Category Archives: Food

Summer’s End: Marshmallows, S’mores, and Sweet Debates

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Two marshmallows on a wooden skewer being roasted over an open flame, turning golden brown with lightly charred edges above a bright orange campfire.

Labor Day BBQ’s and Marshmallow Questions

Here we are at Summer’s End — the last of the BBQ hurrahs. So naturally, I have questions. Important questions. Marshmallow‑based questions.

S’mores Fans vs. Marshmallow Purists

Are you all die‑hard S’mores fans, or do some of you prefer a simple, toasty marshmallow now and then?

Don’t get me wrong — I enjoy a S’mores occasionally. But they’re really sweet. I have a sweet tooth, but more than one S’mores and my stomach stages a full revolt even while my taste buds are chanting more, more, more. Marshmallows on their own, though? Those I can handle just fine.

Golden Brown or Burned to a Crisp?

If you are a marshmallow purist, what’s your style?

  • Patient golden brown
  • Burn it to a crisp and grab it before it falls off the stick

I admit I like both, but the burned, hot, bubbly ones probably win for me. ( I lack patience for that golden , brown deliciousness)

A Word About Peeps

Question three: Do you like Peeps?

You know — those pink and yellow marshmallow bunnies and chicks that only appear at Easter. I love them. I don’t stick them in the fire (I’m not a monster), but I can nosh down a whole box of those little treats.

They’re also great fun for decorating cakes. The chicks make a cute sunflower cake, and the bunnies look adorable on a pastel Easter cake.

Homemade Marshmallows: Are You Brave Enough?

Last question: Do any of you make your own marshmallows?

I’m told it’s not hard. I even saw kids make them on Kids Baking Championship — and those kids are amazing. I’ve got a recipe for homemade marshmallows, but I’ve never tried it.

Here it is if you’re feeling adventurous.

Homemade Marshmallows

Ingredients

  • Nonstick cooking spray
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 3 (1/4‑oz.) packages unflavored powdered gelatin
  • 1 cup cold water
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup light corn syrup
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 2 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract
  • 2 (3.5‑oz.) dark chocolate bars, roughly chopped (optional)
  • Chocolate jimmies, for garnish (optional)

Directions

  1. Line a 9‑inch square baking pan with plastic wrap. Lightly grease with cooking spray and dust generously with powdered sugar.
  2. In a stand mixer bowl, sprinkle gelatin over 1/2 cup cold water. Whisk to combine and let bloom for 10 minutes.
  3. In a saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, salt, and remaining 1/2 cup water. Cook over medium‑high until dissolved, about 3 minutes. Continue cooking until the syrup reaches 240°F, about 10 minutes.
  4. Turn mixer to medium‑low and carefully drizzle in the hot syrup. Increase speed to high and beat until thick and fluffy, 10–12 minutes. Stir in vanilla.
  5. Pour mixture into prepared pan, smooth the top, and dust with powdered sugar. Let stand uncovered overnight.
  6. Lift marshmallow slab onto a cutting board. Cut into squares, dusting the knife with powdered sugar as needed. Toss pieces in powdered sugar to coat. Store up to 1 week.
  7. Optional: Melt chocolate in the microwave in 30‑second intervals.
  8. Dip marshmallows halfway into chocolate, sprinkle with jimmies, and chill until set.

Tip: If you’re dipping them in chocolate, skip dusting the side that gets dipped — the chocolate sticks better.

Recipe by Sloane Layton.

 

If you’re dedicated enough to try the recipe — or if you have a tried‑and‑true version of your own — let me know. I don’t think I’m quite ready to dive into this yet, but I’m cheering on anyone who is.

 

 

 

WMEO Special Report: It’s National Toasted Marshmallow Day!

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An empty WMEO 9 news desk sits in a brightly lit newsroom. A microphone and two sheets of paper rest on the desk, and multiple blurred screens with news graphics appear in the background along with a city skyline.

This is an WMEO Special report. Our anchors are on location tonight.

We bring you live from the WMEO campground, a full report on the marshmallow celebration for Toasted Marshmallow Day. Our intrepid reporters, Banner and Balboa, are on location tonight, investigating the state of marshmallow toastiness across the region. Early findings suggest high fluff levels, excellent golden‑brown technique, and one missing marshmallow (Balboa continues to deny involvement).

Cartoon versions of two cats sit by a small campfire at night, each holding a stick with a marshmallow over the flames. The orange cat on the left and the black cat on the right are roasting marshmallows in a simple outdoor scene with a dark background and grass at the bottom.

[Live‑Mic Moment] (Audio crackles. The campfire pops.)

Banner: “You burned mine again!”

Balboa: “It’s called caramelization, genius.”

Banner: “It’s called sabotage.”

