Around this time of year it becomes very evident of how important food is in my life. It's during the holiday season that I have the most memorable moments in my life. And the one thing that brought my family together was food!
No matter what happens throughout the year, good events like weddings, births, and christenings or bad events like deaths, fights, and illness, we always can use the holiday dinner table to realize how blessed we really are.
Growing up my grandparents, Nanny & Granddaddy (my dad's parents), would host Thanksgiving dinner at their house. We would wake up early go over to their house and the smells would just blow you away. Literally...Nanny would be making chitterlings and those things smell like athlete's foot that's rolled around in poo all day. Well in a less descriptive way...they smell pretty bad! But besides that you would also smell the delicious baked goods that were now lining the table.
Nanny would sit on a high chair in the kitchen and make the most delicious lemon cake you have ever tasted. She made everything from scratch including the icing. This cake would be three-layers of pure lemon lusciousness. YYYYYUUUUUMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Granddaddy would make the most moist and light gingerbread. OOOOO-MMMMM-GGGGG. I DIE! This gingerbread would make a gingerbread man eat himself! That's how good it was.
And the desserts would just keep coming: apple pies, sweet potatoe pies, coconut cake, pound cake, german chocolate cake, etc. And the food was never ending: turkey, ham, corn, collard greens, dressing, cranberry sauce, macaroni & cheese and more!
While the food was being prepared we all would have had 15 arguments, including Nanny screaming at all of us for talking loud and running through the house. She felt like loud noises would make her cakes fall. I don't know if that's true but we didn't want to find out. My dad and aunt would start arguing about who was being more righteous. And who could talk the loudest. Me and my cousins would be waiting to cut the cakes and looking at the adults like they had lost their minds.
But when it was time to eat...everyone forgot the arguments of the day and knew that we were truly blessed to have each other. We could talk about how delicious the food was and how loud everyone was going to be snoring when they were finally finished eating.
The good thing about the food was that it made us forget our personal problems and our issues with each other and just celebrate good food and having family in our lives. No one can drive you crazy like the people you love. No one can make you more upset than the people who know every button to push because they are always there. No one will fight harder for you than your family. No one will drop everything for you like your family. Me and my family aren't perfect and that's what the rest of the year exposes but the holidays show us that we love each other no matter what and at that dinner table it is all laughs and smiles.
During this time of year, take a moment to forget the problems from the rest of the year and let food bring you and your family together. Everyone has to eat and if the food is good everyone forgets about the argument you had in June. Laugh about old times and smile about the memories being made presently.
I will be with my family on Thanksgiving. I hope you will be with yours. The people that have left us (my Nanny & Granddaddy, and Granny & Papa) will be missed but they will be smiling down on us from heaven because although we still argue throughout the year, we continue to have our holiday dinners and celebrate being a family.
Have a great Thanksgiving! And remember even though they are family they don't play with my food!
K
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Macaroni & Cheese
Easy macaroni & cheese recipe. It doesn't have to be complex with 10 different cheeses to be absolutely delicious! Enjoy!
Macaroni & Cheese
Serving 6 people
1 16oz. box of elbow macaroni noodles
2 cups of milk
2 eggs, lightly beaten
3 cups of extra sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Salt & Pepper
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Heavily salt the water and add the elbow macaroni and cook about 8 minutes. Watch the pasta and check after 6 minutes. You don't want it to overcook. Once the pasta is cooked through, drain and set aside.
Butter a casserole dish, put a layer of macaroni on the bottom of the dish and then sprinkle a layer of cheese. Take one cup of milk and mix it with one lightly beaten egg. Pour the mixture over the first layer of macaroni and cheese. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Then repeat the process. Add another layer of macaroni, then add the remainder of the cheese. Mix a cup of milk and the last egg and pour over the top of the macaroni and cheese. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Now cut 2 tablespoons of butter into small squares and add to the very top of the casserole. Cover the macaroni and cheese with aluminum foil. Put in the oven for 40 minutes. After 30 minutes remove the foil and let the dish finish cooking.
Remove from the oven and let the dish cool for about 10 minutes and then serve.
