Cheese It Boys!

In my never ending quest for ingredients that match what would have been available back in the era covered by my new diet plan, I have inevitably turned my eye to cheese.  I was avoiding going on this search because I knew of all things dairy, cheese made from the proper milk would be most dear.  I was not dissapointed.  Prices run from $9.99/lb on the low end to $18.99/lb on the higher end raw milk cheeses.  I can swallow the cost difference and use this cheese as a "cheese and cracker" afternoon snack cheese but I can't see using it in recipes just yet.  Now normally I just buy Cabot Cheese which has all the appearance of being at least semi-organic but when I started delving deeper into their operations I was shocked.  None of the milk they use is free from rGBH the estrogen like hormone given to cows to make them produce more milk.  It's disconcerting, even Publix store brand milk is certified free from that nonsense.  This led me to rethink quite well my position on cheese.

Ad & Cocktail: Kinsey Gin & The Martini

1947 Kinsey Gin

This 1947 ad asks "Are you in the middle on the Martini question?"  It sounds like a political debate, between right and left.  Martinis were the drink of choice in the 40's and 50's and it was sometime in the 1960's when the move was on away from a gin base to a vodka martini, brought on no doubt by the popularity of Mr. James Bond.  This ad gives us 3 ways to make a martini:

Sherry Martini

1 Part Dry Sherry
3 Parts Gin

4-to-1 Martini

1 Part Dry Vermouth
4 Parts Gin

Ad & Cocktail: Hildick Brandy & Jersey Cocktail (1910)

1941 Hildick's Applejack & Brandy

 I had to take a break today (Thursday) from cleaning out the kitchen.  It's a once every 2 month thing to have to go through and reclaim the counters from the creeping pile of "stuff".  Pull everything off and scrub the counters with Borax and then arrange the stuff that belongs neatly.  It's noon and I've been at it since 9am and I still have the pantry to arrange.