CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS 5 chicken thighs, 2 carrots, 1 white onion, 1 celery stalk, 1 bay leaf, 1/4 teaspoon sage, 1/4 teaspoon thyme, 1 teaspoon chicken soup starter bullion, 1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper.  Get out a heavy pot.  Add the chicken, onion, leave the skin on, celery break in half, carrots, bay leaf, sage,…

TUNA NOODLE CASSEROLE Today my granddaughter Alahna turns 13 years old.  She has requested a Tuna Noodle Casserole for her birthday dinner.  Please join me in wishing my baby the big 13th HAPPY BIRTHDAY. 1 (12 oz.) wide egg noodles, 1 (10.5 oz.) can cream of mushroom soup, 2 (6 oz.) cans albacore tuna, drained, 1/2 teaspoon…

SEAFOOD PILAF 1/2 cup yellow onion, 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 3 tablespoons salted butter,  3 garlic cloves, crushed to a paste, 2 Roma tomatoes, peeled and chopped, 1/4 teaspoon sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon white pepper, 1 teaspoon sweet paprika, 1/8 teaspoon saffron threads, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne, 1/2 tablespoon turmeric, 1 cup…

A boiled peanut is a southern thing, what do you know about that?  My grandmother would never say she make making boiled peanuts she would say, do you want some “bold peanuts”.  A serving size is 1/2 cup that is unless you are a true southerner than you eat, eat and eat til you have…

The shelves and meat departments are empty in most of the stores near me.   I am going to repurpose the fried chicken we had for dinner the other day. A great stir-fry must consist of three components: protein, vegetables, and sauce. CHICKEN STIR-FRY 2 tablespoons garlic oil, 2 garlic cloves, finely minced, 5 fried chicken…

Bruschetta pronounced (bru’sketta) is an appetizer from Italy.  Bruschetta usually consists of grilled bread rubbed with garlic and topped with olive oil and salt.  My daughter made these two delicious bruschettas, hence the name. DABOO BRUSCHETTA 2 French baguette. Slice the bread diagonally into 1/2 inch pieces.  Brush each slice, on one side, with olive…

How to Suck an oyster with a butter knife:  Wash the oysters in cold water with a scrub brush until they are clean.  Hold the oyster with the flat side up firmly with a towel.  Locate the valve or hinge, then stick the knife into the value and twist until the flat shell opens. OYSTERS…

Let’s Put it All Together. When I make croquettes, I use cornmeal and flour my GrandMa used leftover mashed potatoes Croquettes originated in France.  The first croquettes were made with beef.  History tells us that Monsieur Philias Gilbert wrote down the many recipes for a croquette to share with the chefs that studied under him….

It’s the first day of Spring, I am sitting in the back yard relaxing in a lounge chair snacking on pickled green beans and sipping on a spicy Bloody Mary. PICKLED FRESH GREEN BEANS 2 pounds green beans, 1/2 pound wax yellow beans, 3 cups water, 2 1/2 cups apple cider vinegar, 1/2 cup white…

Succotash is succotash, what makes this recipe the best you will ever eat is the pickled okra. SUCCOTASH Succotash originated in America.  What is included in your succotash is contingent on where you live and what grows near you and what is in season?  I made succotash all year, consequently, I use frozen vegetables.  1/2…

Mirliton (pronounced mella-ton) is a squash native to Mexico.  In Mexico, they are called chayote squash in southern Louisiana; they are called mirlitons and alligator pears. Mirliton grew in all the swamps; the alligators would grab them off the trees and eat them; thus, the name alligator pears.  Mirlitons taste like a cross between a cucumber…

I know this recipe says Bread Pudding, but today it is all about Grandma Charlie.  Grandma Charlie is my children’s paternal grandmother.  They all, starting with Grandma Charlie, went to and graduated from Wiley College in Marshall, Texas. Whenever I make bread pudding, I think of my mother-in-law Charlie Mae Andrews.  She loved bread pudding…