You should remember that this dish is very flexible when it comes to the cheese. If you want more cheese then add more cheese. If you don't want as much cheese then remove the cheese. Use your best judgment.
This is generally a family favorite during the holidays so that is even more reason to tell others....
Don't play with my food!
K
Macaroni & Cheese
Serving 6 people
1 16oz. box of elbow macaroni noodles
2 cups of milk
2 eggs, lightly beaten
3 cups of extra sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Salt & Pepper
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Heavily salt the water and add the elbow macaroni and cook about 8 minutes. Watch the pasta and check after 6 minutes. You don't want it to overcook. Once the pasta is cooked through, drain and set aside.
Butter a casserole dish, put a layer of macaroni on the bottom of the dish and then sprinkle a layer of cheese. Take one cup of milk and mix it with one lightly beaten egg. Pour the mixture over the first layer of macaroni and cheese. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Then repeat the process. Add another layer of macaroni, then add the remainder of the cheese. Mix a cup of milk and the last egg and pour over the top of the macaroni and cheese. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Now cut 2 tablespoons of butter into small squares and add to the very top of the casserole. Cover the macaroni and cheese with aluminum foil. Put in the oven for 40 minutes. After 30 minutes remove the foil and let the dish finish cooking.
Remove from the oven and let the dish cool for about 10 minutes and then serve.
You should remember that this dish is very flexible when it comes to the cheese. If you want more cheese then add more cheese. If you don't want as much cheese then remove the cheese. Use your best judgment.
This is generally a family favorite during the holidays so that is even more reason to tell others....
Don't play with my food!
K
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Chicken Palliards with Pan Sauce
This is a recipe I created myself. It's delicious!
Serving 4 people
Ingredients:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 cups All Purpose Flour; set aside 2 Teaspoons for the sauce
3 Tablespoons Canola Oil
2 cups of chicken broth
Directions:
Take the chicken breasts and place them on the cutting board. Cover with plastic wrap. Use a meat mallet or a heavy skillet and take out your aggression on the chicken! Just kidding! Beat the chicken until it is about a 1/2 inch thick. This will take a couple of good whacks. Once the chicken is the right size season the chicken with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Pour the oil into a nonstick or a cast iron skillet. Heat the oil over med-high heat. While the oil is heating up. Put the flour into a dish and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Mix everything together.
Roll the chicken into the flour and place into the hot oil. You want the chicken to cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side. The chicken should brown on the outside on both sides. Once the chicken has cooked for a total of 6-8 minutes and browned on both sides, remove it from the pan.
Turn the pan down to low heat. Sprinkle about 2 teaspoons of flour into the hot pan. While whisking pour two cups of chicken broth into the hot pan. This will loosen up all the flavorful bits left by the chicken and it will dissolve the flour. Whisk quickly so that flour doesn't lump up. You want to break up any lumps. Bring the sauce to a simmer and then return the sauce to low. Once the sauce has simmered for about 2 minutes add the chicken back to the pan. Spoon the sauce over the chicken.
(If you feel like you don't have enough sauce add more chicken broth. If you feel like the sauce isn't thick enough add a little cornstarch. Mix a spoonful of cornstarch with some water and add to the sauce)
Sprinkle the parsley over the chicken with the sauce and serve.
Side item suggestions:
Green Beans
Chicken flavored Rice
Serving 4 people
Ingredients:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 cups All Purpose Flour; set aside 2 Teaspoons for the sauce
3 Tablespoons Canola Oil
2 cups of chicken broth
3 Tablespoons of fresh chopped parsley
Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder
Directions:
Take the chicken breasts and place them on the cutting board. Cover with plastic wrap. Use a meat mallet or a heavy skillet and take out your aggression on the chicken! Just kidding! Beat the chicken until it is about a 1/2 inch thick. This will take a couple of good whacks. Once the chicken is the right size season the chicken with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Pour the oil into a nonstick or a cast iron skillet. Heat the oil over med-high heat. While the oil is heating up. Put the flour into a dish and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Mix everything together.
