When Jews immigrated to America in their ever-evolving diaspora, they were not allowed to have slaves, so they turned to trade. Chocolate was the commodity which played an integral role in the development of important Newport landmarks, and indeed, many of Rhode Island's most valued national historic treasures.
This fruit strudel recipe is about the easiest breakfast treat or dinner dessert with a scoop of ice cream there is. Not much sugar and plenty of fruit wrapped in puff pastry from Pepperidge Farm. It reminds me of years ago when our daughter lived in California, we'd get this wonderful fresh strudel from a German bakery in Encinitas.
As I write this, everyone is at the St. Patrick's Day parade in Newport, RI. I can picture this sunny day, the streets awash in green crepe paper and hats, Irish knit sweaters, babies and young girls with shamrock-painted faces, and guarded flasks of Jamieson in herringbone vest pockets. I hear, even from here on other side of the hill, police car sirens resonating over and over, leading the parade to its end at the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH), where the celebration will be capped off with a traditional American - Irish boiled dinner, corned beef and cabbage, a little more Jamieson and lots of Guinness.
Amazing that all three of these events occurred in the same week: first an earthquake, or at least some minor shaking, then a our son's wedding, and of course, Hurricane Irene. Two were unplanned events, the doing of Mother Nature, but our home was unscathed. With a house full of family and guests for Patrick and Shauna's wedding on Saturday at the Officer's Club, US Navy base, Irene forced all of Newport, RI, and, indeed, Aquidneck Island, to revisit colonial times early in the day on Sunday, August 28, 2011.
