Document text
http:// --> Ashland, Oregon HOME Valley & State Sports Nation & World Opinion/Editorial Classifieds Business Columnists Local Issues Obituaries Weather Archive Revels Etcetera Backpage Hot Topics Most Viewed Forum Photo Galleries Video Readers Polls O-Zone Online Games Movie Preview Special Sections Real Estate Guide Menu Guide Shakespeare Subscribe Contact Us Rate Card Place an Ad Top Galleries: January 10, 2007 Pinebark stew from N. Carolina By Jeff Cheek Tidings Correspondent Jeff Cheek Archives Wednesday November 29th Wednesday December 6th Wednesday December 13th Wednesday December 20th Wednesday December 27th Wednesday January 3rd Wednesday January 10th Wednesday January 17th Thousands of books have been written about the heroic leaders of the American Revolution. Men like Washington, Jefferson and Paul Revere are lauded. The heroic actions of American women are not so well known, but they played important roles in our fight for freedom. In December 1775, Betsy Dowdy duplicated Paul Revere's feat by riding 50 miles to warn the Continental Army that Lord Denmore had occupied Norfolk and was marching into North Carolina. Few people outside the Tarheel State have heard this story. Deborah Sampson enlisted in the rebel army as Timothy Thayer. She was discharged when her identity was discovered. She reenlisted as Robert Shurtleff and fought bravely in several battles. Mary Hays accompanied her husband into battle, doing her bit by carrying water to the soldiers. This earned her the nickname "Molly Pitcher." When her husband John was wounded, she took his place in the artillery battery, fighting the Battle of Monmouth. Years later, she was buried at West Point with full military honors. These are a few of many courageous acts by women but their biggest contribution was morale building. When a British officer told Elizabeth Martin that one of her seven sons in the rebel army had been killed in battle, she calmly replied," He could not have died for a nobler cause." Abigail Adams wrote her husband, a future president, suggesting he pressure the Continental Congress to declare independence six months before July 4, 1776. Another Colonial wife wrote a British officer, a pre-war friend." I have not drunk tea since Christmas, nor bought a new cap since your defeat at Lexington. I know this: As free I can die but once; but as a slave I shall not be worthy of life. These are the sentiments of my sister Americans." The war also changed Colonial cooking. Most spices were imported from England. Without these, for six years cooks adjusted their old recipes or found a substitute. North Carolina's Pinebark Stew is an example. In 1629, King Charles I ordered a section of the Atlantic coast be known as "the province of Carolina," naming the colony after himself. His Latin name was Carolus. In 1710 the growing province was split into North and South Carolina, two of the original 13 American colonies. Pinebark Stew is an old recipe, common to both, but the North Carolina Division of Tourism believes the amended recipe was a Tarheel innovation. Originally, the title came from the use of pinebark for the fire but North Carolina cooks took it one step further. Pine is their official state tree. They used pine tree roots to flavor the stew. Here is the traditional recipe: INGREDIENTS 4 strips bacon 1 cup chopped onion 2 cups diced potatoes 1 quart boiling water 2 teaspoons salt 1/2 teaspoon each, thyme and marjoram 2 inch piece, dried red pepper 1 pound perch 1 1/2 pounds bass 4 or 5 medium tomatoes, peeled PREPARATION: Cut bacon into squares, saute 12 minutes over low heat. Drain off all but 3 tablespoons fat. Stir in onions, cook for 5 minutes. Stir in potatoes and seasoning, cover with boiling water. Simmer for 15 minutes then add fish. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, until fish flakes easily. Remove pepper pod and serve. Obviously, the British blockage ruled out thyme and marjoram, but Carolina wives found a solution. The Tourist Bureau's letter did not specify how much pine root, so the cook had to decide." Since seasoning was unavailable during Revolutionary War days, the small, tender roots of pine trees, found by digging about 20 feet from the trunk, were used for flavoring. With salt and homemade ketchup as a base, the only other seasoning was red pepper." Current Comments: Mary Hays accompanied her husband into battle, doing her bit by carrying water to the soldiers. This earned her the nickname "Molly Pitcher." When her husband John was wounded, she took his place in the artillery battery, fighting the Battle of Monmouth. Years later, she was buried at West Point with full military honors. (The last sentence is in error). Margaret Corbin is buried at West Point. Dr. Steve Grove - West Point, New York - January 11th, 7:25 AM Leave a Comment: Advertisement: Advertisement: Paid Advertising: Debt Help Inkjet Printers Student Loans Water Filter Helzberg Diamonds Mortgage Calculator Security Systems Debt Relief Advertisement: Copyright © 2007 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers. All Rights Reserved. Del.icio.us