Roll the chicken into the flour and place into the hot oil. You want the chicken to cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side. The chicken should brown on the outside on both sides. Once the chicken has cooked for a total of 6-8 minutes and browned on both sides, remove it from the pan.
Turn the pan down to low heat. Sprinkle about 2 teaspoons of flour into the hot pan. While whisking pour two cups of chicken broth into the hot pan. This will loosen up all the flavorful bits left by the chicken and it will dissolve the flour. Whisk quickly so that flour doesn't lump up. You want to break up any lumps. Bring the sauce to a simmer and then return the sauce to low. Once the sauce has simmered for about 2 minutes add the chicken back to the pan. Spoon the sauce over the chicken.
(If you feel like you don't have enough sauce add more chicken broth. If you feel like the sauce isn't thick enough add a little cornstarch. Mix a spoonful of cornstarch with some water and add to the sauce)
Sprinkle the parsley over the chicken with the sauce and serve.
Side item suggestions:
Green Beans
Chicken flavored Rice
Falling In Love All Over Again
I haven't written a blog in months. Mostly because I haven't been inspired to write. I started this blog to write about my passion for food. Well along the way I found a new love. I found something that makes my heart happier than food. He's beautiful inside and out and he has inspired me to write again. So here it goes...
Today I went to visit Columbia, SC to meet my special someone's parental units. On the way down, I asked my special someone what is Columbia known for and we both agreed not much of anything. LOL! I was already nervous about my visit and now I couldn't even have a topic of food to talk about with my special someone's parental units because Columbia is known for nothing.
When we arrived at his parents' house they were preparing a wonderful meal for us. The menu was steak, chicken, yellow rice, salad, and bread. YUMMM!!!! His mom was in the kitchen preparing the side dishes and his dad was going to put the steaks on the grill. Well before his dad would put the steaks on the grill, he informed my sweetie that he would be cooking them. I had never seen him cook before. I didn't know what to expect.
About 20 minutes later, the food was ready to eat. I ventured into the kitchen and fixed my plate. I got a little bit of everything (minus the chicken)...IT WAS DELICIOUS!!! I was so happy. All I could do was smile. Besides the fact that I was hungry, I got to enjoy a great steak dinner.
The steak was perfectly seasoned and was tender too. The yellow rice was full of flavor. I even enjoyed the salad with ranch dressing (and I don't normally eat ranch dressing)!
While we ate this wonderful steak dinner, we watched a hilarious movie together. Afterward dinner we left Columbia. I thought about what I had asked on the way down. About what Columbia was known for. Well now I definitely have an answer. Columbia will always be the place my sweetie fixed a great steak dinner with his parents and I fell more in love with him but I fell back in love with food.
I know this post wasn't really about food but just know that: I'M BAAAAAAAACCCCCCCKKKKKKK!!!! I will be posting more posts including recipes for the cold weather and the holiday season.
Until next time remember....don't play with my food!
K
Today I went to visit Columbia, SC to meet my special someone's parental units. On the way down, I asked my special someone what is Columbia known for and we both agreed not much of anything. LOL! I was already nervous about my visit and now I couldn't even have a topic of food to talk about with my special someone's parental units because Columbia is known for nothing.
When we arrived at his parents' house they were preparing a wonderful meal for us. The menu was steak, chicken, yellow rice, salad, and bread. YUMMM!!!! His mom was in the kitchen preparing the side dishes and his dad was going to put the steaks on the grill. Well before his dad would put the steaks on the grill, he informed my sweetie that he would be cooking them. I had never seen him cook before. I didn't know what to expect.
About 20 minutes later, the food was ready to eat. I ventured into the kitchen and fixed my plate. I got a little bit of everything (minus the chicken)...IT WAS DELICIOUS!!! I was so happy. All I could do was smile. Besides the fact that I was hungry, I got to enjoy a great steak dinner.
The steak was perfectly seasoned and was tender too. The yellow rice was full of flavor. I even enjoyed the salad with ranch dressing (and I don't normally eat ranch dressing)!
