MAD MEAT GENIUS

MAD MEAT GENIUS
Chilebrown at home

Thursday, March 27, 2014

WHAT ABOUT MY KUMQUATS?


When I cook with kumquats you will see a smile on my face. The movie scene from "Its a Gift" with W.C. Fields and the blind & deaf hotel detective Mr. Muckle comes to mind. We have a kumquat tree in our backyard that is very prolific. Kumquats are a citrus fruit that resembles a mini orange. They are sweet/tart citrus flavor bombs that makes a wonderful snack. They are eaten whole, peel and all. When they are mature they will have one or two seeds. My mother used to make a kumquat fruitcake that I would like to share with you. The recipe originally comes from the Sunset magazine. Of course, I have added a couple of Chilebrown variations. This fruit cake is very special.


Click image to enlarge

One change in this recipe is that I use fresh kumquats instead of canned. I take a pound of kumquats, wash, split, remove seeds and boil briefly in some sugared water. The mixture is cooled and added to the recipe. I also add dried fruits and organic almonds that are acquired from the farmers market. The biggest change to this recipe is the addition of Grand Marnier to the final cake. Once the cake is cooked and cooled it is soaked in this extravagant orange flavored liquor.I have been told this cake gets better with age. The only problem is it never seems to lasts very long.




My mothers recipe (pictured above) is stored in a plastic sheath and is faded and stained from years of use. This recipe is special to me for several reasons. A recipe from my mom is priceless with nostalgia. I get a chuckle just saying kumquats and plus the antics of Fields and Mr. Muckle. We have a huge amount of kumquats from our backyard tree to make plenty of cakes. I think one of the most important reasons that I love this cake is that it decadently delicious. Give it a try."What about my Kumquats?"


9 comments:

Zoomie said...

Your kumquats are beautiful and your taste in humor is priceless, like your Mom's recipe.

Chilebrown said...

Zoomie, If you ever need kumquats I have a lot.

Three Dogs BBQ said...

I love kumquats. My Grandparents in Florida had a tree in their back lawn. I would go outside and make a pig out of myself when I would go and visit.

Zoomie said...

You know, I don't think I have ever eaten a kumquat. If you can spare some, I'd like to try them. How shall we make it happen? Catahoula?

Chilebrown said...

Three Dogs BBQ, They are tasty.

Zoomie, I can bring you some to Catahoula's in the morning. How much would you like?

Zoomie said...

I really have no idea. Maybe a dozen? Is that too greedy? And what time? 10am? I have lost your phone number or I would have called.

greatwhite hunter said...

I see you could not find away to show your world famous pastrami with a kumquat.GWH

Chilebrown said...

greatwhite hunter, do not hate the playa. Where is my bacon?

Zoomie said...

Thanks for the huge bag of kumquats! Looking forward to using them. I tasted one, skin and all, and it was a taste sensation - tart/sweet all at the same time.