Balboa: “You’re lucky I didn’t eat yours for evidence.”

(Producer voice off‑screen) “Uh… we’re still live.”

Both: “Oh.” (awkward pause, then cheerful tone)

Banner: “Back to you at the desk!”

Stay tuned for updates as the investigation heats up.

 

Two marshmallows on a wooden stick roast over bright orange flames, with the marshmallows turning golden brown as smoke rises from the fire.

Summer’s End: Fairs, Food, and the First Signs of Magic

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A single tree covered in bright red autumn leaves stands in a grassy yard, surrounded by green foliage and a wooden fence. The vivid red color contrasts sharply with the surrounding greenery, capturing the early beauty of fall in New England.

Fall leavesSummer’s Last Hurrah

Here we are in the second half of August. Summer is winding down, and everyone is scrambling to squeeze in that last vacation, beach day, or backyard barbecue before school starts. Summer always feels too short — but the good news is that fall in New England has a special magic all its own.

The First Signs of Fall

Apple picking season arrives with pies, cobblers, crisps, and even apple pancakes. Cranberry bogs turn brilliant red as farmers flood the fields for harvest. Everywhere you look, there’s a sense of change in the air — and that brings us to one of the best parts of autumn: the fairs.

Cranberry Bog

The Big One: The Big E

Let’s start with the biggest fair of them all. The Big E, located in Springfield, offers a full 17 days of fair fun. Some years you’ll find camel and elephant rides for the kids. One year when I visited, the Budweiser Clydesdales led the parade — a sight you never forget. There’s so much to see and do, it’s practically its own season.

2026 Dates: September 18 – October 4

The Topsfield Fair

If that’s not enough for you, head to the Topsfield Fair — one of the oldest agricultural fairs in the country. They’re famous for their Giant Pumpkin Contest. In 2022, a record was set with a 2,480‑pound pumpkin grown in Tyngsboro, MA. That’s a lot of pumpkin pies.

2026 Dates: October 2 – October 12

More Great New England Fairs

Miss those two and you still have plenty to choose from. New England is packed with fall fairs, each with its own charm:

  • Fryeburg Fair (ME) – Early October
  • Deerfield Fair (NH) – Late September
  • Durham Fair (CT) – Late September
  • Franklin County Fair (MA) – Early September
  • Spencer Fair (MA) – Labor Day Weekend
  • Three County Fair (MA) – Labor Day Weekend

There’s truly something happening every weekend.

Specialty Fun: King Richard’s Faire

Now for the specialty faire — spelled with an e, of course. King Richard’s Faire is New England’s ultimate Renaissance experience. So my Lords and Ladies, dust off your swords and join the fun. Watch jousting and jugglers, enjoy turkey legs and mead, and step back in time for a day.

2026 Dates: August 29 – October 25

Food Festivals & Coastal Celebrations

Fall isn’t just about fairs — it’s also prime time for food and coastal festivals.

Bourne Scallop FestivalFried Scallops

One of my favorites. It features one of my favorite foods — scallops. Succulent, deep‑fried, golden scallops. They also have craft booths, but let’s be honest… I go for the scallops.

Gloucester Schooner Festival

If you want boats and fireworks, this is the place to be. Historic schooners, races, and nighttime fireworks light up the harbor.

2026 Dates: September 4–7

Peak Foliage: Nature’s Grand Finale

And just wait for that burst of color from the trees. Fall foliage usually peaks around mid‑October in southern New England, but it depends on where you are. Farther north — say in Maine — peak color can arrive as early as late September. Plan accordingly if you’re chasing the brightest leaves.

Welcome to Fall in New England

It’s a busy, beautiful season filled with fairs, festivals, food, and foliage. Whether you’re apple picking, wandering a fairground, or watching the trees turn gold, fall in New England never disappoints.

 

Chicken Fried Rice No Takeout Required

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Stir-fried chicken fried rice with peas, carrots, onions, and herbs in a dark serving bowl, resembling classic Chinese takeout fried rice.

I Finally Found It! 

I finally found a fried rice recipe I actually like! It comes close to the takeout fried rice from my favorite Chinese restaurants. All my past attempts have resulted in blah, flat-tasting rice. I’d about given up. Whenever I wanted fried rice to go with one of my homemade dishes — usually chicken and broccoli — I just ordered it and had it delivered. Expensive, and now very unnecessary.

Sorry Golden Dragon, Big Wong, and Lucky Corner. I’ll still call you… but not for fried rice.

I tried this recipe as chicken fried rice because I didn’t have any leftover pork for pork fried rice. You can be sure I’ll be experimenting with that next — maybe chopped pork chop, maybe bacon? I don’t make spare ribs. Love ’em, but I’m still on the takeout wagon for those.