While we ate this wonderful steak dinner, we watched a hilarious movie together. Afterward dinner we left Columbia. I thought about what I had asked on the way down. About what Columbia was known for. Well now I definitely have an answer. Columbia will always be the place my sweetie fixed a great steak dinner with his parents and I fell more in love with him but I fell back in love with food.
I know this post wasn't really about food but just know that: I'M BAAAAAAAACCCCCCCKKKKKKK!!!! I will be posting more posts including recipes for the cold weather and the holiday season.
Until next time remember....don't play with my food!
K
Thursday, April 1, 2010
A Girl and her Cheesesteak!
So I have found this cute cafe in Philly. Its right across from my job on Walnut Street. Its name is Jean's Cafe. I die everytime I eat the food. It is so awesome. I could probably write everyday about Jean's (because that's about how much I eat there!) but I must tell you about the sandwich sent from God to make all my troubles melt away.
I've been in Philly a month and haven't had a Philly Cheesesteak. I know, I know! That has got to be some sort of record because its generally the first thing people get! Well I felt like I was ready to venture into cheesesteak world so I decided to go with trusty Jean's for this out of body experience.
Before I tell you about the cheesesteak I must tell you about Jean's. Jean and staff are all Asian. ( Bet you didn't see that coming) Now I know Asians can cook but I didn't know they could do down home American food especially when they barely speak English! But I think Jean and crew are playing us all for fools! The menu at Jean'spoks fun (I think...and hope) at how Asians tend to speak. Like instead of just saying "chicken" their menu says "chicky" and "hoggy" and "steaky". So every word has the mystery "Y" on the end (sometimes you just don't need that additional vowel sound in a word...I digress).
So I ordered a steaky hoggy with hot peppers, sweet peppers, onions, and cheese. This was Jean's version of Philly Cheesesteak. I was told by co-workers that I couldn't eat a whole cheesesteak (shows how well they know me). I ordered a whole one because its on Wells Faro and I'm in a F*#K the MAN kind of mood right now!!
So I get back to my hotel room and unwrap this sandwich and it was HUGE! I mean eye-bulging out my head big! But it smelled like street fare heaven! I took my first bite and I swear the clouds parted and the sun shone brightly over me! The bread was so fresh and soft and light. Which was surprising since it was this large hoagie roll. Inside this fresh bread was the most tender steak that was perfectly seasoned with salt and pepper so that you could get the full flavor of the peppers and onions and that ooey, gooey, cheese. These peppers and onions complimented the steak so well. While I was trying to eat my sandwich I was on the phone with a friend and I had trouble finding words due to the heavenliness of this sandwich. In the words of my girl Giuliana Rancic it was "Da Bomb"! The only thing I added to this sandwich was lettuce and spicy mustard. I ate every bit of the sandwich and was craving more!
I haven't been to Tony Luc's or Pat's which are the Cheesesteak staples of Philly but Jean's took me to a special place in sandwich heaven that I hope to revisit in the very near future!
So until next time...talky later! LOL!
I've been in Philly a month and haven't had a Philly Cheesesteak. I know, I know! That has got to be some sort of record because its generally the first thing people get! Well I felt like I was ready to venture into cheesesteak world so I decided to go with trusty Jean's for this out of body experience.
Before I tell you about the cheesesteak I must tell you about Jean's. Jean and staff are all Asian. ( Bet you didn't see that coming) Now I know Asians can cook but I didn't know they could do down home American food especially when they barely speak English! But I think Jean and crew are playing us all for fools! The menu at Jean'spoks fun (I think...and hope) at how Asians tend to speak. Like instead of just saying "chicken" their menu says "chicky" and "hoggy" and "steaky". So every word has the mystery "Y" on the end (sometimes you just don't need that additional vowel sound in a word...I digress).
So I ordered a steaky hoggy with hot peppers, sweet peppers, onions, and cheese. This was Jean's version of Philly Cheesesteak. I was told by co-workers that I couldn't eat a whole cheesesteak (shows how well they know me). I ordered a whole one because its on Wells Faro and I'm in a F*#K the MAN kind of mood right now!!
