entertain, decorate, Celebrate Pie as seen on George Hirsch Lifestyle

My friends at Hoffman Media have published the November/December issue of Celebrate, a must read for any gathering with family and friends during this holiday season. I'm proud to share my four page feature on Perfecting Pies. I don't want to be a spoiler so I'll let you get your own copy on news stands next week. Or, you may order your own Free Trial Subscription and receive timely seasonal inspiration when watching George Hirsch Lifestyle on PBS, public television and Create TV. 

And, why four pages on pie? I'm passionate about teaching the correct techniques in cooking and baking--especially baking pie. Just ask my TV crew who received a first hand lesson during a one hour taping with no stops. I could have went longer, but my TV show is only a half hour!   

Watch me bake pie on GHL, Thursday, October 23rd on Create TV 7:30AM and 1:30PM. You may want to record and watch again when you get your copy of Celebrate Magazine's Holiday issue!

read George's feature in Nov/Dec issue of Celebrate Magazine, watch GHL on Create TV

I got my copy. If I can do it, You can do it!

 

 

Corned Beef and Cabbage

Since the early 1900s, Americans proclaimed corned beef and cabbage to be their favorite Irish dish, even though it really never had graced dinner tables in Ireland. Since then, Americans have embraced it as the meal of choice for St. Patrick's Day, March 17th. Corned beef got its name before refrigeration, when meat was preserved using coarse grains of salt, called 'corn'. Today, beef is corned with spices strictly for flavor, not for preservation, so the meat must be refrigerated. Whether you're a wee bit Irish or not, boost your luck by celebrating St. Patrick's Day with friends and a feast. 

Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe

Time for Shrove Tuesday

aka Pancake Tuesday since aprox. the 12th century. This celebration was marking the days preceding lent by using valuable ingredients like eggs, milk and sugar; hence cooking up pancakes 
George's Griddle Cakes
Pancakes are one of the earliest forms of bread and are served up geographically in many different ways. You can be-all-traditional with baking powder, or try prospecting with sourdough pancakes like the early pioneers. Flip’em with oatmeal or buckwheat when in Vermont; or for a Dutch style treat serve with lemon, powdered sugar and jam. Substitute the flour for cornmeal and you’ll be enjoying it as Native American speciality.
Go Pollack by designing your own pancake creations with sliced apples, bananas, blueberries, strawberries, chocolate chips, chopped nuts.  
George’s Pancake Recipe
Makes eight pancakes | recipe by George Hirsch
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon pure cane sugar
1 1/4 cups milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg, beaten
3 Tablespoons butter, melted
In a large bowl, mix together well with a whisk all dry ingredients the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. In a separate bowl mix all wet ingredients the milk, vanilla, egg and melted butter. Yes, use two bowls so the dry and wet ingredients blend better when combined. Add the wet to the dry and just strip with a large spoon or spatula until the dry ingredients have absorbed the wet. There may still be a few lumps, thats OK. Do not over mix, or pancakes will become tough.
Pre heat a non stick pan or lightly grease a griddle over medium high heat at 375 degrees F. Test the temperature by dropping a drop of water on surface of pan. Water will dance across the surface when at the correct temperature. You can test one cake before proceeding.
Pour one 1/4 cup scoop of batter onto the griddle for each pancake. If adding any fresh fruit or creations add at this time. You will begin to see bubbles form on the top side when brown on bottom, flip and brown on second side. Serve hot with syrup or favorite topping eaten immediately right off the griddle.
Finish off your stack with honey, molasses, can syrup, preserves, Nutella, or maple syrup.