A Weekend of Cooking

I spent some time this past weekend dodging tornadoes and cooking. Oh and planning for the wedding…which is now 4 days away.

Here is what I made for my family over the weekend.

1. Sausage-Rice Casserole on page 53

This was a huge hit! It is definitely a repeat!

2. Gooey Butter Cakes found of page 125

This picture was taken while dinner was still cooking…note to self:do not make dessert first. Of course we loved loved loved this. I had to remind myself more than once that I had a wedding dress to fit into soon.

3. Basic Meatloaf found of page 50

This was not a hit and I think I just realized why. In the recipe that I linked it says 8 oz can diced tomatoes without juice, but in my book I promise it says with juice. Anyway, Shelby didn’t care for the tomatoes being so visible so she wound up eating mashed potatoes for dinner.

4. Mashed Potatoes found on page 85

Of course these were well received.

Only 237 more recipes to go!

Welcome Back!

I say that because I have not cooked posted a recipe in some time. I had kind of given up on it until I completed The List.

If you are here it means that you have followed over from StrawberryTart! in regards to Bucket List Number 86 – Cook Every Dish from One Cookbook.

If you know me then it would easy for you to guess what cookbook I chose – yeap The Lady & Son’s Savannah Country Cookbook – Well of course why would I start anywhere else?

You see – Paula is the one who started all of this – well restarted – you can read my first cooking post here.

Things will change just a bit from where I started with the blog. First, in honor of Paula’s talent I will not, at anytime, post full recipes on this blog. I will link where possible, but if she doesn’t have it published on the web, then I apologize – you will have to just go buy the cookbook – it’s worth it.

I will do my best to post pictures, but there will be times – like today – when I decide it may be best not to show the mess I made out of a recipe.

So here we go 244 recipes ahead of me to mark of #86 on my bucket list. I hope you enjoy!

To get us started here are my first three.

1. Barbecue-Style Pork Chops– found on Page 51
2. The Lady’s Cheesy Mac  - found on Page 78



Carrots made by me.



The family (JAG & Shelby) actually loved these. I of course loved the Mac & Cheese because this was not my first time to make this dish, but the pork chops were a little tough. This is not Paula’s fault. I attribute it more to the person who selected my pork chops – I still don’t think they were center cut  - sorry honey.

3. Praline Pumpkin Pie – found on Page 138 & 139

I have to admit that I did not read this recipe all the way through before I made started. I didn’t realize it had a merginue top, that wasn’t a deal killer, but I just wasn’t in the mood to deal with it, so JAG got a Praline Pumpkin Pie minus the Merguin – I don’t think I heard him complain.

241 recipes to go!

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Chicken and Dumplings: The Recipe that Started it All

Where is all started...

My first memory of cooking was at my Granny's kitchen table rolling out dumplings. My Daddy told me eating dough would give you worms and it scared the dickens out of me, but I didn't it anyway because the dough tasted so good. I remember the smell of her kitchen and the way she spread flour on the dough board. The smell of chicken and celery boiling on the stove and the way she stood next to the table with her cane next to her. That was when life was simple at least it was for me...I mean I was 6. My Granny never wrote out recipes. Everything was "some of this" and "a pinch of that." So, I have spent years try to re-create her chicken and dumplings...I think I am getting closer. Here is what I made last night.

Chicken and Dumplings

2 pounds of chicken parts with bones and skin (breasts, legs, thighs)

1/2 onion, chopped

1/2 cup sliced celery

1 carrot, sliced

3 tablespoons shortening

2 cups flour

Place chicken in large soup pot and cover with water. Add onion, celery, carrot, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Cover and cook for 40 minutes or until chicken is tender.

Once the chicken is done you will want to remove it from the pot. Remove the skin and the bones from the chicken. Break the chicken into smaller pieces, I usually shredded the chicken. Strain broth and return broth and chicken to large pot.

Cut shortening into flour and 1 teaspoon salt with a pastry blender or fork in large bowl until dough is pea-size. Add 9 tablespoons of ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time and mix lightly with fork.

On floured surface, roll dough thinly. Remember to to keep your rolling pin well floured. Cut dough into strips and lay on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Chill for 45 minutes.

Bring broth and chicken pieces to a boil. Drop strips into boiling broth and chicken pieces. DO NOT STIR! You can jiggle the pot or shake the pot, but stirring will break up the dumplings. Cook on medium for 30 minutes.

My Many Apologies

I am not sure what is wrong with me, but I have just not been motivated to cook. Life and work stress have lead me to a dead end in the kitchen. We have been eating fast food and things that require the microwave. Lord help me I am on the verge of making Hamburger Helper.

Don’t worry I will be back to cook soon, I hope. I need to sit and plan out a weekly menu instead of walking up and down the aisles of the grocery store saying “oh that looks good.” I plan to make an inventory of what is in my cabinets and cook with those things instead of spending money I don’t have at the store. We will see what I come up with. Wish me Luck!

Needing Comfort, Needing Comfort Food

This week has been extremely difficult and that is part of the reason why I haven't blogged or cooked much. It is also Girl Scout Cookie season so we are really really busy.

I had a moment before Grey's Anatomy. IT'S GREY'S ANATOMY NIGHT! heehee

Anyway, I thought "what I great time to blog about the awesome comfort food dish I made on Wednesday." I go to get my memory card out of my camera, but it wasn't there. Then I realize those great pictures I took of the yummy gooey bowtie pasta with cheese sauce and ham were gone. How could it be? The picture showed up on the screen. It's true...I took (or thought I was taking) awesome pictures of the best thing I had made since Paula's mac & cheese and now I have nothing to show for it...meh! I guess I should still give you the recipe. You should try it. It is yummy and a great comfort to the awful week I have been having.

Ham and Cheese Bowties

Ingredients

8 ounces uncooked bowtie pasta 2 cups milk

1/4 cup butter 1/2 teaspoon prepared mustard

1 clove garlic, minced 2 1/2 cups shredded Colby cheese

1/4 cup all-purpose flour 4 ounces cooked ham chopped

1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

Preheat over to 350. Cook past until aldente and drain.

In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Saute garlic 30 seconds. Whisk in flour, salt and pepper. Cook and stir until smooth. Pour in milk, a little at a time, stirring constantly. Bring to boil for 1 minute. Stir in mustard and Colby cheese. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally until cheese is melted. Remove from heat and stir in pasta and ham. Pour in a baking dish. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake 20 to 25 minutes.

Happy Birthday Elvis!

Happy Birthday Elvis!

No not that Elvis

Elvis Presley!

See Shelby even put it on the calendar.

Today is Elvis’ 75^th birthday. How can you be from the South and not celebrate Elvis’ birthday. I am a huge Elvis fan, but not a velvet Elvis painting above my bed type of fan. I listen to his music all the time and hello, I named my cat after him.

So, in honor of the Kings’ 75^th, I baked a cake I think he would have enjoyed.

Peanut Butter Banana Bread

1 ¾ cup flour, sift before measuring

2 teaspons baking powder

¼ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

1/3 cup shortening

¾ cup peanut butter

2/3 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 cup mashed bananas

Sift together flour, baking powder, soda, and salt; set aside

Cream shortening and peanut butter, then beat in sugar and eggs.

Alternately add dry ingredient and bananas, stirring with a wooden spoon.

Pour batter into well-greased and floured loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.