So I get back to my hotel room and unwrap this sandwich and it was HUGE! I mean eye-bulging out my head big! But it smelled like street fare heaven! I took my first bite and I swear the clouds parted and the sun shone brightly over me! The bread was so fresh and soft and light. Which was surprising since it was this large hoagie roll. Inside this fresh bread was the most tender steak that was perfectly seasoned with salt and pepper so that you could get the full flavor of the peppers and onions and that ooey, gooey, cheese. These peppers and onions complimented the steak so well. While I was trying to eat my sandwich I was on the phone with a friend and I had trouble finding words due to the heavenliness of this sandwich. In the words of my girl Giuliana Rancic it was "Da Bomb"! The only thing I added to this sandwich was lettuce and spicy mustard. I ate every bit of the sandwich and was craving more!
I haven't been to Tony Luc's or Pat's which are the Cheesesteak staples of Philly but Jean's took me to a special place in sandwich heaven that I hope to revisit in the very near future!
So until next time...talky later! LOL!
Friday, March 26, 2010
Just a Southern Girl at Heart
I have been travelling all around the country and for the last 4 weeks I have been in Philadelphia. I can see how people would think it is a great town. I mean they have beautiful art museums (including the one with the steps Rocky ran up....ADRIENNE!!!), lots of great shopping (Walnut Avenue around 15th and 16th streets) and an abundance of restaurants. Philadelphia is a diverse town that has a place for everyone. That is everyone but me. As much as I like to travel and as much as I love to eat, being in Philadelphia makes me realize how much of a southern girl I really am. And I am darn proud of it!
Because my soul was craving family and good southern food, I had to fly home today so that I could enjoy one of my all-time favorite traditions...FRIED FISH FRIDAYS!!! As long as I can remember, my family has eaten fish on Fridays. I don't really know why Friday is the chosen day besides my father said he ate fish on Fridays growing up as a child. He said it was a Catholic thing but we aren't Catholic and neither were my grandparents so I don't know why that would pertain to us. But it doesn't matter because it is a tradition I love and I miss it when I can't participate.
My mother likes to eat fish at fish camps around town. (If you don't know what a fish camp is then you are like the other gazillion people of the world who don't live in Gastonia. Fish camps are family owned seafood restuarants that have lots of atmosphere but no glitz and glam. They are mom and pop shops that pile on the food for really low prices.) She prefers to fry the fish at home which is what I could DIE over!!! We generally get really thin pieces of flounder, rinse them off, pat them dry, season them with Lowry's, and then roll them in seafood batter. While my mom preps the fish, my dad preps the oil on the back porch because he doesn't want the house to smell like fish. Once the oil is the perfect temperature the fish cooks in 8 minutes. It is the perfect crispiness. When you bite into the fish you can taste the seasons in the batter but you can still taste the lightness and freshness of the fish. You don't need anymore season salt on it but if you add a hint of lemon juice it will take you over the top!! OMG! OMG! OMG! Most people eat fish with cole slaw or corn on the cob but I only want a plate of fish. I generally eat at least 4 pieces but maybe 7 or 8 pieces! I get it in!
Although I know fried fish doesn't make me a Southern girl its how I eat it that does. I put all the fish on my plate and eat it with my hands so that I don't miss one little piece. With my first 4 pieces I use lemon juice to put it over the top but on the last 4 pieces I use the secret to all Southern food...TEXAS PETE! Man o' man! Texas Pete is hard to find in other parts of the country so I am assuming it is Southern. It definitely adds some Southern heat to my food and to my mouth when I add it to my food. I have to wash it down with a big cup of Southern Sweet Tea (something else you can't get in Philly).
Well I guess this post is long enough considering my last one went on and on and on and on. LOL! I won't post a recipe since I kind of game you the recipe for fried fish.
All the travel in the world only makes me a well-travelled Southern girl!
Because my soul was craving family and good southern food, I had to fly home today so that I could enjoy one of my all-time favorite traditions...FRIED FISH FRIDAYS!!! As long as I can remember, my family has eaten fish on Fridays. I don't really know why Friday is the chosen day besides my father said he ate fish on Fridays growing up as a child. He said it was a Catholic thing but we aren't Catholic and neither were my grandparents so I don't know why that would pertain to us. But it doesn't matter because it is a tradition I love and I miss it when I can't participate.
