

In the orange groves in 80F weather this past weekend.

D3 Chocolate Brownie Bites & Voting /  by George Geary

D3 stands for Three D’s. (Double, Dark and Dense). Very rich and I cut them into 36 mini-squares. I hope you enjoy them

I am taking these to the Polling Station. I will be working for the first time as a poll officer for 4 days. I did training which was very interesting. I recall when I was 18 I was so very excited to vote, I walked in and the poll worker was telling me that I was not on the list as the name I gave her I should have been 30 years older (She had found my father, not me). I did vote, but the excitement left my face. I just wanted to get out as fast as I could. Since that day, I have voted absentee (Mainly because of my travel schedule) but since I am home I thought I would work the polls.. And I will greet each person like I wanted to be treated back in the day.. Unless they have a 45 shirt on! (they are not allowed)! go VOTE

Early Fall ~ Maple Mashed Sweet Potatoes /  by George Geary

The aroma of cinnamon in the air from baking the oven is so “Fall”. Last week I got a few pounds of sweet potatoes in my Farm Fresh to You, box. This was the first recipe I thought of making. I started making these in my classes called “Everything But The Turkey”. Save it for Thanksgiving, because. It is around the corner!

Also, if you would like to try out the produce boxes, you can use the code below to get a discount. I also order all of my milk and heavy cream. They come in glass bottles! Lastly, Blue Cheese from Point Reyes, CA. some of the best in the world!

Farm Fresh To You Website: www.farmfreshtoyou,.comCode for a discount: GEZR5282

Farm Fresh To You Website: www.farmfreshtoyou,.com

Code for a discount: GEZR5282

Tuesday, August 11th, 2020: 🍍Pineapple Macadamia Bars & 🍌Banana Pecan Cream Cheese Cupcakes /  by George Geary

Fresh Pineapple Macadamia Bars and Banana Pecan Cream Cheese Cupcakes. The bars do take some time as you should use fresh pineapples.. You know the kind with the spiky tops and does not taste like a can! I used two medium size. Using the fresh will make a big difference trust me! Enjoy both.

Southern Banana Pudding Triffle /  by George Geary

Since I am not doing my nightly shows anymore I wanted to make this dessert this week for you. I hope some of you try it even though you don’t see me making it.

The dessert without a name. You all have had some form of it. Bananas, Pudding, ‘Nilla Wafers and whipped cream. I felt it was southern, as one time, I had it from a soul food restaurant steam table outside of downtown Dallas. It was hot, so rich. I jumped in a cab with my good author and southern friend Nancie McDermott, and off we went into an area of Dallas she had heard of a great lady who made killer soul food (Just to let you know if Nancie has a hunch of something good you get in the cab! The cab driver didn’t want to take us to that side of town; she said it was dangerous. We told her that we would buy her lunch. Sure, enough that worked! Food always works! She said she would wait as nobody would come out to pick us up (This is pre-Uber). We got plates of food and a sandwich for the driver, she said. Oh, I guess it’s safe since the police are having lunch here! 

 

Nancie said that her friend Chef Bill Smith of Crook’s Corner in Chapel Hill, NC (he retired in 2019), had it on his menu, and it was trendy, and he called it Good Banana Pudding. She feels it is a Southern home cook’s streamlining of the Classic British Trifle. And I agree. How you make it is up to you. I have seen so many shortcuts, and some are what you may be used to flavor and texture-wise. 

 

First, the cookie: Nabisco’s Vanilla Wafers 1898, which changed in 1967 to “Nilla Wafers as real pure vanilla is not used in them anymore. When a recipe for the pudding dessert was placed on the package back in the 1940s, southerners started using them in droves. This is the dessert you always have at a family reunion, covered dish supper (potluck), or Funeral. I created my own cookie to make that are very flavorful and even have vanilla! 

 

Next, the pudding: Oh, boy. Jell-O came out with Banana Flavored pudding, which eased the making of this dessert. I love to make my Banana Pastry Cream to use instead. Some stores do not carry the Banana Cream, flavor outside of the south.

 

Topping: Most of the recipes today for this dessert have Cool-Whip as the topping. Formerly in the early, non-fast days of the method, it was a toasted meringue. I only use Cool-WhipÔ on morning shows when I can’t have whipped cream melt under the lights of the studio. Today's dessert we will make a meringue.  

 

I hope you will take the time to make this Southern Dessert that I call, Banana Pudding Trifle. 

  

Thursday July 30th, 2020 National Cheesecake Day on WGN-TV Chicago /  by George Geary

National Cheesecake Day (July 30th) has always been a special day. Since my first book was a cheesecake book and then 3 after that.. The day means a lot. Today’s Show I re-broadcast the WGN-TV segment I did for Chicago, also I added some extras with this video. Enjoy!

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