Today is Monday which translates to red beans and rice.   In my head and stomach, Mondays were synonymous with red beans simmering on the stove while we washed clothes.  The kidney bean is a southern Louisiana staple, but it is also found in many other cultures and cuisines.  For example, kidney beans are also…

3 cups shrimp broth, 1 1/2 cup wild rice, 3 cups chicken broth, 3 cups fresh spinach, chopped, 1 (8 oz.) can water chestnuts, drained, rinsed, and thinly sliced, 1 lb. crab meat, 2 celery stalks, chopped, 4 green onions, chopped,  1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped, 1/4 cup fresh blueberries, cut in half, 1/2 T….

My Grandmother, Emma, would make a beef stew with light as a feather drop dumplings. These dumplings can be used on top of stews, soups, fried, or baked. Feather dumplings are referred to as light as air. Here is the recipe, y’all tell me how you are going to fix them. FEATHER DUMPLINGS 2 cups…

1/2 stick butter, melted, 4 cups graham crackers crumbs ( 1 inter package of graham crackers equals 1 1/4 cups of crumbs), 1/2 pound Gala apples, peeled, cored, and diced, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/2 cup unsweetened apple juice, 1/2 cup molasses, juice, and rind of a lemon. Preheat oven to 300…

For most of my life,  I was of the firm opinion that if a meal did not include meat, I didn’t want it.  In the words of my Grandma Emma, “Baby, don’t put that on my plate.”  Within the last five (5) years, I have expanded my food palette to include meatless dishes. SPICY YAM…

5 chicken thighs, 1/2 cup seasoned flour (1/4 cup self-rising flour, 1/4 cup corn starch, 1 tsp. seasoning salt, 1/2 tsp. black pepper, 1 tsp. granulated garlic, 1/4 tsp. dried thyme), 1/2 cup garlic oil, 1/4 cup red bell pepper, chopped, 2 firm tomatoes, chopped,  3 garlic cloves, minced, 1 cup Spanish olives with pimento,…

Bruschetta, pronounced (bruschetta) 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 three 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…

MY SIGN IS CHICKEN! Today, I will teach you how to cut up a whole chicken. Get out your cutting board, a sharp knife, and the chicken.  Remove the innards ( heart, neck, gizzard) and any extra fat from the chicken.  Cut the skin and flesh between the legs and body of the chicken. Bend the…

1 cup cauliflower, finely chopped, 1/2 cup frozen white corn kernels, 1/2 cup frozen peas, 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 garlic cloves, minced, 1/4 cup white onion, chopped, 1 carrot, peeled and chopped, 3 green onions, chopped, 1/4 cup red bell pepper, cut into thin strips,  2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons tamari, 1/4…

It’s Valentine’s Day.  Faith, joy, and love are the best things in life.  Agape love is the best. I am sending love to all my friends and family.  Keeping with tradition and expressing my love through food, I am serving Red Beads and Rice, Hot Water Cornbread, Fried Chicken, and a simple Green Salad. RED…

I celebrate Valentine’s Day with or without a mate.  This is a special day when I celebrate the love of life, love of flowers, love of food, love of singing, love of getting dressed up, the list goes on and on. On Valentine Day, I buy myself some flowers sit back, prop up my feet…

Does chocolate say, love?  Chocolate is frequently called the “love drug.”  Eating chocolate increases your pulse rate, resulting in a feeling of being in love.  Chocolate also makes you feel relaxed and happy. CHOCOLATE BROWNIES WITH CHOCOLATE ICING 1/2 cup cake flour, sifted, 1/8 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon baking powder, 3 tablespoons butter flavored shortening, 1/2 cup…