I © Buttermilk Biscuits!

One place I would enjoy them was at Kentucky Fried Chicken. I don’t frequent KFC often, but, when I do, it’s more for the biscuits instead of the chicken. I finally baked my very own buttermilk biscuits. Now that I know how to make fabulous buttermilk biscuits, my visits to KFC will be a memory.

You can find the recipe to BUTTERMILK BISCUITS on page 134 in

The Baker’s Manual by Joseph Amendola online.

The only change I made to the recipe was I increased the salt by an additional ¼ teaspoon.

I also like that cake flour is used in this recipe.

I bought this book (The Baker’s Manual by Joseph Amendola and Nicole Rees) some time ago because I liked how it increased recipes four-fold using weight measures.

As I was thumbing through this book one day, my brother-in-law,

Fred, a graduate of the

Culinary Institute of America (CIA),

saw who the author was and told me I purchased a book written by a very important man from the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), his alma mater.

About Joseph Amendola

“Joseph Amendola began his culinary career at the age of nine as a pastry apprentice at Lucibello's Italian Pastry Shop in his hometown of New Haven, Connecticut. Thus began a long and distinguished career dedicated to education and to the baking and pastry arts. While serving in the U.S. Air Force from 1941 to 1945, he continued to expand his pastry knowledge in London and at the Plaza Athenée in Paris.

Returning to civilian life in New Haven, he began his teaching career at The Culinary Institute of America (CIA). He went on to earn accolades and respect not only as an educator, but throughout the foodservice and hospitality industry for his many accomplishments and endeavors.

A former faculty member and honorary alumnus of the CIA, Joe Amendola was with the college since 1946, helping establish the newly founded New Haven Restaurant Institute and becoming the school's first baking instructor two years later.

In his 60-plus years with The Culinary, he was acting president, senior vice president, director of development, dean of students, faculty member, and-since 1989-senior ambassador. He was one of the true mainstays of the college over the past six decades, and was instrumental in the tremendous growth of the CIA as it moved from New Haven, CT to the present home of its main campus in Hyde Park, NY.

Paul Prudomme called him the "teacher that teaches the teachers." Author Marion Cunningham paid tribute to him in The Fanny Farmer Baking Book. But to everyone who was ever fortunate enough to know him at the CIA, Joe Amendola was "Mr. A."

During the early years, Joe played a major role in establishing the college's education programs, developing the curriculum, and setting up the baking and pastry program. He was responsible for ensuring that the facilities were properly equipped when the college made the move to Hyde Park, and it was largely through his efforts that major funding was acquired to construct the CIA's continuing education center.

All the while, he continued to touch the lives of students in countless ways with his dedication to teaching, his amazing talent as an ice sculptor, his engaging personality, and his infectious passion for baking. He wrote five acclaimed texts-The Baker's Manual, Understanding Baking, Ice Carving Made Easy, Professional Baking, and Practical Cooking and Baking for Schools and Institutes-and founded the product "Cake Mate," a profitable cake decorating item he later sold to H. A. Johnson, a baking supply company owned by McCormick.

Joe was a highly respected culinary and baking consultant, traveling the world on behalf of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Army to evaluate their culinary programs. He lectured extensively in Europe, India, China, Japan, Egypt, Korea, and Singapore, among others, and has served as a judge in a variety of baking, cooking, and ice carving competitions. He was executive vice president of Fessel International, a worldwide foodservice and hospitality consulting company, and did consulting work for Food Innovations in Naples, FL and Anderson Baker Co. in San Mateo, CA.

His passion for the food world was reflected in his active involvement and memberships in numerous culinary organizations, including the American Culinary Federation, American Academy of Chefs, Escoffier Society, Balli-Chaîne de Rôtisseur, National Ice Carving Association, Order of the Golden Toque, Antonin Carême Association, and American Society of Bakery Engineers.

Joe also earned a great many awards from virtually every chef's association in the industry throughout his career. His accolades include 2002 Chef of the Year by the American Culinary Federation, the Food Arts Silver Spoon Award, induction into the Academy of Chefs Hall of Fame, honorary membership in Japan's Kyoto Cooking School, the Order of the Dinner Gong from the International Food Service Association, honorary membership in the Société Culinaire Philanthropique, and Diplomate in the National Restaurant Association Educational Institute.

Born on October 19, 1920, in New Haven, CT, he was the son of the late Joseph Amendola and Caroline. He held an associate degree from the University of Massachusetts and a bachelor of science degree in hotel and restaurant administration from the University of New Haven. He married Marjorie Meatyard on December 29, 1945 in London, England.

JOSEPH AMENDOLA, 87, of Orlando, FL died Wednesday, January 23, 2008 at Dr. P. Phillips Hospital in Orlando, Florida.”

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A TRIP TO A FARMERS MARKET

On August 6, 2011, I stopped by the Metuchen Farmers Market located in Metuchen, NJ. Had a great time stopping by the stands and speaking to the vendors. Everyone is so friendly…a great way to spend a Saturday morning.

Support your local Farm Market! Remember, NO FARMS, NO FOOD.

Below are some photos of vendor stands that I visited.

Metuchen Farmers Market

Website: http://www.metuchenmarketday.com/

The Market is located at the corner of New St. and Pearl St.

Open: June 18 – October 1^st, 2011 - Saturdays 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Community Farmers Market: Variety of fruits and vegetables, breads, cheese, pickles and more.

Farmer Al's Market & Greenhouses

387 Buckelew Ave

Monroe Township, NJ 08831

view website
email us
Tel: (732) 521-1888

Fax: (732) 521-5366

“Growing Since 1924”

Since 1924 Farmer Al's Market & Greenhouses has been a family owned and operated farm located in central NJ dedicated to delivering quality produce and plants at affordable prices.

Fruitwood Farms, Inc.

419 Elk Rd.
Monroeville, NJ 08343

View website

email us
(856) 881-7748

Fruitwood is a 4th generation family farm in Elk Township, NJ.

Hoboken Farm Stand Inc.

Hoboken, NJ
view website
email us
(201) 681-5709