My mother likes to eat fish at fish camps around town. (If you don't know what a fish camp is then you are like the other gazillion people of the world who don't live in Gastonia. Fish camps are family owned seafood restuarants that have lots of atmosphere but no glitz and glam. They are mom and pop shops that pile on the food for really low prices.) She prefers to fry the fish at home which is what I could DIE over!!! We generally get really thin pieces of flounder, rinse them off, pat them dry, season them with Lowry's, and then roll them in seafood batter. While my mom preps the fish, my dad preps the oil on the back porch because he doesn't want the house to smell like fish. Once the oil is the perfect temperature the fish cooks in 8 minutes. It is the perfect crispiness. When you bite into the fish you can taste the seasons in the batter but you can still taste the lightness and freshness of the fish. You don't need anymore season salt on it but if you add a hint of lemon juice it will take you over the top!! OMG! OMG! OMG! Most people eat fish with cole slaw or corn on the cob but I only want a plate of fish. I generally eat at least 4 pieces but maybe 7 or 8 pieces! I get it in!
Although I know fried fish doesn't make me a Southern girl its how I eat it that does. I put all the fish on my plate and eat it with my hands so that I don't miss one little piece. With my first 4 pieces I use lemon juice to put it over the top but on the last 4 pieces I use the secret to all Southern food...TEXAS PETE! Man o' man! Texas Pete is hard to find in other parts of the country so I am assuming it is Southern. It definitely adds some Southern heat to my food and to my mouth when I add it to my food. I have to wash it down with a big cup of Southern Sweet Tea (something else you can't get in Philly).
Well I guess this post is long enough considering my last one went on and on and on and on. LOL! I won't post a recipe since I kind of game you the recipe for fried fish.
All the travel in the world only makes me a well-travelled Southern girl!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Daily Recipe
Here's a new item for this blog...daily recipes. Please feel free to comment and post your own recipes.
Beef Roast Al La Goodness
Ingredients:
2lb. Beef roast
6 shallots, chopped
3 cloves of garlic. Minced
8oz. Button mushrooms, whole
1/2 box of beef broth
Bottle of red wine
Salt & Pepper
Cook time: 6 hours
Temperature: Low in Crockpot
First, heavily season the beef with salt,pepper,and garlic and rub it into the meat. Once seasoned, place in the crockpot. Add the chopped shallots, mushrooms, beef broth, and wine. Place the cover on the crockpot. Let this cook on low all day while at work or at night while sleeping. After cooking for 6 hours open the crockpot. The meat should be extra tender as well as the veggies.
Before serving, pull the roast out of the crockpot to rest for 15 minutes. While resting, transfer the remaing juice from the crockpot to a skillet. Turn the heat on medium. Whisk in 1tbsp of flour to thicken the sauce. Whisk quickly so there are no lumps.Gravy is ready once thick after about 5 minutes.
This dish is easy and it is great with wild rice and asparagus.
Enjoy!
Beef Roast Al La Goodness
Ingredients:
2lb. Beef roast
6 shallots, chopped
3 cloves of garlic. Minced
8oz. Button mushrooms, whole
1/2 box of beef broth
Bottle of red wine
Salt & Pepper
Cook time: 6 hours
Temperature: Low in Crockpot
First, heavily season the beef with salt,pepper,and garlic and rub it into the meat. Once seasoned, place in the crockpot. Add the chopped shallots, mushrooms, beef broth, and wine. Place the cover on the crockpot. Let this cook on low all day while at work or at night while sleeping. After cooking for 6 hours open the crockpot. The meat should be extra tender as well as the veggies.
Before serving, pull the roast out of the crockpot to rest for 15 minutes. While resting, transfer the remaing juice from the crockpot to a skillet. Turn the heat on medium. Whisk in 1tbsp of flour to thicken the sauce. Whisk quickly so there are no lumps.Gravy is ready once thick after about 5 minutes.
This dish is easy and it is great with wild rice and asparagus.
Enjoy!
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