Loot

Assumption Abbey Fruitcake

A couple of weeks ago someone in the family was soliciting Christmas wish lists. I usually have a hard time with such requests, being as I don't need anything, or I want something unobtainable, like a rocketship. I don't know why but this year I didn't have a problem, fruitcake was at the top of my list, and my family delivered. It's delicious. Nobody else in my family likes them, or maybe they've never had the opportunity to try one. Am I willing to share? Hmmm. I dunno, maybe no one will ask for a piece. Kind of a problem since I am trying to lose weight, but if I hold it down to one slice a week I should be okay.

These cakes are made in the Ozark mountains in southern Missouri. The monks have a page about their operation but it is a bit spare. Looking for more info, I found a wonderful story on Feast. Therein the author mentions one Jean-Pierre Augé who:

"was teaching cooking classes in St. Louis and working as the chef for Mark Twain Bank."

Mark Twain Bank

Why does a bank need a chef? And where did they get the name? Did Mark Twain eventually become a banker? What the heck? Turns out the Mark Twain Bank operated from 1976 to 1997 when it merged with a bigger bank. Near as I can tell there is no real connection to Mark Twain the man.