Saturday, August 27, 2011

Spice Rack Challenge September: Mustard Seed

Porch Swing in September
by Ted Kooser
The porch swing hangs fixed in a morning sun
that bleaches its gray slats, its flowered cushion
whose flowers have faded, like those of summer,
and a small brown spider has hung out her web
on a line between porch post and chain
so that no one may swing without breaking it.
She is saying it's time that the swinging were done with,
time that the creaking and pinging and popping
that sang through the ceiling were past,
time now for the soft vibrations of moths,
the wasp tapping each board for an entrance,
the cool dewdrops to brush from her work
every morning, one world at a time.

As much as I hate to say it, summmer is winding down now.  In the morning, there is a coolness in the air.  I haven't done half the things I said I'd do this summer.   School is starting in a week - pretty soon it will be football games and marching bands and leaves burning and trick or treats.   Maybe we need a little heat?

This month's challenge is mustard seed.   What can you make to help us remember summer for a month longer.   Please post your recipes Sept. 21 - 27 to be included in this month's roundup - and help me out by putting "Spice Rack Challenge: Mustard" in your subject line.  Happy cooking!

2 comments:

Tricia said...

I can tell that the equinox is approaching and summer (or winter!) is ending when the early morning sun is in my eyes as I walk/bike/drive on my east-west street!

Not mustard seed, but one of the first times I cooked with mustard powder (as a novice cook), I accidentally spilled a LOT of it into the dish as I measured. I was able to scoop much of it out, but the dish was still very very hot. i had no idea mustard powder would do that!

Anonymous said...

Just visiting your blog for the first time so I'm not sure I'm clear on what the challenge means. But I do know if you've got mustard seeds you want to try this: http://www.yumsugar.com/Homemade-Mustard-Homemade-Ketchup-3414781

I use half yellow and half brown mustard seeds. I haven't bought commercially prepared mustard since the first time I tried this 2 years ago. Doubt I ever will again.

rainey (migrated over from your chocolate tempering entry on Chowhound)