All Posts | Mary and Tom's Kitchen

Simple Black Beans

Posted on March 4, 2013 by TomJune 17, 2017

Ingredients

1/2 pound dried black beans
1 medium onion, roughly chopped

3 fresh garlic cloves, chopped
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
Shake of red pepper flakes

2 teaspoons sugar
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Chopped scallions, for garnish

Directions

Put beans into boiling water and turn off to sit and let the sugars come out. Rinse, add water and bring to a boil. Simmer covered for 30 minutes. Add onion and simmer 30 minutes more. Add the garlic, oregano, cumin, and red pepper flakes, and simmer uncovered. Add sugar and vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste. Serving garnished with chopped green onions.

Inspired by Melissa d’Arabian’s “Perfect Black Beans”.

Tea Pot Wagner Ware

Posted on March 2, 2013 by TomAugust 21, 2013

Tea Pot Wagner Ware Cast Iron won on March 02, 2013 for $29.99 with free shipping. Sold by freebeez; aka, R and K LLC, backspinchop@yahoo.com; Robert Selland, 2450 Airport Rd., Apt. F155, Longmont CA 80503-7923.

Made between 1935 and 1959 per the Cast Iron Collector as it has the stylized logo.

It arrived with a thin, loose coat of rust with heavier rust inside.

Waffle Iron Favorite Piqua Ware No 8

Posted on February 17, 2013 by TomAugust 3, 2013

Won on Ebay February 17, 2013 for $74.59 plus $14.85 shipping from Springfield, Missouri. Sold by dukescast; aka Randy@mchsi.com. Pronounced pic-waa.

I emailed the seller asking about any history he might know about the piece. Randy’s response fits with the iron arriving with the Oklahomian newspaper packing dated 1991. He said:

I would love to tell you all about the history of the waffle iron you purchased however I’m somewhat limited, there was an estate sale in Oklahoma city of a buyer who collected waffle irons over a period of 4o years. I was asked to bid and won 230 of them, electric, cast iron, all kinds shapes and sizes. Being a cast iron collector myself, I’ve picked off the ones I didn’t already have and am trying to sell off the extras, (would love to keep them all, just no room) if you go to GCICA.org, our cast iron club page, there are some good tips on cleaning and seasoning also a link to our Facebook page where all of us cast iron cookware nuts hang out to discuss everything about cast iron. We would love for you to Join the room.

If i can be of any further assistance, feel free to email randy at mchsi com or call at 417 766 4618
Kindest Regards
Randy Young

A photo of original wood handles is here.

What is a scotch bowl?

Posted on February 16, 2013 by TomFebruary 16, 2013

Scotch bowls were made to be hung over a fire in order to cook broth or porridge. Both are dishes that need to be stirred constantly which is why they have rounded bottoms and no lids. They were made of cast iron in many different sizes. From Answers.

For an Authentic recipe for scotch broth and a little history click here.

New seasoning method adopted

Posted on February 8, 2013 by TomJanuary 20, 2014

Upon reading the posts and info by Sheryl’s Blog and this post we tried the flaxseed oil (Barlean’s Flax Oil) and her heating regime. It worked quite well including stinking up the house. The iron came out evenly black. Re-seasoning made it smoother and shinier. The smell was soon gone and was worth it. Continue reading →

No. 8 Erie Yankee Pot PN 10-91

Posted on January 22, 2013 by TomJuly 12, 2013

The pot is 8 1/2 inches tall and 10 inches across. Won on Ebay on Jan 21, 2013 for $53.00 plus shipping for $12.00 from French Lick, Indiana. Sold by bushheads.

In a later auction on Ebay a seller listed a very rusty pot that appeared to be identical. He said the bottom was marked “ERIE 804″ and it was 9-1/2” inside “edge to edge”. Ours does not have that number but appears to be the same pot.

Cast Iron Pot with high ears for the bale handle

Posted on January 20, 2013 by TomMarch 26, 2013

Won on Ebay on Jan 20, 2013 for $13.49 with $14.88 shipping from Foxboro, Massachusetts. Seller: bluegoose. He said he “bought the pot at an antique shop in Massachusetts where it was in someones booth…”

The overall size is 10-3/4” across the rim by 4-1/2” high from the bottom of the Pods to the tip of the Ears. The Ears are dramatic extending straight up 1-1/2” above the rim The Gate Mark underneath is 6” long and “ghosts” through to the cooking surface.

Griswold Aluminum Corn Bread Pan No. 8022.

Posted on January 13, 2013 by TomSeptember 16, 2013

It measures 14 1/4″ long, 7 1/2″wide, 7/8″ deep, and has 11 cornbread stick sections. The pan is marked “8022 Griswold “Corn Bread Pan” Erie.”

Erie Muffin Pan No. 10 Aluminum

Posted on January 9, 2013 by TomSeptember 16, 2013

Erie Muffin Pan No. 10 Aluminum, Pattern 949. Won on Ebay for $19.49 plus shipping for $5.50. Seller: mary vaughn; Seller maryjo505@q.com; tessiep2; Rio Rancho, NM 87124

Seller said in the Ebay ad: “This item found at an Estate along the Rio Grande There were four old Adobe homes on the property that had been in the family for Five Generations Three of the four had not been lived in or occupied since the early 1970’s” See email from seller below for more background.

Once I was the winner I wrote to her asking for more info. Her three responses and photos are as follows.

Dear sundownfarms,

If you have google maps enter El Pinto Restaurant Albuquerque and that will get you really close to the property. El Pinto is an old hacienda converted to a restuarant. That area is very old farm land. As these old homesteads are selling off they are being torn down and replaced with more modern homes and commercial property. Tis a shame. The property your pan came from is on the opposite side of the street. 4th street. There were three homes and some out buildings. I don’t remember the family name, but the family owner at the time said his dad passed away in the 70’s and his sister lived in one of the homes. All in terrible repair. Roof fell in on one. I do know the property is for sale through Exit realty. Perhaps once I go to the post office to mail your pan today, I will take a drive and send you some pictures.

Also forgot to mention the dad that passed in the 70’s was fifth generation on the property. Pretty typical on these properties to have several homes. As the men in the family married, they would build another home for them and family to continue to work the land.

Took a run out to the property. Was mistaken…there are four homes on the property. Pretty well fenced in so I took these from the street. As you can see VERY run Down. The “Main” house had small door ways and lots of carvings on the Vigas. Second picture, that home had dirt floors and a caved in roof. Very sad. Seems the final heir has no money or interest in the property. Just wants to cash out. For sure a developer will purchase and use for commercial property. Nice old family compound will be forgotten very soon. Hope this helps!