Saturday, October 13, 2007

100 posts and a prize to boot!

What the @#$%?



We aren't the kind of family whose long history in this country comes with a multitude of heirlooms passed down from generation to generation. In fact, when my grandmother came to the U.S. it was after recovering from the Holocaust which means she was lucky to have survived with her life, personal belongings were the last thing on her mind.

This is a bittersweet point to me. While I prize my pink star sapphire ring that was once my mothers 16th birthday gift, there is nothing that was once worn by my great grandmother that reminds me of where I come from.

What we do have in our family is a legacy of interesting Eastern European recipes. And the interesting tool above is part and parcel of our rich history. One of the few pieces of our families past, this kitchen accessory was brought from the old country (most likely Hungary) by my grandfather and used for many years to create one of his (our) signature dishes.

In honor of my 100th post, I wanted to give something back to those of you who have encouraged me along the way. It's nothing huge, a trifle really!

Your task is to name that funky tool, and tell me what it's used for. Now it's not really fair for family members to answer this so, please, let the other kids try first ;)

(**please leave your email in the comments part, no one but me sees. and who knows? you may end up with a little treat in the mail, a secret ingredient from the old country!)

The person who guesses the correct use and/or gives it the funkiest name, wins the top secret recipe for which this tool was made. Because really, can we let this poor tool that has been used and abused for so many years continue to live without a proper name?

Easy enough? Good.

This is my way to thank you for sticking around and to encourage you lurkers to speak up! I may have some other goodies looking for a new home that may arise during this contest so check back. In the meantime....guess away!

16 comments:

Blair said...

I am going to guess that it is to makesomething like spaetzle (I believe the Hungarians call it knockerl [sp?]).

anne-laure said...

I think it is a tool used to toast chestnuts... let's call it a "fall pan"?

Katie Zeller said...

Congrats on the 100th post!
I would have to guess a noodle pr spaetzl maker, too. It's kind of hard to guess how big it is... maybe for dumplings??? Knipfle?

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

I add my vote to the spaetzle maker contingent. is it cheating to go on a Google search? I searched Google images and came up with this picture of one that sets on top of the pan, and the accompanying recipe for chicken paprikash: http://reliableanswers.com/kitchen/
chicken_paprikash.asp

The chicken paprikash sure looks good. I also found a recipe for plum dumplings using a potato ricer. I've never personally seen or eaten either.
I'm hungry!

Anonymous said...

If I didn't know the actual use of this wonderful gadget, I would want to guess and say it is used to make the perfect size of M & M's.
However, I do know better...Ben & Jerry's use this for their Cherry Garcia...the chunky chocolate part!
I have to get one, now!
xox
Nancy B

Manggy said...

My guess would be for spaetzle too. I've wanted one since I watched a specific episode of Iron Chef!

Dolores said...

I have no idea what it is or what it does, but I'm glad it's a treasured part of your home and your family's shared memory. Congratulations on 100 posts!

Gabi said...

My first thought is Spaetzle maker too. Congratulations on your 100th post!

Lindsay Blau Portnoy said...

hi all!

i'm getting ready for the big reveal (picture and all) but need an email address for anyone who has their eye on the prize....the recipe. this is not going to be one that i post online. at least not yet =)

i might also want to send the lucky winner a secret ingredient to this dish so if you leave a comment, also leave your email (no one but me sees it) and we can chat offline about how I can send it to you.

happy eating!

Sara at Come Away With Me said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sara at Come Away With Me said...

Do you need mine? I tried to send you my email address, but my comment posted, so I deleted it right away.

And also, here's another possible use for the mysterious implement - how well it would work as a bubble blower? Take it up on the roof, dip it in a big pan of dish soap, hold it up and whirl around - how many bubbles would it make?

Thimbleanna said...

Congrats on 100! I too, was going to guess some sort of "noodle press". And that idea to make lasagna in the brownie pan is brilliant -- might now justify getting that pan -- it's hard to get a special pan that only has one use -- but two? That's hard to beat! ;-)

Colleen said...

What a great idea to do something like this! I would have thought some sort of pasta drainer, but it seem that everyone has got me beat!

Chookyblue...... said...

hey just found your blog from a comment you left somewhere in blogland..........congrats on your 100th post it is always a great fun to reach a milestone.......

Amanda Jean said...

congratulations on your 100th post, Lindsay! I love reading your blog. (sorry I missed the contest...this move and all the hoopla-no internet connection at home for 5 days!!!-kind of prevented me from entering.)

Anonymous said...

I can't see where to leave an email address where only you could see it. What am I missing? You can always reach me through my blog.
Thanks