So enough singing praises of this recipe. It’s time to share it with you. And of course, I want to hear all about your luck if you try it.

Chicken Fried Rice

Equipment

  • Large skillet or wok (I used a wok)

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 pound chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces (I used chicken breast)
  • 2 tablespoons sesame oil
  • 1 cup diced white onion (I only had yellow — they worked fine)
  • 1 cup thawed frozen peas and carrots
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 3 cups cooked rice (I cooked mine the day before)
  • 2–3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons sliced green onion for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Add 1 tablespoon vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon soy sauce to your skillet or wok. Heat over medium. Add the chicken and cook until lightly browned and cooked through (about 5–7 minutes). Remove chicken and set aside.
  2. Add 2 tablespoons sesame oil, the diced onion, and the peas and carrots. Fry until tender, about 3–4 minutes.
  3. Push the vegetables to one side and add the beaten eggs to the other. Scramble with a spatula. Once cooked, mix the eggs into the vegetables.
  4. Add the cooked rice and chicken back into the pan. Stir to combine. Add 2–3 tablespoons soy sauce and stir until everything is heated through. Top with sliced green onions if you like, and serve warm.

And that’s it. That’s all there was to it. Boy, was it tasty.

Yes You can Reheat your Leftovers

To reheat individual portions, I warm them on the stovetop with a tiny bit of chicken broth — just enough to create a little steam. I cover the pan so the steam warms the top while the heat warms the bottom. Stir often as you reheat.

 

I found the basic recipe at The Recipe Critic. Check out all the other yummy recipes they offer.

 

The Wild Story Behind Baby Ruth

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“A Nestlé Baby Ruth candy bar in a silver and blue wrapper, with a cut piece in front showing layers of caramel, peanuts, and nougat covered in milk chocolate.”

The Candy Bar Babe Ruth Couldn’t Claim 

When a Sports Legend Says “That’s MY Name!”

Hey! No you don’t you guys! That’s MY name. It seems ridiculous in today’s world of big name endorsements and contracts that Babe Ruth couldn’t keep control of his own name but that’s what happened back in 1921 but that’s exactly what happened to one of the Biggest Names in Sports. Let me tell you about Babe Ruth and a candy bar called Baby Ruth.

A Candy Bar With a Suspiciously Familiar Name

In 1921, the Curtiss Candy Company launched a new candy bar called Baby Ruth. America immediately assumed it was named after Babe Ruth — the baseball superstar who dominated headlines and packed stadiums. The timing was perfect, the association was obvious, and the public made the connection instantly.

But Curtiss Candy insisted — with a perfectly straight face — that the bar was named after Ruth Cleveland, President Grover Cleveland’s daughter… who had died nearly twenty years earlier and had absolutely nothing to do with baseball, candy, or marketing.

Babe Ruth Fights Back

Babe Ruth wasn’t just annoyed. He had a plan. He wanted to patent his own candy bar, something that would give him financial control and a brand outside of baseball. This was decades before athletes made fortunes from endorsements, so Ruth was trying to be ahead of his time — doing what modern stars do today without blinking.

To protect that future, he needed control of his name. So he took Curtiss Candy to court, arguing that Baby Ruth was clearly trading on his fame.

The Court’s Decision: A Big Swing and a Miss

Despite the timing, the marketing, and the obvious connection, the judge sided with Curtiss Candy.

The company claimed the bar wasn’t referencing Babe Ruth at all — and the court accepted it. It didn’t matter that the explanation was flimsyor that the candy bar’s popularity rose right alongside Babe Ruth’s fame. It didn’t matter that Curtiss Candy was making piles of money off the association.

The judge essentially said:

“They used the name first, and they say it’s about the president’s daughter. Case closed.”

Babe Ruth walked away with no rights to the name, and Curtiss Candy kept selling Baby Ruth without paying him a cent.

Why the Verdict Feels So Unfair Today

In today’s world of celebrity branding, the ruling feels absurd.

Modern stars make fortunes from their names and likenesses:

  • Michael Jordan didn’t own Nike, but Nike sure couldn’t use “Air Jordan” without him.
  • Beyoncé trademarks everything from her name to her tour titles.
  • Taylor Swift protects her lyrics like a fortress.
  • LeBron, Serena, Shaq — their names are multimillion‑dollar assets.

If Babe Ruth lived today, he’d have entire teams managing his brand, licensing deals, and endorsements. But in 1921? He couldn’t even stop a candy company from using a name everyone associated with him.

The Legacy of a Candy Bar and a Missed Opportunity

Baby Ruth went on to become an iconic American candy bar. Babe Ruth went on to become an even bigger legend. But the story of the candy bar he couldn’t claim remains one of the most surprising — and unfair — chapters in snack‑food history.