Do Not Try This at Home!

It's Wednesday and this has been designated by me as peach day.  I have a table full of peaches and need to deal with them today.  I have everything I need to get them ready for the freezer.  I made two pies on Monday and have those safely in the freezer, now I just want to do fresh peach halves.  This will begin after Jazzercise this morning since I didn't go last night.

Last night I attended a meeting of the Culinary History group that I've become involved with.  Last night's plan was to discuss a book we've been reading and enjoying Food in History by Reay Tannahill.  It's an older book, sometimes difficult to find but interesting to read.  I'm only about half done, I'm starting now with The New World.  In addition to the book, we had a field trip. 

Our meeting took place at the home of Jeff Varasano who is passionate about pizza.  This is the part that I can tell you to not try at home.  He has altered his home oven so he can bake pizza in the self cleaning phase where the temperatures are 800 degrees.  The pizza is great and I will have more at his restaurant which he hopes to have open before Thanksgiving.  I will not be altering my oven, too much potential for disaster.  It was a fun and tasty evening though and I will be keeping track of when the restaurant opens. 

I need to get ready for Jazzercise now.  School has started so traffic has started and that means a longer commute of my 3 miles to Jazzercise.  I could walk there but then I'd still need to get home after and that's too much exercise for peach day! 

I also need to check out recipes for peach freezer jam in case I have too many peaches for just fresh peach halves.  I made the okra and tomatoes and this recipe is great.  I found it on the Food Network site, it's a Paula Deen recipe.  I served it as a main dish, like a stew.  Fantastic.  I used applewood smoked bacon that I bought at the DeKalb Farmer's Market. 

The Lady and Sons Okra and Tomatoes

4 slices bacon, diced into small pieces
1 small onion, peeled and chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 (15-ounce) cans diced tomatoes
1 tablespoon chicken base
1 tablespoon sugar
2 cups fresh okra, cut into 1-inch pieces (may use frozen, if fresh not available)
Fresh ground black pepper

Cook bacon slightly. Saute onion and garlic with bacon until tender. Add tomatoes, chicken base, sugar and pepper. Stir well and let simmer for about 20 minutes. Adjust seasoning if needed. Meanwhile wash okra and remove fuzz if using fresh and cut into pieces. Add the okra and simmer until okra is done, about 20 more minutes (less if using frozen okra.)