When I want a menu that tastes like home I cook Country Ham Steaks drizzled with Red Eye Gravy. Serve alongside Southern Style Green Beans, and mashed potatoes or Cheese Grits, then finish with a slice of Derby Pie, for an authentic taste of the Bluegrass region.
When I am looking for something simple and practical to prepare for a potluck or a snug weekend at home, I often think of this recipe. Red Beans and Rice works well as a side dish to share with friends. It also makes a great main course for a cozy dinner at home.
This vintage recipe for Homemade Chili comes from a local Homemaker’s Association Cookbook. Kentucky Chili or Bluegrass Chili might be a better name as this type of chili seems to be unique to the region. It is a brothy chili that stretches a pound of hamburger to feed a crowd. Spaghetti, added shortly before serving, completes this family favorite.
Served with a flavorful Roasted Red Pepper Sauce this Pan Simmered Salmon becomes an elegant indulgence. Subtly flavored by the cooking liquid, the soft smokey taste of the fish is perfectly balanced by the depth and sweetness of the roasted peppers. The fresh flavors and gorgeous color make this entree a favorite in all seasons.
It’s almost New Year’s Day and I have everything ready to put my black eyed peas on the stove. I make them every year as a New Year’s Day tradition. People out in this part of the country ask me “Why?” as if I should know, as if no one […]
My advice this Thanksgiving is to keep it simple… and relax. All will be well. Serve the dishes your family cherishes. Eat them with joy. And, above all, remember to offer thanks for the special blessings you have gathered around your table!
This has been the best summer yet in my backyard garden. I have grown nice gardens before but when we moved to the Pacific Northwest, over a decade ago, I found myself facing a whole new set of gardening challenges.
Summer’s Heat Summer’s heat has descended on the Portland area this week. Everywhere I go people are trying to outdo each other in relating the dire forecasts they have heard for a record breaking heatwave in the days to come. I smile and nod my head trying to suppress my […]
My daughter has called me several times since she moved away this summer. She often calls around dinner time to tell me about what she is planning to cook for dinner or what she is making to take in her lunch the next day…
This recipe for my family’s favorite Macaroni and Cheese has been pared down to keep it simple. Sprinkle the top with a bit of grated Parmesan or Gruyere and bake until golden brown and gooey. I make it in a big 9 x 13-inch casserole dish and leftovers are hard to come by.
At times I really struggle with life in the Pacific Northwest. While it is a beautiful part of the country that I have called home for many years there are seasons when I am reminded of another place, another stage of life, and I hear it calling. As Derby Day approaches, my thoughts turn to the beautiful Bluegrass State where I grew up. Remembering springtime on the banks of the Ohio, I can’t help but feel homesick. ..
Are you a Healthy Cook? Would you call yourself a “nutritional gatekeeper”? Do you have a certain Style in the kitchen? A New York Times article by Tara Parker-Pope suggests that those who buy and prepare the food in our home strongly influence the eating habits of those around them…