Great Grandpa & Great Grandma LaJess --- Contortionist Pretzels
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The early 1900's were an era of jazz, ragtime, and theatrical entertainment known as vaudeville. In this era that predates the internet, television and even widespread access to radios, local newspapers were the primary source for information of all kinds.
Reading the March 3, 1910 edition of the Oswego (New York) Daily Times, we noted several interesting things. On the side of the kitchen arts, we enjoyed the ad from The Wright Brothers Grocery (motto: WE ARE THE WRIGHT BROTHERS TO FILL THAT GROCERY ORDER!). It listed the following items for sale as reprinted here:
Japan Tea (25c)
Good Coffee (20c)
Tea Siftings (14c)
10 lbs. Buckwheat (25c)
5 lb. Pail Syrup (20c)
* Ciscoes lb. (6c)
Can Tomatoes (5c)
Can Pumpkin (5c)
Can Spinach (10c)
3 cans Peas (25c)
2 Red Salmon (25c)
5 lbs. Good Rice (25c)
Big Can Jelly (10c)
3 Mackerel (25c)
1 Doz. Pickles (8c)
(* We were happy to learn that ciscoes are not little cowboys, but instead are a type of whitefish!)
On the side of entertainment we enjoyed The Oswego Times' alsoreviews a vaudeville show at The Richardson Theatre. We are happy to report that Rachel’s uncle Rich Sherwood’s great-grandparents, Theodore and Camille Lajesse (who had a contortionist act) received an acknowledgement in the paper’s review, as quoted here:
“Judging from the attendance which saw the big program now playing here and the impression the various acts made at the matinee to-day, this amusement place will be unable to accommodate the crowds for the rest of the week. The Delmonts have an odd and most pleasing musical and acrobatic offering: Chautielle and Schuyler, Travesty Stars, keep the audience convulsed throughout their entire number and Theodore and Camille LaJess, who were not previously billed, called on at the very start; Leander and Sylo billed as ‘Two Jolly Tramps’ proved their right to using this title and were warmly encored.”
In memory of Great-Grandpa Theodore and Great-Grandma Camille, we offer our recipe for Contortionist Pretzels.
Ingredients:
© 1 1/2 cup water (warm)
© 1 1/8 teaspoon active dry yeast
© 2 tablespoons demerara sugar
© 1 1/8 teaspoon salt
© 1 cup bread flour
© 3 cups all-purpose flour
© 2 cups water (warm)
© 2 tablespoons baking soda
© kosher salt
© 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Directions:
Grease a baking sheet and set aside.
Sprinkle yeast on lukewarm water in mixing bowl; stir to dissolve. Add sugar, salt and stir. Stir in flour; knead dough until smooth and elastic. Let rise 30 minutes or longer.
Meanwhile, stir baking soda water into 2 cups warm water. Stir often.
After the dough has risen, pinch off pieces and roll them into long ropes about 1/2 inch in diameter, Now, it's time to perform contortion: twist the ropes into pretzels. (Don't give up! If Theodore could contort his body, surely we all can succeed with dough!)
Dip each pretzel in soda solution and place on greased baking sheet. Allow pretzels to rise again. Bake in 450° oven for about 10 minutes or until golden. Brush with melted butter; sprinkle with kosher salt.
Give yourself a hand of applause and enjoy your tasty reward!